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Filled with articles poetry - 18 ithused contributors. You appreciate internet - 19 ,„,i. creativity and eloquence of olir stu- rs. artists and photographers. So many youth allowance - 20 TTTffiig the Game of Life theme! Euthanasia, i worthwhile life - 22 SrtW^llowance. Check. Refugees. No ques- blue stocking week - 23 lut it. Racism. Tolerance, the ABC and IVF ^ irt of the game; Postmodernism...well, on^ love not stereotypes - 24 _do these things you know. starsigns - 25 idiots - 26 Vglimpse of the underworld. refugee blues - 28 Jked down into a predetermined cycle david caesar - 30 '*f^nd ,matun.ng. Well.,that's what we're , short story - 32 jwn here in the Se'mper pit. The learning, ly We've learnt from this edition that green week - 34 sen deadlines for .layout are impossible, ^y,because most people don't fully under- slefinition of a deadline. So. all players 'e note of new deadlines. T^nove is not so intelligent. Uni. semper yogvoaa -- 35 HI wrt of life wheniyou're supposed to learn. film reviews - 37 k-ahd library fines and bureaucracies and book reviews - 38 idjlandular fever and politics and (oh ;lemia. And any number of other things. theatre/comedy - 39 Mper is part of it all. music review - 40 biennial - 41 announcements - 42 o'camp - 44 parent's on campus - 45 union stuff - 46 responses - 49 ebruary 1997: Many thanks'-to our wonderful letter to the editor - 52 ]jla Show. Nick Leys, Mark Fallu and Bronwyn Powell jrapner Jennifer Macey •'•"';: Sieve Kempton (0412 1111511 emper. uq union, st. Ijcia 4067 • 377 22V fax. 3377 2220 •last note we wish to say mat the opinions in this magazine arc not necessarily those of the editors or of the student union. Your favourite ABC programs report on how the financial cuts will affect the national broadcaster. The 7.30 Report: An Investigative Ir s Your ABC New (Music) Australia on (ABC) Approach It has been calculated that the ABC costs the taxpayer 553 per annum. Classic (FM) Politics This IS 55% of the BBC's (British Broadcasting Commission) $95 and Welcome to the program. Tonight we look at the plight of the ABC in 75% of CBC's (Canadian Broadcasting Commission) $74, This works It should come as no surprise to listeners that rumours have been circu face of major financial cuts. We also report on the future of Australian out to cost every tax paying Australian 15 cents per day. It reaches lating that the cuts to the ABC are ideologically motivated and aimed at broadcasting in Southeast Asia and the Pacific and the place of youth in practically every Australian, no matter how remote. destabilising an institution perceived by the conservative government to today's broadcasting media. by short wave, FM or TV. be ALP friendly The Government does little to conceal its disbelief m the ABC's independence as was recently borne oui by the controversy But first, the ABC budget cuts. surrounding the Whitlam lectures (which were, it should bf noted, In the last year's federal election campaign, the Coalition reiterated its Open Wide, Come Inside, It's the screened on a Sunday nighf after 11 pm not prime rime). However the commitment to the ABC slating: "...The ABC must be an independent, ABC is very conscious of the need for equal coverage for the two major truly national, publicly funded broadcaster, devoted to excellence and Mansfield Report political parties and 'measures air time down to the second'. An inde objectivity, and offering a clear alternative to the commercial broadcast pendent study by Professor Graham Turner at the University of ing sector.'The Coalition also promised to maintain the ABC's funding Noni: Which window shall we go through fint? Queensland indicated clearly that there is no political bias in the ABC. levels but after the election the ABC had its funding cut by $13.5 mil John: How about the arch? lion in 1996/97 and is facing a further $55 million funding cut in the Economic rationalism is the ideological term we associate with this gov I Some harp arpeggios as camera zooms in on arch window.) ernment but so is brain deadism. Their thinking is: Lei's destabilise the May 97 budget. N; Well, through this window it seems we have the things Bob thought most insightful media in Australia thus stifling public debate keeping Tliese cuts are pan of the plan to fifi the $7 billion dollar "biackhole" in the public in the dark and making them brain-dead. 11 there is no shouldn't change in the ABC. the commonwealth budget. The savings made by the cuts to the ABC investigation of the Government there will be no criticism. will not go a long way to plugging up the hole. J: Wow! Look at all those letters! 10.600 public submissions/ The ABC has an annual budget of half a billion. This budget finances N: Good thing Bob took them into account Thai's why we still won't ABC television. Radio National. Radio Australia. Triple J. ABC Classic FM. have any commercial influence. 3ananas Without Pyjamas orchestras and regional activities. When announcing the cuts to the ABC J: He also reckons thai the ABC shouldn't oe restricted to filling in what The question of what motivated the cuts to the ABC is not easily the governinent commissioned an independent report to assess the role the commercial sector misses out. answered. The question of how these cuts will eflect it is more easily and management of the ABC. Mr. Bob Mansfield, a businessman expen N: What a clever manf assessed. enced in Pay TV. was given the task of reviewing the role of the ABC. (Zoom out) Helen Killen from Friend', of the ABC foresees dramatic changes to the In a significant scandal for the Howard government, it was revealed role and nature of TV. through a leaked copy of Senator Alstons Cabinet submission, that the J: Shall we check the square window? (Harps) 'If the ABC were forced ic follow the recommendations of the government had made a plan for the ABC which included the axing of N: Well, here we've got things that should change. Triple J and Classic FM and an immediate cut of $135 million to ABC Mansfield report ii would become a mere current affairs and news J: Rationalisation of buildings and other facilities, axing Radio Australia. funding. The government, however, decided against processes that broadcaster. Outsourcing would make the ABC a buyer not a producer changing the management structure and outsourcing' all production of programs. New shows like Frontline. The Lale Show. Landline and would make them highly unpopular and commissioned an independent other than news and current affairs. Sounds fun. report. Helen Killen. campaign co ordinator of Friends of the ABC, Qld.. Quantum may never get a chance lo be screened. Creativity in Australia N: Outsourcing, dcesn't that mean buying programs overseas or other said. The leaking of government documents revealed that the govern will have no outlet. The brilliance and innovation of the ABC will be production material? mem had already established a plan for ABC reform'. They revealed lost..' that the hiring of Mansfield was an act to direct public criticism away J: Yep. And if there's no buildings or facilities whai'll we do if we want Mansfielc recommended that most of the real cuts v/ould be in TV not from the Government and towards this independent inquiry. The to make our own program or go digital? radio. Digitalisalion will be absolutely necessary fo- all media in a few Government was probably hoping that Mansfield would slash the ABC N: What about us? years and with the loss of funds and facilities there is no way the ABC considerably but as it turns out. Mansfield's recommendation supported will be able to digitalise and so compete with other producers.' J: Humpty what do you think about this? the ABC although with a more limited role.' dear John. Foreign Correspondent Open Learning The major change to radio suggested by Mansfield was the scrapping of Radio National and Australia Today in our studies we consider a simple model. Television. Although this doesn't have great ramifications for Australia it does have profound effects on our Journalism students benefit from the ABC in terms of witnessing good journalism and. if lucky enough, of relationship with our neighbours throughout Southeast Asia. Radio Australia is a source of world news working for the esteemed network. Art students, film students, prop and set Designers, drama and music throughout the region and probably the best diplomatic tool Australia has. students all benefit from the commitment of the ABC to these arts. Humanities students benefit troni the At the release of the report Mansfield admitted that he hadn't taken foreign affairs consequences into con depth of social, political, cultural and anthropological issues covered by thf ABC. sideration in hr. proposal. Since its release many leaders have expressed dismay at this decision including It's a simole relationship. The funding of the ABC is directly proportional to the knowledge and iitical Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma. Sir Julius Chan of Papua New Guinea, and Jose Ramos Horta of East Timor. thinking of young Australians. The question of whether Radio Australia should be paid by taxes or by the Department of Foreign Affairs remains but there is little question that Radio Australia should remain. Beat the Drum LOUD The competition that runs annually is the race for funding in the Federal budget. In 1997 this budget coulci The J's herald further cuts of $55 million to the ABC. Razer: Luckily for the budding, spawning youth of today that Mansfield chap hasn't forgotten them, If you value our national broadcaster pick up your phone now! Call or fax your Federal member, ih<-' Lucy: Yecaasss. indeed, although i wouldn't have said that the youth voice is safe in the bleak and dark Minister for Communications and the Arts, the Prime Minister anyone who is supposed to represent you. and future of media, ask them their position on ABC funding. Clog up their lines with queries and contribute to the Friends of the ABC's 'Days of Action' campaign. Rozer Not with the leaked documents revealing the Government's sly plan to completely axe Triple J with out an independent report at alt Those slimy, two faced Quasimodos, The winner is the one who can actually make the Government publicly acknowledge the public's support for the ABC. The winner lakes the prize! Lucy: Slimy, two faced Quasimodos who during election time were happy to hitch hike on the vibrant youth of today Here are the numbers you need to know: Razer. I don't mean to honk my own horn here... Lucy: Please do. Ministers: Razer: ...but I'm rather in love with the J's, the only national youth network in the world. Richard Alston. Mm. for Communication and the Arts. Ph. (03)9650 0233. Fax (03)9650 0220 Lucy: So am I. and ! don't mean to blow my own nose but I'm quite sure that the J's are the reason the Peter Costello. Treasurer, Ph. (03) 9568 6620. Fax (03) 9568 9497 whole Australian record industry is booming. Not to mention the success of true blue bands like Powderltnger that made ii on the J's first. Amanda Vanstone. Minister of Education. Ph. (Freecall) 18U0 018 262 Razer Cut me down to size if ! m way over the mark here but in my most humblest opinion I'd say that Cabinet members: there'd be no youth culture without the Js, David Jull. Ph. (07 I 3299 1159. Fax (02 I 3299 1208 Lucy Well....That's going a bit far Let's leave it as we're indispensable so lay off. John Moore. Ph. (07) 3878 2660. Fax (07) 3878 1671 John Herron. Ph. (071 3309 8120. Fax (046) 558632 Waiwick Rarer Ph, (0713309 8111, Fax (07) 3309 7100 Bruce Scott. Ph. (076) 622 715. Fax (076)635 l49 Sourirs: 11 Fascr and 0 Rcilly I Eds,) 1996. Save Our ABC. Highland House Publishing Pty, Lid, Vic 2 iMjnilicld. Bob 1997 The citjilenge of j better ABC. Government Publishing Service. ACT 3 i Interview with Helen Killen, Campaign Co ordinaior of Friends of the ABC. (JLd For more information about current campaigns and how to get more involved