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^^^ LIIVIITFD PH: 3012 82 82 www.rivercityapartments.com.au * Cond/tj'ons opp/y^. KWbQ^BSl SEMPER FLOREAT WOMEN'S EDITION 2003

Contents Indigenous people have been, often violently, dispossessed of their land and culture. They remain some of EDITORIALS the most marginalised in our society. SFRIOUS STUFF There can be no social progress without recognition of the injustices .4 suffered by Indigenous Australians. An Islamic Perspective on Feminism. Education: Gender Issues at Play 7 A Deconstructlon of Women in the People's Republic of China .8 Inside Out .10 SEMPER FLOREAT Activism...Not Quite _ .11 .12 THE UQ UNION NEWSPAPER The Feminine Feminist The Quiet Ones .13 Escaping the Pinl< Collar Ghetto .14 Editors: David Lavercombe Girls Can Do Anything-Can't We? .15 Shona Nystrom The Big Picture of Women and Higher Education .16 Jim Wilson Reminiscences of a UQ Student of the Sixties .17 .18 Arts Editor: Sofia Ham Letter to 60 Minutes .19 Wh nge Exploring the Role of Religious Faith in Modern International Systems 20 Telephone: 3377 2237 I Am Oppressed -Apparently .21 Facsimile: 3377 2220 Unleash The Gimp: Women in Chess .23 [email protected] Poetry .24 Letter From a Murrie Woman. .25 Citizen James .28 Semper Floreat Offices' LACE .29 Union Complex Springborg is in the Air .30 The University of Queensland Why Isn't Australia More Like Sweden _ 31 St Lucia, 4067

UNION STUFF The views expressed in Semper Floreat do not necessarily reflect Ipswich Women's Health Centre Closes 32 those of the editors, the UQ Union, or SWIM On 32 The University of Queensland. No Worries 33 The editors encourage you to submit your own views for publication (see OTHER STUFF page 2).

My Favourite Fictional Sheroes. 34 Reclaim the Night 36 Riot GrrrI 36

FATS: FiiM ART THEATRE SOUND

Film 38 Sound 40 Pages 45 Whatcha Gonna Do 46 Schoneil Timetable_ 48

-UQ 0 if w 0 n if £> T' union Shona Any editor is going to be wary when an outside department expects 100% editorial control over an edition of the David Jim publication they are responsible for. Gone lo Europe. Back soon. See last edition's editorial. It is also difficult to negotiate when the Lisa White (Women's Rights Officer) other party want such absolutes, The Semper editors this year do not challenge As the Women's Rights Officer, it falls to me to write an editorial for the women's edition women's autonomous organsing. But if of Semper. It saddens me to have to start the edition of women's Semper on a negative they so desperately want an note. I believe that Women's Collective has most succinctly articulated why an autonomously organised publication, autonomous Women's Edition of Semper is necessary. The following is taken from a perhaps they should use their letter written by Women's Collective to the Semper Editors during what was a difficult and autonomously organised publishing frustrating negotiation process. A process which actually served to illustrate and highlight software and publications budget (which many of the attitudes about editorial "control", that a Women's Edition seeks to address. this year was set at 30% of the value of Semper's printing budget). • We affirm the importance of a women's only edition of Semper to provide space and encourage expression of the voices of women in a culture in which their voices may not Excluding any male contributors was always going to be a big ask from a be recognised or respected in the mainstream media and society. In this way, the newspaper office with two male editors women's edition is of crucial importance as a forum for women's voices and experiences and a woman who believes in equal on any topic as opposed to an edition limited to writings solely on women's issues. opportunity.

• We reject the argument that including men in Women's Semper is an apolitical position. Regardless of these difficulties, which in The inclusion of men in the Women's edition represents an attack of the legitimacy of my opinion impeded the preparations women's autonomous organising. It is a political statement of the largest kind - that more than they should have, we received Semper does not recognise autonomous organising. some fine contributions from the Women's Collective. We also received quite a • The assumption that men need to be included to have a diversity of opinions response from women outside the represented ignores the diversity in the opinions between women. A part of the autonomy collective. After all, this is the Women's of Women's Semper is about allowing women to express a diversity of opinions and to Edition, not the Women's Collective impinge upon that undermines the diversity of women's expression. Opening up this Edition. space for women allows an environment in which more radical approaches to style and There were many points of negotiation. structure can be explored and allowed to flourish... Too many people have been constrained by tradition. It has been difficult trying to Although much effort was made on bolh sides to address the concerns that were raised, convince others that we were not out to unfortunately many women, including myself, believe that a Women's edition isn't just undermine the Women's Edition, but to about women contributors. It is my hope that in the future we will see both parties having make it different this year, in the hope of a commitment to the broader notion of women's autonomous organising and cultural attracting more readers and more effective production. I would like lo encourage women contribute to the women's area publication communication from Women. Her-Elical. We will be taking contributions from the end of August, and will be available al the start of 2004. That was the aim. Judge for yourself how well we succeeded.

SEMPER FLOREAT IS YOUR UNION NEWSPAPER The editors of Semper in 2003 believe WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW in an objective press. We are not dictated to by any particular political party or faction. Writing articles We attempt to make our reports on Union If you have an idea for an article, it is a good idea to first check it with the editors to see activities as objective as possible. This relies if they are interested and how much space could be dedicated to it.. on information received as well as activities observed by the editors. We are open to hear The editors are interested in your views, but not mere assertions. Essays and articles all perspectives on any situation. filled with good argument and supported by facts will be preferred when choosing from We attempt to produce a balanced amongst the submissions. publication taking in as many different ideas and ideologies as possible. This relies on WordlenitK^^ , ./ 'y''"l. submissions. The edftorsfnorfnatly choose articles of 500-1000 words in length. If you have some The editors cannot guarantee every article graphips|i:include:tli^^^ as well, but please don't paste them into Word, send them as will be well balanced within itself although a separate:flles:|iP^:':^J; . well formulated argument is encouraged. Submitting Articlw^i;^;^!: We encourage counter arguments to any article published. However for constructive SubniittedddcuhnentsJshould include,the author's name (so we don't have to go fishing dialogue, criticism should be directed towards the content of the article, and not the

'imeiwi^raVr^selri/^^ a personal Semper Edx. We end up with a heap of fjibis that we cannot tell, apart; oplnfdh.'tbiitxthls .'does not restrict our acceptance of the opinion of others. If you have an opinion, we invite you to submit it to Semper Floreat.

-UQ union QA 9 9. 0 9. A q" Letters to the Editors

T.c Beirne Law School, or T.C Beirne Business School? (I'm confused...) Acknowledgement from the bean Charles Rickett, newly appointed Women's Rights Area to the law school, has swiftly The Women's Rights Area respectfully acknowledges that we stand on what implemented some drastic changes always was, and always will be, Indigenous land. We acknowledge that it is that are to take place in the law stolen land, and that Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders are program come 2004. Students and the rightful, sovereign custodians of all these Lands and Seas. We acknowledge staff alike have been left in the dark that the genocidal practices and discrimination that have been waged against concerning these matters which Indigenous people since white invasion continue still, and for this we are deeply hopefully vyill be demystified at the sorf7. We unreservedly apologise for and express our shame over the dispossession, marginalisation and attempted genocide of Aboriginal and 'Retreat' (held 15-16 August at Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also apologise for the Australian Kooralbyn Resort). Government's ongoing refusal to demonstrate meaningful human regret towards Indigenous people. We thank the traditional owners of this land for One worrying change under Rickett's continuing to allow us to work, campaign and conduct our activities here. headship has been the cut back on valuable electives available within the The Women's Rights Area further acknowledges that non-Indigenous women LLB program. Rickett assured have historically been complicit in, and have directly benefited from, the racist students that it is untrue that they oppression of Indigenous women, men and children. Racism Is a deeply internalised attitude that has many, many manifestations. There has been a will only be able to undertake complex herstory of oppression and racism within the "Women's movement", commercial law subjects. On closer with non-Indigenous women exerting cultural power over Indigenous women in inspection students' worries seem to a range of complicated, overt and unspoken ways. "Whiteness" has been a ring true. Subjects such as Feminist taken-for-granted and wholly unexamined facet of the coloniser's identity and Jurisprudence, Native title and social position, globally and within the specific context of the Invasion of this Indigenous Issues, Introduction to country. The Women's Rights Area works toward a respectful relationship Islamic law, Client Interviewing and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, seeking to understand these complexities, supporting and celebrating Indigenous Women's autonomy and Negotiation, Consumer Protection Law, sovereignty. and Clinical Legal Education (among vorlous others) seem to be no longer. Does this not seem as if the law as it Dear Semper, Editors, is at UQ is losing every skerrick of social conscience and justice? What was the deal with Revitalise this I hope that the "disgruntled, year? How many more times are ihe pessimistic student" of last edition's Rickett purports to "...ensure that we Union going to roll out the same or column has found things to like in both are in fact offering courses that are similar mediocre bands and try to tell this and the previous edition of relevant to practice...". Has he given us what a top rate line up they've got? Semper. I don't know what their thought to the law possessing social I thought this year's executive was problem is, though, when it comes to implications? Although a large number going to focus on providing decent having "opinions" on things. If we of UQ law graduates do pursue careers entertainment for their members? I could all live non-sentient rock-like In the realm of business and hope that It was cheap, because It was lives where we didn't have to make commercial law, this does not excuse certainly nasty. Why has It been the value judgements, that would be the slamming of doors to people who same OS the last three years? Does great, but as it is, being don't wish to enter these fields or (God anyone in that building actually have "unopinionated" is a good way to get forbid) don't actually want to practice an idea about what ordinary students paralysed when asked to make a law. Not offering or promoting courses find entertaining? It seems that this decision. that deal with the social implications of year's exec are just the same as all the law, especially with regard to the others. Putting on a BBQ whilst a Some of the pieces in Semper are a marginalised groups such as women, crap band plays at an ear-splitting bit over-analytical, but hey, this is a indigenous people and the gay level is not the limit of what the Union University campus, and to my community will simply result in should be doing for its members. I knowledge no-one's yet died from maintaining a cycle of injustice. have news for you; The nineties ended considering things In abstract detail. more than three years ago. The out If that were the case, the ranks of As aptly stated on a poster in the door rock festival is dead. Surely not Academic would be a lot thinner than corridors of Forgan Smith, "Law everyone on the executive is a total they currently are ... students don't care about much but dork? they do care about this." -The Wolf. L. Bird -- Livid law student.

-UQ \\> 0 'M H 1? 1 0 if union In the name of God, the most Gracious, violent and vengeful society, and go Socrates dismissed his wife - a female most Merciful against its established order. One man - from the famous last group discussion was brave enough to say that women before his death. The Parthenon, In accordance with Islamic etiquette, I were not to be married against their will, probably the most celebrated Greek greet you with Assalamu Alaikum - that a woman had the right to be building, was strictly a male preserve - "Peace be upon you". divorced if that is what she wished, that no women allowed. Apparently, women a 1400-year old book said that a Perhaps 1 should begin by telling you a had no souls for a long time! Much later, woman should be able to go about her little about myself. I do not come from a the women of the great Shakespeare daily business outside the home, particularly religious background. I was that I had to learn in high school were without the fear of being harassed on schooled in international schools mostly treacherous, promiscuous and the streets. That a woman could run her throughout, which, of course, meant even sluts. own business, if she so chose and that that my education was very, very she could choose what to do with her In sharp contrast, my studies of Islam Western. Islam was not a deterministic finances, that she had a say in the showed me the Islamic mosque, from part of our family life. We knew very few political make-up of society - things its humble beginnings, was built with women who were covered - my that most women still dream of in the specific intention of including immediate family, relatives and family today's world. women. In pre-lslamic Arabia, many of friends weren't. My own friends, oi whose elements still exist, women were course, weren't. Personally, 1 don't What I will explain to you is the way that regarded as little more than chattels. In know if I believed in God, much less a women and their roles are built in to the the first mosque of Islam, in Medina, religion with such a strong moral code. Islamic structure - the way that women however, there gathered both women are perceived in Islam's vision of a When I decided that Islam was to play and men. There is a very famous story society. a major role in my life, I immediately with Muslims from the time of the Caliph Umar (peace be upon him). decided lo wear hijab ~ to put on the In my first year at uni, I came across scarf, which understandably was detailed discussions oi the perceptions Umar (peace be upon him) was giving a strongly objected to by my parents, of women in Western society. We sermon in the mosque one day. relatives and friends. One of the things discussed the myths and the stories Mosques, in Islam, traditionally function that used to turn me off religion or that surround the construction of as the Town Hall of a city, where much religious behaviour was the issue of women and their roles in Western of the legal and political discussions women, When it came to Islam, one of society. As I read on, and as I'm sure take place. The Caliph, one day, the first things that attracted me to it many of you are well aware, I learnt that suggested that the 'meher' - which is was the position of its women, not only Western society, is profoundly the dowry that a man agrees to give to in its scripture, but it in its earliest influenced by Greek culture. Socrates his wife in the marriage contract - be set societies. and Plato are this society's heroes and at a fixed rate of some sort. A woman in many of the legends of the Greeks the congregation objected to Umar's I was amazed that more than one resound in contemporary culture. suggestion and said that the Qur'an thousand four hundred years ago, one does not delegate authority to change man had the courage to stand up in a

-UQ union £ IA 9 9 0 9 £ A T the meher. Umar, subsequently, agreed right to be fed and clothed in kindness. be able to establish a mosque, where with her, admitted she was correct. Do treat your women well and be kind only the strictest Islamic etiquette will to them for they are your partners and be allowed and nothing less. He said to When I was told this story by a Sheikh committed helpers." me, if anyone comes to his mosque and - a religious scholar - he said to me insists that the women be segregated that, among the many things, one could Time and again, the Qur'an stresses into an invisible room somewhere, he glean from this story, an important that women are not the property of would say to them, "If you want to be lesson was that women were not only men, but are a sacred trust allowed to separated, go to your mosques in allowed in mosques, they could them by God Himself. And should they Sydney or go to your mosques in New participate in discussions and were choose to abuse that trust, they only York - do not come to a mosque where encouraged to raise their concems in incur God's Wrath. we follow the tradition of the Prophet legal matters. (SAS)." I could go on and on, but I believe I've Over the last four years, I have had the made my point - the difference between It is a very sad thing that Muslims have opportunity to speak to many young the perception of what women should allowed various cultural practices to Muslim girls and their upbringing and be in Islamic society, as opposed to that invade the practice of a pure, traditional the stories that they grew up with. Let in the Western tradition. I took pity on Islam, it is even sadder that Muslims me tell you some of them. They grew myself as I listened to the stories the have adopted the very things from up with the stories of Aisha (RA), the Muslim girls had to tell me. I grew up various cultures that were abhorred by Prophet's wife who was among the worried about shaving my legs, so the the Prophet himself. On national scales most learned of her time and to whom boys in my school liked me and they in Muslim-majority countries, this we owe most of Islam's jurisprudence. grew up preparing for the next absurd mix of capitalism, George Bush- Muslim girls grew up with the story of discussion or debate they may have style democracy, various interest the first convert to Islam - a woman; the with their friends! groups including feminists with first martyr of Islam - a woman. They imposing ideologies and facets of local A legitimate question is, of course, why grew up with the story of the one of the culture have created havoc in the name Muslim society today is in such sharp Prophet (SAS)'s most trusted of Islam., with, of course, a great deal of contrast to the ideals of (slam. It is bodyguards who went into combat with help from Western media and good old something that upsets me, as it does him - a woman. They grew up with the Betty Mahmoody, Geraldine Brooks - the other Muslims. But, my attraction to story of Khadija - the Prophet's first and others just as, if not more, ignorant. wife, many years his senior and his Islam, like most Muslims, is not employer, even after their marriage. because of its adherents or necessarily So, I wanted to summarise for you in a of the example of many Muslims of She ran her own business, for which few points, things that are vital for you today. My attraction to Islam is because Muhammad worked and, having to understand in order to communicate of the Qur'an and the example of the observed him for a length of time, she with Muslim women. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon proposed to him. him) and his contemporaries. To know - Firstly, the word 'religion' does NOT And Muslim men have grown up with anything about and to attempt to mean the same and has NOT meant the stories of Muhammad and his understand Islam, one must go to its the same to Muslims as to the majority Companions - men who married very source. Hence, our insistence that of the Western world. Islam never said orphaned, widowed, divorced women Muslims must return to the Orthodox that women were inferior to men. Islam with sometimes many children from traditions of Islam, in order to ensure never implied that God was a man. It their previous marriages. And they all that women are given their rightful never said that it was Eve's fault that took full charge of those they married. place in society. Adam and her got kicked out of heaven Men who had to, under islamic law, pay and that women for generations would alimony to those that they divorced and Referring back to the story 1 told you of have to carry the burden of her sin. be confronted with the law if they the woman who stood up during the Muslims do not believe in any such abused their wives. Men, who were sermon of the Caliph Umar, I was told thing as original sin. Islam boldly stated obliged, by the religion they now chose something very interesting along with that all humans were equal. Muslim to practice, to educate their wives and the story itself. The Sheikh who told me women regard Islam as the ultimate their daughters and who were told, that the story said that one could conclude means to their liberation - the in the eyes of God, the women were from the story that women are allowed revolutionary ideology and way of life equal to men. This is a paragraph from to be on the same floor as men during that gives them the freedom that the Prophet's last sermon, shortly sermons and prayers and not hidden nothing else does. before his death: from one another. There is a common practice amongst the Muslims of today, - Secondly, do not bring your own "0 People, it is true that you have particularly Muslims living in the frameworks and assumptions into certain rights with regard to your Westem world - to isolate the women Islam. Now, it is common in the West to women, but they also have rights over worshippers to either the floor above or view a linear society, where we have you. Remember that you have taken to a completely segregated, sealed off headed towards progress, freed from them as your wives only under Allah's place, where they have no opportunity the past. On the one hand, yes - a lot Trust and Permission, If they abide by to participate. The Sheikh who told me of it has been progress because the your right, then to them belongs the the story dreams of a day when he will West needed change and progress

-UQ •^V 0 'M ^ '^' £

-UQ union u 9 £ 9 0 9, 'A q" In this celebration issue of all things than boys, can argue with far more Steve Biddulph in his texts on raising women, much is being said about the presence of mind and tend to take boys and raising girls, suggests that it is importance of difference and the discipline far more personally than boys. in fact the boys within the education importance of similarity between Thus their strategy is to promote a teacher system who are the ones adrift and at genders. However such an issue can be to define the line again and again, placing risk. He claims, rightly or wrongly, that seen to naturally spring forth the the teacher in the defensive role of the educational environment of schooling question: defending their own thinking. All of this places value on those qualities which suggests a higher ability to laterally shine within girls at a young age - To what extent do the gender differences approach problem solving. Through an producing motivated, diligent learners manifest themselves during the MRl one can visibly see that during who are independently minded and more developmental years of human growth? problem solving, an adolescent girl's brain sure of their self identity. Similarly, he utilizes both left and right brain thinking, would claim that those negative In terms of teaching the young Semper whereas boys' brains during these tendencies which manifest themselves in contributors of the future at a secondary formative years are typically localized in young males - downwardly spiraling school level, the differences in the practical centers of the left brain. marks, propensities for violence, alcohol educational approaches can be most Hence, by the time a gir! has crossed the and drugs. Young boys, he claims, are in starkly seen in the field of managing line, she is six steps ahead. need of well-rounded role models, who behaviour. In full admission of my own can empathise with their needs position as a novice in the field of Since educational theory took an organic throughout development, of nurturing to teaching, I liken the behaviour problems shift in the 1970s, much has been promote their better qualities rather than of boys and girls in secondary school to a researched on the teaching of boys and learning to exhibit anti-social behaviour to walk on the beach (possibly as a form of girls as human beings and how similarity react to feelings of inadequacy and escapism from the horrors implicit within can be promoted between the sexes. inferiority Or else is it any wonder that my job). As such, disciplining a student in However, only as recently as the 90s has they fire off like the loose cannons they a classroom is very similar to drawing a the pendulum swung the other way with a are, potent with mind-bending line in the sand in front of them and whole gamut of theory suggesting that testosterone? instructing them not to walk over it. By boys and girls should be taught in terms doing so, you're encouraging the 'rogue' of their developmental needs, and the However, to those victims of gender- student to continue with the task at hand needs young boys and young girls are based violence, to those suffering under and stop disrupting others. completely different. school-tie network, misogynistic cronyism and the glass ceiling; can we distill these By drawing the line you have situated the In English departments across the lingering injustices into such a neat student back into an acceptable territory country, great emphasis is being placed package of 'typical' reactions to an and given them the choice to stay there on covering texts which show positive unequal rate of development? Certainly and work or to cross the line and meet male role models, possibly to balance out many of Biddulph's conclusions in this with consequences. In my obsen/ations, the recurrent generations of Biggies regard can be seen to be extending the between the ages of 13-16, boys and girls books, Indiana Jones films and Batman bleeding heart mentality too far over the seem to invariably respond in comics. All of these texts demonstrating top and so the argument is easy to stereotypical ways. Boys will either to boys a construction of the pseudo- discount. Why should we take the anti­ accept that the line is there and return to perfect male with a falsely two- social behaviour exhibited by boys - acceptable behaviour or they will make dimensional model of idea! behaviour. typically against another person ~ and the choice to step over the line in the sand After all, when you are bombarded with rationalize it into a symptom of some and accept the consequences. Boys at texts glorifying violence as the way to victimless epidemic? What is not so easy this age will typically know that they have solve problems in a black and white to discount though are the statistics - that crossed the line. In contrast, girls employ world, is it any wonder that transfernng by the age of fifteen, three times more a much more complex strategy. When these same methods of problem solving boys than girls are dead from accidents, faced with a line in the sand, they will kick to a three-dimensional world v/here violence and from suicide. water over it and muddy the outline a little. violence is an unacceptable alternative, They are often more eloquent for their age and there is no bad guy