or join Friends of the ABC call 3371 556? Dear Mr. Howard, I am wiltjng to you to lodge my protest against the proposed severe funding cuts to the ABC These programs promote Australian culture and character and showcase' our talented of $55 million in this year's budget by the Federal Government. Australian journalists, performers and producers for our national edification and pride. In 1996 the ABC struggled to absorb $11 million of funding cuts and have taken many steps As my Prime Minister. I urge you to fake action to stop these destructive funding cuts. to reduce their costs to become even more efficient and cost effective. A further $55 million Please write to me to advise me on the action you have taken on my behalf. funding cut will directly effect the CORE functions of the ABC. I fully support the text of this letter and add the following. This will mean that the radio and television programs and services that I have come to enjoy and rely upon for local and national information vnW be affected and indeed could vanish Yours Sincerely. altogether. The ABC is a treasured national icon and an institution with a proud history of being our nations only genuinely independent, non-commercial source of news, sport and current affairs. This is more important than ever today given the contraction of media ownership to Signature a small number of media barons. I am not in favour of any funding cuts or changes to the ABC which will force the destruction Name of the ABCs role in producing quality Australian dramas, documentaries, children's programs and comedy as has been recommended in the Mansfield Report, This reduction of funding Address w\] also limit the ability of the ABC to provide forums for youth and youth culture. Classical music and contemporary Australian music will also be limited by funding cuts. Date Critical Quite simply. Critical Mass is a groups of cyclists riding around together. Once a month, at the end of the working week, cyclists gather at a set meeting place and ride through the city in a joyful display of bike culture. It first happened in 1993 in San Fransisco and since then has spread throughout the by Jacinta Toomeys world to almost iOO cities, with new ones starting all the time. In Australia Critical Mass happens in Brisbane. Canberra Adelaide. Melbourne, Perth and Newcastle. '1 \\i/i. ^A-."^ ..J' .r^« rj0^ ... /-J <•••*• There are many reasons why cyclists take part in this "organised coincidence". In part, it is a protest against the dominance of cars in out cities. The culture of incarceration is expensive: it damages our health and the environment: it causes bloody wars over oil; it frustrates during peak traffic times: it is dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians and it creates an unfriendly and unattractive city Critical Mass is about a vision of a possible future in which cities are for people and not for cars. But Critical Mass is not just a protest, it is also a celebration. Those who take part come from all walks of life and political persuasions, but they are all bonded by their love of the most energy efficient form of transport in the world- the humble bicycle. With bells ringing, whistles blowing, and much laughter and cheering, the Mass is a sparkling atmosphere of joy and fun. Critical Mass celebrates the art of living simply. OF EVlfKY MON"Vsi pages Thus spok€ Philip The name Nitschke has been at the center of a truly divisive debate. A debate that has seen politicians on one side and the Australian public on the other. So with the Senate ready to overturn the Euthanasia Laws Semper thought it only reasonable to interview man at the center of it all, Philip Nitschke. Sorry to have stuffed you around yesterday. Someone decided to use the legislation and that tends to make everything a bit hectic." I dldnt know quite what to expect when I incident up here." , Philip has also been It's not until you here Philip describe the first got on the phone to interview Philip. involved in the campaign to legalise personal characteristics of the people he The Australian media isn't exactly known Methadone for the treatinent of Heroin helps to die that you begin to understand for it's accurate portrayals of anything, addiction and in the last federal election why he is such a vigorous supporter of let alone figures at the center of reli he ran as a candidate euthanasia. "These gious, social and political debate, but for the Greens. j y^^^j^ ^j^^ ^^g ^|^j^g g^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ar e dogged people, being told that your interview had to be unusual in their sto delayed because the subject had to help Many people feel the Andpe w's blllln the federal arena ical pursuit of what someone die definitely throws things into strongly about things, they believe is right", perspective. You can't help but be struck only a few of these VUJIl be that it Will Signify the eild Of thIS and particularly sto- by the sincerity with which Philip speaks, people are prepared to cal, hard almost this is a man who has sacrificed personal do anything about them law. There Is no suggestion that the adventurous kind of relationships, financial security and and even less are pre persons" are phrases risked media notoriety, all in the attempt pared to make the sort senate are going to vote in favour of it that Philip uses to to "keep a very tenuous piece of legisla of sacrifices, both per and of course that ultimately means describe his patients, tion viable in a very hostile environment". sonal and financial, the interesting thing is that Philip has made in that things will become easier that he might just as support of the chroni well be describing Philip in his own words, "hasn't exactly cally suffering, termi- himself. Philip, like spent his whole life sitting around think nally ill. Philip Nitschke is obviously the his patients, places "Personal autonomy ing about Euthanasia". What he has been sort of person who is prepared to do as paramount", so when the AMA, an doing for the last 25 years, however, has something about the many issues he organisation that Philip has rarely seen seen him involved in a number of cam feels strongly. But, simply saying that eye to eye with, tried to derail the pro- paigns in the Northern Territory. "For a saying someone has a history of political posed euthanasia laws Philip got upset long time I have been involved in the activism doesn't explain why. and, as he does, got involved. "I got nuclear issue, nuclear ships in Darwin What would motivate someone to devote pretty upset by the immediate reaction of harbor, the nuclear energy issue, I actu so much to what, Philip freely admits, is the AMA which said 'There wouldn't be a ally lost my job at Darwin hospital in what "a small group of eminently needy peo- doctor in the territory that would co-oper- became quite a famous whistle blowing Pl6"? ate.' That just annoyed the hell out of me because I've had a very ambivalent rela of legislation this is." or magical. That the sudden presence of tionship with the AMA over a few issues this legislation will cause, like lemmings, earlier in the piece, and it was just so The one aspect of the law that Philip real the elderly and infirm in the nursing hos obviously untrue and they had made no ly applauds is the way it takes some of pitals across the slate, to go out and attempt to find out the power away from Euthanase themselves." what the doctors of we will see that It served the interests doctors and gives it the territory thought, back to patients and In the face of such aggressive opposition they just came out of five or six people and it didn't mean makes those rights the fact that the legislation is in place at with this blanket available to everyone, all is a, "absolute bloody miracle", as far statement that 'The the end of the world so I think that's "People say 'What's it as Philip is concerned, however, he does AMA would thwart the matter? You know offer a partial explanation, "I think you new legislation'." something of an achievement and 1 think there are doctors who can understand it in one way and that is do this already; the that the Territory likes to see itself as It probably will help future legislatures if In order to offset the thing is it's only avail- unique and different. It sees itself as a bit AMA's campaign that they go down this path. able to people who of a frontier. So when the AMA said 'This "there was no point ' " " ** are part of the club, legislation hasn't been passed anywhe-'e introducing the legis- people who have got else in the world', everyone said, 'So lation if doctors wouldn't cooperate", some contacts. Now it's not just a matter what, v^e'll be the first people to do it', Philip gathered together 22 doctors and of who you know." usually this leads to deadly conservatism took out half page advertisement to say but in this case it worked well." that, "Look, there may not be very many However important it is, the legislation is of us, but there are certainly enough doc- not in Philip's opinion unflawed, "The Despite it's controversial nature the lat tors in the territory to make it work". This aspect I've been most critical about is the est public opinion polls show that roughly was the turning point in the campaign way the legislation has been over med- 75% of the population thinks the legista- because, "It was seen that the AMA did icalised, whicn is the base of most of the tio is a good idea. Hov>/ever, it looks as if not have the ability to stop the legislation laws problems, because those people conservatism has suffered only a tempo working, but then of course the patients who didn't want the leg slation to work rary setback in the Northern territory started to arrive and started to contact set about making safeguards in order to with the senate about to vote to overturn me and all of a sudden, for the first time, ensure a very safe piece of legislation. the euthanasia legislation, "I don't think I started to meet the first patients who What they did however, was make a whether things are popular or not makes were telling me that they wanted access bloody unworkable piece the slightest bit to voluntary Euthanasia". of legislation.". we Will see that It served the interests Of 0^ difference as to whether or not It was the person The stated five or six people and it didn't mean the politicians win al relationships I don't think wether things are basis of the vote for this. that Philip formed opposition end of the world so I think that's some We've seen that in Canberra in the year popular or not makes the slightest seems to be thing of an achievement and I think It between wnen the the belief that where we all bill was passed, bit of differenceas far as wether the mere pres probably wiU help future legislatures if know what 70% and when it was ence of the of the Australian enacted that politicians will vote for this. We've legislation will they go down this path. population think, they think it's a cemented his seen that In Canberra where we II lead to a de opinion of facto situation bloody good piece of legislation, yet you see 70% of euthanasia, "We where pensioners will feel know what 70% of the Australian the house of reps vote for Andrews. had a few people obliged to use the legislation What's more they don't seem troubled by turn up in the ter people think, they think it's a bloody when they become a burden it at all; and they talk about a conscience ritory wanting to on themselves and society. vote. I presume they are talking about die and in fact good piece of legislation, but you see However as someone who has encountered enormous oppo their own consciences because they sure dying, somewhat 70% of the house of Reps votes for illegally, because sition in his attempts to help as hell haven't bothered to look at the they couldn't wait his patients use the legisla conscience of the electorate. They are andrews. legisla- for the legislation. tion Philip is not convinced, quite prepared to over