-UQ W 0 IA £ if £ £> q-' q 0 if- union This article seeks to deconstruct and This is evidenced by the Ministry of the A survey shows a majority of women account for the "mismatch" between Interior instructing registrars not to believe divorce is not a good solution women's experiences and the inability allow an automatic divorce. Registrars for couples who are on reconcilable of their legal system to provide them are also obliged to apply "persuasive terms but are no longer emotionally with adequate relief. Black letter law education" by insisting on reconciliation attached . This was mainly due to the suggests women have greater freedom if there is any indication the marital opinion that divorce is a burden to in terms of marriage. However, relation could continue . It has been women and a remarriage was practicality and convention have argued that this practice reflects an "impractical and troublesome" . This shaped the reality that women still have attitude that divorce by mutual consent view can be attributed to the difficulties difficulties in asserting autonomy and is "frivolous" and irresponsible . It women have in seeking property seeking relief due to Confucian and seems this convention is an effort to settlements in divorce. Communist ideological constraints. keep the family unit together. It also arguably demonstrates the ideological Property Law Chinese women were rhetorically constraints that are imposed implicitly. The feudal system of land ownership described as 'constituting half of This is because both Communist and was removed and land was re­ heaven' in post-revolutionary China . it Confucian ideals place the individual's distributed to the public in the 1950s. At was anticipated that the Marxist wishes and interests below that of the first sight, it would seem women's rights ideology and the Chinese Community State and the family respectively. would be promoted in that they would Party (CCP) would 'liberate' women Perhaps the strongest indication of also receive a portion. This anticipation from feudalistic norms. limitations on non-consensual divorce is supported by Article Nine of the Law is the narrow interpretation of "complete of Succession of the PRC, which states Marriage laws provide women more breakdown of mutual affection". male and female are equal in their right wilh protection, as Article Three of the to inheritance. However, in reality, this Marriage Law of the PRC requires At first sight, this concept seems quite is not the case due to a lack of "complete willingness" by both parties. similar to the Australian term of enforcement of rights, conservative The traditional practices of child "irretrievable breakdown of marriage". conventions and practical reasons such betrothal, dowry and concubinage are However, the Supreme People's Court as housing shortages. prohibited by Article Two, However, has limited it to faults such as women have greater difficulties to deception, adultery and fraud. Lack of The married daughter's right to inherit obtain divorce. Although Article 17 affection in the marriage has yet to be has later been Interpreted as invalid if states divorce by mutual consent is considered as a relevant factor. Social she left long ago and did not make her automatic, the reality is, this action is attitudes correspond with this perceived intentions clear. Article 38 of the Law of constrained by conventions and ideals. irrelevance of affection. PRC on Land Management 1986 stipulates a person automatically lost

-UQ union M 9 9, 0 9 A T' his or her share of housing rights upon women's shares being unaffected by that the Act does not expressly protect leaving their village. This meant marriage or compensation for the loss women against domestic violence. women who left her village upon has yet to be recognized. Third, the Consequently, the ability of the Chinese marriage or women who have moved to impediments a divorcee faces raise legal system to provide adequate relief work lost their share of the natal house questions on the effectiveness of the for women is questionable. and land. Chinese legal system in providing adequate remedies. Thus, it could be The Role of the All-China Women's Women also find it difficult to claim their argued that the Chinese legal system Federation equal right to property endowed by has not been particularly helpful in The Act suggests the Women's Article 28 of the Protection of Rights and assisting women's rights and status in Federation plays an important role in Interests of Women Law after divorce. terms of divorce and property laws. upholding women's welfare. However, They are unable to seek a monetary Whilst the law provides for certain rights the organization is challenged by sum or ownership of the house because and remedies, they have not generally serving both the interests of women and the house essentially has no market been granted due to 'practical' and the Party, Their dual role has often led value. This is because houses are ideological constraints. to a perception that they are merely the collectively owned by the State and Party's, and not necessarily women's, allocated by working units Women's Rights Law 1992 mouthpiece. Their official role is to Furthermore, women often received The Women's Rights Law 1992 "implement governmental policies" and their share indirectly through their provides potentially powerful protection this has lead to a belief that the husband due to housing shortages , for women but its effect has yet to be organization is not a pressure group This meant a divorced woman is under fully realized. For example. Article Two advocating women's rights. The high immense pressure to move out because of the Act states women shall enjoy percentage of officials being party she would have either lived in a house "equal rights with men in all aspects of members enhances the belief that the allocated by her husband's work unit or political, economic, cultural, social and organization is tied to the government. lived with her parents-in-law. family life". Although the CCP openly In Suzhou, 78% of the leading officials Consequently, she becomes dependent admits gender inequality still exists, the were party members. upon her family and friends if her work lack of private course of action and unit does not allocate her an apartment. extensive official discretion is of The government often uses the These hindrances have probably led to concern. organization to promote its policies. the social attitude that remaining in a This included the one-child policy and loveless but reconcilable marriage is a This problem is evident in Article Five, an extreme case of closing down an better option than divorce , which stipulates the All-China Women's independent shelter for domestic Federation represents women and violence victims . Such proximity has 61.1% of divorced women are left complaints shall be made with them lead to the view that the organization without housing in ten sub-districts of under Article 48. The organization will does not necessarily act as women's Dongchen District in Shanghai . then request the relevant department to protector. In fact, 56.4% of Housing shortages often mean their investigate. This raises scope for interviewees in Shenyang and Nantong requests are placed subordinate to excessive official discretion. It would stated they would join a new women's those of married couples . In addition, seem the victim's complaint is judged organization , Thus, this raises rules for allocations tend to favour men. and needs to be ratified by the questions as to the organization's For example, men only need to work for Women's Federation and the effectiveness as a women's advocate 4 years to qualify. Conversely, women department before it even reaches the and an alternate means of relief. need to be employed for 20 years , Court. Consequently, this potentially Consequently, a divorced unemployed gives rise to the situation where a victim Conclusion woman becomes vulnerable and is left with no action or relief if these two An analysis of property and family law disadvantaged because she has no bodies decide not to proceed with her seems to suggest the Chinese legal work unit to grant her housing. This complaint. Hecht argues the system does provide adequate predicament is common in Shanghai, discretionary nature of the Act gives rise remedies. However, a deconstructlon where 55 to 58 percent of the to no private course of action . This is shows the law in its operation does not unemployed population is female. because victims are unable to seek always grant sufficient relief for women. Furthermore, employed women may enforcement apart from the government This is due to discretionary not be entitled to allocations because itself. Consequently, the effectiveness enforcement and a lack of a private they are part-time or temporary workers of Act is questionable because there is course of action. In conclusion, the law . These disadvantages have serious no independent enforcement. provides women certain rights and implications. remedies. However, in reality, they Second, the Act does not specify have been restricted in asserting these First, this predicament potentially forces remedies for infringements. rights and remedies. a mother to give up custody of her child Consequently, this raises serious in custody disputes . Second, rules doubts as to its operation and the which favor men in house allocations effectiveness of the Chinese legal reflect a traditional overtone. This system to grant relief. It is also notable arguably suggests the importance of

•UQ w 0 n if V q" 1 0 if union 9 tfl j^1_ When I was a little girl, my father my father had spun off. Couldn't 1 am now in my mid twenties. I IvOD had a very, stressful job. The blame them really. ^ am yet to enter a serious sort of job 'Crime Scene relationship with anyone. The i^lMdiicai iciiMiiucio Ul niy I mvesugauon , vvrme . uoiiar childhood, I was afraid of men. 1 childhood, and I am afraid that Blue', and other such'shows try never wanted to meet my although these men are nice to glamorise. If you saw the friends' fathers. When I was now, within a few years they will other side bf the picture, you vepy young 1 used to think you have turned into my father. But ^ wo|jld know these occupations had to marry a man If you apart from this glitch, I have are far from pretty. wanted to have children, but if spen ho\A/ kind and so'ft many you were lucky, he would get He could not vent hfs stress at men are on the inside, after you sick and die. " work of course, so we bore ii all. have seen through the crusty To prevent his world from falling apart, everything had to be perfect. If we dro music teacher arrived to take from two or three women, all of kiijlT^lllI and if we spilt a drink, we were become an avid defender of

cranky sometimes when we left papers on my floor while I at a great rate of knots. was studying, I was leaving were playing up, but considering open a window of opportunity the tantrums I was used to, it This is not to say an increase in for a spark to come from the didn't sway me much. women's strength is a bad thing. power point, that, with my Then 1 started a part time job. My mother could have avoided papers for fuel, would, in a most of my father's wrath if she The boss was a very community certain amount of time he knew had smiled sweetly and conscious, caring man. On my down to the minute, burn the succumbed. She never did. She first day somebody dropped a house down and kill us all. If we never put up with an inch. As bottle of cream in his shop. Not were late, we must have had an her daughter I don't put up with only did he not get angry, not accident or been kidnapped, so much either, from men or only did he ask me to get some he would be out of his tree once women. Some people say 1 do. paper towels to wipe it up, he we did arrive home. People can throw tantrums at actually came and helped me do me, try to send me on guilt trips, it. I was flabbergasted. I was in a He never touched me, but no and insult me. But after what I sate of shock for about a week. matter how unpleasant it was to got used to growing up, I don't watch, I would never leave my It was around this time my even notice half the time. mother alone with him while he friends had some brothers at a was in one of his furies. It was boys' school. One started I have to be careful when always interesting trying to calling me. I was slowly defending men. 1 am from a explain the holes in the walls to beginning to realise that not privileged white background. my friends. We didn't have only were some males calm and What would I know? friends over much, they usually respectful, some were really wanted to go home early after quite lovely.

-UQ 10 union £ IA 9 9 0 9 £ A T' Activism.... Not Quite

I was watching the morning This internal rant led me to can contribute to a political news the other day and a investigate more closely how 1 issue. And although I may not Hamah report came on about how the feel about a number of issues feel motivated to pick up a Prime Minister of Australia, surrounding being a gay sign and yell out slogans, I still Telford John Howard, was against woman in today's society. By feel strongly enough to state gay marriages. At first I was being a woman, or by being my opinion. Does this make my usual self about the issue gay, ) do not feel that I have me weak, or less aware of and I did not consider that this been perceived, or treated, those for whom the "struggle" could have an effect on me. any differently by other is an every day event? I do However the more I thought people. Only now am I not think so. I just feel that about the news report, the beginning to truly see that there are people in the world more it upset me. although I do not feel like I for whom passion for activism have been affected, others leads them towards such Not more than a week prior to have been. It is an eye extremes. Although I this news item appearing on opening experience when you personally do not share this the television, I had been admit to yourself that the ovenwhelming passion, I no sitting in a coffee shop arguing opinions you have held were a longer bury my head in the with a friend about various little narrow minded. Or sand. If 1 find a situation that inequality issues, but in possibly even closeted? But makes me angry or upset, I particular gay issues, and how leaving jokes aside for now, I will loudly announce my they do not affect the way 1 allowed myself the time to feelings. Then perhaps this live my life. By this statement explore the possibly that there will motivate the activists I mean that 1 do not feel I have are people out there - women, amongst us to rise to the experienced a situation where children, gay, lesbian, occasion, or even just open my gender or sexual transgender etc - who are the minds of the people orientation have been constantly feeling the around me. In this way I hope targeted negatively. Yet, here I outwardly negative emotions that I can positively influence was contemplating an internal from the world at large. I people by lending my voice to uprising about the ideologies began to bridge the gap the occasional political of some white, male politician. between just understanding activism. How dare this person, whom I such issues and really getting have never met, force me into the point. This I believe was a The good news is that I a situation where I do not big step in personal growth, probably now care more about have the privilege to marry the and one I hope to share with political issues than I once person of my choosing! I friends and family, did, although my support will experienced anger about the most likely always be low key, issue of gay marriages and 1 also revised my stance on to the extent of the occasional even planned a whole rally political issues. I certainly verbal rant, or stated opinion. and demonstration event in would not use the word But some times a my mind. To those of you who "political" in a sentence to conversation between people know me, this would have describe myself. Yet, 1 now is all that needs to happen to come as quite a shock. It find myself thinking about the start a movement. certainly came as one to me. various situations in which I

-UQ W 0 IA If 9) 1 q^ 1 0 if union 1] The Feminine Feminist

It has been said that working you'll make it' or 'this is a case of try to downplay any femaleness women cross-dress every day of political correctness gone too far'. that we may exhibit. We try to their lives. We button down in Women are being blamed for the blend in with boring suits, suitable boring suits so we can blend into sterility that exists in workplaces heels and neat hair. Simone De the corporate world of the bloke. today as if feminism has caused Beauvoir raised this issue in her We refrain from talking about extreme political correctness. To famous book, The Second Sex. anything female in nature. We raise the issue of sexual She said that society regarded have become genderless. discrimination has meant you men as normal and women as an have to have a spine made of aberration. She called for the Like many isms in the twenty-first steel. Rape victims claim that recognition of the special nature century, feminism has become a testifying means they are often of women. Over 50 years since catcb-aH phrase which means made to feel like the criminal, or those famous words were everything and nothing. There that they somehow deserved it. published, women's hobbies are has been a failure to translate the still considered silly and trivial. message that meant so much to As for the 'if you're smart enough, Diseases exclusive to women an older generation of feminists you'll make it', RUBBISHI Girls often receive less funding than who fought for all the freedoms generally always score higher in research into men's illnesses. we take for granted today, to our high school test scores and Furthermore, women are still generation who takes the university grades, This raises the constantly encountering problems expectation of equality for question as to why after twelve when trying to secure maternity granted. As a generation, we years of equal opportunity leave. John Howard has have almost wholly rejected being legislation do women comprise of expressed his want for educated, labeled feminists. Our silence is less than 5% of company board resourceful women to have more deafening when asked our positions. Even more appalling, for children. Yet corporate Australia opinion on women's rights. To the few women that do manage to almost makes it impossible for speak out about a personal make it to the top, they are taunted women to pursue motherhood in experience of sexual harassment by snide comments that they are the middle of a career. or gender discrimination has only there to fulfill a female quota. become taboo. Legally, we have So as a female trying to make it in What can we do about it? equality, what more do we want? the corporate world, you're How about a change in mentality! dammed if you do, damned if you Individual power is not enough. If we fail to reach our goals, don't. We all need to develop a social society has convinced us that the conscience and speak out. Ring reason must solely rest with our Of the few studies conducted on in and ABUSE those radio shock individual shortcomings. women's attitudes - although over jocks that talk derogatively of 80% of respondents believed women. Write letters to The problems women still did not get a fair go, newspapers demanding more over 70% did not consider coverage of issues relevant to Our failure to identify with the themselves feminist, (Trioli, women. Proudly proclaim that term feminist has meant that the 1996). All movements have their you are a feminist. Don't accept movement has stopped short at purists. Why do the media only debates which reduce feminism legal change. When the most present us with extreme, militant to the 'you wear it, you ask for it' important factor - a change in images in an effort to depict argument. mentality - has still not completely today's feminist. A decade of this succeeded. The movement has has convinced us, if even only Discussing cricket is just as 'silly' become so divided - it literally is sub-consciously, that we can not as discussing shoes. So until we every woman for herself, to the be feminine and be a feminist. have as many news pages point where we are battling More rubbish! devoted to fashion as there is against each other without even sport - we need feminism. It is a realizing it. Too often we hear Another reason for the continuing movement in which we should all media commentators trying to need for feminism is the startling be involved - women and men. silence those with the courage to degendering occurring in speak out. Radio shock jocks are workplaces. In our individual by Candace Harvey still reducing the debate to a struggles for equality, upon Candace_Harvey @ hotmail.com simple, 'if you have the ability. entering the corporate world we

-UQ 12 union u 9 9 0 9. A q" The Quiet Ones

Of late, you cannot seem to very quickly. You might say at make the most of every pick up a magazine or 65 this man has lived his day, situation. I get shitty when M. Beutel newspaper without Delta but try telling a 21 year old people take people for Goodrem on the front page. guy that he is dying, and he granted because one day they And while it is sad that this will never realise all the just might not be there. I get beautiful and vibrant 18 year dreams that he had while upset with my friends when I old has been diagnosed with a growing up. don't hear from them in weeks potentially deadly disease, it or they do not return my calls. 1 am not trying to be must be pointed out that there I have had to tell friends that depressing, in fact I love my are many others that I treat the person they have not seen job. All the people I treat each every week in the same in a couple of weeks, is in fact week are, as 1 have said, the predicament. I am sure that dead. most of the readers of this most amazing people. To even publication know someone get out of bed each day would I am sorry, but I don't really that is currently , or has been be a battle, but not only do they care about what happens in treated for cancer. get out of bed, they continue world politics, and do not on with their lives. They go to really have a lot of time for I am a 23 year old female who work, look after their children, people who do. I find it every day spends her time etc all the while being faced disgraceful that this country, with the most amazing people with the fact that this could and in particular this union on earth, and for that I am very well be the last year that wastes so much time and grateful. 1 am grateful that, at they do so. Furthermore, they money on administration, and 23,1 have learnt about what is do it all with a smile on their pointless endeavours with important in life. My friends face and caring about primary aims of furthering have gotten used to me telling everyone else as well. personal careers, reputations them to "get over it" when they and goals, when there are 1 have learnt that the bigger bring up something trivial. people who could benefit from picture does not mean much When you have to tell a 65 their time and money. Funnily when the smaller one is year old lady that her husband enough, these amazing crappy. I have learnt to value of over 40 years won't live to people I talk about won't be the people around me and to see tomorrow, you grow up the people asking for it.

-UQ W 0 n if £) T' 1 0 if union 13 cfbA. r~\ v^

Young women see gender management still seems to be commentators have since labeled discrimination today as some ancient reserved for their male colleagues. 'the shocking truth'; that women will myth that existed a time long ago. As Women are still largely left to deal only be miserable in the long run if a generation, we are too quick to with the public and to report to their they try to have it 'all'. He reasons forget that it was only our mothers' male bosses. that women cannot get ahead if we generation that fought for the have children. Or conversely, if we equalities that we take for granted The finance world has been the give up the idea of a family for today Yes, only 30 years ago, at surprise exception; but for good success, we will only live to regret it. most, women were staring at the iron reason. A handful of women have Essentially he is trying to destroy the clad ceiling from their seats in been climbing the corporate finance myth of the 'Superwoman'. Claiming reception. They were display ladder very successfully for a that women are genetically women, whose only mission was to number of years with impressive predispositioned to stay at home make the customer smile. But is results which have been recognized makes as much sense as Sir Joh today really any different? Are we and rewarded by their male bosses. suing Queensland for $300 million! still confined to pink collar lives? The reason for this is, in finance, you can't ignore the results. It's a The 'Bridget Syndrome' is pap crap. Women are grossly over- numbers game; make the biggest If this guy had his way we'd all be represented in the care giving profit for the company and it's on issued aprons upon graduating high industry. Employment in hospital paper. These quantitative results are school and university would be a patient care and customer service impossible to ignore, I believe this is place where girls would come to continue to be career dead ends with the primary reason why women have 'marry up'. Maybe after I pop out a little monetary reward. Child care achieved so much in finance. Which few bundles of joy and am reveling in workers, for example, are mainly raises an interesting point: Female my new found happiness, I'll write women paid very little money who financiers with good results find some fluffy book neatly titled: are given little respect for one of the promotion easy while women in Domestic Duties: How vacuuming nation's most important jobs; looking professions where promotions are made me happy. Yeah right, I'm sure after our children. A contradiction of made from word of mouth I'll be happier if I gave up exploring some sorts I think. recommendations - aren't being the world for the confines of paid any lip service. Gender domestic bliss in suburban boredom In the business realm, despite discrimination anyone? with my main achievement ofthe day almost 12 years of equal opportunity being dinner served with a sickly legislation, women are still banging Escaping the pink collar ghetto is sweet smile stemming from my their heads on the glass ceiling. becoming more difficult every day crisply starched pink collar. Now that Public Relation's is the one of the especially as 'Bridget Jones sure would be a ghetto! Call me few areas women have made Syndrome' theories have started to Bridget any day. significant inroads. PR as an plague the mainstream press. industry is wielding ever increasing Bridget stories are all about Email me at: power although women are not rising successful women unable to find a Candace_Harvey @ hotmail.com up through the ranks as the industry decent bloke and becoming morally expands. Technical tasks like unhappy as a result. This by Candace Harvey organizing events and compiling phenomenon of sorts started when a press releases have become the leading British academic, and I use domain of women, while the term loosely, stated what many

-UQ i4 union S £ IA 9 £ 9 0 9. A 7" We Can Do It! Girls Can Do Anything-Can't We? Shona Nystrom

There once was a time when women, as and generally men are more ruthless, but seem to confirm that women cannot the members of society with a the physical and sexual differences. Men compete equally with men. Again, this comprehensive onboard reproductive do tend to be physically stronger. Women makes it more difficult for women who are system, were thus primarily responsible have special needs due to their biological capable and are willing to compete with for the successful reproduction and reproductive structures. There are needs men. If you want to prove yourself, you do nurturing of new little human beings. The idiosyrcratic to each gender. so on an equal playing field. You prove nature of childbirth and the care needed nothing by requesting a handicap. to nurture young ones meant women However, for a woman brought up in the usually had little time, or were not in a 'girls can do anything' era, il is arguably This is not to say that there are not physical state, to do much else. more important to respect the capabilities women who are yet to take advantage of of the individual. We were brought up to the 'women can do anything' philosophy. Then things changed a bit. Some brave believe we can do anything. We were But perhaps we are dealing more with a women decided they had more to offer brought up to believe that being a woman confidence problem, rather than a societal this world. But societies were not should be no impediment to our problem. The fact that so many women structured to absorb this change. It has aspirations, and anyone who thought it have, and are achieving so much due to been a long hard fight, to convince both still could be, was to be ridiculed, ignored, the accomplishments of their mothers and men and women, that women can do and quite simply proved wrong. grandmothers, makes it difficult to believe more. Not only can women choose not to that women, as an entire gender, are still mother, but women can juxtapose For people brought up with this struggling as they once were. motherhood with other challenging philosophy, it is horrifying to see women endeavours. asking for special consideration, There are growing concerns about the handicaps, advantages over men, and direction of the feminist movement. There Technological developments in both the policy in their favour, to gain headway. We is a concern that some of the exclusionist medical field and in household products are women. We can do anything. We can altitudes towards men is a hypocrisy that have reduced the time women must earn it by our own merits. Can't we? if prolonged much further, will end with a dedicate to the childbearing process. negative kick back response to all the While technology has delivered many For those capable women who chose not positive benefits women have to this point liberties to women who choose to take to mother, or chose to do more, are they earned for themselves. The movement them, societal developments have been not searching for a world of equal must embrace the contributions and crucial to allowing these liberties to opportunity? Many people seem to perspectives of men, as they can flourish. It has been a long hard fight to confuse equal opportunity with the need for influence the perspective of other men in change societal norms and expectations, a fifty percent representation of females in ways women can not. Furthermore, men but the early feminists can be proud of a particular setting. What happened to will soon tire of being considered their success. freedom of individual choice? If women do aggressors and oppressors. Some are. not want to be involved in something, why But even if you argue there are more male It must be remembered that it is not force them? If men do want to be involved aggressors and oppressors than female merely a case of encouraging women and in something, why exclude them? As long aggressors and oppressors, there are men that 'women can do anything'. If a as a woman as or more qualified than a arguably more men who are not than are. woman's place in society is changing, it man is not denied the opportunities she means that a man's place In society is would have had if she had beon male, we There is a concern that the longer the also changing. have equal opportunity. feminist movement complains about obstacles that many women have already Men, who once proudly took their place as Unfortunately, many in our society think overcome, the more it will alienate supporters and protectors, are now faced the opposite of this is acceptable. If a man successful women who could be helping with women who can support and protect is more qualified than a woman, he can be further the strength and ability of the themselves, thank you very much. denied the opportunities he could have female gender. Furthermore, the compassionate had if he was a woman. Affirmative action, nurturing 'good with children' attributes in while designed to encourage women into Admittedly Australian women, and men are now considered to be an certain fields, is an example of hypocrisy western women in general, have access endearing feature. present in some feminist endeavours. It to many liberties not afforded to women of allows women into positions who are not other cultures, There are many struggles Technological developments have also the best for the job. It also makes it harder yet to win. But if the feminist movement had an impact on men, Wilh more and for capable women. By allowing less falls down the path of inwardness and more heavy machinery taking the place of capable women into positions, capable bitterness, it will alienate support, and manual labour, fewer and fewer men are women are tarred with the reputation of achieve nothing. needed for their physical strength in incompetent women who were given their industries. This also means that women do position because they were female, not This article was not intended to render the not have to have the physical capabilities on merit. There is also the sexist and feminist movement expired. It was to now be involved in heavier industries. discrim'nalory effect on men, A man can intended to provoke discussion on what never improve or earn his place in a productive direction the movement can It would seem we have a merging of roles position, if affirmative action prevents him take to achieve what is still left to achieve. and capabilities. We must continue lo because he is a man. This means women The endeavours of the feminist movement respect the differences between men and are competing against women, and men have been highly successful over previous women. Not the stereotypical differences are competing against men. Women who decades. It would be a shame to see it that generally women are more caring vehemently support affirmative action abandoned.

-UQ W 0 -At £ -if 'D 7' 1 0 if union J 5 The Big Picture of Women and Higher Education.

The big picture is that men and women A question that is commonly asked by This famous analogy can be used to are not equal. Throughout the past 20 both men and women, every time higher explain how the higher education reform education comes under attack and the specifically affects women. Barriers like a years many of these inequalities have women's department run a women 30% increase in HECS may seem been able to be reduced through lowering specific campaign, is: 'why run a women insignificant, until you look at il in barriers to education. However women and education campaign?' Don't these conjunction with the fact that women still earn 60% of the wage of men, they still changes affect all students? Won't all already take three times as long to pay off perform more of the world's labour, they students be faced with up front fees? their HECS debt as men. When you still are under represented in management Won't all students be disadvantaged consider that under these new reforms positions, the list could go on. And these under voluntary student unionism? postgraduate loans will bear interest of barriers that have slowly been coming Doesn't the extension of up front fees around 6% that cannot begin to be repaid down, because of the hard work of many provide barriers to all students? My until a student's HECS debt is repaid. women, are once again being raised. response to this is that il is a matter of When you see women are drastically under perspective. Let me elaborate. represented in postgraduate university if you take the reforms at face value, what positions, you see that these changes you see is that all students are being Marilyn Frye described the birdcage of make it harder for women to correct that targeted equally. However if you look at women's oppression. "If you look very imbalance. When you consider that women the reforms in the context of the power closely at just one wire in the cage, you often have to update their qualification to structures that exist in our society, the cannot see the other wires. You could look re-enter the work force after having undeniable disadvantages that women at that one wire, up and down the length of children, but under a 5-year learning face, you see that these reforms are a it, and be unable to see why a bird would entitlement they will be unable to gain a direct attack on women. Yes, this package not just fly around the wire. It is only when HECS subsidies place to do so. You see acts to the detriment ot all students but you step back, slop looking at the wires that the changes directly affect women's more than that, it removes the values of one by one.. .and take a macroscopic view ability fo correct the under representation of equity in our education system. It was of the whole cage, the bird is surrounded women in management positions. The these values of equity within our education by a network of systematically related introduction of voluntary student unionism system that have allowed so much to be barriers, no one of which would be the may seem insigrificant until you realise that achieved, and by reversing that you are 'east hindrance to ils flight, but which, by a contributing factor to the high undermining the women's movement. their relations to each other, are as participation rates of women in higher confining as the solid walls of a dungeon. education is the readily available childcare Kate Boomer provided by student associations.

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EDUCATION BRITISH COUNCIL •-.•»; i;i 9# Australia

-UQ u> union n 9 9 0 9. A Reminiscences °^' U • v^i Student ofthe Sixties Adele Cooper In retrospect, I realize in married female teachers wait to speak to the some important aspects of could finally be classed as mechanic. To my surprise, a my education, I was definitely permanent staff. Prior to this woman about my own age advantaged. My high school we were designated as emerged from the vi/orkshop. was a girl's school with all temporary staff. I have yet to experience that female teachers of chemistry, in this country. physics, and maths. There High schools in the 70ties was nothing note-worthy, in offered woodwork, metal I recently watched a program my mind, about the full work, and technical drawing on the history of jazz and was science senior that my friends to boys only , and cooking stopped short at the comment and I studied. It was not until and needlework to girls only. made by an African American many years later, as a It was not difficult to see who musician early last century. science teacher at a seminar would be doing all the He said that he had refrained on 'girls in science', that I cooking! from playing the piano realized that we were a rarity because it was considered a The legal drinking age back to say the least. In fact I ladies instrument. The piano, then was 21 with 'ladies' not approached the speaker to of course, became an integral permitted in the bar. I am sure ask why he had left a blank part of jazz and more often my fellow students must on his bar graph for girls in than not, played by men. remember the furore created physics in my high school when a couple of ladies We have come a long way. I years. The answer of course chained themselves to the am no longer referred to as a was, there were not enough bar at the Regatta Hotel in lady teacher, and my of us to register on his scale. protest at having to pay students are listed My U.Q. years were similar, higher prices in the lounge. alphabetically and not in two with females well represented groups. We still refer to male in science. However teaching As a single, now permanently nurses and sometimes lady practice, as a student employed, high school doctors. I have female teacher, offered only male teacher in the 70ties I asked a students who are great teachers as my mentors. bank manager for a loan for a soccer players and male modest home unit. The students who are wonderful As a first year teacher I response was "but you might ballet dancers. discovered to my dismay, that get pregnant?" My response my male colleagues were on was equally as ridiculous; The important thing is we all a pay scale above mine "how can I possibly get have the opportunity to because they were males and pregnant if I'm not married?" choose our future. The I was a female! The policy He gave me the loan without barriers have been was changed and it took only any further argument. weakened, if not removed, by four years to gradually raise far sighted brave people our pay to that of the men. Sometimes pleasant before us. It is prudent to Believe it or not we were the surprises occur. A few years take time to remember how first females in the state to get ago while teaching in the far we have come, celebrate equal pay, and this was as Scottish highlands I took my the changes, and take late as the 70ties. It was car to my tiny village garage advantage of the several years after this that for repairs. I was asked to opportunities open to us.

-UQ q 0 if 17 w 0 IA £ •Jf £ Tf 1 7 60 Minutes recently featured an interview of Playboy boss Hugh Hefner. The interviewer was Liz Hayes. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the interview focused on Hefner's indulgent and apparently idyllic lifestyle, with little mention made of the appalling practices used by Hefner to obtain his enormous wealth. Equally, there was no criticism of the underlying Playboy philosophy or 'dream' (as Liz Hayes termed It) in which women's role appears to be as pleasant ( and non-threatening) sexual objects to be obtained in abundance along with cars and money. It is as if we are the perfect accessory to a new business suit or BMW! Unfortunately, not challenging Hefner on this and other matters relating to the Playboy franchise, succeeds only to perpetuate his polished media image and promote his false 'dream' to a new generation of (potential) Playboy buyers. After having heard a number of male acquaintances mention that they would like to follow in Hefner's footsteps after watching the Interview, I decided to write a letter to Liz Hayes •:s^^. emphasising some of the 'not-so-sexy' aspects of Playboy. The following is what I wrote. "You want equality? Next lime we 'll do it on your desk."

Dear Ms Hayes, charmer" and a "visionary" belie the receive wages, but relied solely on tips. seriousness of the criticisms levelled at They were expected to endure groping I watched with interest your interview him during his career. Your interview from customers, and they could be with Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner, but was an opportunity missed to question sacked without notice for "loss of bunny was greatly disappointed by the Hefner on the not-so-glamorous aspects image". These working conditions only interview, in particular your focus on the of the Playboy enterprise. improved when brave women such as glories of his lifestyle and 'rise to Gloria Steinem and Myra Wolfgang success', and your extremely cursory You could, for instance, have exposed Playboy's appalling labour treatment of the subject of exploitation questioned him about the working practices, Steinem descnbed her of women by the Playboy franchise. conditions of women in his Playboy experience as a 'bunny' as "like being Your references to Hefner as an "old clubs, in which waitresses did not hung on a meat hook...the bunnies were

Annie's breasts are so big and she is so unintelligent, that she has then ripping off her clothes under the pretext of removing her not been able to read her Altimeter and has deployed her harness. Annie's body, in this cartoon, as with all the others, is no: parachute too soon. (Annie of course is always portrayed with her own, men of all kinds grab, grope and otherwise control her in impossibly huge breasts which make it almost impossible for her every episode. She, herself, is always trusting, docile and childlike, to do the most basic things). Her skydiving instructor has used this portrayed both as a figure of ridicule and a non-threatening sexual opportunity to 'help' Annie by leading her to a secluded spot and toy for male consumption.

-UQ ji^ union IA 9 9 0 9. A 7 interchangeable, moving parts of a Perhaps, finally, you could have machine." questioned the underlying Playboy Whinge 'philosophy'. An examination of the You could also possibly have questioned magazines, and the lifestyle Hefner Hefner on the inclusion of sexist, seeks to project, suggests If something has a specific purpose, a demeaning cartoons such as 'Little Annie overwhelmingly that women's value is Fanny', in which the main character, an need, a requirement to be there, or be primarily based on their physical the way it is, then I don't mind Its impossibly dumb blonde girl, appeared in appearance and their value as sexual existence. But tank size four wheel each cartoon, predictably, to expose her objects. You suggest in the interview that drives do not. Thus, 1 mind their body for male consumption as a result of Hefner was "the boy who dreamed the existence. her extreme lack of intelligence and dream". Unfortunately, that dream seems willingness to be ravaged. Unfortunately, to involve a false fantasy in which women Buses, trucks, and the old aluminium Hefner still appears to regard these are interchangeable, decorative objects land rovers, are all necessary to cartoons as charming classics, despite to be obtained in abundance along with transport mass numbers of people, the demeaning & trivialising image of cars and money. His reference to his goods, and fishing rods respectively. But women depicted. 1 have attached some seven "girlfriends" certainly exemplifies these luxury four wheel drives are more examples of other cartoons that have this. than usually used to drop kiddies at appeared in Playboy. I suggest that they school (which can be done in any sedan, project a misogynistic attitude towards As a woman, I am saddened by the station wagon or hatch), sometimes run women and often trivialise serious proliferation of this "dream" in the media, over the kiddies before they get to subjects such as rape, sexual and am dismayed at your apparent school (not as easily achieved in any harassment and sexual discrimination in reluctance to explore in any depth the sedan, station wagon, or hatch), and to the workplace. sexism and exploitation involved in the keep nervous drivers above the average Playboy franchise (such as the incidents i height of the traffic, and behind a 'wipe Further, despite his description of Playboy have mentioned). Instead, your any one else off the road' bumper bar. as being a 'close-knit family", Hefner has generous focus on Hefner's lavish But is it these typically nervous drivers received substantial, well-deserved lifestyle succeeds only to promote and criticism of his treatment of ex-'bunnies' we want behind 'wipe anyone else off promulgate his carefully crafted media the road' bumper bars? and ex-'Playmates'. One example of this image, and encourage others to pursue is the 1998 court case of Playboy v Welles his misguided dream. Four wheel drives are more dangerous in which Ms Welles, a former Playboy than other cars. They impede vision In Playmate of the Year (PPOTY) was Yours sincerely, traffic, they are wide and hog more than accused of trademark infringement and their portion of car parking spaces, and dilution for merely referring to herself as an Angela Dennis as I have already alluded to, if involved ex-PPOTY on her website. Of course. email: [email protected] in a motor vehicle accident, would not Playboy lost the case, the judge just cause many thousands of dollars dismissing Playboy's ridiculous claims. damage and put the driver in hospital, they are more likely to wipe the car and the driver, off the face of the earth 'My 6est friencf is a wotnyn completely. ^y mum is a womyn This would be an acceptable risk, if they served some other purpose. M\j favourite musician is a womyn They do not. Tve fafien in [ove witfi a womyn If we were to raise the price of four My sister is a womyn wheel drives, you would get more of the •Ml/ (grandmother is a womyn same people buying them to support their swanky image. If four wheel drives %\j teacfier is a womyn were to require a special licence, this may help curb some of the purchases, My (factor is a womyn and may make them slightly safer My neighhouts are wimyn drivers. I'm sitting next to a womyn But for now join me in my road protest, and veto four wheel drives in traffic. Be TTI/S room is fiiff of wimyn rude as they are to all the other small to medium, and even large family car 'Beautifiif wimyn are everywhere drivers. Don't let them change lanes, don't let them merge easily, don't let 'ffiey infiafiit the coasts, them In to a congested road from the T'he infancf, the mountains, side street. Because remember, they would want to get them dirty, let alone T'he forests, the cfesens, the towns attd the cities. scratched!

1 atn a womyn MissS Tree A driver who likes to get there (preferably in one piece).