a piece of But, I .got to know "one thing that is absolutely tion in the territory knowing full well that these people very well and I could see certain, if you don't want to use the legis- they are ignoring the wishes of their elec- just why to my mind, as you meet the lation, you don't. What they seem to be torate and that is one of the bigger mys- people involved, what an important piece postulating is something almost mystical teries I have to try and deal with." While the reason behind the Senate's decision people who are finding themselves trapped in the may be mysterious the panic the decision is I want them to know that there most awful of ways, having got their eligibility causing is not, something that Philip hopes the decided and then having to jump rather than sit Senate are aware of, "The Senate needs to are people here who are finding around and appreciate the time they have left". know, 'They may well win this, they may wed get themselves trapped in the most Resigned as he Is to losing the debate, Philip this legislation turned down. I'm looking forward remains convinced of the value of his own actions to going to Canberra and setting fire to the awful of ways, having got their and those of everyone who made sacrifices in bloody replica of the Andrew's bill as soon as It support of the Euthanasia legislation, including is passed, That's just a token gesture, but I eligibility decided and then hav those who gave their life to it, "For the first time want them to know when they turn down this ing to lump rather than sit in history we can point to a piece of working leg popular piece of legislation, exacWy what they islation and see that it served the interests of five are doing and I don't want them to get any com around and appreciate this time or six eminently needy people and it didn't mean fort out of the fact that they think they have the end of the world. I think that is something of done something just and humane and of their life. an achievement and I think it will probably help respectable. I want them to know that there are future legislature if they go down this path." 'i:^i'':i,-i ...r j.fci.'^t ,;i:v^ u^'ll' • t ••.•.:• \- 1^4 r-* !•<. ^ ::~n3ziii pp .All' you :i«i»it* Ihiit if you <;(i .'\re you certain \(tii iindei-staiui In 15 seconds you will Self-Dellvcrancc iihcii(J to the liist scriH'ii iiiid that if you pioaTil ami pie.s.s |ii('ss till' Yes l)ullon MHI ^vill hi- (he "Vt'.s" hijffoii on the next be given a lethal Hivcii a k'thiil ilo.se of .screen that \ou will die? injection A proqram for patient iiicilicatioii.s iiiul dio'.^ '^nn'rnllpfi mr>fiirjilly tp- :Yes. - No ! Yes No Yes W.iy«l }*t. f'Ct^"]w..j' Iti 4-jmM ^>^^., W'.*^ -\r^*' :\A-»ft>*mt^\mMf4 '•^t^/ V"1^ Philip Speaks Aliout Tlie Campaign PhlDii: nd yoi hear about what happened there. Its quite an Interesting story, he made this miraculous conversion fn the question of his attitude to Euthanasia from being a person who seemed very publicly ' endorse the actions of his father, he then very publicly tried to renounce them. i • • . . • \ I went and actually talked to bhn In the Interbn period t^etore he went to I^aiAerra while he was being Interviewed tor a book and I was there wantiig to know what the hell he thought he was doing really, but that particular interview went on (or a couple ot hours and he announced he was going to Canberra on the Tuesdajf to be a part oi what looked to be a hit oi a stage act with Kevhi Andrews and Brendan Dielson and a few others to announce this amazing conversion. But then be rather loollshly went ahead and on tape said how he would be receiving so signliicint offers advancement within the lib eral party If he was to do this tMng and there was also some suggestion that he nilght of been pressured in an adverse way too. So he w^s giving a fah'ly honest account o! what seemed to be a degree oi manipulation here, because it was seen as Important to have him recant In a public way and I said to him, 'ii you go ahead and do this. If you go down to Caniierra and use this line I wouldn't have much hes itation in using this stutflhat he had conveniently provided on tape against iilm'. ' ' . \ ^ . I Uihik that what we saw there was an example, not so much of social or lamily disruption because oi the stresses of Bithanasla, what we saw there was an example ot a piece of rattier tawdry bloody politkial manipuiationl to manoeuvre a rather naive and opportunistic Individual in a way that had bnplicatlons lar beyond his uiiderstanding. Semper: They seem to be prepared to do anything to stop this social experiment. ^ Philip: Right now you get the feeling that they are saybtg, 'We've got to move quickly to stop the hilling In Darwin'. There's no attempt to say, look, we've got an experiment here that's working, let it run (or a while and we will reassess it'. I don't think there's any indlcstio]! at all that they want to understand the truth, they just want the bloody thing off the agenda. That's pretty discouraging, but that's just the way it is. It's been quite a dirty business really, the whole campaigns been quite a dirty one, it we made any mistakes; we made a lot actually, but one ol the "^ mistakes we made, was to under estimate the tactics and abilities and financial resources and what have you oi the opposition. That little tawdrySplsode with Andrews, l,actualiy drew some comfort from the fact that they were prepared to do that with Rod Dent, because 1 thought, 'They must be desperate It they are prepared to do that sort ol thing. But, it's part ot a iairly broad^spectrum of activities, they've hardly leit a stone unturned in this issue. They are not leaving anything to chance, they want this legislation out. page 9 4 5 «^\ •/ OOfi ^l/l/. 4-*> OO/ "%, OOf ./' 'JLi. '„^^ WWOOF (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) is a network of farms and other friendly people (eg. cafe's, bike shops) that take people under their wing to feed and care for them in exchange for (on average) a half days work. The type of work involved varies heaps according to v^hat needs to be done -1 got to chop wood, harvest chamomile and peppermint, shovel horse poo to feed worms, help in the kitchen and looking after the kids, make window boxes, help out with a market stall, plant seedling herbs, make laundry detergent, and more. Usually the work isn't too hard, and you mostly get to be doing it in beautiful surrounds, and in great company. Not to mention the fact that you get looked after really well. So how does one become a WWOOFer?? It costs $20 to be a member for a year, which includes the List and accident insurance. The List is a booklet which has the names and contact address/phone for all the WWOOF hosts, along with a description about their lifestyle and what they get up to. There is a choice of two lists in Australia: the Orgl'st contains purely organic farmers, whereas the ACEIist (ACE stands for Australian Cultural Experience) has all the other hosts that may not necessarily be organic farms (like the cafe's and bike shops mentioned above). It's useful to know that the ACEIist actually contains 70% of the organic farmers In the Orglist, along with loads of other interesting hosts (it's a bigger list), so it's probably a better deal. You can get the lists either over the counter at the Backpackers Travel Centre in Brisbane Arcade (in the Queen Street Mall), or by writing to WWOOF via Lionel Pollard, fVIt Murrinda! Co-op, Buchan, Victoria, 3885. Ph/fax 051-550-218. After that it's up to you to peruse the host descriptions and pick out one that appeals to yoL. Then you just give them a call or write them a letter to arrange your visit. They might even be able to help out with transport to their home if it's a bit off the beaten track. Minimum stay is generally two nights, but you can stay for as long as you and your hosts are happy - lots of people stay in the same place for a couple of months. The List you carry is your passport - some hosts might ask to see it v^hen you arrive. There are WWOOFing organisations ail over the world that run on basically the same principle (write to Lionel Pollard for more info). I found it a realiy excellent way to travel cheaply, and meet wonderful, friendly people with tots of good ideas. It's also a great way to learn about organic farming practices fi^st hand, and get all the inspiration you need to start that vegie garden at home. I think the concept is fantastic - it's such a good exchange, with no money involved. What better way to spend the holidays?! by Jodi Rees { ,";•>••• • -r ij . • 'Oil I "'-r' :' are .' ... you V / 1 k! ;i'''t.;j:; S; -| ^-_^ 'y> •v\^c;.y c. C IIV The man you hired to paint the house uses the wrong coloxir, do you. In your very first university lecture another student approaxjhes you, (a) drive him from your home with pitchfork and flaming torch. do you... (b) be patient, remember he is only blue collar. Ca) ignore them and hope they go away. Cc) explain to him slowly and carefully the difference between blue and G?) take immediate liking to them by humping their leg. plaid. Cc) propose to them regardless of gender, Cd) redo the painting yourself using his blood. (d) give them a friendship pube. The check-out chick in your aisle is scanning your shopping items A mugger attacks you with a knife, do you... rather abruptly, do you... (a) be nice and let him stab you. Ca) proceed with caution as it is probably that time of month. (b) ask him if he takes eftpos. Cb) con'vince the people in your aisle to do the Mexican wave and then (c) compromise by offering to pay for the knife. break into a few verses of "For she's a jolly good, fellow". Ccl) ask him out for coffee. Cc) get her to do a sub-total every 3 seconds. Cd) buy her a kinder surprise. You are playing chess virith your French exchange student and he/she calls "Mate", do you... Your dog 'whoopsies' on the carpet, do you... (a) accidentally knock over all the pieces over by head-butting the board. Ca) say "bad dog" and have it put down. (b) make a mental note to hide some pot in their travel bag. Cb) rub the turd all over a stick and go play fetch. (c) eat all the pawns when they aren't looking. Co) go take a crap in its dog kennel. (d) pull out a gun, point it at their head, pull the trigger emd coyly say, Cd) get goldfish. "check mate le asshole". You and another passenger survive a plane crash in the Swiss Alps, do you... (a) sacrifice your life for that of your companion, Cb) survive off plaque, mucus and dried skin cells. (c) eat your companion when they aren't looking. if you picked mostly b's - you are so friendly you must be in pain. Your (d) take up skiing as a hobby. persona is akin to that of a librarian's or driving instructor's Cthese people must go home at night and abuse their domestic pets for hours in an Your flat mate has a tendency to leave your cds out of their cases, do attempt to \mwind). You were probably breast fed until you were fifteen you... that is of course if you aren't still on the mother's milk today. Tliere's (a) explain at length about how the round object goes in the round hole- absolutely no hope for you. demonstrate using the toilet bowl and their head. ••'.'•'^•; p:.'