-UQ 1V 0 IA If V q" 1 0 if union Ul Whilst attending a conference earlier this Western states." Not self described as year, I had the opportunity to talk with Erin religious, Erin is a Christian whose research fExyforing Wilson about her current research. Erin has been influenced by and grew out of her lives in Brisbane and has a Bachelor of Arts own personal faith and from her readings with majors in English, Political Science and on Islamic countries' perceptions of the Music. She is currently in the second year West as still being Christian. She does not the %)(eof of her PhD at the School of Political Science believe anyone has the right to judge other and International Studies at the University people or other religions, thus her research of Queensland. She is also a tutor in is focused mainly on her own belief system, several subjects in International Relations. Christianity. liefigious TaitfiEri n is a young achiever and has an impressive academic background. She Religious influences in the West surround maintains her community and church us on a daily basis, yet we need to involvement, and with a string of recognize how much of an impact it plays in in thi accomplishments including a first class forming our principles and values in more honours degree, she is a role model for all implicit ways, and how these may of us. contribute to tension and conflict in the Tteveloyment international arena. These influences, she Erin's honours research, with the interesting said, "may not be obvious to people within title of: Hate in the Name of Love: the Western tradition but [they] stand ou! a Understanding the Paradox of Religious mile to those from different traditions." She Violence, involved the oxymoronic positions suggested that Christian values of Modern of religious love and violence. There is "profound[ly] impact on the foreign policy of often the perception that religions promote these states," But at the same time she said peace and love through peaceful means. At that "it is unacknowledged by policy makers internationai the same time, however, religion can also and International relations scholars." This be used to justify some of the most horrific apparent "blindness on the part of individual acts of violence ever committed. She says Western nations" may be a source of that "Not all violence is committed out of tension in the intemational politicai arena Systems and hate, but most religious violence is justified and is yet to be thoroughly explored. Her as such; it is at one and the same time an research is in Its formative stages but act of love for God and for the faithful through It Erin hopes to be able to believers and an act of hatred against demonstrate to policy makers and the Western States Satan or the powers of darkness and general public about the role of religion as whoever appears to be in support of them. "both a source of tension and a potential Religious violence seems to be an source of conflict resolution" and she hopes incredible paradox," The title for her to "offer some alternative approaches to research was influenced by the U2 song. conflict resolution." Pride in the Name of Love, Her honours research was borne out of the need to For students who are contemplating doing a discover how and why religions around the postgraduate degree, there are several wortd promote love through acts of things you need to consider. Erin went violence. "I found it incredibly difficult to straight into her PhD without a break, and understand how religions that promote whilst she enjoyed the learning process, values of love and forgiveness could at one she would recommend taking a short break. and the same time be used to justify some "1 think it's important to have at least a short of the most heinous acts of violence ever time where you do something different, committed." Erin said. whether that's travel or work full-time or what." She also recommends choosing a Now, in her second year of her PhD, Erin's research topic In which you will sustain your research investigates the role Christianity interest and choosing a supervisor who you has played in the development of modern get along with. But it can't be all work and Western slates and the modern no play, "Make sure you've got a good international system as well as its influence network of friends who won't let you get in the national identities and political buried in your research." institutions of actors in the international system. The role of religious values in the The role of religion in our society is development of Institutions within wider profound, and as we move into a 'secular' Western society is an urgent issue that society, this need to explore faith in the needs to be addressed. Rather than firmly international political context only placing Christian values in the private increases. If you are interested in reading realm, Erin suggests that these are or hearing further about Erin's research, embedded within "political institutions and she can be contacted at: Micfieffe J. Yan the national identities of a number of e,wilson2@ uq.edu.au

-UQ union u 9. 0 9 A 7' Apparently I am structurally Or, have non-oppressed wo oppressed, and by denying that I am, a state of existence I m I am actually more structurally oppression so far removec oppressed than those women who oppressed state, that ( can at least admit to It. women cannot see it, attempt to accomplish it? To argue that all women are still oppressed insults women who have At least for the foreseeal rejected this position. It does however women will be the child be raise two questions: men will not, although ! belif balanced sharing of child Are the oppressed women seeing an responsibilities has develo| oppression that non-oppressed society. Women wil! menst Louisg leh^(itet women are not seeing in their women will breast feed the oppressed blindness? Society should make allov this so that these ch responsibilities do not hir aspirations.

But what more do some women want? Apparently v in a man's world. Wha woman's world look like, e want it? Or do we want a w men and women can ge fulfilling their wildest dream; their goals, with gender onl^ an issue when it absolutely

I am worried about the ' women think it is alright to tr a way that has now unacceptable for men to tre 'They have been oppress centuries' is often their exci

With the outbreak of World Germany sought to contro part of Europe. With the World War One they wer( and they were given a tas own medicine, This taugh oppress or be oppressec broke World War Two. Thar the close of World War Two, stopped again, but Europe \ a new way to live. It cost a and was difficult for me supplying funds to their destroyer when their own were in desperate reconstruction. But which countries are now getting ( they have a unity of purpi paving the way for the emei single nation?

Men and women need to re differences and needs, but we are all people who wan things, to be respected, I ...I J1\\ .. \i\A-\w\ Veu 03X .'^V^ happy, free, and prosperou

-UQ W 0 u If © 7" 0 if union WHO: |s;i'\;'^--:, CVBRARY ^^^H WHY:- The Cybrary is always trying to Anyone can participate in this improve its service. survey - the more the better!

SURVEY: This survey will show us how A number of randomly selected we can. staff and students will also receive copies of the survey in We value your opinions and the mail. How well does want to make the University of Queensland Cybrary work well for everyone. WHAT: The survey will cover: the Library HOW: • Communication V^hen you have a few minutes • Service Quality to spare please complete the • Service Delivery survey and return it to us as • Facilities and Equipment soon as possible and drop it off • Library Staff perform for you? at any branch library.

(f you receive a copy of the survey in the mail, you can WHEN: PLEASE PARTIOPATEt return it in the reply paid 25 August - 21 September 2003 envelope provided. (four weeks)

1 Results will be made available.

WHERE: We'd really appreciate your You can find copies of the help - thanks! survey in this issue of Semper or at Information Desks of branch f libraries and via the web at: ' 1 For more details, see:

cybrary.uq.edu.au/survey cybrary.uq.edu.au/survey

Women's Electoral Lobby

Brisbane Invite you to join us at New Farni Park For a Women's Gathering on Sunday the 21st of September from 4.00pm onwards

This gathering is an intbmial event, bring your fire toys and musical instruments and come and have tun with us, hang out, $$$ $$$ soak up the atmosphere and just enjoy being in an environment where you arc surrounded by women who are as passionate about life as you are LOOKING TO MAKE GOOD PART TIME INCOME

Wc encourage you to attend if: - WORK FROM HOME - COMMISSION BASED *You are passionate about issues that affect women throughout their lives FIND OUT HOW Call: Coleen or Geoff

*You are interested in discussing your thoughts in an open and supportive environment Phone 07 3202 6484 or 0408 116 484 *You would like to make a ditTcrcnce Nutritional/Personal Care Industry *You enjoy the company otMntelligent and caring women who are committed to achieving a more just and equal society for all. $$$ $$$

-UQ union IA 9 9. 0 9. !A 7 Unleash The Gimp ^^- -'m:: With Chess Master Nik Stawski

WOMEN IN CHESS Polillcs aside, your humble Semper team did This riveting instalment of GIMP is dedicated championship contender is Judit Polgar of the hard yards and interviewed five different to ail those wonderful people who just Hungary. When she was 15, she beat Bobby women involved with chess. Women's happen to like playing chess, and who just Fischer's record of becoming the world's International Master and chess Olympian happen to be female. In the chess playing youngest Grandmaster of al! time. She still Anastasia Sorokina of Belarus, UQ community, at least 90% of tournament plays actively. Women like her are against Business/Arts student and strong club player players are men. Despite this, some women the idea of recent requirements that some Jessica Disteldorf (formerly of Switzerland have triumphed in the chess world, and have team events must have a minimum number and the ACT), 4 times Queensland Women's shown that they are just as competitive, of female players, (e.g. 3 from 8), Their point Champ and Griffith uni student Karina skilled, and tough as the best men. One is that qualifying for events should only be Mowies, 4 times Queensland Girls Champ woman who has consistently been in the based on merit, not on gender or anything and Gold Coast High school student Michelle world top twenty for over a decade now, and else for that matter. Mowies, and their Mum, Karen Mowies. who at one point was touted as a world Here's the juice, in ail its uncensored glory:

What do you like about chess? Does chess seem like It's not conducive Does the Idea of a room full of (mostly) guys pushing chess pieces, around ANASTASTIA: The chess comrnunity, 1 love to female participation? sound sexy? meeting new people, laclually love the world ANASTASTIA: Yes around chess more than the actual game. ANASTASTIA: Probably, Yes, JESSICA: Yes, in many ways. Although we're ^JESSICA: The ability to use my brain in an not actively discouraged, women feel like a JESSICA: It never has before, but when you unusual fashion, and I like the fact that I rarity in the male dominated chess world. It phrase it like that, maybe. Chess is a good ' stand out, but there's obviously more td takes a woman who's iiappy to stand out to thing for meeting men,'.,, if you're not picky! chess than that. deal with it. (Some exceptions apply,) ,

,KARINA:Oh..,God... Idon'tknow. I KARINA: No, I don't reckon. They've got KARINA: No, Definitely not. , , ' usually bullshit when i ^answer this question: woman's tournaments, which I like. MICHELLE: Not at all. MICHELLE: Travel. MICHELLE: Yeah, it does KAREN: If you're the only woman in the KAREN: I get to go on holidays. KAREN: Yes room, then yes,... a captive audience!

What new experiences have you had Do you feel that you're treated differently If you could rename a chess piece, which through chess that you would not of had In the chess world because you're a would it be, and what would it become? otherwise? woman? ANASTASTIA: I would change 'King' to ANASTASTIA: Life is like a game, so I can ANASTASTIA: Sometimes yes. It's okay. 'Friend', because I have to protect and care use chess experience in life generally. Chess Doesn't bother me. about him. helps with logic skills, so I can play the game of life better. JESSICA: Yes KARINA: (Obviously) 'Pawn' to 'Prawn', and JESSICA: Travel, Also, I've been able to 'Knight'to'Horsie'. perfect my flirting abilities, and I've learnt the KARINA: Kind^pfvEveryone's a lot more virtues of coffee, impressed. I get more encouragement and KAREN: The 'Knighf should be the 'Gee Gee'. (?) more attention as well, KARINA: If been introduced to the benefits of How many times have you scored as a sombreros and fluffy pens. Fluffy pens have MICHELLE: Not that I've noticed. result of playing chess? changed my life, JESSICA: Twice, plus I've had lots of offers, MICHELLE: I've got to see lots of places in Australia that 1 wouldn't have normally gone to. KARINA: Never,

What do non-chess players think of you Have you had any fantastic, or playing chess? disastrous, romances through chess? JESSICA: Not a great deal. JESSICA; Again, twice,

KARINA: They give me crap. "It's nerdy", KARINA: No. they say. But,... screw 'em! MICHELLE: Ha Ha Ha, No. MICHELLE: They don't care. KAREN: Definitely „, wilh my husband of course,

Do you think chess players make good boyfriends? ANASTASIA: No, They love chess first, and Karina Mowies don't care enough about their girlfriend.

-UQ W 0 W If T> 7' 1 0 if union -25

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-UQ 2k> union £ IA 9 9 7 I 0 9 £ A 7' WK cn L'US'f

T'he urge has woken So you tfiink you know what its like? TJae word is spoHen T^he man has powered 'Mr 'hfice Suit and Sitiny Shoesl T^he worrian fias cowered 'Do you despise your own hody? T'he sperm is hred T'he lust is fed fed like tite vt^i'i/ skin you're in is wrong? TlK satisfied Tldgratified 'Did you tear at your own face T'ime mistaken with lom] teenaije pink painted nails Care not taken or burn into your soft pale flesh T^oo late, too late % nine-month wait with whatever was at Itand T'he cruel greed -ii(.]hters, matcites, stovetop oil T'O deny the need of a new born child just so you woidd fed something, 'A1^rT'UW(g Tram sex so wild. in a body titat in its eleventh year was

Written at age 19 (1979) 'Already 'Dead? Ingrid Tjastad So you tiiink you know what ifs iike? Mr "Tve seen it before a 'Hundred Tmesr Tm not all you thought ^ would be TMSOSO'R'RV. "But Tm allTve ever wanted to be Was it your blood tiiat ran over tite cement fioor what do Q have to do to mak you see seepinq in and staitting forever? TTiflt alii do makes me Imppy? Was it your tinny legs pusited apart aitdyour body torn attd broken by tiie thrusting of a man's lust? Tm not your little girl all grown up Was it your fraqiie iiands tliat went to scrub Tm my own woman still discovering niy place your scimldress in tiie laundry tub In this world just so as not to upset the delicate balance Tn struggling with tins depression that you taught mc, T'njing to mak a namejor myself and gain a little respect tiiat miofit mean a siiout and an ^l-Ng'Jiy T'JST'?

Tm nourisliing a life iong relationship 'But that's not sometiiing Q learned fvm you. Tegiian Tm tlie person 1 am not because of \jou but in spite ofyou.

So Tm a little bitter and down ion myself but its you 1 thank for that 'But forget all that You're still my mum and thafs wlnj 1 iove you.

-UQ "W 0 IA £ if £ q^ q T 1 0 if union -/ by Harmony Notso Welles "I think it would be fun to ruin a newspaper" Adapted from Citizen Kane

The second edition of the student magazine was ready to go. "Don't you pay your bills?" Kiefer replied The layout was set, advertisements placed, and the final manuscript was ready for the printers. Kiefer was whistling as "No,! simply don't pay for rubbish." he walked into the office he shared with the other staff on the "Rubbish? Is that what you think of the paper?" Kiefer's university magazine. hands clenched. "What are you so happy about?" Sharon asked, "No, that's what I think of the political views expressed within "Not only does the manuscript go to the publisher this the paper." morning, but I got laid last night," "You can't stop a paper because you don't like the politics "Good for you, but you can stop whistling. I just got off the expressed in it. That's censorshipl" By this time Kiefer's face phone with the publisher. They haven't received payment for had cycled through several shades of red, to its current shade the first edition, and won't print on the second edition until they of 'Inferno'. get the money" "I will r]0t have these political opinions expressed in the Kiefer hit the desk with his fist. "Shit. Have you talked to student magazine while I am president of this union!" James Ava?" stood up.

"No, I've only just found out." "The student paper will not be censored. It is the right of students to have their views represented," "Right, I'll go then." Kiefer dropped his bag behind his desk and headed for the treasurer's office. "Those so-called views may destroy my political career, while it's still getting off the ground!" Kiefer knocked on the door and stuck his head through the doon/vay "Your political career is not the point here...the quality of the paper is the only thing that matters." "Excuse me Ava. Why hasn't the publisher been paid for the last edition of the magazine?" "I don't give a toss about the quality of the paper. I simply want a paper that doesn't attack the current government." "I've been instructed not to pay their bill," Ava said. "What you actually want is a paper that will help your political "By who?" career."

"James." "That's one way of looking at it."

"Why?" "Well too damn bad. This paper will publish what is submitted to it, based on the merits of the piece. Political views don't "He didn't provide me with a reason, and he doesn't have to. enter the equation." He is the president you know." "Well, last time I checked I didn't think you could run a paper "He might be the president," Kiefer said, "but he's not the without money.." whole bloody university! Is he here?" Kiefer didn't wait to hear the rest. He stalked out of the office, "I think he's in his office." slamming the door behind him. Heads turned in the "Right then," passageway as he went storming past. He reached his office and nearly yanked the door off its hinges. Kiefer went marching off through the corridor. Smoke was starting to billow from his ears as he rounded the corner to the "Grab your coat Sharon; we're off to the legal service," president's office. He paused at the door that had UNION "You sounded so much like Batman when you said that," PRESIDENT emblazoned in gold letters on it. James took a Sharon said, cringing as her attempted steam valve went deep breath, squared his shoulders, and pushed on the door. clunk. "Don't you knock?" James said, hurriedly removing his feet Anger warred with laughter across Kiefer's face, and in the from the desk.

-UQ 25 9 union (M 9. 0 9, A T end the laughter won the battle. Kiefer fell on to the couch, caught halfway between apoplexy and guffaws,

"Allright, now that I've finished pissing myself, we really are off to the lawyers."

Up went the back in 5 minutes sign, and out they went. "Hey Ladies! Does the thought of getting an education make you want to run crying to your husband? Would you rather bal

The lawyers backed the publishing team of course, and in a Do you crave the days when your place was in the home and not on few days there was a 'round-table' meeting. The table was campus? actually long and square, but that never stopped a good wank-word. Fear not! The government has recently announced a plan that will take us back to the fifties forever! Included is increasing HECS by 30% and On one side of the laminex-coated chipboard sat Kiefer and increasing Up-Front Fee places by 50%. With our lack of education we Sharon with the legal eagle, and on the other sat James and reclaim our place in the home. Ava. The meeting was short and sharp, and the lawyer held With our huge debts we can once again be chained to our husbands. With court. 5 year learning entitlements we can stay at home with our children for longer. With the cutting of women's studies we no longer have to be burned "Thank you all for coming today. Put simply there is no need with knowledge of our oppression. Come join LACE - Ladies Against for discussion. The university constitution and union rules Continuing Education as we promote the fact that we are being sent back state that the magazine has to be paid for at the budgeted to the fifties!" Sample text from a LACE flyer. amount. Please make sure this happens within the next seven days, and all this goes no further." The lawyer Already this semester you may have seen women running around campus snapped the two clasps on his leather briefcase for no in their most lady-like gear and wondered what they were doing. What you apparent reason and made his exit. were witnessing was one the newest campaigns in the women's and education movements. stony silence greeted his determination. What Is LACE? Glares were fired from one side of the 'round' table to the Ladies Against Continuing Education is a satiric campaign highlighting how other. the proposed changes to higher educalion wiil affect women. The LJ\CE campaign is based on an American group "LAW - Ladies Against Women". Sharon gave the sweetest smile she could muster, got up and It originated at the University of New South V^/ales and has since spread left. Kiefer made to follow, but James called him back. Ava around the country. LACE works on the premises that the government's saw what was coming and beat a hasty retreat. reforms to higher education will be taking women back to the fifties. It involves women dressing up in their most 'ladylike' gear to spread their "Don't think I won't forget this Kiefer." James said. message in a satiric way In New South Wales al the Nation Day of Action around higher education. Ladies from across NSW marched on bloc with "Look James, your concerns about your political career have placards bearing such slogans as "Australia suffers when women learn - become a self-fulfilling prophecy If you hadn't touched this settle down and get pregnant!" "Cut Funding for childcare: Real ladies stay paper, nobody would have thought anything of it. With the at home" "Don't ask me - i'm just a girl" "1 don't need an educalion just a furore you've created..." cookbook" and "I'd Rather be Ironing, Increase HECS - There are too many ladies at uni anyway". On the back, just for those who really didn't "I created? You mean you created you little shit," get it "We're joking but the government's not".

"Little shit? Well let me put it another way - If you can't beat While it may seem a bit abstract the campaign has had great success. The a 'little shit' like me, how are you gonna do when you actually campaign has proved to be a way to focus the concerns that so much of what hit politics and start playing with the big boys?" the women's movement has fought for is being eroded by these reforms in a way It has been able to engage new students by adding a little fun. It The last thing Kiefer saw as he got up to leave the room was attracted media coverage in New South Wales and more than anything has James' mouth hanging open in an '0' and his eyes glazed meant that the topic of women and education has been discussed. over as they stared off into space. Was that drool on his chin? Kiefer didn't turn back to find out, just left the meeting At UQ, LACE has just room with a grin on his face. started and welcomes as many people as possible. The Women's Author's Note: This story is fiction. It's made up. It came Rights Area has a large straight out of my head. At its heart, this is a story about stock of pearls, dresses censorship, because free speech is something we all value in and aprons for anyone a democracy Any resemblance to actual events is purely who wants to get coincidental and pretty damn weird don't ya think? involved. On August 27 we are encouraging everyone to come out In Editors Note: Any similarities in this piece to their most "ladylike" gear people living or dead is purely coincidental. for the National Day of Action. For more info The President of the UQ Union, Mr Aaron contact Kate Boomer - Marsham has stood alone amongst the kateboomer® executive in his support for this publication hotmail.com or throughout the year. 0402 199 827.

•UQ won If V 7" 1 0 if union 20 Government in his speech before Springborg appreciates he will never be enunciating the Nationals' "solutions", able to out-floozy the "tart"; although his springborg visit to an ailing Lady Flo evoked Springborg's assertion that the Nationals accusations from The Courier f\/lail that he are no longer a "bunch of red-neck men", was trying. He is instead presenting or what is sometimes known as the himself as the hardworking, issues-based "Retirement Village for Slack Jawed leader who is interested in substance is in the Yokels", is a battle cry against the hick rather than (Beattie-fike) style. His image that still dogs the party While the contributions to the party's website are decision to diversify the party's candidate decorated with a simple, uncluttered photo and voter base is positive, Springborg of him with sleeves rolled up, pen in hand could potentially insult some constituents and a cup of coffee for the long day Air by using such language, "Geo ma, who ahead. There is not a shark, a funny hat does that young whippersnapper think he nor a footballer to be seen, is calling blokes like me rednecks. If he In 1975, the television program Monday doesn't quit it I will cast my ballot for a Though it received only minimal media Conference tried its hand at "Summing Up minor party and/or independent". It could coverage, Springborg recently raised an the Sunshine State". With the "communist be argued that Hansonism was in part important point about Beattie deluging the threat to Queensland" and "southerners" some voters' revenge on the major parties press with media releases about a range raised in the discussion, interstate viewers for talking down to them. of topics including the highly pressing would not have found it hard to come to issue of the date of a rock concerL their own conclusion. Ending the show No doubt Springborg would like lo emulate Remembering that an under-resourced with the satirical "Hymn to Queensland" the Premier's ability to appeal to a broad Queensland media often engaged in with its declarations, "Q is for quality not constituency but arguing the party has a unfiltered reportage during the Bjelke- for queers..,D is for decency, "... progressive mantra" while also Petersen years, one wonders if this is an development, daily devotions..." probably possessing "values" such as "strong illustration of hard work (and egoism) on confirmed their view, families" and "self-responsibility" feels Beattie's part, an attempt to addle and more discordant than inclusive. In what overwhelm, o- some combination thereof. A serious, and seriously bespectacled, way are socially conservative principles presence throughout the ordeal was such as "stronger families" and "self- The thirty-something Springborg has National Party President, Robert Sparkes. responsibility" progressive? already shown leadership by advancing a Sparkes could have allowed himself a "modernisation" project at a time when his smile, and not just because the exquisitely The policies released by the Coalition for party could easily be written off as beautiful Liberal Rosemary Kyburz was the upcoming election show no signs of yesterday's concern. A potential plus is being confusing, however. At the time of also Ir] the audience. The previous year that many voters have no experience of an writing only two documents were on the the Parliamentary Labor Party (PLP) was old style Coalition government (and little policy page at reduced to the size of a couple of boy memory of a new style one as the bands, albeit out-of-tune and unattractive www.nationals/policies.stringfhebastardsu Borbidge-Sheldon Government was short­ ones. Although there were a few students p.com. One is an anti-government tome lived). If he can connect with that and other assorted riff-raff in the studio, and the other the first part in a compelling demographic policy and personality wise this was the National Party's Queensland, sixteen-part saga called "Safer Homes - he might be able to convince them the Safer Streets", Containing a mix of Nationals respond to issues differently but These days the PLP is as big as an reactionary and more progressive better than the other parties. This may not orchestra and the Nationals support base promises, including one to increase impact too much on the next election but is smaller than a bush band's fan club. funding for domestic violence services, he might be able to carve out a larger Polling released in July revealed an what saddens the most about this strategy base for the future. It is far too early to be approval rating of just 12% for the party is that the law and order bogey, and the "Summing Up Springborg's State", other Like Sparkes before him, current fear it creates in the community already than to give him a little tick for trying under parliamentary leader Lawrence looms before the campaign has even very difficult circumstances. Springborg understands the need for the officially begun. party to change with the times. By D. Taylor Unfortunately for Springborg, his Leaving themselves open to the same response has to be more reactive than kind of criticisms they have been making [email protected] pre-emptive, as influences such as the about the Premier over the failure of the growth of information technology have "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs" target, the Coalition www,geocities,com/darls 2at already made Queensland a very different have introduced a "crime reduction place to the one it was in Sparkes's day target". Rather than promising to cut car theft by 1/3 by 2005 or employment rates Springborg endeavoured to articulate the to unrealistic figures, all politicians should Nationals' new direction in his address to be compelled to introduce a target that by the party's State Conference in August, right now they will stop introducing targets, His strong message of "unity" illustrated to voters that the Nationals and Liberals are Springborg would no doubt like to possess on again, and this time they won't be as strong a media profile as the Premier, squabbling over the same seats. This fits but with "Popularity Pete" smiling at us with the "positive" image Springborg tells from newspaper and television screens us the Nationals are currently displaying. every day it would probably be hard for However, his attempt to cast Premier Jennifer Lopez to get coverage il she was Peter Beattie as the "Negative Nelly" of the leader of the National Party in Queensland politics was somewhat Queensland today undermined when he attacked the

-UQ .•il"* IA 9 9 union 0 9 A 7' Of course the obvious answer is: "In this opinion), is that to supply these with those wives and mothers who Australia we don't have the varied people with the best solutions to remain in the labour force, a system of headquarters of IKEA or pickled their particular problems is through the parental insurance was established in herhngs or appel stroop (except, of use of money And that money nas to 1974 as an outgrowth of maternity leave course, in the cafeteria of your nearest come from somewhere. arrangements. These permitted either IKEA)," And yes, it is true that we don't the father or mother to take 6 months of have those things. But at the social Which brings us back to Sweden. paid leave of absence on the birth of chid and receive 90% of their wages level, there is a more fundamental Vahous, mostly American, difference. during this period. Antecedent to this commentators have characterised the issue, but interesting nonetheless is that mode of modern Swedish government What we don't have in this country is the Swedish policy has deliberately moved as 'state-sponsored socialism'. Swedish attitude that the society you in the direction of making marital roles Needless to say the response to such a live in is one in which the responsibility symmetrical and interchangeable, model was not warm, and damning It and care for individuals can, and making either, or both, spouses the with faint praise diminished its should, be dealt with as a concem of the primary homemaker. The aim of this international impact. The program of greater public. approach is complete equality between reforms started in 1969 reflects the the sexes. As any boob would know, in Sweden, ideology of the Swedish state as making income tax is very high, up to over 80% a conscious and deliberate effort to The attitudes to such programs in an in the highest bracket. This tax is then establish new principles of social Australian context show the disturbing used to pay for services that benefit the organization. In the 1970's the Swedish tendency to follow the American model entire community As an example, a Socialist-Democratic government of minimum welfare and minimum cerebral palsy sufferer, one who would adopted a series of legislative reforms government interference in interactions be unable to participate in society on with the aim of promoting individual and between the individual and various any level without expensive and societal well being by establishing a institutions. If Garth Brooks is anything constant care, is given, in the form of more equitable distribution of resources to go by Americans seem highly allowances and subsidies, the round the connected with a progressively higher resistant to paying tax if it isn't spent on clock care and equipment that they standard of living. This initiative the defense of the country , Sweden's require. Tax is thus turned into a heralded the shift of care-taking tax law has, by contrast, resulted in the recognizable beneflL activities from the private to the public individual becoming bound more closely sector and the creation of an equitable to the community, with the State To many tax-paying Australian citizens, welfare state. Sadly the Australian providing a welfare cushion for medical the use of taxed income is a source of government appears to be moving in care, old-age insurance, child care, and growing and voluble criticism. No one, the opposite direction, with more so on. it seems, wants their income going to privatization of previously government- jail inmates, single mothers, aboriginals, run industries. It is possible to dump Though the aim of the Australian the poor in general, the unemployed unwanted grandparents in old-age govemment may be equality (though it's and, of course, 'bogus' refugees. What homes in both Sweden and Australia, doubtful), a version of equality based on is not in issue is that certain groups but only in Sweden can you be sure treating everyone the same fails to within our society are in need of help in your granny is only being neglected by recognize the relevant differences in various forms. Prisoners need to be re­ you. social situation and can lead to trained or rehabilitated, single mothers significant disadvantages. Formal need to feed and clothe their children, More examples of the benefit of such a equality or the sameness of treatment 'bogus' refugees need to be locked up in system of progressive, individual irrespective of context has been remote compounds and excluded from taxation is that it provides a strong discredited and, like our Swedish the rule of law and the rights it bestows. incentive for women to remain in paid brethren, we should look to a more What seems hardest for the general work, as does the creation of equal substantial approach that sees the public to swallow (not everyone holds rates of pay for both sexes. To cope disadvantage and acts to correct it.

-UQ won if Tl q^ q 0 if union ^j Ipswich Women's Health -UQ Centre Closes union Ipswich Women's Health Centre and Sexual Although Queensland Health gave a Centre & Sexual Assault Service provided Assault Service linally closed on 30th June, commitment to move services to Ipswich valuable support services to women in the 2003 after several months of protests from Hospital, IWHC&SAS staff believed that this Ipswich and surrounding areas. The recent the Ipswich community Queensland Health relocation would be totally unsuitable for closure of the Service is viewed by the IWSN decided lo close the Service citing "financial women's health and sexua! assault services and the Sfudent Union as a travesty and irregularities" as the reason behind the and that a medical model is an inappropriate believes the maintenance of IWHC&SAS is defunding. The Member for Ipswich, Rachel intervention for community needs. Media an equity issue for all women within the Nolan, also claimed financial irregularities repons indicated the Health Minister, and the Ipswich and surrounding areas. were the reason for the closure. However, Member for Ipswich indicated that West staff from IWHC&SAS staled Queensland Moreton Community Heallh would provide Following the notification of the closure, Health had audited their books and were services for the local and surrounding IWHC&SAS generously donated some unable to identify any irregularities and that community A new scaled-down clinic, West artwork, consisting of a mural and a IWHC&SAS had never received any Moreton Women's Heallh will operate from sculpture, to the UQ Union's Women's Room correspondence from them confirming or premises adjacent to the Ipswich Mall. The al the Ipswich Campus, Local Indigenous questioning their financial position. new clinic is set to open at the end of August women and the artist Rhonda Collard and to be fully operational by September. It created the mural during workshops held at Ipswich Women's Health Centre & Sexual is hoped that services previously provided to IWHC&SAS. The sculpture known as Lisa, Assault Service was a community-based women through IWHC&SAS will be accompanied women to Brisbane on many organisation, which obtained funding from available. Reclaim the Nignl rallies. Representatives of Queensland Health. The organisation the IWHC &SAS felt it would be appropriate serviced a geographical area of 7,000 square Ipswich Women's Health Centre & Sexual to place the artwork in the Ipswich Women's kilometres and included the shires of Ipswich, Assault Service had been associated with Room as il will encourage Indigenous Boonah, Laidley, Esk and Gatton and over the Ipswich Women Students Network women to feel m.ore comfortable in the room, 145,000 people. The Service worked towards through UQ Union since 1999 when as well as creating a transitional connection sustainable social change that improves the University's Ipswich Campus opened. for women (students and from the health, wellbeing, safety and status of Women students had been referred to this community) who had formerly met at the women. They provided counselling, Service when appropriate services were not Service but now meet in the room, educalion and support services, including available on campus or when a student therapeutic and support groups, a library and wished to access an organisation that is not Libby Tpwnley resource service and operated a 24hour part of the University The Student Union acute sexual assault response service. considers the Ipswich Women's Health

The glamorous Annual Dinner was on Saturday childcare services that SWIM could provide night, 26th July at Augustine's on George. It for medical students during their exam SWIM On was a fantastic night. Members enjoyed a three period. course meal, four hours of drinks and a tmly inspiring talk by Dr Ingrid Tall, current AMAQ Along with this, we have been strengthening Supporting Women in Medicine is a medical President, on Goal Setting and Life Planning, our links with the University of Queensland's student organisation at the University of We were-pleased to have both Dr Jane Turner Medical Students Society UQMS. Our Queensland that was formed 8 years ago. It (SWIM Patron) and Professor John Pearn combined inaugural SWIM/UQMS Lawn was initially formed as a reaction to the (UQMS Patron) attend. The door prizes were Bowls Day was held on Sunday May 25th at iraditiona! methods of socialisation and won by Dr David Hewett (past UQMS Toowong Bowls Club. Over 50 people from support in medical schools. It is a student President) and Jonathan Larosa (fron MSHL), both student groups came along for a body that sen/es as a contact and support for fantastic casual afternoon of food and drinks women studying medicine and female junior Thursday August 28th is the Annual Great and bare-fooled bowls. Together, our doctors but is not exclusive. (Indeed, it is our Debate showdown that pits surgeons against societies have been working to gain equitable first year with a male executive member.) physicians. The topic is "You Have to Cut lo representation for medical students on SWIM also provides a casual social forum Cure" and will be passionately debated by the various Medical Committees. and network for the discussion of issues affirmative team: Dr Roy Kimble (Paediatric facing women in the medical field. We liaise Surgeon, RCH/MCH), Dr Denise MacGregor The executive has been extremely hard wilh QMWS (Queensland Medical Women's (Surgical Registrar, MCH) and Andrew Clare working and I would like to thank them for Society) and through them, with AFMW (MBBS IV), and the negative team: Dr Lyndell their unending support that has made (Australian Federation of Medical Women) Kelly (Radiation Oncologist, RBH), Dr Jillian SWIM'S year in 2003, such an awesome one. and the MWIA (Medical Women's O'Neil (Chief Medical Registrar, RBH) and Frances Maxwe.l (Secretary, Yogi and all- International Association). Damien Daniel (MBBS IV). round legend), Yeshika Naidoo (Social VP whose energy was a blessing), Brett Shaw In 2003, our organisation had another Our events have been very popular and their (Academic VP and our historic First Man), sensational year. The Secret Soiree was coordination is keeping the executive on their Veronica Rogers (First Year Rep and link to held on March 8th to commemorate toes. Nol only have our events been a focus, the members), and Fritha International Women's Day This year we but we have also begun to broaden the scope Noonan (Treasurer and staged a Pool Competition at Aurora's won by of our association. There has been interest in friend) have been a Wade Stedman and Yeshika Naidoo. Our rural areas for SWIM/QMWS gatherings, and fantastic group of people Membership BBQ wifh TROHPIQ (Towards even a group at Flinders University, lo work with. And now as Rural and Outback Health Professionals In SWIMSA, is in the process of starting up with I swim onto a bigger Queensland) was held on February 12th and our support. Our treasurer, Fritha Noonan, pond, I wish the new was a lovely success. Yoga classes were has also taken on a side project in her efforts executive the very best taken by Frances Maxwell at the New Farm to provide female medical graduands with a for next year. Neighbourhood Centre. They started on choice of saffron coloured items to wear al February Mth and continued unlil 18th Juty their graduation. Meanwhile, Frances Michelle Spanevello and at a cost of $3 each, proved very popular, Maxwell, SWIM secretary is exploring SWIM President 2003 $WIM -UQ union S £ n 9 £ 9 £ L 0 9 A 7' No WORRIES! unio-UQn

DECLARATION OF REFERENDUM AND NOTIFICATION OF RESULT (R21Q AND R211)

1. Tlic number ot" formal votes recorded by students entitled lo vote in the Referendum on the proposed new UQ Union Constitution and Regulations was 3224.

2. Tlie number of informal voles was 9.

3. Tiie total number of eligible enrolled L'Q students entitled to vole in the Referendum was 31688.

4. The percentage of students who recorded votes in the Referendum was 10.11%.

5. As this percentage exceeds the five percent referred to in VQ Union Constitution C17.9, I declare that the decision ofthe Referendum conducted on the 5"'. 6"' and 7"' of August 2003 was to REJECT the following:

THAT TIIE NEW CONSTITUTION AND REGULATIONS FOR THE UQ UNION. AS POSTED ON THE UNION NOTICEBOARD AND SENT TO ALL VQ CAMPUSES BE ADOPTED BY TIIE UQ UNION FORTHWITH

6. 2004 students (62.16%) recorded a NO vote and 1220 students (37.84%) recorded a YES vote

BILL DANIELLS

RETURNING OFFICER 12 August 2003

=^

TOTAL COUNT YES NO TOTAL INFORMAL VOTES NUMBER VOTES VOTES FORMAL VOTES VOTES 1 IPSWICH 79 16 95 2 97 2 HERSTON/TURBOT ST 57 2 59 0 59 3 BIOL/PHYSIOL REFEC 84 117 201 0 201 4 POSTAL VOTES 84 2 86 0 86 5 MAIN REFEC 889 1830 2719 6 2725 6 PROVISIONAL VOTES 16 4 20 0 20 ON ROLL 7 PROVISIONAL VOTES 11 33 44 1 45 NOT ON ROLL 1220 2004 3224 9 3233 TOTAL 1

-UQ Won If £) 'f 'J 0 if union DARK ANGEL James Cameron's futurist dystopia has a MY FAVOURITE multi-racial, bisexual, and differently abled cast. Jessica Alba plays a genetically engineered woman, of mixed race and FICTIONAL SHEROES even species. The show deals with issues of propaganda, racism, and alienation, and also has a very cool fiip-hop theme by Evelyn Hartogh song, EMMA PEEL (THE AVENGERS) I'd rather watch a woman being assertive Harlequin have fueled rumours of her Iconic mod shero played by (Dame) Diana and courageous than a damsel in distress bisexuality while her flirtation with Robin Rigg (Mother of Tipping the Velvet star being rescued. Popular culture sheroes fuels rumours of his heterosexuality Rachel Stirling), famous for her jumpsuit have come under attack in recent years, (Batman might be jealous, but he's always (sold as the 'emmapeeler'), high karate critiqued for presenting an image that playing around with Catwoman on the kicks and cocl-under-pressure disposition, suggests that beauty is a prerequisite of side), Mrs, Peel partnered fellow Avenger John popularity Although these sheroes are Steed (Patrick MacNee) in the 1965-7 gorgeous, it's their intelligence and BARBIE seasons of the series. Possibly the coolest strength that they use to survive their The doll's 1959 initial design is rumoured TV series ever made, with cinematic adventures. And maybe it isn't a bad idea to have been stolen from 'Lilli Biid' a 1950s innovations that still look fresh today and to present young women with an attractive German erotic miniature sold in an enduring place in popular culture, package of women who are independent, tobacconists that men hung from the forget Uma Thurman's Avengers movie brave and smart. Here's a sample of some rearview mirror like a pair of fluffy dice. attempt - see Rigg in the original, of my favourite fictional sheroes. There are now close to a billion Barbie dolls in circulation and it is estimated that JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS ALIAS 2 are bought every second. Mattel's The trio of brainy Afro-American Valerie, Double-agents everywhere, with star Barbie has withstood persistent academic feisty redhead Josie, and classic dumb- Jennifer Garner discovering she isn't critiques, both about the character of the blonde-who-is-actually-smarter-than- really working for CIA, but the enemy and doll and the working conditions in which anyone Melody made Saturday morning becomes a double agent along wilh she was made. IVattel has also launched cartons in the 1970s into a feminist Daddy as a 'walk in' to the CIA. Now it countless court cases against artists using fantasy as the pussycats never scratched turns out her mum was KGB, and she has the Barbie doll in an 'inappropriate' each other's eyes out, but banded just done a 'walk in' too. Disguises for manner. together in the spirit of purr-feet co­ Garner's assignments are variably operation. fabulous wigs, cocktail dresses, lingerie BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and stilettos, which only enhance he:- high Despite the camp 1992 movie flopping, LOIS LANE karate kicks. Athletic Garner was also the 1997-2003 TV series starring Sarah Superman's girlfriend really doesn't get cast, as the sexy assassin Electra in Michelle Gellar was a cult success, rescued as much as one would think. Lois Daredevil and an Electra film is currently spawning a new form of slang and Lane can hold her own without the in production. academic conferences centered around advantage of inherited superpowers, with the show. As well as the sassy ex- only her courage, brains, karate kicks, BARBARELLA cheerleader slayer, the series presented motor bike riding and scuba diving skills The 29 year old Jane Fonda, under the Buffy's best friend Willow- the first lesbian (to name a few of her favourite extreme- direction of Roger Vadim, played the sexy central cast member of a popular TV sports). She is the longest running non- liberated woman of the future in Dino De series, and the bitchy but oh-so-witty-and- super female comic character, having Laurentis 1968 movie Barbarella. More assertive Cordelia Chase who went on to been with Superman since his inception in parody than porn, the movie is a star in the spin-off Angel, the 1930s. reasonably faithful adaption of Jean- Claude Forrest's raunchy satirical 1964-5 CATWOMAN MORTICIA ADDAMS Barbarella comic. Drew Barrymore is Rumours abound that Halle Berry (Storm Credited with inspiration for the post-punk rumoured to be producing and starring in of the X-men movies) will don the cat-suit Gothic look of the 1980s, the Addams a new Barbarella film. for an upcoming Catwoman film, making family matriarch epitomised the siren her the second black woman to play the society tried to suppress. Carolyn Jones, BATGIRL Purple Pussy Eartha Kitt being the first in star of the 1964-66 TV series is Best remembered in the portrayal by hip the 1967 season of the Batman TV show, considered the definitive vamp Yvonne Craig (one of Elvis's girlfriends) in Catwoman is a villain with a cultural enchantress Morticia, and the cult the 1967-8 Batman seasons. An conscience whose recent jewel heists success spawned numerous films and animation of Batgirl's motorbike have been to fund environmental and cartoon versions. The Addams Family announced an appearance from the animal welfare needs. This eco-friendly started as a comic strip by Charles mysterious redhead vigilante (secretly a side of this Princess of Plunder is said to Addams in The New Yorker in 1938. brunette librarian) in her glittering purple be highlighted in the new script. In 1940 batsuit, Alicia Silverstone played the first she had debuted in comics as 'The Cat', a PRINCESS LEIA (STAR WARS) blonde Batgirl on the big screen, with the burglar adversary of Batman's who would Finally in 1977 there was a princess who all important motorbike and new black never kill, only steal, Julie Newmar, Lee didn't want to be rescued and took charge rubber outfit, Batgirl's flirtaceous Meriwether, and Michelle Pfieffer have of the situation. Yet, even as Leader of the relationship with villains Poison Ivy and also played this pussy with a whip. Rebel Army Leia still had time for a love

-UQ .U union n 9 9 L 0 9 A T triangle with Han Solo and Luke Skywalker (who she later discovers is her twin brother). \Nhen captured in that classic bondage princess fashion, by the crime-lord Jabba the Hut, Leia strangles Jabba with the very chains with which he enslaved her.