^'^.:^' • • . '. , '• :''.:r! ;;;:;, :\i\ :,i:'\-:? [\c\^.: [i'lyd yo\] .:•• Cb) take pictures of your flatmate and place them in a photo aJbum y^-" report by Jen and Phii in December 1996 the High Court made a decision on the Wik As well as monetary compensation, employment, training, hous case which has had various implications for pastoralists, min ing, scholarships and cross cultural programs, the Mitakoodi ers, Aborigines and the State and Federal governments. The people are seeking post-mine rehabilitation. Mining operations judges found that native title rights and pastoralists' rights could will cause severe environmental damage to the land which has coexist. This means that pastoralists do not have sole occupan been used traditionally by the Mitakoodi people for subsistence. cy and may have to share land with its traditional owners depending on each individual case. Where native title rights and Warren King from the North Western Qld Land Council said, Pastoralists' rights are inconsistent then the rights of the pas "We believe environmental issues and impacts to the Mitakoodi toralists prevail. The High Court did not essentially change the people need to be compensated. After the mining operation is legislation of the Native Title Act where the preamble says that finished the mining companies uproot and aboriginal people who pastoral leases extinguish native title, it merely said that they live there forever are left with a big hole in the ground." The can coexist. The Wik decision defined what pastoral leases were mine will leave radioactive waste residues, contaminate the soil but has actually had a greater impact on mining leases than on and ground water supply, as well as leaving a huge hole in the pastoralists. ground. The Mitakoodi/Juhnjiar people lodged a compensation claim for the Ernest Henry mine situated on their traditional land. The Ernest Henry mine is near Cloncurry, the richest mineral province in Queensland and possibly Australia. The compensa tion application was sent to the Native Title Tribunal seeking var page 13 ious forms of compensation. M: Hardie said that the Queensland government was the only state government to get it wrong and is now trying to blame its mistake on Crown Law advice. He said the Native Title Act is a valid instrument and the Qld government has not followed that process correct The Government ly in order to protect mining companies and their own interests. Following the Wik case tho politicians went Into panic mode, Queensland Premier Rob "The state government has made it (native title) unworkable by refusing to issue mining Borbidge launched a campaign of hysteria, claiming tho Wik decision brought with it uncer leases". tainty and confusion. At first he demanded a referendum on native title. Then he called for the extinguishment of it and announced a freeze on all land dealings. The Qld government Mr Hardie said the federal government is the only body with the constitutional power to refused to process more than 1400 mining and land tenure applications fearing that Ihey extinguish native title and under the Racial Discrimination Act this can only be done if the would incur huge compensation claims if )radit:onal owners would not consent. Prime commonwealth pays just compensation. IVlinistcr, John Howard assorted the right of the parliament to overturn the \N\k decision if he "They arc all trying to shilt tho blame. Tho minors want validation of thoir leases and want found it interfered with the public or national interests. the State to pay compensation. The State government wants extinguishment of native title The Queensland and Commonwealth governments believed pastoral leases extinguished so the Federal government can pay and the Federal government is toying with extinguish native title. Following this assumption the Qld government issued mining leases without ment by changing the Racial Discrimination Act with impunity," he said. enforcing the required negotiation process between miners and native title holders to take Mr Hardie said the State government had recently negotiated compensation settlements for place. This means many mining leases could be invalid. If mining leases are ruled invalid native title claimants along an infrastructure corridor to (ho Carpenferia mineral province. the Old government could face huge compensation pay-outs. The state government was "This is the first time they aro considering appropriate compensation to Aboriginal groups supposed to issue section 29 notices which required companies to negotiate with native title that have claims along that corridor." claimants. The mining companies would then pay whatever compensation had been settled The state government is now attempting to lift the freeze on land tenures by seeking indem by the Native Title Tribunal. The mining companies are now refusing to pay compe.isation nity from mining companies. for mining leases already issued by the Qld government because they did not make the mistake, the government did. Aboriginal People The Wik ruling was a definite win for the Aboriginal people who have secured their right to negotiate. Noel Pearson said the decision gave formal recognition to the goodwill agree ments of the past between farmers and Aborigines. He believed the Qld government was conducting a deliberate campaign to undermine native title by creating hysteria and confu sion. He said, spokespeople "have been putting forward the view that the High Court Farmers Judgement has not clarified anything. The view is very dishonest. The High Court has said very cleariy that pastoral rights are secure. Aboriginal rights may coexist, but the pastoral The farmers believe the Wik decision has stripped them of their rights. National Farmers leases will prevail if there is inconsistency between the two. ow much clearer can you Federation President, Donald fvlcGauchie said "The Wik decision has turned all under get?" standing of land title and tenure on it's head." He said previously everyone had understood the grant of a pastoral lease gave exclusive occupancy to the holder following advice from North-Western Qld Land Council Administrator. Warren King said the Wik decision put the federal government. Farmers, believing tfiey had sole occupancy, now have to defend Aboriginal people in a better position where they can come together with pastoralists, min their rights through a lengthy court process. He said some people have up to six native ers and the government and talk. "In the past miners and pastoralists did not pay attention title claims to defend. to native title interests, Wik has ensured they have to now". He said if the correct processes had been utilised from the start there would have been Prime f\i1inister John Howard recently offered farmers legal aid lo avoid the "nightmare of more certainty. He believes there is too much hysteria and scaremongering going on. Mr years and years of costly litigation as farmers and native title claimants argue over differ King acknowledges there is a problem with too many individual groups making claims for ent tracts ol land all around Australia." the same area. He believes the mining industry will talk to anyone who puts their hand up Mr Gauchie said, "It's just such a mess. The Native Title Tribunal is an utter disaster and in order to 'divide and conquer'. "The mining companies should deal specifically with the should be eliminated. It is completely unable to do anything and is working so badly it Aboriginal people making a native title claim." Mining industries in the North West region should be abolished." Mr McGauchie said informal agreements are preferable to legal bat concerned with validating their leases need to start negotiating with native title holders. "If tles that are costly and confusing. He believes the Wik decision has made any move their permits are found to be invalid people have a right to challenge that, there could be toward reconciliation much more difficult. He said legal opinion is divided with some injunctions on the operation of the mine. So it could be financially crucial to begin negotiat lawyers saying there is not much for farmers to worry about whilst others say the Wik deci ing if they know their mine is invalid." However Mr King said consultation and negotiation is sion makes things very uncertain and difficult to operate. The 4-3 split decision ol the High a lot better that corfrontation. "We would prefer to work through issues rather than take it Court illLstrales the difference in opinion. to court, it costs a lot of money for everyone." He said there is consensus among Aboriginal people that they are not out to wring them for every cent they are also seeking Mr Hardie believes the implication for farmers is not that great. He said due to the policy of non-monetary compensation. dispersion, most Aborigines were driven off the land. The small farmer would not often come across Aborigines still living on the land but large pastoral corporations might. He Mr King believes it is smugness on the part of the government to believe that pastoral said the pastoral leases were not freehold leases which granted total occupancy rights to leases extinguished native title and to therefore issue mining leases without negotiation. farmers. Pastoral leases only granted the right to use that land for grazing or agriculture. "The state government has a vested interest in seeing that development goes ahead", he said. Wik said farmers were entitled to use the land however they wanted to, so long as it was authorised by the lease. They cannot do what they like to the exclusion of all other inter 'The government says the royalties from the mine are put back into infrastructure but we're ests. For example they have to allow miners onto the land to search for minerals. Native remote, living out here we don't see any infrastructure. Why is there the highest rate of title continues to exist providing it is not conflicting with pastoralists' purposes. For example unemployment out here in the biggest industrial development area?" if a fanner is planting a crop In a field they can refuse Aborigines access to that field. But "Aboriginal people want employment, training, infrastructure and tangible benefits from when the field is not being used they cannot prevent Aborigines from using that piece ol mining companies using, exploiting and reaping the benefits from our traditional land. land for a corroboree or other traditional purposes. Miners The Queensland Mining Council President, Michael Pinnock said the Wik decision Mr Pinncck said tho Nat.ve Title Act says negotiation should take 14 months yet has had three major impacts on the mining industry. only one native title clain has gono through the system in tho three years it has 1) There is a possibility that mining leases issued since 1994 could be invalid and operated. He said several claimants can make a claim over the same area at the the council is presently seeking validation ot these leases Iron the state govern same time with no restrictions. He said the system needed to be more streamlined ment. and socure. Mr Pinnock also supports agreements reached outside of the native title 2)The 120 amendments to the Native Title Act become much more important post tribunal. The agreements are reached more quickly and cites the recent agreoTient Wik because they address some of the inadequacies of the system. made oetween Alcan South Pacific and tho Mapoon and Napranum people and the 3)The Queensland government's freeze on all mining titles vMch, if lifted, it is pro Cape York Land Council over a proposed aluminium mine, outsided the processes posed that large companies indemnify the government against future compensation of the Native Title Tribunal, claims by native title holders. page 15 'The tramp is a rover, exploring the wilderness outside the status quo... Life is a condition of searching for meaning - an active and affirmative process, unlike the bunkered defeatism of modernism and post-modernism. . .Improvisation in the modern performing arts is ulti mately a product of Romanticism's stress on energy, originality, spontaneity, and emotional truth, as opposed to the gleaming technical perfection, architectural sym metry, and cerebral didacticism of neoclassicism... Improv, analogous lo Freudian free association, takes you by startling leaps and pulses to the heart of the mat The value of a rational approach to things is its comparative impar ter. It is Dionysian logic, sensory and surreal. Vision tialiiy. and reliability in the prediction of results. We ignore ratio naliiy at our peril; ithe opposite of knowledge is not ignorance but comes in psychedelic flashes." deceit and fraud?. Nevertheless, ranonalify has created a conscous ness which undermines the sanctity ol beliel. individual free will - Camille Paglia and integrity, and honesty of human relationships: clearly a very low quality situation. Rationality ha^. m :hr bsi 100 years made astounding in'oads into the realms of the previously untheorisable: ihe arts, culture, humanities, and the gamut ol iiuman belvivioufs previously regarded as ideal or spiritual. However, in ihe process, the legitimacy of these things, their apparent The solution to the impasse of the post modern consciousness is value as a function ol ihoir sDintual and irreducible iorm. has been threatened and apparently destroyed. Where is integrity, the stand or tall cri not n the nghtness or wrongness of its results and the rationality tena of popular music or: and literaiuic. in a world where everything has been explained-' The significance of this state is less in the massive which underpins them, but m its iimiiations. In order to explore bodv of ipos' mociern: I'lpon tiui rather n aspects of the awareness which seems to grow out of it: the post modern consciousness, this clearly vast subject. I have generated a subset of formulaiory statements which constitute some ol my intuitions about the post Saiionaiii'. has backed us into a Pos: modern corner, where cvcr\thing is already the smug property ol an intellectual explanation, To paraphrase modern consciousness, and a discussion of each one. someone tnr in'eiiecuiais liave stolen all the cause-" Concerned abou' the distribution o* wealth^ "You re )ust going through a Socialist phase". Love'";.ove •• .