RIPLEY (ALIEN QUATROLOGY) Like Apocalypse Now, the Alien movie series is loosely based on stories by Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) that dealt with the exploitation and colonisation/invasion of the 'new world' by ruthless Companies. Ripley battles not only the Alien but also her bosses - who want to bring it back to create weapons from. By the fourth film, Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is a part-human, part-alien clone, and bonks the Alien Queen, making postmodernists everywhere celebrate the series for its embracing of the 'other'.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH She first appeared in 1962 Archie's Madhouse #22 and had a hip platinum bob and cute freckles and her maiden aunts were classic warty-nosed witches always dressed in blue cloaks and witches hats. Slapstick and cutely daggy as ever, Melissa Joan Hart does a wonderfully klutzy version of Sabrina in the current TV show that Hart also produces. Meanwhile, her little sister Emily voices the cartoon that depicts a younger Sabrina. In both cartoon and sitcom, Sabrina's sassy talking cat Salem tends to steal the show with his hilarious one-liners and plots to take over the world. Come for the witch, stay for the pussy

SAILOR MOON These Manga super scouts are very tall and well developed young Japanese schoolgirls who perform fights using the was a flop, but rumours are currently frorr; J-Lo to Sarah Michelle Gellar, has powers of the planets. The original five circulating over a new Supergir! movie been 'in pre-production' for five years. The Sailor Scouts, (Moon, Venus, Mercury, project due out in 2005. comic book Wonder Woman has died a Mars and Jupiter), have been enlarged few times but is always resurrected, since with the edition of the mysterious Sailors TANK GIRL she is over 60 years old now, the current Pluto and Saturn, and most recently Cleaned up a bit for Hollywood's 1994 comic storyline explains it was the current Sailors Uranus and Neptune have joined movie. Tank Girl is still the queen of Wonder Woman's mother who fought the the cast. Sailor Uranus is the first Sailor to irreverent anti-sheroes. In the rougher Nazis in the 1940s. Her costume has have short hair, ride a motorbike and wear Hewlett and Martin comic book Tank Girl, famously become smaller and smaller a boy's school uniform. Uranus and she swears and smokes, liking nothing over the years, going from a skirt to Neptune are lesbians in love which is better than getting pissed, and having a bicycle pants to hot pants to almost a g- explained to the show's young audience good laugh and shag. string, while her bust has become bigger by the fact that Uranus was Neptune's and her hair longer. The early comics were husband in a former life. WONDER WOMAN monitored for their level of bondage Re-popularised in the 1970s by Lynda content as Marston was fascinated by the SUPERGIRL Carter's portrayal in the ABC 1975-77 and eroticism of being tied up. Introduced in 1959 (the same year as CBS 1977-79 TV shows. Invented as a Barbie dolls debuted) Superman's blonde comic book character in 1941 by Comments: [email protected] cousin from Krypton has had an eventful psychologist William Moulten Marston, evolution. She has gone from Kryptonian inventor of the polygraph (lie detector) to Protoplasm (a chameleon that can which was never as effective as Wonder assume any shape) to being Possessed, Woman's Lasso of Truth, A proposed new then incarnating as an Earth Angel. The Wonder Woman film, with casting rumours 1984 Supergid movie with Helen Slater

-UQ ^t; won If £> T q 0 if union ^^^ffi^^^^m^m^m RECLAIM THE NIGHT ^'Oiki:-' • Reclaim the Night is an annual Reclaim The Night is my New Years Eve. rally and march protesting violence There is no other night of the year that makes

' began in 1977 in England, after a Reclaim The Night is the space in my year, series of attacks on women, they where no matter what has happened, or ,is ; were advised by police to stay happening in my 'ife, I always feel on top of the » indoors or keep male company for world! "protection". Women's response .™ .-- , . . -^ .was to take to the streets to protest It is a night of healing and stepping fonwards, male violence and male protection, and to demand their right to safety in their of cheers and smiling and laughter! lives. This gathering lasted for three days and nights. The following year, in ^ „ ^ " I've not missed a Reclaim The Night rally Australia and around the world,'women organised similar Reclaim the Nighf march since my first in 1999. Here is my protest n^arches and this collective response to violence continues today. While memory of it. , ^ % violence is still prevalent as gender based crimes in societies, women will ••, continue to unite, organise and demand the right to be safe at home and on the LAST NIGHT WAS MY 1ST EVER RECLAIM streets (where they are able to do so). In patriarchal societies, where people are THE NIGHT! oppressed on the basis of gender, race, class, sexuality age, able-ness and I LOVE IT! •'other factors, women need to be able to come together to collectively fight their oppressipn and gain strength from the.shared experiences of other women. Part IFELTSOFRE^l of systemic oppression of women, worldwide includes laws that prohibit them from coming together autonoiViously, or from protesting or speaking out against LOTS OF MY FRIENDS BARED THEIR the oppressive government, regime or society in their nation. PAINTED BODIES! ONfe OF MY PAINTED FRIENDS CARTWHEELED ACROSS^ THE Reclaim the Night is a protest against the oppression of women world wide,' ENTIRE VICTORIA ^RIDGE! particularly in relation to violence. . It is also a validation of women's Strength, I BLEW A TRUMPET ALL NIGHT! survival and solidarity. Reclaim the Night in Brisbane occurs on the last Friday of October (Friday 31st). AHwomeip are welcome to participate in the organising IT WAS A TRULY FREEING FEELING! collective (no experience required), fn the past the collebtive has also organised fun activities such as lantern-making and zine-making workshops, this year we THE DELIBERATE, LOUD AND DEFIANT are planning a website-making workshop arid other fun activities. RECLAIM PUBUC SPACE BY WOMEN! I FELT LIKE I COULD FLY! The collective meets at on Tuesday nights, from 6-8 pm (approx) at: - WOMEN"S HOUSE ALL THESE WOMEN IN SOLIDARITY BEING STRONG TOGETHER, RECLAIMING THE 15 Morrissey Street Woolloongabba STREETS, BEING LOUD, ANGRY TRUIMPHANTAND LQVING! For more info, or to subscribe to the Reclaim the night email list, I WANT TO BE LIKE THIS ALL OF THE TIME! phone 3391 2573.

Riot GrrrI Lucy nicolas

Riot grrr! is basically a network of (mostly) creating alternatives, voicing our living. It is a movement that came about in young women and men who believe in experiences - not through violence. the early nineties and was a form of punk creating their own cultures through do-it- rock concerned with gender and feminism, yourself means: writing zines, forming bands, GrrrI - within this patriarchy women, as a created by and mainly for wimmin. It started making their own clothes, web-sites, social group, have been marginalized, out in Washington, US with bands like L7, art...with a feminisL humanitarian agenda. oppressed, attacked, ridiculed. Riot grrrI Babes in Toyland, Bikini Kill and on a more There is a common goal of questioning and seeks to empower men and women to mainstream level, early Hole. I say early subverting hierarchies of power / exploitation disrupt gender. We assert ourselves as because we all know Hole are big to encourage strong, creative, personal strong, capable, creative women, and are mainstream sell-outs now. Riot grrrt enjoyed joined by men who are in alliance with communities of our own. Riot grrri is about a brief moment of media populanty in the feminism. We play around with 'masculine' personal transformations to affect social mid-90s that many said killed it and all il and 'feminine' assumptions, as well as change. We look at ourselves - our attitudes stood for by becoming commodifed shit. looking critically at forms of oppression that and behaviors - and those of the scenes Recently however, there has been a cross through class, race, sexuality bodies. around us. We want to dismantle all forms of resurgence of use of the label and a (Varta's passed out again Zine #4, UK). oppression and commonly use underground resurgence too of activity with a new wave of d.i.y medias as a forum for this. feminist music and art. I got into this new Riot grrrI and Queer Theory wave of riot grrrI when a grrrI gave me a flier Riot - this refers lo the transformation of Riot grrrI is a movement that proves that at a women's march in London. From there I anger into creative expression. We want to feminism is still an active movement and is discovered a whole bunch of bands and attack the system through boycotts, protests. still coming up with new ideas and ways of feminists working in d.i.y culture who are of .UQ •51^ union n 9 9. 0 9 A 7" my generation and working now, A good Germaine Greer acknowledged that in society. Queer thinks in a similar vein in example of current riot grrrI activity (whether "equality would have been a poor substitute that it sees that by fucking with gender and they still call it that or not!) is le Tigre, who for !iberation"(Greer 1999, p,3). Queer sexuality on an everyday personal level, are a feminist electro band and evolved theory has rejected the assimilationist aims one by one we can challenge people's partly from an original riot grrrI band, Bikini of "lesbian and gay studies" which, through perceptions and this can make some Kill, Basically there is an international its essentialist identity politics, seeks to corporeal but slill social changes which are movement going on of d,i.y feminism. normalize homosexuality and not challenge equally as effective and important as the very basis of hetero-normativify the legislative or political changes, indeed they Binarism and Dichotomy very idea of normality being seen as the are Political changes. Some critics see There is in Queer Theory the basic belief in "fundamental act of repression". Queer as bound up too much with personal social construction, that is the rejection of identity and unconcerned with "actual social the notion of gender and sexuality as being Methods of Resistence relations of power and dominance", but I "natural". Part of this is the idea that our As far as the practice of this theoretical cannot think of anything more actual than a culture has constructed a cultural basis goes, riot grrrI and Queer Theory person's actual everyday social relations, framework of perception based around share many characteristics: re- and this is a great starting point for change, dichotomies, which are pretty much the appropriation, irony performativity and the where the effects can be seen and real same thing as dualisms or binaries. As belief in the personal as political. corporeal progress can be made. This is such, Riot GrrrI shares with Queer a post­ not to negate more "mainstream" changes, modern Interest in deconstructing the 1 have already talked about the subversive but no matter how far these go, people's "naturalness" of binaries/ dichotomies and potential of re-appropriation with the use of attitudes are the th'ngs which effect people seeks to challenge the assumed the terms grrrI and queer. I am a great most directly on an everyday basis and will naturalness of the "sex, gender, desire" believer in the idea that through re- nol simply be changed by legislation atone. continuum. contextualisation it is possible to mock the negative connotations of something Zines are the perfect example of personal (And I felt like I had finally found a context oppressive and make it powerless. A piece of mediums with political impact incorporating for what all my life I had been fighting art which represents this is "Hello Kitty gets a theory too. For those of you who don't against, I had refused to be classed as Mouth". Hello Kitty is often used by riot grrrls knov^, zines are independently made straight or gay to separate my work from with all of her girly connotations, but is seen publications, usually a bunch of my politics, to choose to be masculine or as problematic due lo her mouthlesness. photocopied pages with personal/political feminine, to be mainstream or completely This piece of art re-contextualises her by articles and rants made by an individual or outside of it and finally there was a giving her a gun and a mouth and, like the a group. They are transgressive in that they philosophical basis for these lived term grrrI, gives her power are part of the D.I.Y. culture which offers transgressions I had always felt) alternatives outside of the hegemony Postmodernism is about problematising, it By fucking with the ideas of binarism and is about questioning that which is taken for Thanks to their basis in the ideas of social the "sex, gender, desire" continuum, queer granted, the "natural" or the common­ construction and their confrontational and riot grrrI are challenging the very sensical. Riot GrrrI and Queer theor/ can acknowledgment of difference, riot grrri and theoretical basis for this inferior status of be seen as fulfilling this definition in that queer have taken similar tactics and women and of queers. they challenge gender and they challenge acknowledged the performative basis of sexuality But beyond this, in response to gender and "speak the language of the Rhetoric of Difference potential criticism that postmodernism is all dominant (which allows you to bo heard), As a deconstructive, post structuralist questions and no answers (not that I think but then ... subvert il through ironic movement. Queer sets itself apart this is negative) they offer creative strategies of exaggeration, understatement, completely from the mainstream and its alternatives. By making the personal or literalization" (Unda Hutcheon - great po­ frameworks. Similarly, Riot grrrI represents political, through various means such as mo feminist theorist to check out). a distinct opposition to the mainstream. ZINES, alternative culture, art, Riot boi is a great example of how the riot Firstly in opposition to adult womanhood, performance, music, these movenents grrrl movement queers gender and arising first around the same time as Carol question the very structures which keep our sexuality giving bois the opportunity to Gilligan's study which demonstrated that ideas in check and keep us living according resist their masculine hertro norms as well. girts lose their self-esteem around puberty to dualistic frameworks. I would like lo quote a boi zine maker who when they are expected to learn to behave had always had trouble reconciling his like a woman. Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill The personal is political gender wilh accepted categories: (and later le Tigre) cited this as a huge Riot grrrt and some of the more transgressive third wave feminist writing influence on her and called on grrrls to "I realised that being myself shouldn't have holds a strong belief in the power of the return to what we were like at nine, before to involve thinking of myself in "male" or personal as political. This is not in an this socialization taught us how to be good "female" identity - whatever traits I had, individualistic, anti-communitarian sense as submissive wo-men and fe-males. Riot grrrI regardless of whether they were thought of espoused by mainstream third wave has used the post-modern method of re- as male or female, were just me" (Ember feminists such as Naomi Wolf or Katie appropriation to take a negatively connoted zine 2003) word, girl, and transform it lo give it a new Roiphe who see feminism as something lo set of meanings. Similarly queer has taken help individual women achieve the In conclusion, it would be easier for a traditionally oppressive term and re- privileges which men have had exclusive feminism if wimmin worked within existing appropriated and subverted it through re- access to and become the new ruling class. structures and did aim to gain what men appropriation to create an alternative to The riot grrrl take on the personal as currently have, and it would be easier for assimilation on the categories that hetero­ politicai has more of a political consdence queers to work within the current sexuality normative society offers people for their and is in the sense that changing your paradigms and attempt to gain what sexuality Thus I see a huge similarity personal ideologies and living these heterosexuals have, but in the words of between the two as being their celebration ideologies is a step to changing the Germaine, that would just be equality, not of difference as opposed to an ideologies of those around you which is a liberation. assimilationist tactic of sameness. Even step towards changing prevalent attitudes

-UQ won If (D 7" 1 0 if union 57 Going The Distance.

Written by Tara Thorne

Before filming their new release 'Travelling Light', actors Brett Stiller

(Garage Days, Postcard Bandit) and Sacha Horler (Praise, Soft Fruit) were

given disposable cameras, free porn and bottles of red wine. It was ail just

part of the job for these two Australian actors who readily embraced their

characters flawed Identities with open arms.

Sacha: Basically we got drunk a lot, and I really hoped things would work out for gone. Or having lo do something else is scary. watched a lot of porn. There was free porn! her. You get sick of il occasionally, though.

Brett: There was porn and red wine. S: Yeah, people get really worried that she's S; When you put everything into a role and it going to lop herself! It's definitely in the script doesn't give anything back you get the shits S: It was an accident. I don't think they knew that she has those tendencies, but she has with being an actor. You' (become) passionate they were giving away porn to such enough brains and hope to survive, I think, again when you work on some incredible impressionable young actors (laughs). project and then remember why you're an aclor. T: The characters in Travelling Light' ring In Travelling Ughl, Sacha plays Bronwyn, a true. I could relate to a lot of them, being in Both actors often use the word passion, and depressed woman who feels trapped in her new their twenties and not knowing what to do their passion for performance shines through. role as a housewife. Sacha, like Bronwyn, is with their lives. Brett talks passionately about Theatre • intelligent and articulate, but you gel the feeling Nepean, Paul Thomas Anderson and Neil La that Sacha wouldn't be trapped into anything. S: Yes, definitely, that's what we wanted in a Bute. NIDA graduate Sacha raves about | She never breaks eye contact and her presence film. You've got to relate lo the characters in Julianne Moore and Samantha Morton. Sacha dominates the table. Brett plays Lou Bonelti, a some way. I think the message of the film is likes strong female actresses and strong beat poet who visits Adelaide from America and about the Lou Bonettis of the worid coming oul female roles. I ask about playing Cynthia in whose role in the film is to urge people to seek and making you think like you've never 'Praise'. But whilst talking aboul her the sex- oul the light. Brett has the same level of energy thought before. Part of being in your twenties addict, manic character, something strange and charisma. He can't sit still in his chair, yet is experimenting, pushing up against walls happens! Sacha suddenly and quite answers every question intensely, 1 ask him how and really stretching yourself. effortlessly slips into the role of Cynthia. he prepared for the role, B: As scary as that might be. In your twenties, S: You find the reality of the character. She's B: Lou's great. Funny story, I never thought I'd you might go to uni then finish uni and you're like, cleariy manic, quite obsessive, taking drugs gel to play him. Pia Miranda [Leanne in fuck, Ihere's no guarantee that there's anything and living a mania, but she thinks that's Traveling Light], who I worked with on Garage out there for me. [Do I really want to be doing normal. [Sacha becomes Cynthia]. She just Days called and said there was a role for me in this? But as scary as it is you build your own doesn't understand why everyone else doesn't the film. I assumed it was Gary, Tim Draxlis' barriers, so you can choose to break them. fuckin' get into Ihe party, why everyone else is character. Then I was told lo turn up at the so boring. [Back to Sacha] As for Bronwyn, audition for Lou, and I just thought, no way! But Sacha's parents were lawyers who founded she's quite radical. In 1971, her depression is I got the call. I was really excited lo play Sydney's Nimrod Theatre, i asked whether being dealt wilh as a feminine problem, nol a someone like Lou, just a free spirit. I never she'd ever considered studying law. real one. There are different issues, and you imagined myself in that role, but once i started always have to address them sensitively. researching I thought wow, this is a really 8: Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't have had the marks! In high school I was obsessed with Art, special guy. To have that role in the film, as a Soon after this there is a knock on the door. I Drama and English. I was too busy playing. mentor lo have that power really excited me. ask one more crucial question before wrapping up the interview. T: You convinced me because honestly, B: I can't say I've ever nol wanted to be an aclor. It's all about playing for me. when I watched you in the film I knew I'd T: Have either of you ever done any crap seen your work before but I couldn't place jobs for money? S: Me too, it's just playing, using your you. I thought, oh, he must be American. imagination and creativity B: God yes. B: (laughs) That's great! And that's something B: We had that bond on set, Sacha and I. else that attracted me to Ihe role, playing S: Not for money. But I was in one play that a We're bolh just kids. I often think of what I'd be something completely different to Joe in Garage reviewer called a theatrical abortion (laughs). doing if I wasn't acting, (laughs) GOT it's scary! Days, and using an accent. I have used the B: You have to do crap for money sometimes. accent since, in a play It's a different headspace. S: We'd look after you Brett. The Impulse ad is a prime example. [Brett is T: Sacha, what attracted you to Bronwyn? B: It's pretty scary. To imagine that passion the hunk at the payphone in the current a viewer I empathized with her the most, Impulse ad]

'< 9 9 :>*^ union n 0 9 A 7" Interview Stephen Curry Written by Laura Skerlj

Stephen Curry smiles politely. His hair is combed and his clothing is washed and ironed. There Is no greasy, meaty stench emanating from his body. This clean fresh smelling gent seems to be quite the opposite of Curry's latest film portrayal of a slobbish grease monger in the new Australian film Take Away.