•; mvif, !; i, j Hormonal s;ate and a iailacv of the Nuclear Discourse". This state of affairs iias orompted a reieciion of ranona! D''ocess anci a nackbsh i-, onri'-.v'on.V stanclpoinri T'^esc are based on protestations ol faith, belie' or pre rational tenets, which supposedly rcn Whet IS post moaern consciousness'' bomc possible iormutations cip' me ;nus co-Vj^Licteci oognia unaccovJivable lo rational process'! dons! care' Surc!\ if I tliink .... then its true! Anyway, iis wliat I believe'" might be. A luriner Droc'.uc; ot 'his consciousness is a 'lostilu^ and cvnicisn-, towards am unifying narrative. 'I dont care if ns right or wrong. I can believe wiia' i wa;r'' There is no integrity or validity in aciions or thoughts, stnce they are explicable in terms of reductive causes which render (hem Thu; ;iie aiiemma oi ijie oos'inoctcrn consciOLisncss :s '.hy we ei:hcr accept :hc rational results of our inquiries, ana surrender (apparently illu irrelevant as the actions of free individuals. If this seems uriike son ' spiritual vjji.r or iciec* rational process language, and lusi no- listen jRcaclcrs of Pirsig will recognise this as o classic romantic dichoto ly. consider the statements: "t>1ark of Cam ar-? just some sort of niyi testosterone band". "Of course you support mining, you're an Engineer",'Love is )ust a hormonal state". in general, ine solution to inc conflict oi incommensurable value systems is not in terms of their rightness or wrongness (they arc both "right' I bu) in terms of their value. Which one creates the greatest Quality? Which one builds the value edifice in which we would most like ic live? Each statement is pejorative, and acts to is meaningful, and that all art can be con As a specihc example. I could say that Nothing is worth believing in, because that includes a dynamic element ol criti destroy the integrity I hence, the value I of sidercd in the context of work before it: Praxis are a Industrial/ Process/ Groove/ belief structures like religion are all just cism/creation. and accepts non Newtonian the voice in question, by explaining it in this context bears on the art and alters its Jazz Fusion band, and the natural legimalors for establishment power hier process. terms of some pre existing value structure. significance. Art is even relatable to previ response v/ould be "well, they can't be that archies. Rejecting religion seems, on the It delegitimises by legitimising! The second ous art specifically and the historical and original, they're )ust made up of all these v/hole. a good thing, inasmuch as it is the statement is a classic ad hominum. but the social climate in general; we do not write other elements." More specifically I could rejection of religious dogma as an exhaus Everything is political. This is a big one. problem seems to run deeper than that. in a vacuum. However, it is a non sequitur say that John Zorn, Bill Laswell. tive moral code. However, two things are potentially one ol the most depressing and into Ihe long-held, and incorrect, view that 10 conclude from this that nothing is origi Bucketheacf and Bootsie Collirs all played the pnce for this tcrnble freedom: one, v/e self defeating aspecs of the post modern anything can be adequately characterised tial. This conclusion does not follow at all. on the first album, but for the second. replace stability certainty and a sense of consciousness; and yet a statement which it by its fundamental cause. The postmodern consciousness, just as any Industrial Metal guitarist Justin Broadnck v/orih v/ith a value vacuum in which noth IS clearly perilous tc ignore, given the other rationalist discourse, inevitably justi has been invited to play and this v/ill have ing means anything: and two. the whole state of conflicting interests, out of control fies itsell because it necessarily excludes an inevitable effect on the direction of the state of piety as distinct to obedience to activities and confusion we are heir to. To There is no goal that can unile all people, originality and only searches for how band. Again, no originality if the band is dogma, has been lost, and it is a terVible let already cxisnng political entities pursue because any goal is just the product of a things are the saine. rather than hov/ they just the inevitable product of the players. loss In the quest to develop non res\ric their policy unchecked or unevaluated is to specific discourse of power. The notion are different. I have heard someone link However, the point is this: the originality is tive moralities, we have destroyed whS^t is comrnit oneself to 0 status quo which is of a unifying theory or narrative is anathe ing Praxis to Metailica, with the v/ords not lost at the instant v/hen certain players holy; we have destroyed holiness itself clearly sub optimal, but one wonders ma. and anyone can justily any behaviour iThis band isni't that onginali. because they become involved v/iih the project, but at The idea that we can ourselves paf\icip\tc about friendships, love, an and innovation if Ihey can relate it to their fundamentally used the same guitar sound (supposedly). the instant when we reduce them to Ian in holiness is lost to the post moderri co in a v/orld which is so calculated, so con held, incommensurable beliefs. guage and consider them in a categorical sciousness, T17 telling your hipper than trived: and as one questions, so one Furthermore, they can lock out people What we are faced with here is the failure hierarchy which we believe accurately cool theorist that you are doing somet destroys. with divergent views because the incom of theory as a result of the failure of lan reflects the pre categorical reality holy as you pour them a cup ol Earl Gr mensurability of language, value systems, guage. Mystic philosophy asserts that the That tea is holy is not a rational statement etc. disqualify them; "Men cannot be femi ultimate reality is immediate, pre categori but it is an exceptionally valuable one. nists because they are born into the patri cal and incommunicable. It is perception, archy and that inevitably makes them rather than thought. However, language is In should be noted, in passing, the back power-mad egocentrists". This is back necessarily categorical, and the moment lash towards and consumption of any or wards. It is goali' or more specifically, val we characterise something in language we all of the pre-existing religions, and the ues, that create the discourses of power. lose its essential reality because we force it rootless creation of more credible struc Non specific values will generate an inclu to conform to a system of categorisation. tures: the New Age. neopaganism. the sive politics. This is a powerful and useful tool but environmental, social and economic reli clearly one wifh a stgnificanl limit. gions, and anti religion religiotis. Dogma is Nothing is original. It has been found that religion. The truly humanistic solution to a't tends to depend on previous art to this problem lies in the generation of a generate an environment in which the art rational theory that Icgitmises irrationality The statement "everything is political" can be rendered "everything has the property of being political". It has been shown that values inevitably create politics, (hence values are not politics), and so if values are to have the property of being political, a necessary aspen orbeing political" is'being able to create politics". This makes more sense when we consider "politics" riot as a property nor as a thing, but as an activity This suggests that the correct formulation of our intuition "everything is political" is actually "everything is subject to the activity of politics" better put. "everything is po'iiicisable". Thus, we act apolitically unless v/e choose to engage in the activity of politics. The statement "everything is politlclsabic" is a vital warning that we must be both personally responsible and politically aware, lest already existing politics consume us. However, change comes more naturally Irom the change of values than the conflict of politics, and thus we suggest that less politics is better politics. This result seems hardly surprising in light of the fact (hat those things most valued and venerated by us are those which cannot be bidden, bought, forced or faked, but only created. The postmodern consciousness, after generating exhaustive explanations ol behaviour, is still left with the vast question "Why?" If everything is a con struct, how did we construct it? Why did we construct it? Each of these objections to this apparent dead end ol postmodern consciousness seem to depend on the same few concepts: originality freedom, ard the ability to escape being "theo^ laden" all taboo in postmodern theory. III continue to not get a job. we will hopefully go on to explore these concepts, and place them on a lirm theoretical footing. In the meantime, contemplate excellence. coHSciOiis What Comes After? That search most difficult - the getting to know someone, collecting the pieces of them, finding shelves on which to house them, energy with which to dust them off. Only to wipe the shelf clean, sweeping the collected, not always collectable or desired fragments aside - until you've got what you started with a bare slate - the surface of the human soul that is. pre unniarkedf Sex Is riS! Iritlmacy^jJ; lust Is not lo\/i ^^ and possibly none of the above will produce the territory we seek. So what are we all doing/then? It's been said g^jg^to know that we are not ,:, '•'>^*^. alone. Sl^^pfhought poetry a pleasure LolSe the skeletaUafliiiafiture of ou ation dimlght r enGtc sv\Jpt-closer-f! orn the\c(3ii|fei^3 inundating'ati^sii^i^^bgaaKai^ are gJlin.