Take Away shows the hilarious rivalry between S:lt's a good laugh and that's what we set out we're going to shoot next year at some stage. two take-away shop owners, Trevor (Curry) and to make. It's not going to change the world, It's It's ca led 'Filthy Day' and its about a youngi Tony (Vince Colosimo). Tony is a perfectionist, not going to change people's perceptions too boy who accidentally kills his parents and gets! proud of his spotless establishment, fresh food much, it states things that we pretty much fostered into a family of solicitors and lawyers! and impeccable customer sen/ice. Trevor, on the already know about multinational companies, and yearns his whole life for love and other hand, is a slob who occupies most of his but it does it in a way that I think the general understanding. time inventing new take away snacks (notably public are going to get a good laugh out of. the 'dim-Sim on a stick'), Curry describes Trev as And I don't think there's anything wrong with So is it serious? 'the sort of bloke that still thinks that a "builder's making a film like that. We've made a film S:No it's a comedy... it doesn't sound like a| inch" is a good look'. It is only when the that's not for the critics, it's for the peoole. If comedy... he accidentally kills his parents.,. multinational take-away company 'Burgles' the critics don't like it then that's too bac. He doesn't set out to kill them... we managed! moves to town that these two opposing forces to get some comedy out of parents dying andj (with the help of Rose Byrne and Nathan So what was it like working with Rose Byrne? that's going to offend people, which is good. Phillips) become one and fight, in a truly S: Rose is gorgeous, she really is gorgeous. I Australian fashion, for their chips, hadn't actually met her before we began How did you get into acting.., was It rehearsals for this and it's hard to know what something you always wanted to do? Why did you decide to take on the role? to expect from people. She's had a lot of S:l always wanted to do it. I started off ini S: I liked the idea that it's a pretty gentle kind of success and people can get a little aloof or amateur theatre, when 1 was a kid and then comedy in the end, gentle as in it pretty much something in those sort of situations but no, got my agent through the amateur theatre offends every kind of minority! No, it's gentie in the Rose is just gorgeous. So lovely and so down group. We did lots of musicals and the like andj fact tliat it is a genuinely funny story about a coup'e to earth. A really cool giri. She's insanely got out our need to be seen by an audience. 1 talented and she's doing really well because knew from then that that's what I wanted to do. of guys from opposing sides, I like getting a laugh off of that. Ithe page, so if you laugh when it's on the page you Did you have a tot of support from your can imagine it coming to life And what about Vince? family going Into acting? S:Oh well you know, I'm glad Vince isn't here S: Yes, my family were very supportive. Very, What is the appeal of Australian cinema? i can vent a few things about him (smiles)! If realistic too, because mosl of my brother's are S: The general public seems to like a film that he's not saying" I was in Chopper", "I know actors, but realistic in terms of making sure we doesn't have to take itself too seriously, it can Eric Bana" and "1 had sex with Claudia understood the realities of it and that it is very actually genuinely make you laugh. Not all Karven".,, I've had enough of him actually! I hard to get regular work. Its been good in the Australian films are like that of course, but it don't mind if I never see him again.' (laughs) last few years, I have.n't had to have a real job| seems that the ones that have gone and made No, he's a champion, he's a champion. He for a few years. If I don't have to have a real themselves a big success locally are the ones I has this kind of fagade where he looks a bit job ever again I'll be very happy My last real where the audience can actually go and vent out serious to people who don't know him and job was a baker, seven years ago, and ever whatever they've been building up over the week then you get him behind closed doors and since then I've been able to do this stuff. and have a laugh. he's as cheap as the next man. Yeah, he's a Do you think people overseas understand good man, he's been around for a long time Take Away is currently showing. our sense of humour? and his experience is invaluable. I've worked S: Oh I think they struggle with it a bit...its good with him a couple of times. It's funny you to know that we are making films for an Australian know, because we did VJog Boy and we did The Nugget and we did Take Away and in the public. There are the Lantanas' and the Ned i first two films we had one line to say to each Kellys' that are pretty much designed to have other, so we haven't really worked extensively international success, whereas films like Take together before this, but we've appeared on Away are for Australia— I don't imagine ttie posters together Americans kinda getting it. (in an American accent) Why did he put those potatoes down his So what else have you been doing underpants? It's like really unhygienic! recently? Can you see a lot of yourself in Trevor? S.-I've been doing some work on a film called S: I see the Aussie. He's pretty Aussie and I'm Thunderstruck', which is about a bunch of Ipretty Aussie and he's pretty laid back like me... ACDC fans who make the pilgrimage from but, I'm ... I'm cleaner,,,, I bathe more often,.., I Sydney to Freemantle to visit Bon Scott's grave and the hilarity that ensues. Thai's hold hygiene in a higher regard! coming out in February I think... and I've just How would you describe Take Away to written a film with my brother that hopefully ^^somesomeonc e who has yet to see it?

.UQ won if £) 7" 0 if union .^) 'Vulture Street' Malibu to hang with her posse on bonfire night. Like so Powderfinger many soundtracks before it, there's something for (Universal) everyone on here, but not everything for someone, with Pacifier's 'Wait and See' and Rollerbali's 'Highly Likely' the This timely host of tunes from the Bris- flagships in the fleet. Great Aussie rock and a long board- cenlric boys of the Finger is well desePi/ingl gash from the pop culture cosmos of Summer Bay and of its saturation of the commercial radio' Yabbie Creek, Put this one on when friends come 'round, ainwaves, albeit weeks after Triple J had begun singing its praises. but for the love of God hide the case, in case they think you liked the I heard rumour that a new guitar was purchased by a certain movie. member of the group just before recording this album and so is it any wonder that out of their discography, Vulture Street is the 'One By One' most virtuosic in its lead breaks? There is a definite feeling here Foo Fighters of musicians who have shunned the world to practice hard and (RCA/BMG) now they're ready to chop out and show how much they've The upcoming album. One By One, developed. The result is an exploration of timbre which is from the Foo Fighters proves that the band is retaining simultaneously the rawest Powderfinger sound so far and the their status as demi-gods of live music and well on their tightest in terms of its rhythm-section foundations. Credit where way to establishing full godhood (which would be a credit is due in that Powderfinger have never rested on the laurels atavistic revision for Grohl). It's always a hard task to try of Bernie Fanning's outstanding vocals. They continually develop and assess the merits of the entire album when you're only sent a sample to review - for me the three dimensional fresh avenues of their craft and Vulture Street, thankfully is no jigsaw of song collation of the whole is what makes or exception. A must for the collection. breaks an album and having to skip a track just because it 'La Caravana' doesn't follow well from the last is as indicative of a band's lota craft as their hit song(s). The lead single from the album. Low, is a damn fine one, maybe not up there with Learn to (Black Yak Records) Fly or Monkey Wrench, but the band has already A lustrous donation towards the cause of acoustic rock from an artist who has done his time in some of Australia's established their groove and I'd rather see them sit in it for the premiere blue collar beer halls over the years and he's next two years before moving on. definitely the better musician for it. La Caravana displays lota's versatility in both comtposition and performance - he Scott McDonald .ia ?^^^^^ claims himself that the aim was to have listeners believe he had been kicked and slapped emotionally and that it felt 'Nothing To Say' good - but I would criticise that some of his tunes are Antiskeptic straying too far from his (and my) comfort zone as a (Toupee Records) musician, I say that La Caravana is proof of life after The debut single from Antiskeptic's upcoming album death, because on many tracks I could have sworn lota "Aurora", 'Nothing To Say' is a generic piece of pop-punk was channelling Ed Kuepper, 1 guess the only fault in my (there's an oxymoron!), boasting iittle originality and even logic here would be the fact that Kuepper is still alive. And less replay value. The fact that this is the first single anyway, Kuepper doesn't own the genre of acoustic guitar released does not bode well for the album. Neither good rock, so keep up the good work lota. You're larger than (or bad) enough to be of note, fans should wait for the album and your namesake and you continue to grow in my esteem! hope it has a lot more to offer This one wiil please newcomers and pleasure fans. Ewan Love 'The Lost Thing' Lo-Tel Minor Revival' (Sony) Sodastream I was at a loss for some time on this album. 1 was (Trifekta/FMR) undecided if the social commentary was poignant or just On this latest Sodastream album, Melboumians Karl Smith and Pete lame. If the vocals were, as the hype described them, Cohen (with help from Art Of Fighting drummer Marty Brown), have "heaven-kissed harmonies" or just too much like Swedish managed to craft one of the most beautiful tweak-pop albums of the year. pre-boy band A-Ha or Tears for Fears to be credible. Reading that The Beach Boys' album 'Pet Sounds' was a 'Blinky and 'BrassUnes' have absolutely imesistible chorus hooks, whilst major influence finally resolved the issue for me. I think Weekend' provides an excellent, more downtreat dosing to the album. that The Lost Thing is meritorious in its own right, at times They will drawl nevitable Comparisons with Belle & Sebastian for Smiths it verges on being even Good Charlotte-esque; but a singing style, but those who actually give it a good listen will be rewarded distinct lack of variation throughout the tracks leaves the with 13 absolute gems. listener waiting for the big hook to come. I would hate to say that this album is what would happen if Brian Wilson had his own offspring of Tin Lids. So I won't. Will I? Maybe. '24 Star Hotel' Mundy 'Liquid Bridge' (Little Big Music/MRA) Soundtrack from the Motion Picture Irish singer/songwriter Mundy's second album has been awaiting (JSEM/MRA) release for a couple of years now, after complications arising from being dropped by his former record label, The album seems to Imagine the disdainful look on my face as I picked up the lack slightly in production,sounding slick but not particulariy ballsy. soundtrack for Liquid Bridge in my reviewing stack - an 'Mexico' is a sunny upbeat number, somewhat reminiscent of Aussie surfing drama starring bo-tox expressioned eye perhaps The La's and 'Linchpin' is a beautiful ode to suicide. Final candy from the t.v. 'shituation' soapie Home and Away. track 'Birdseed and Trash' will also draw some comparisons to Imagine the self-same disdainful look staring at me back fellow countrymen The Frames, which is a good thing.Unfortunately from the mirror, disgusted as I was with myself for finding overall 24 Star Hotel comes off as a bit of a hit-and-missaffair, with my new favourite album for my car. This album is what a few tracks sounding somewhat generic dull, lifeless and bland. happens when Gidget has a rebellious teen child who hates her to the peroxided core but who still steals mum's David Tam.

-UQ 40 union n 9 9 0 9 A It was that time in July for the annual EMI showcase, Splendour in the Grass. Although a good dose of rain over the weekend turned affairs quite muddy, It'd be safe to say that a good time was had by all, grass or not.

The Remains kicked off proceedings on the Saturday with their own take on the rock-countiy sound reminiscent of Dan Brodle. There were moments of goodness, but overall these guys were a bit of a disappointment. Next up in the 'Super tent' were JJJ unearthed winners Bumblebeez. Their style is diverse, but seems to focus on funky hip-hop tunes which started off well, but seemed to lose luster towards the end. Lots of onstage energy though with mnning and bouncing around galore, though some of the antics seemed too over the top and would have been better left out. The Casanovas are one of Australia's finest exponents of classic riff based rock, and today they showed everyone how it was done. Despite some poxy stage moves on singer/guitarist Tommy Boyce's behalf, they blazed through a 40 minute set packed with big guitar hooks, solos and ace vocal lines. They finished up with a great version of '10 Outta 10' and left most of the crowd tapping their feet. The Sleepy Jackson are a band Vi^ho many are claiming to be one of the most fresh and inventive around. Unfortunately I don't happen to agree with this sentiment and the audience seems divided as well. Those who like them sing along keenly especially to early tunes like 'Miniskirt' (which I don't mind), but those who don't like them leave in droves - given a hand by the crap noise Luke Steel is making. Yes, there is a difference between High-art and shit noise. Having recently finished recording what looks to be one of the most hyped debut record of the year, Jet take to the stage, starting off with a softer acoustic song, which sung by the dmmmer drew comparisons to KISS's 'Beth'. Having dispensed I with that, they proceeded to play a good selection of tunes off the forthcoming album including old faves like 'Cold Hard Bitch' and 'Take ll Or Leave If, The few softer songs interspersed in there went down |i very well too. I

Magic Dirt are a bit of a hit-and-miss proposition live, but today they were in fine form. I missed the first part of their set, but the last few songs v/ere great, especially the closing "Pace It'. Adalita also |j wins the award for best onstage swearing. Finally reluming to Australian shores, Vemca Salt take the '^ stage, and despite solid musicianship and a decent catalogue of tunes to choose from, they come ^ off as disappointing. Front-woman Louise Prost seems well past it as her voice especially weak. Still, | they play the tunes that remind us how good they used to be. | i [Much-anticipated UK band The Music come on to a very enthusiastic audience and don't ^ disappoint. Their guitar-rock-meets-dance-drums sound finds many fans in the crowd, with the biggest cheers reserved for singer | Robert H^n/ey's manic, yet cool dancing. Off to the Mix-Up tent to wind the day down, firstly with Alpinestars. Although many were | disappointed Placebo's Brian Moiko didn't pop in to lend his vox for the opening 'Carbon Kid', they still pulled off a good set of slightly | chilled electro-rock tunes and dance numbers.Their single 'Burning Up' was perhaps taken too far with the drumbeat obscuring the § delicate beauty of that song. The big (and somewhat surprising) highlight of the festival for many were the excellent Goldfrapp. Alison Goldfrapp has one of the most incredible voices ever, so when you pair that with a super-tight band playing wicked tunes of lust... the result is breathtaking. Fat keyboards, beautiful violins and Alison, with her sultry voice, sexy 'naughty stewardess' outfit and perfect stage moves. What a perfect way to finish the day.

The Sunday brings with it sunshine and promise. The Fergusons are up first and disappoint. They have their moments, especially when they bust out the harmonies, but overall the songs are bland and go nowhere.Up next, The Mess Hall dished up a good serving of dirty garage blues. The 2-piece format seems slightly sparse visually on the main stage, though they do a good job on the sonic front. They finish with their single, which sounds a lot like QOTSA's 'Feel Good Hit of the Summer' but wraps the set up nicely I only manage to catch the first half of Brisbane's own Screamfeeder, and they showed off some nice tunes from their forthcoming album, Old favorites including 'Hi C's' also get a run before a decent downpour puts an end to any hopes for a fine day. You can say whatever you like about Frenzal Rhomb's music, but there's no doubting that they're a highly entertaining live act. Plenty of stage banter and comedy skits are included between the songs, including an excellent rendition of Molorhead's 'Ace of Spades'. Hip-Hop act Ugly Duckling, mix the choice turntable skills of DJ Einstein, with great, fluid rapping from MCs Dizzy and Andy These guys hark back to the good ol' days of hip-hop, when it was about the rapping skills and social commentary, rather than gratuitous references lo bling-bling. Nol being a big John Butler Trio fan at all, I only caught the last song of their set whilst wading in to see Placebo. The minute Placebo came on, they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. Great stage presence, sharp outfits and lots of eyeliner, plus tunes both new (Bitter End) and old (Special Needs). They closed with a great version of 'Pure Moming'.Finally, to finish things up Coldplay, who are arguably one of the biggest bands in the world at the moment and for good reason. They ran through a collection of the best tunes off both albums, but highlights were 'Ploitik' 'Trouble' and 'Don't Panic'. Chris Martin chamied the crowd with self-effacing banter and humor even when he stuffed up a song. Predictably 'Yellow' was the biggest crowd pleaser | and things were brought to close with a cover of Louie Armstrong's 'What A Wonderful World' which was both fitting and poignant. |

slffflBiajBi^g/aaaaagja/g/ag^agjagig^rg/aaEi^^ -UQ W 0 -M If D 7' 0 'if union 41 Interuieui Luith BRINDLE Ulritten by Linda E d uu a r d s

Local act Brindle is working on a new album and about to begin touring. Linda Edwards spoke to lead vocalist Deb Suckling. The general vibe from the Brindle camp is that there's a whole lot more to come. With a few gigs in Brisvegas to give the locals their fix, the band is also hoping to start recording by August, and have a debut album out by the end of the year.

As with most local bands doing it Indie ("it's shitful"), brindle is working on getting the money together to do a good job of their debut album. Lead vocalist Deb Suckling said they actually broke even on their last tour, probably thanks to Deb's $60 win on the pokies. As well as nearfy making money with their music, Brindle has been getting some recognition for their three years together as a band with their invitation to this year's Big Day Out.

"It's a real buzz to realise you're getting somewhere," Deb said.

The band's music- which even the band themselves have trouble categorising - will be quite dark on the new album. Deb says brindle doesn't fit into the chick band category, and that they're not scared of trying different styles.

We're not driven to sound like anybody else. There aren't a lot of people doing what we do, there aren't a lot of female leads." According to Deb, we can definitely expect to see brindle sticking around for a few more years.

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-UQ 4^ union 'M 9 9. 0 9 A 7" niii ome might say that rock music has always been an ^reha at thefor^' PKOCKING front of gender equality. After all, there Is no shortage of front M women belting out heartbreaks, passion and stars above, aM the T'HE while never presenting themselves as the weaker sex. If anything, Suzle Q made Sting, Billy Idol and the Clash all look like rent boys that she'd carve through in between slugs of scotch and fried sand­ wiches with Mama Cass. Alternatively rather than 'out-manning the f\/lorrissey We sit outside, the gas heater a from hecklers, men', women in rock have also harnessed a welcome contrast lo our cool beers and, raw femininity; the Hole/PJ HarveyA/eruca penodically groupies or friends stop in lo pay "Emma has an acid tongue and is razor sharp Salt image, that remains so eminently female their respects. This is a band whose star is on the attack. As soon as anyone tries but with no restraints on fervent - and slowly but steadily rising, and the accolades are anything, she cuts them down straight away, sometimes aggressive - displays of emotion. mounting up. And if you attack her, she'll always come back twice as strong." Thus with an acidic razor in But, compared with music genres such as her nead, no wonder heckling is a rarity at a R&B, you'd have to admit that being a female Hunnicut gig. rock band front person still has its obstacles. For all our illusions of a civilised society the In terms of Emma's image on stage, one could dreaded "Show us yer tits!" still gets called be mistaken into thinking that singing an entire after too many jugs of VB (v/hich for so many set with a lit cigarette in your hand could punters is still only one). For a woman on detract from the music's heartfelt lyncs; but stage, looks and body image are stil! at much when those lyrics are describing the injustices on stage as music, all the more crushing of the Rental Bond Authority they merely add should you have written the tunes yourself. As to the poignancy of it all. You can see why the well as the punters are also the DJs, the music band heralds via their website, execs and the venue managers that all stand www.hunnicut.com.au, that "our songs are all between you and the awaiting public. Sadly piss takes of society and the quirky things that as any front women could tell you, even in this keep us all amused." enlightened age ninety percent of people in those positions are men. Emma is the creator of the group; the songs are Ihe expanded epidemics of musical germs Thus, could being the front person of a rock which onginated inside her head. So does band be a lasting frontier in the badlands of she draw on the great canon of female artists misogyny? Semper went on the road with to summon the raw feminine essence for her some of your local women musos and found compositions? out what they thought... "I don't deliberately listen to female artists to Hunnicut emulate their music," she says, "But then again I don't listen to anyone's music in that Emma Dyson (answering only lo Emma Hunn, way. Some artists really get me in the mood or Emmhunn) is the lithe blonde siren standing for composition. Especially Nina [Simone]. out in front of self-proclaiming 'sex-rock' group My other big influences are, Deborah Harry Hunnicut, A band, which declares its mission and PJ Harvey" Sayeth Bear Mornssey: as "to totally turn on our audience and make "Emma sounds like Blondie having sex with them feel alive," Chnssy Amphlett..,with a bit of Transvision In the past the band has supported big names Vamp thrown in." For her, equality and fairness in the industry is such as Alex Uoyd, The John Butler Trio, important, but the house still firmly stacks the George and The Waifs. As lead vocalist, Hunnicut are touring down in Jindabyne for odds against its women rockers: Emma is almost overqualified lo comment on snow season in August and then will hit the the gender issues associated with live music. recording studio for a double EP of soft soulful "We play around 100 gigs a year. Of them, She admits that she has had her fair share of tunes coupled with some seriously hard rock. only about ten of them would be wilh bands hormonally imbalanced pissheads heckle at with other female members, The fact is there her with a choice lewd remark, although she Emma's advice to the young female muso just isn't a lot of women in [rockj bands and I claims that disdainful humour is the best starting out: think because of that fact women's music is defence. criticised three times more than men's. It's "Stay in the garage for as long as it takes. almost as though, as a woman, you have to be "I just try to hit them back straight away It's Practice your asses off. There are too many three times better than a man in wnting or not a big problem on our gigs, although when bands at the moment who are out playing too performing." il has happened, I've just attacked them back soon. Also be original, be your own person again. If you get all embarrassed, then you'll and don't feet that being a woman means you We sit at Ric's in the Valley for the inten/iew, just encourage them, so I attack." have to wear your heart on your sleeve. Stop JjShe's accompanied by her fellow Hunnicutter, wnting love songs,' Matt Hunn, and their manager Bear Matt can confirm that Emma has little to fear 31 niH -UQ W 0 n If © 7' 0 if union 43 The Embers Women in Docs Gorgeous Rachael Lovett, lead singer of Brisbane Women in Docs are a regular billing on the big Gorgeous have recently expanded from an all- eclectic groove outfit, The Embers, started her Aussie circuit, whether it be touring Melbourne, female line-up to incorporate a rhythm section career as half of a duo with her brother before Adelaide or Sydney, or performing at the major (Chris Pickering and James O'Brien from the their original tunes moved towards a full band festivals of the Woodford Folk Festival, Livid or Boat People) but they retain a firm hold on the sound. The four piece outfit are now gathering even the Gympie Muster. creative nucleus of the group. As well as momentum, appearing regularly at the Valley saturating Triple J in recent weeks, the band has Roz Pappalardo from the all-woman duo trio of Ric's, the Healer and the Zoo; as well as supported IOTA, Waikiki, Things of Stone and admits that women don't always have an easy at the Queen's Arms, Chardon's Corner and Wood, George and The Waifs, According to time of it in the biz. the Jazz and Blues bar. They have already Gorgeous' Fiona Claus, the challenges Gorgeous has had to face as a female band are supported Persuader and Das Rumpus. "At the moment, as a woman, you're dealing with pretty similar to those that any band faces - a music industry that is primarily male-oriented. getting listed in the street press and getting the Rachael says the hardest challenge as a Generally the power brokers are all men and this venues, woman front person is the organisation means that, if you're a woman, you continually associated with taking on a managerial role in have to prove yourself and prove your product. "We were pretty worried aboul not being taken the band. We like to think that we get on with everyone, but seriously when we started out, because we self- there's been many occasions when we've had to managed and we thought there would be some "I find I don't have to play roadie and lift too much think laterally about our career because of some danger attached to not being represented by a heavy shit in the band, but I do have to balance hurdle or another." that out with being the errand runner and the man. Overall though, it's been much easier than many all-male bands face. We've done our person who hassles the venue to let us play. "Safety has also been an issue with us on a best to show that we're business-minded and few occasions, and it's something you have to the street press, the radio and the venues have 'There is a danger in being the singer in the keep in the back of your mind when you're an all been keen lo help young women get out group, though having my brother and my all-female outfit on the road. You have to make boyfriend in the band severely reduces my sure there's people around you most of the there. I think they appreciate the novelty of an fear of being heckled by macho types. Having time for the same reason. In a few small all-female band." said that, it's never happened. Our audience country towns we've played at, we've had to In terms of how Gorgeous has contributed to the is more of a mature crowd, so we don't really have security to help us lug our equipment out female cause in the industry, Fiona says that attract yobs." just in case of hassles with drunken punters." their lyrics tell il ail: Rachael says that as a woman and the There can be little doubt that Women in Docs "The nature of our music, the fact that our lyrics songwriter in the group she brings a very have bolstered the plight of women musos in the are very direct and describe situations we've feminine side to the Embers sound. local scene, as well as Australia-wide. All the been in - that's how we try to push the female more surprising when you consider that both side of the group. We try to help out other acts "Most of my tunes are songs about love stuff artists hail from the misogynistic heartland of that we think are worthwhile but that maybe aren't or relationships - all the things that women North Queensland. Roz is from Innisfale and her getting the attention they desen/e. That doesn't want and need. Some are about my work, but partner Chanel Lucas is from Townsville. mean we only help out women - we just try to most are about the way I want to be treated. I help good acts whether they're male or female. try to build a relationship with the crowd when "We like to think weVe shown other women that We don't seek to promote males or females in the I sing and being extroverted helps me there." you can get out there and make something of your career and play your own material. It is possible." industry. We just try to promote equality." The Embers have just received a cash grant A special edition of Gorgeous' third album, "12 + from Arts Queensland towards a 5 track EP for In terms of their own latest material, Women in Docs will be releasing their first full-length album, 1" will be available at the end of August, and they their contribution to women in the local music "Under a Different Sky" at the Zoo on August 20, plan to record their next album in either October scene, as well as appealing to a multicultural appearing at the gig with Doubting Thomas. or January with a full band line-up.Fiona's advice audience (Rachael and her brother are half- to the young female muso starting out: Malay). Rumour has it the EP, set for release Roz's advice to the young female muso on f^ovember 8, has already set publicans starting out: "Always go and see as many acts as you can vying to host the venue. that are vaguely like what you do. Give copies "Don't take no for an answer You'll get no's of your music to bands you like; if they like you Rachael's advice to the young female muso along the way, but if you believe that your as much as you like them you can usually work starting out: product is good, someone else is going to think together. Do poster runs, start an email list and the same way eventually. Most of all though, a website and don't ever do a show without "Delegate your jobs amongst the group or don't forget lo have fun with it. That's why you making every effort to advertise your gig." you'll end up doing it all yourself. Work the got into it in the first place!" I crowd and don't be shy!" SCOTT MCDONALD Jll IE [ItH -UQ 44 union n 9 9 L 0 9 A T i'Wi.wimiimssiaiS'jjyiisisxar^^ Not only that, this ambitious and accomplished wordsmith has also been announced as one of the BUG FEST winners. His play 'Four Conversations About Nothing' will be performed alongside eight other young Brisbane winners productions. Quite a major feat for someone who hasn't even yet completed his double degree in Arts and Journalism,

"I guess I'm a bit of an over achiever, I wrote the book in 3 months last year, I was living in a share house in New Mari

'V.ost people assume that first novels are autobiographical so I'm a little worried that people are going to automatically assume that 'Calvin' is me!"

"I've always thought that there weren't enough novels around dealing with those kind of issues. There doesn't seem to be anything Australian around that deals with these topics. I think that while teenagers would enjoy reading my book, it's also not necessarily teenage fiction and many adults could enjoy reading it, I'm really excited but also nen/ous about whether people are going to get into it. But it's all very exciting. I passed it around my friends and family when I'd finished and they seemed to enjoy it so I guess I'll just have to wait and see."

If getting snapped up by UQ Press wasn't enough, Alisdair decided to enter the Underground Theatre Company's competition with his one act play about a group of University students sharing a house together. A comedic journey into the relationships between the four characters, Alisdair again drew on his share house living experiences to qu'ckly concoct a warm and jovial tale.

" I was again living in a share house and wanted to write something about the relationships that went on between the people living there. I guess I got pretty lucky again."

Lucky? Dam Right he got lucky! Inspired by such writers as Brett Easton Ellis ('American Psycho', The Rules of Attraction') and Donna Tartt ('The Secret History'), Alisdair loves the muri

"Yeah I'd like to write another play as well. I've received a really positive response from Bug Fest. Alongside that though, I think A Conversation About Something I'd like to work in Public Relations or Political Journalism." You may not have heard of Alisdair Duncan just yet. But take 'Sushi Station' will be available thru UQP and Penguin note. As you'll undoubtedly be hearing about this 20 year old from all good bookshops mid September. UQ student in the future. This young undergrad has just completed his first book 'Sushi Central' and It's being Read 'Whatcha Gonna Do' for session details for the BUG published by UQ Press. FEST showcase @ The Cement Box Theatre, University of St Lucia. Written by Sofia Ham

MBBaaaGacgTO™''''^^

•UQ ^ 0 n If '!> 7" 1 0 if union 45 THEATRE Showing @ the Brisbane Arts CERAMIC ART AWARD - The POP- The Continuing Theatre, Petrie Terrace from 22nd Gold Coast International Influence of Popular Culture ALONE IT STANDS - selected dates between Sep Ceramic Art Award will be on Contemporary Art - A Qld Recapture the excitement of 19 and Oct 11. Bookings; 3369 running from Aug 29 - Sep 28. Art Gallery touring exhibition those tight rugby shorts from 23 44, Showing @ The Gold Coast highlighting how the the 1978 rugby match City Art Gallery, 135 Bundall techniques and ideologies of between Ireland and NZ. PETER AND THE WOLF - Rd, Surfers Paradise, the original Pop art movement Showing® QPAC Playhouse Enjoy the overtures of this of the 1950s and 1960s are from Sep 30 until Oct 18, classic tale showing® COVER ART IMAGES • being reinvented by Bookings: 136 246. Concert Hall, QPAC Sep 9 and Collection of cover art images contemporary artists. Showing 10. Ph:( (07) 3377 5007. in conjunction with the Qld Arts @ Logan Art Gallery until BUG FEST -The finalists of Council's tounng programs. Underground Productions' PORTRAIT - Musical based Showing @ State Library SATISFACTION - A fresh and annual short playwriting on the Oscar Wilde story - South Bnsbane until Oct 26, tantalising look at the competition have been 'The Portrait of Donan Gray'. Ph: (07) 3840 7666. changing Australian table by announced! Eight young Showing @ The Cement Box marrying the arts of ceramics, Bnsbane playwrights see their Theatre, UQ until Aug 30. PH: DOUGLAS ANNAND -The Art photography and food work come to life on the (07) 3221 3707. of Life- Australia's most preparations. Presenting the Cement Box Theatre stage influential commercial artist works of ceramicists Matthew over four very cool September RACINE'S PHEDRA Douglas Annand brings Blakely Mark Capon, Janet nights from 10- 13. Wed -Fri: Translated French theatre together an exhibition showing DeBoos, Greg Daly and more. Tablecloths, Apples and about an ancient Greek myth. @ Qld Art Gallery, South Showing The Gold Coast City Oranges, The Great Graham Showing @ Powerhouse Bnsbane until Aug 31. Ph: (07) Art Gallery, 135 Bundall Rd, Reunion, and The John Doe Theatre, New Farm from Sep 3470 7303. Surfers Paradise from Sep 13- Lesson. Thur -Sat: Four 15 - Oct 11. Ph: (07) 3358 Oct12. Conversations About Nothing, 8600. ERIC WILSON -New works by Ylang-Ylang, Over Coffee and Wilson showing @ the Qld Art STORY PLACE - Indigenous THE REMOVALISTS - La Mixed Doubles. Bookings: Gallery until Nov 2. Ph: (07) art and performance from the Boite Theatre's final 3377 2240. 3840 7303. Cape York and Rainforest ® production in its Hale Street Qld Art Gallery South venue will be corker with LEUNIG ANIMATED - You've DOLL SEVENTEEN - A Brisbane until Nov 9. Ph: (07) David Williamson's dramatic seen his work, now enter his theatrical fantasy based on the 3840 7303. Ray Lawlor novel: Summer of play about relationships. world of cartoons wilh his The Seventeenth Doll. Running from Aug 7 - Sept 6, creative exhibition showing @ TOURISTS - A show by Showing @ Cremorne Bookings: (07)3010 2600. the Qld fyfuseum. South Hannah Gatland and Jo Theatre, QPAC from Sep 18 - Bnsbane until Nov 15. Ph: (07) Laboo. Showing @ Gallery A ART 27. Bookings: 136 246. 3840 7555. Go Go 53 Commercial Rd, Newstead until Aug 28. 42nd STREET - Rob Guest ARCHITECTS OF GLAMOUR LIGHT - Prints from the City of AND MASTERS OF STYLE - stars in this musical about a Ipswich Collection, showing @ COMPS young innocent girt who Excerpts from a century of the Freeman Gallery, Ipswich becomes a Broadway star. fashion photography showing until Oct 5. Ph: (07) 3813 MUDDY SHORTS- Murdoch Showing @ The Gold Coast @ QUT Cultural Precinct - Art 9222. University's Student Guild is Arts Centre, 135 Bundall Rd, (Museum until Sep 7. Ph: (07) seeking amateur filmmakers for the annual Muddy Shorts Surfers Paradise. For further 3864 5370. PARTICLES MOVE - An art short film competition. This details contact: (07) 5581 exhibition dealing with sound ASIA FANTASIA - As part of year, the theme of the 6528, experimentation. Showing @ the Home Series, this month The IMA, Fortitude Valley until competition is open. Entries THE LONESOME WEST - Cremorne Theatre presents a Aug 30, PH; (07) 3252 5750 must be no longer than 5 minutes and submitted on Ironic humor mixed with myriad of Asian music and VHS PAL format by no later tragedy about Irish brothers. dance artists including visiting PIERRE BONNARD: than 5pm on Sep 12. All Showing @ Billie Brown Sydney based Indonesian OBSERVING NATURE - Australian University Guild Studio, South Brisbane until group 'Songket', Tom Mikula, Explores the work of French members enter for free, while Sep 6. Bookings: 136 246. Moto Niwa, Francis Gifedder painter Pierre Bonnard feat and the Queensland Wortd more than 120 paintings, students are charged $6 per OUTSIDE EDGE - The Dance Academy. Showing drawings, prints and entry and the general public, dramas of family and friends from Aug 29. Bookings; 136 photographs. Showing @ Qld $10 per entry. set at a cricket match, 246. Art Gallery until Sep 28,

-UQ 40 union n 9 9 0 9 A Entry forms are available from While AIRBUCKLE and AUTUM GIANTS feat AMI YOSHIDA and TAKU http://guild.murdoch.edu.au/muddyshorts send the good vibrations out @ RICS. SUGIMOTO, JOHN CHANTIER, JOHN VANGUARD LITERARY COMP - Short PARKER, JASON ELLIOT and SEP 3 - There are some STRANGE story comp - 1st place $3 500 + LAWRENCE ENGLISH @ THE JUDITH THINGS going on @ RICS. publication. Bonus LitARTure award: WRIGHT CENTRE, $500. Top 5 stories published in Special SEP 4 - Huge but humble giants SEP 17 - Get some funk into yah @ THE Issue. Deadline Sep 1. For conditions and ELEPHANT MOJO play THE ZOO. ZOO with special gUests GOLD CHAINS entry form visit and local funksters BUTTERFINGERS. www.emsah.uq.edu.au/uqvanguard SEP 5 - TUNNEL VISION, THE JADED WEB, TARNISH, PAUL MAC, GROOVE SEP 19-Catch GELBISON and DENVAR FREE STUFF TERMINATOR, ZEPHYR TIMBRE, HOT @ THE HEALER. RUBBER GLOVE, DJ NOODLES play FREE FLICKS - @ The State Library - RIVER STAGE. SEP 20 - Catch local rockers THE Aug 24, 2pm: 'Antanarjuat The Fast BUTTERFLY EFFECT, MELODYSSEY, Runner'; Aug 30, 2pm: 'Deluge'; Aug 31, While NADA SURF, GERSEY and and GIRLS GERMS when they play an all 2pm: 'TheAmencan Friend'. TREETOPS love it in ©THE ZOO, ages @ the TIVOLI.

LIVE SCENE- Places to be moving and SEP 6 - LOU REED walks on the wild side HOT ACTION COP play some hot rock @ shaking... @ QPAC CONCERT HALL. THE ARENA.

AUG 25 - Loca! Band BITTERSUITE And even/one can also travel to the stars SEP 21 - You'd be a fool to miss THE mesh things up with their eclectic rock @ and back with ROCKET #3 with local acts EELS and MC HONKY when they play the the ALLAINCE TAVERN. SEKIDEN, THE INFORMANTS, GENTLE TIVOLI. BEN & HIS SENSITIVE SIDE and more @ AUG 27 - LITTLE BIRDY chills the groove ALBERT PARK AMPITHEATRE, ROMA SEP 24 - Melody maker CAT POWER down @ THE HEALER. ST PARKLANDS. returns to oz to play @ the TIVOLI.

While DIVA STATION rock out at a free gig Those crazy kids GERLING and SEP 26 - THE ART OF FIGHTING play @ @ RICS. DECODER RING naughty up a bit of THE ZOO, beats @ THE ZOO. AUG 27- 28 - One night just ain't enough SEP 28 - JOHN MAYER brings the lurve for SALMONELLA DUB, SEP 11- SOILWORK, FRANKENBOK songs to the BRISBANE SHAPESHIFTER and TELEMETRY and MORNING TIDE play THE ARENA, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE. ORCHESTRA® THE ZOO. While MAGIC DIRT, 78 SAAB and BUY TIX NOW FOR: AUG 30 - MICS SOUND NICE to me GRANDVILLE rock out @ THE ZOO. alongside REASON, PEGZ, DJ SELEKT, YOU AM I @ THE ZOO - OCT 2-3 BROTHERS STONEY and KEN OATH ® SEP 12 - Touring with their new album THE ALLEY. SOMETHING FOR KATE play THE ZOO LIVID - LINKIN PARKTEX Perkins and LONE CARMEN play @ THE ZOO. SEP 13-AHHHH! Frock horror MARILYN ADVENTJAH - LEEROY, TIPPER, NICK MANSON plays BRISBANE SENTIENCE & PHIL REYNOLDS and AUG 30 - Those sweet voiced boys THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE. more @ RNA SHOV/ROUNDS, NOV 29, ANYONES pop in for an ALL AGES appearance, 5pm @ SKINNY'S. If he's too freaky for you., you can catch HOMEBAKE- NICK CAVE & THE BAD either THE WHITLAMS, DAVE SEEDS, THE VINES, SOMETHING FOR D- NINE, KING MUNGI, 6012, BLUNT McCORMACK & THE POUROIDS and KATE, 1200 TECHNIQUES, JOHN OBJECTS and more rock the house @ THE BOAT PEOPLE @ the ARENA or BUTLER TRIO, THE SLEEPY JACKSON. CLUB SPURT. THE CASANOVAS, PNAU, THE CHURH, BEN LEE, WAIKIKI and LONGWAVE @ THE BUMBLEBEEZ and more @ THE THE ANYONES, MUZZY PEP and THE the TIVOLI. DAISYCUTTERS slam it down @ the DOMAIN, DEC 6. TROCCADERO. SEP 14 - If you missed their show @ THE ZOO don't fret pet - SOMETHING FOR AUG 31 - ANTISKEPTIC, THINKTANK KATE are back playing @THE ARENA. and GYROSCOPE play an ALL AGES @ MARY STREET You can also catch NINEHOURSNORTH

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