- gener-, Photo by Lana Reynolds ous is the water - ologgeid silence - dissipating branches dripping branches dripping tears i spy through dissipat ing branches dripping tears i spy through the cloak - folds of blanket dusk - beneath the silence i shiver - and here is the moment of copulation - with a sigh I swallow page 18 the darkness. Rinn http:www.somewhere in cyper-space. Jehovas Wifnesses and Hirier http://www.nano.noA(eIemark/Ki(!er/HitlerEng.htm1 I don't really know much about the JW. I mean I l The Online Guide ro Satanism h«p://vwm.marsha!l,€du-allenl2/index.html I've soaked up to much phospheresance from my monitor late into the night. If I could open my eyes more I'm sure I would be seeing things I just shouldn't see. and I can tell you thy're all mad. completely and utterly mad. Apparently there are two major satanic cults in the world, the church of Satan and the Temple of set. both of whom I pre sume have some programmer lashed fo a rack and being forced to produce web pages. So check up on the latest satanic news, make deals with the devil and all that jazz. This may interest the more mentally derranged amongst you but don't blame me if you end up roasting over a slow fire by some guy reading you a copy of the last week's green left weekly The Church of Euthanasia htrp;//www.envirolink.org/ChurthEuthanasia This group has an interesting idea, plants are good, animals are good and people are. well. good. The thing is they are all equally good and because of this they think that humans are a little too much of a good thing so their numbers should be cut back in order to allow ferns and baby seals to grow in peace. This is all well and good, but how do fhey intend fo bring about a reduction in human numbers, well just ask the 'voluntary human extinction movement'. These wackos want to release a modified human flu virus that will kill, well everybody really Now I ask you where does the 'voluntary' part come in. Introducing the Personal Air Saftey Security System http://www.snub.terrorism/ Capitalising on the recent spate of airline disasters and terroist bombings this group of entrapenaurial types have released a range of personal parachutes designed to look like ski jackets. These guys want you think about the fact that many victems of TWA flight 800 were alive when they hit the water and that some of the passengers of Pan AM fliglit 103 were found strapped into their seats after the plane was torn apart by an explosion over Lockerbie. Scotland. So now instead of having to worry about dicing in an airline disaster you can just die of embarrasment in the airport in front of freinds. family and complete strangers. I'm sure the cautious amongst you are saying. "Hey thats not such a bad idea', and you will probably be even more convinced after you read the compay slogan. "With PASS. Everybody Dies But You". Losers. Picture Yourself MS ...nding along minding your own business, easing your way through the damned-boring group but I shouldn't be here" (he kid beside him traffic, the engine buzzing underneath you. You are thinking about where you starts up. "Why...! shopped" are going, //hat the day holds. You stop ai the inte'-sec'ion. have to 'un info tnat street over tnere. You see a gap •". the frjf''ic and go ''or it. Suddenly the sound of brakes. Really angry now you look around at the 'he 'jiglii of a white bumpei" bar CDmmg towards yDu. i'nud. a quick flashed viev/ of the sky losers you will be stuck with for as you sail over the car's bonnet, ''his is ^ot haDpe-iing to me." Hit the road on the other ever Not even a pack side of »he car pick yourself up and get off the road so 'he next car doesn't finish you off. of cards to pass the time. Great. Get into the •Vhere the heck am I???" No traffic, no road, no remains of bike, just a few people. losers. To the next one. "What did you Standing and waiting, not watching you. do?" "I grew orchids " What would you do next? Ask where you are. "Dead?" ,'Then what happened to the bright "Yeah and my aunt collects shovels. What did you do?" 'I light and tunnel, the warm feeling of being one. granny standing beside the house where I dressed well. I looked great in the coffin""You'll be right for grew up and Shirley Maclean to conduct me to the other side.,..?.". "Dead is not supposed Cosmo's next issue then. What did you do?""I partied. I can only remem to just happen....' One of them says "just listen". ber half my nights""What's the point of a good time if you don't know you had it? What did you do?" "I discovered that there is no such thing as reality and proved it for my You wait, you hear organ music, some people chanting 'the lord is my shepherd '. singing masters..." "amazing grace, how sweet the sound...' and a voice you recognise. Uncle starts to say 'she was a good kid worked at school neiball ' About ten minutes of dribble, he You stop being angry and look around for the TV cameras. Are you on "Who Dares..?". describes the sort of person you wouldn't let in the house, the sort of person you would Nope. Have another look at the grey people there. Why are they here again? They are bor rather study than have fo talk to. the sort of person you wouldn't be caught dead with. You. ing, but they look so ordinary. What did the first guy say just trying to hnd something worth doing... The others listen too. They look at bit interested in your life story, they cringe when the preacher commits you to God's keeping. You can tell they are not all that Try to feel sorry for them. Try to understand why they stuffed up. Try to see things from impressed wifh your achievements. their side of life. What could you have done for them? What could you have done for your self, you were inadequate because of you. Society didn't help but you wrote your own non- Time to put this in context: what would George Burns do? "Hey this is like Rowan script. Try to find something true. Enjoy beauty but don't try to own it. Atkinson. 'Live in Belfast', in a minute the devil is going to turn up and put us into groups of sinners to spend eternity together Can I be put with the atheists?" You do and for the first time feel pain. Shooting pain in your leg and ribs. A hard road The guy with the grey eyes says 'You just missed it. it put us into groups. This is a underneath you and an Ambulance person giving you an injection. "Don't worry mate. We group for the terminally boring., most of us have done a few sins, but the devil will soon have you in hospital."The other leg starts hurting. Better than being dead, cause wasn't impressed. It called us all losers who deserved each other's company and you are dead for a long time. then it walked away' Remember me. I was your pillion You say. "I can't be with the boring people, I was the life of the party.--" They all want to talk "I am better than that", "I was only enjoying myself". "I just Geoff Hoyte wanted nice things". "I wanted to be noticed", "I looked after my family". "I was Anglican Chaplain smarter than the rest". "I want my lavo'er". "I wasn't as bad as the others", "it's not fair". We are all mad about being here. The guy with the grey eyes says. "We had to listen to our funerals too. my family wanted it to be quick, so they could forget. The preacher had trouble finding things to say,. I was born in an aver age family, did ok in school, had a few friends, went to university, got a job. got married and divorced. I managed to keep most of my stuff away from the harpy when we split, she got the kid. I just wanted to find something worth doing. I took over the business HeidesjOTBel pthe^|^^ persili^ui f ^; «^ but someone took us over I got into music but after early Bowie nothing happened. I met lots of people but never had a friend, Wouldnipettil Ihe luj^the sort df p$ J every time I thought of something someone had already done it. I couldn't find something worth doing so I just filled in time and sont^yopprauld rather !^ii/dy than H^^ WM died-''^ wasn't my fault, it was all the other mongrels around me." telK Icg^fsort of person you woul||i!t You remember that Denton always finished his show with "Society is to blame" and get angry with the guy with the grey eyes. If is his fault nothing happened in his life. He had the same chances as everyone else. You didn't even get a decent go at life. "Yeah I can see why you are in the :m-- blue stocking week: what is it and why do we have it? Written by Carol Number, with much help from N.U.S. Women's Department Blue Stocking Week (Monday 24 to Monday 31 March) is an annual celebra tion of women's activism and achievements in higher education. The term "blue stockings" was used in the eighteenth century to deride women entering universi ties. The stoty goes something like this... In the eighteenth century intellectual men who sat around discussing topics such as freedom, liberty and equality were easily recognised by the blue stockings they wore. When women began to seek an education they were labelled 'Blue Stockings", as they were seen to be masquerading as intellectual men. Since the "second wave" of feminism in the late 60s and early 70s. this initially derogatory term has been positively reclaimed. It now stands as a symbol of women challenging barriers and demanding better access to the educa tion sector. Blue Stocking Week is a focal point around which women collectively organise to discuss and get active on topics not dissimilar to those discussed by those original male blue stocking wearers. It also examines the lack of equality in the education sector, particularly in terms of access and the experiences of women attempting to get a degree. There are specific barriers that many women face in a university context - for example the impact of non-gender inclusive language, an appalling lack of childcare facilities, gender blind courses, sexist course content and material, sexism in classrooms, and sexual violence on campuses Women from UQ. QUI and Griffith University student organisations have held a number of cross-campus meet ings to discuss the major hurdles we face in our quest for an education. The outcomes of these discussions formed the basis of the Blue Stocking Week material, which was transformed into the Blue Stocking Week posters, broadsheets, stickers etc. These cross-campus connections form a great part of the essence of Blue Stocking Week - it is a time for women to work together to celebrate the achievements of women and chal lenge the barriers women continue to face in the higher education sector It should also be a time that women acknowledge the variety of ways in which women are educated and educate each other. The university sector is increasingly becoming an arena for economically privileged people and those who can access formal education should be constructively critical of the tendency to privilege university education over other forms. eNjoY bLUE sTOcKING wEEk - hAVE a BLaSTI aND rEMEMbeR tHAT aLTHOUGH wE sTiLL sRTuGGLE We hAVE aLSO aCHIEvED sO mUCh. page 23 ueensland Nationals are hellbent on increasing the oppression of Horan has come out and said that his homophobia is based on his party's I lesbians and gay men. In their latest attack the Nationals have conservative policies:"! think if is time we started to stand up for the tra- moved to stop lesbians from accessing artihcial insemination and ditional family," Horan said. IVf^eIVF^ervicesi . President of the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties Ian Dearden The Queensland Anii Discrimination tnbunal recently upheld the right for slammed Horan's bigotry. lesbians and single womer lo use fertility assistance. The tribunal award "It's an extraordinarily disturbing, narrow and simple minded notion ed a Bnsbane lesbian $7,500 compensation for the suffering caused to based on a rigid, conservative agenda that I thought we managed lo get her by being turned away from a fertility clinic because of her sexuality nd of when we saw the back of Joh," Dearden said. The victory was short lived. Just as lesbians were rejoicing, bigoted "This Government is clearly not committed to the basic principle of pro- Queens'and National party Health Minister Mike Horan was moving to tecting people from discrimination", squash the ruling. The federal government is just as bad. Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fisher Horan is planning to introduce a ferMlity medcine Bill which would over came out against the ruling and Federal Health Minister Michael ride the Queensland Ami Discrimination Act and could mean lesbians Wooldridge said the government might withdraw Medicare benelits for '' cannot access fertility assistance. A government options paper, drafted in lesbians seeking access lo donor sperm. response lo the tribunal's ruling, is expected to be submitted to parlia- Queensla.nd Young Liberals' country vice-president Chris Green recently ment's autumn session, made the outrageous statement that children of de fade couples did not The paper claimed that 93% of Queenslanders would support Horan's receive as much love as those of married couples. move but this was based on a sample from talk-back radio and letters Good parents are those that give their children love, regardless of what to the editor. One could hardly expect decent humanitanan values from sexuality or marital status those parents are. a John Laws listener, Horan's comments about the family are mindless rhetoric. He does not In fact. Horan lied when he claimed to have broad community support, care about any families, traditional or otherwise. The Conservative's cuts A rally including lesbian fertility assistance rights is planned for March 16. to welfare and education and the introduction of draconian industrial this year's International Women's Day committee included Ihe rights in its relations laws are already hurting families. list of demands and there has been a picket outside Horan's office con- At the moment lesbians have to resort to using unscreened sperm donat- demning his and his party's bigoted comments, ed by friends, putting these women at risk from AIDS and other diseases. The government options paper also looked at exempting activities push Women also have the worry that the donor will try to daim the child. ing traditional family values from Anti-Discrimination lav*^. This is obvi There is no specific legislation governing who is allowed access to sperm ously a front for attacking gay people, single-parents, women and other banks. The only guidelines are contained in the 1984 Demack Report oppressed groups. commissioned by the State government. In evidence to the tribunal, the woman, identified as M said she was fighting for all lesbians: "For lesbians, the legal problems of bringing up a child are astronomical. You have no legal rights over each other's bio logical children. Just in terms of paperwork, you can't sign school forms, e^t passports for your children or take them to the doctor. I can't sign a Medicare form for my partners biological daughter, who is also my daughter "It changes the whole way we relate to each other as a family and it's not something that you can work through because it comes up so regulariy". JM was devastated by the ordeal of fighting for fertility assistance. She said that there needed to be a broad, united fight against attacks on human rights, "The legal system requires that only one person be a complainant. The system is set up so that it all falls on one person. It feels like it is set up so it will be too much for one person to carry through," JM said. "On one level I feel like it's a really person attack on me by Horan. which makes me feel really despondent. Yet. this decision affects all people who care about women's rights. Why isn't more being done about it?" QFG. the fertility clinic ordered to pay JM compensation, has lodged an appeal against the tribunal's ruling. This will give Horan time to get his legislation through and will mean JM will not get any help lo have a much wanted second baby. "It really has put us back to where we were three years ago. of having no safe options for getting pregnant. Its meant the focus of every day has been where I'll get sperm. I'm so completely stunned and overwhelmed and devastated by it all". Horan's attack is Just one in a long line of government attacks on gay people. It follovirt the appointment of right winger Kevin Lingard as Minister for Families. Youth and Community Care, who promptly announced plans fo fake foster children away from lesbians and gay men, regardless of the effect this move could have on foster parents and children. Same sex couples are already unable fo adopt children. Horan barjned a sexual health calendar because he thought one androgynous image promoted homosexuality. He announced that a Victorian AIDS Council campaign which used colloquial language fo get its message across will not be used in Queensland because he considers it "recruitment" to a gay lifestyle. Horan's colleague. Attorney General Denver Beanland abolished the Queensland Ami Discrimination Commission, replaced it with an as yet unproven agency, and moved it to the same building as his office. Gay men. lesbians and single mothers, along with other oppressed groups, are convenient scapegoats for the government to detract attention away from economic problems. Even if this issue does not affect you directly, it is important to remember that the same system that is attacking lesbian rights is increasing your HECS and slashing Austudy Where will it end if politicians are allowed to change legislation at any time just because they do not morally agree with it?. Politicians have shown fhey have no respect for Ihe law in their willingness to try fo change legislation to extinguish native title. This is the same way they are trying to make the lesbian fertility assistance anti-discrimination case obsolete. page 24 ^,,^j y^„ „„ j,. Send protest postcards (available from Women^s Room and Bona Room) to politicians. Attend rallies around the issue. Buy a "Kids Need Love, Not Horan's Stereotypes*" t-shirt. Leave your name on the contact list at the Women's Room and Rona Room. Yoiirjveek^jliietiiis^^ ;,^fiamed:ffira^ai«J;^ Run ipo'fastiiy: too 'li^.}'--.:.y''['"^J^,[ i^ Ra tjvi a tendency to get a bit. well, crabby. Sony. Otherwise, until next time, remember: • Leo-- The Stars do not lie, •.•;;:;. Oh,who cares what sort of week your having? It's not as if the entire uhi- Madame Destiny speabs only the truth. •'•\r^S':^ lis verse revolves.around you,^is It? • •••• 's'-^.-". *•:•"-!/ •.' •'^'^ A smooth Week, ViitH4he^^6ssibiltly of a'mid^w'eek upset. Perhaps some of ' / . yoUr carefully alphabetised 0s yvilj betdiM^ by a thoughtless flat ^v& Jel H[g|mtt0idQd.ir f e view; mate: Never mind, don't letilt get to you,' Just smile and put them back ?; 'Where th€y-belong,a(nd.th^^^ StimMx^ '• • rtiote. On the romaiice.frpnt, nothing muchWill change; You still won't get S.i.r Sa:iMueJ GrffftJfc s6aMg»vAjJstfalHa:;. ^^a^^' ;-|laid.\::U--';:c'-^''":''::S^r:^ • :.'.;^ •:.;..: " . • *-•.*; ••-^.-•'Ar ; V'^"5 ";>:. What.'yvith one thing and another, this will amount to not a lot. Svnngs and "^''('^ .."^r.vv» •y.:if&:::I :v^ rrouficiabeuts. Ifeuvii)! a your usual equanimity In fact, noth- .'"^"'ji^i ''T:?^''" ' itiig can ishake you,;aithough things may unsettle you slightly from time to k f', •'•• ''•'^••^'^r^^sf^^^^ ' ••••••••'•••'•'.'^ •';'"•'• ' t;sdmebrie close to you, mi-' l/^|S^iii^^iMwH(cffeisi^ little creature. ^. ^v^X Casual Relaxed Sensational '^J, Dining ^ Jf l/Tfl deUghtfta Experience ••5^;T N.. ^Hftf setting • Lunch through to Dinner, 7 days • open 7am -llpni everyday • Contemporary Australian Cusine • Delicious Coffee, Cake & Snacks • Sunday Breakfast • Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner Buffet • Restaurant, Bar & Function Room 10% STUDENT BISCOUNT http:„ww.resta^^tso„.net/ c«fe «i^ ' tnl 3369 9923 PuUy Licensed • • • ' ?;• ' ' '^ ;, ;. ii I '.•'•', i • ;, i ; i "• • " > ••!; !';:.;• , i^ !•' ]". '•] '-" '' ijv Refugee ues Susan Harris he one thing I had been dreading was seeing malnour The Camp Sadakos were supposed to initiate an individual The forces of tragedy and cruel circumstance like this are ished babies. It is the obvious image - perhaps I was project based on their background, to be supervised by pregnant in the air of a refugee camp. My brain pounded Talmost hoping for a dull desensitised reachon after all UNHCR or one of the non-governmental organisations inadvertently with the cliche 'there but for the grace of those World Vision ads. The malnutrition ward in the hospi (NGO's) in the field. After the veo' first day in the field, on God...' - again the obvious but the powerful reaction. tal contained about twelve beds. On each one there was a the orientation tour of Ifo camp where I first saw the Intellectually you know that a refugee is merely a vichm of tiny tiny silent body, wifh the odd feeble movement. No cry babies, if was made clear to me by the refugees that fhey circumstance, but the ramifications of this fact are that lOQ ing. It was so hot. Ifo camp being in the middle of semi- were not interested in any more fly-by-night surveys and 000 people are undergoing the trials of Job. and v/hy? I arid desert one hour from the Somali border The babies research. No more questions, they demanded as one. Do strained to transpose their experience to my life and simply are on plastic beds in a large hut ("fukuD made of twigs something. I hesitantly suggested drama workshops and could not. I tried to imagine if Australian indigenes have and mud. their mothers watching them fixedly That was puppet therapy with the schoolchildren. As if happened the felt like this for 200 years and reeled. probably the saddest sight I have ever seen and I do not British Council had introduced Participatory Educational apologise for its predicability. Theatre I PET I to the camps and each had a well-trained 1 also helped rear orphaned cheetah cubs, drank Ethiopian refugee PET group who loved the new audience! coffee, and grew to hate roast goaf. I marvelled every, every The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Sadako night at the African skies, I watched the staff who had Ogata decided to commemorate the UN's 50fh birthday Working with the PET members every day I was completely taken years, some decades of the their lives and spent it with a personal project. The affectionately named "Camp taken aback by how these excephonal people are incredibly helping refugees all over the world. Most of the time I just Sadako" scheme is an international youth refugee awareness bored. Some have been unable to leave the camps for five listened and watched ihe refugees as they told me their sto program. It gathers together young people and places them years. Many were mid-university degrees, about fo get mar ries (usually with resettlement to Australia in mindl, and in a refugee camp for a month in order fo learn about ried, or just getting a farm or career going when the war when I came home it is their lives which have the ring of refugee issues and the role of UNHCR, wifh a view to the broke out. They would tell me desperately that this stasis truth and not my own, I walked info a Coles in Neutral Bay person then returning home and spreading the good word. was making them gradually stagnate, their minds were my first day back, and actually physically shook with disgust dulling, life was elsewhere and they would never catch up. with the excess. Last July, sixteen Camp Sadako participants (CSPI were cho You (the world, the West I have forgotten us. fhey said. I sen to visit UNHCR care and maintenance camps in Kenya: had fo painfully return their gaze but could not remember The challenge for mc now is how I translate the experience one being Dadaab on the Somali border and the other. the last time Somalia was in the news. into achon. however small that action will seem in propor Kakuma. on the Sudanese border. The countries represent tion to the problem. It is far harder than I thought to write ed were Kenya. Korea, Japan. Jordan. Canada, UK, USA. My time in Dadaab included many vignettes which may have about what happened I feel guilty all the time. I feel, ironi Germany and Australia. UNHCR does not provide airfares to forever changed my consciousness. Once I was screening cally enough, displaced. The solution seems to involve such Kenya, but looks after CSP's once the Camp begins in new arrivals from Somalia. As the woman wifh six children massive shifts of worldview. power and resources that it slips Nairobi. I was interviewing described how she had walked for six beyond my ken. So I try to keep my eye on the obvious. days to the camp because they are hungry. I realised she Obviously I want to help those babies. So would you if you After intense briefings in Nairobi, we landed on an airstrip would be turned away No matter how I phrased the ques could see fhem, just as obviously The trick must be to trans in the North-Eastern Province, just inside Somalia, Five years tions, she did not answer in a way which qualified her for late that obviousness into our day-today life. Insha'allah. ago. UNHCR set up an emergency camp for Somali refugees refugee status, and there was nothing I could do about if. in the middle of the desert, with the begrudging permission My tenuous faith in law ebbed away I told her to go fo Ihe of the Kenyan Moi government. The three camps, Hagadera. mosque. Insha'allah (in Allah we foist I. the refugees were Ifo and Dagahaley now hold 100 000 registered refugees at always saying. page 29 last count. From a beginning of making the cups of coffee on set to the release of his second feature Idiot Box, David Caesar has seen it all. He has directed television productions such as G.P., Bananas In Pajamas and the recent Twisted Tales, rock videos for Ed Kuepper and The Falling Joys amongst others, and has won plenty of awards for his documentary work, most notably Body Work. Caesars first feature. Greenkeeping, was nominated for best screenplay in the 1992 AFI Awards. I recently spoke to him about Idiot Box, the state of the Australian film industry and being angry in general. I was instantly surprised when David answered ihe phone from his Sydney home: I had seen a photo of him in the paper ihat morning, arms folced over a barrel chest glaring at ihe camera from beneath a shoved head. I was not expecting the soft, pleasant voice that came down the line, bui rather someone more likely to have produced the aggressiveness of Ihe 'ecently released filti. Idiot Box tells the story of two no- hopers' from Sydney's western suburbs who decide that a batik heist is the ideal career move. Whilst it is a very funny film, it has a lot to say about being a young lower class mole in today's Australia. Basically that's what I'm interested in. making films about working class guys, that's all I know really", he told me." I meon. I couldn't make a film about a stockbroker living on the northshore of Sydney, that's not the world I grew up in... Even though I'm not lhat young now. I v^a^ young once and I can remember the amount of energy ond frustration ond stuff that I fell. And how angry I used to get when I couldti'i get a job. And I'm jusf amazed, always amazed that nobody makes films about that. That's such a big part of peoples experience. And you never see those characters out on the screen, and there's lots of ihem out there." It is surprisifig then that the idea for Idiot Box came to David not whilst contemplating life in the outer Sydney sub urbs. but whilst promoting Greenkeeping at the 1992 S'ockholm Film Festival. The original Idea hod been lor a small budget feature that could be made no matter what, even on super 8. I wonted to write o film thot was set in o.ie location. That all the action takes place somewhere else, so it was going to toke place in Kev's j Ben Mendelsohn's choracter] lounge room. I was keen to wnie a really aggressive film about male characters, sort of crapping on basically So that was the original plan something really cheap, one locotion with all the things I know locked down. I didn't know if I wos going to get the money lo moke another film. Then when I was writing It, I thought why just talk obout if. why not do II ond see it. So I thought I'll just tell the story thot I wont to tell. So I did." Idiot Box stonds out from the crop of recently released Auslrolian films. One of the reasons for its severe orieinality is the enormous sense of real ism that the film generates. Its charociers are recognizable to all of us. as opposed to the quirkiness of other Australian films. "Yeah I think it's kind of o cop out the quirky thing. People say "Oh. people won't like working class choracters so I'll jusf make it quirky". I don't sub scribe 10 that. I think that if a world is real enough, if a world is strong enough, then people will respond to It. So the most important thing "Yeah, this go out and meet tourists for fifteen minutes each v/eek is v/orr/ing. I feel that we mode the right decisions, that v/e didn'i go for from my point of view was making the choracters as believable as pos noi going to do much for people's self-esteem or future. Aid then when on extra 300.000 or 500,000 and compromise the film, and I think sible... I think its more important to shov/ people warts and all. It just something goes wrong we'll blame the Aboriginals or v/e'h blame the the film is better for that. If we'd done it cheaper I don't think it would makes them n-ore three dimensional," migrants But I ihirk also that if you're o politician then ycu go for o have been os good, just in the sense of the staging of things. It would For Davjd. the down ro earth soft farpei ',omeone who can't ftghf back hove been a very different film witboui a lor of the action." .nature of the Australian suburbs'; and play on 'he tr.p cr.-iohonal response ol Idio" Box shows a real depth in acting talent m this counir/. Was the !ust as cinemaiic as the settings of tnosp Aboriginal k-:;-, throwing rocks on a costing process on easy one? [lims such as Love Serenade or Mercedes Benz. ! rrip^n what rlie hell ore "Yes and no Some people I hod in mind, oth.er people we had to look Murials Wetlding. people ciO'.ig dnvv-ig j Mercedes t'-irough oroi-nd ior. I had Ben T. mind for either o' the lead roles. I aiwo',5 '...They sort of exist as a sort ol di; Everiey Si n Redtern ony.'/aY?! I;s easy 'o i'kfd Ben and ! think I'.e's a great actor Once I had hin-, in n'nd i: was fereni piace. as a iort of mogical ! cottl4fr't make ' • ^\ \ • •••.• p'ay 0.11 hot or.d soy put more p-^lice on the really hard to find someone to work opposite him A ioi o' people -M-iO place or quirky oiace or theatrical street', but as li li^ot's not going 'o olie-iose reoc for Mick didn't shov/ ihe charociers m-elligence which wos very place. So I don't thrnk your rela people even furrner. That's whcf I find really v/orrying." iionship is'tha'S someone I d {iltn about d fascinating obout it. that they're not even The foct thot David was considering Mendelsohn lor either role speoks know". I think one of the great remotely ir/ing to deal with the issues." volu.mes for the director's respect for the actor os each role is very dif things cinema con do is thot you To hammer these messages home. David set ferent. can identify with it. the people or stockbroker the film in the council estates of Western "I |ust think he's o great actor, like a young Jack Nicholson. I ihink he's the sttuanon or understand or Sydney, but that could have been any coun lontasiic. His potential il someone were to push him..,is fantastic. I'd empothize with them, then your cil estate in any Austrolion city At one point really like to see him get o really tough role v/ith a lot of ambivalence emotional involvement is going to Hyihg on the David thought that he might set the film in in It. He's a good actor and 1 really enjoyed working with him." be stronger. Thai's what I like Logan city which he sees as fla'ter and Did 'he cost have the opportunity to bring their own interpretations of when I go to see lilm...to be aclu more desolate. the characters? ally be caught jp in them. So tiorthjjhore dt "It just had to be an environment that was "I wouldn't hove cost an actor thot wasn't able to bring their own inter that's what I'm trying to do." identifiable. And I wanted people to be oble pretation to it. There were certain things that I wos 120% certain of. The result is a film that is a first in to do that, to go into the film and go 'lile thot I wouldn't compromise on. But there were a lot oi other thing; terms of depicting the tnodern does lioppcn where I live, it dcesn't just that I wos completely open on. I reolly believe thot if someone cotnes council estates of suburban Sfyxlhey; that's happen somewhere else.' Thot's why I think up with on ideo that is better than yours then you go with ihai...you Australia. This originaliiy is carried it's important to hove o lilm industry lhat don't get the best people thot you con ond tell them whot to dc: you over into the dialogue and charac- tells people that their lile does hove inean tnoy as well get the worst people that you can if you're going to tell lerizaiions of the film, but espe not the worl<] I - ^ -.1 ing. on a really, really basic level..." them what to do." cially lo Its sense of energy. To me 1 ask him il he Another bnlliart port ol the production is it is reminiscent of another Ben thinks that the the soundtrack, produced by Tim Rogers Mendelsohn film. Nirvana Street grew uji ttt... industry needs to be from You Am 1.1 asked David il this Murder I Aleski Vellis I. I asked more rellective of involvement was plonned Irom the begin him if he was aware of the com true society instead ning. or whether it hod come obout in parison. and did he set out to try of reliant on the post production. and break nev/ ground. standard cliches, such as 'the bush'. it you iiiy "I origmolly had the idea for o very heavy '•Nirvana Street Murder. I would say. is the only other film ihai tries to "I think it's important to moke films like Shine. soundtrack. I met Tim before we begon capture the some sense of energy and sense of ploce. Thai would be or Love Serenade cr Floating life or Dead shoonng and he convinced me that it the most comparative. I like the energy of something like Romper Heart. But I think we have to make films like to jlieople would be really good to have something a Sfomper. but it is in a world outside of my experience as well, a world Idiot Box, there has fo be films that reflect bit more quirky like the Snout cover of the which is not necessarily real. And that's fine for that film, but that's not ordinary people's experiences, that oren'i just Icehouse song "Love In Motion'. Now I can't necessarily what I want to do." reflective in an anthropological way. but hope •you 4on't imagine it being anything else. There were i?ather than the naked and irrational aggression that Is evident in fully like Idiot Box. that do if in an entertaining some really really weird ideas: at one point Romper Stomper. Idiot Box addresses more the tragedy of wasted way. that people will go and experience it as a we very serious'y considered the ideo of youth in an age of mass unemployment. Kev personifies this unfortu lilm in the same way that they experience an have a jilace hoving all these bonds. You Am I. silver- nale facet of contemporary society It is through this characterization Americon film. Like they're going to go I'm choir The Mark ol Com, doing Peter Allen that David has hinged the central theme of the film. going to see that film not because it's an songs, which I thought wos a really good 'What I see in Ben's choracter is something like Robert de Njro's char Australian film but because it's the best film on idea because he's written some reolly good octer in Mean Streets: someone more aggro' than angry, too much 01 the cinemo". songs. Bui there was o level ol sentimental energy that they don't know what to do with, thot they don't know Did this whole oppvoach meon that he set out ity in the lyrics 'hot I didn'i wont in the where to go w,ih. f think that's one of the tragedies of the (jIm. that in fo specifically do something different? they eti4 iip film. I didn't want the film 'o have any a different world, maybe if he was born iilty years earlier and went off "I was trying to tell the best story I could . ond thing scntimentol." to fight in the Second World War, all thot energy would hove been used moke something that I would want to go ond Seniimentolity is the lost thing that Idiot in a positive way' see. It's more o surpnse to me thot other peo re^etittul at Box could be accused of. Its brash, noisy. It is this precept that further highlights the originality ond couroge of pie don't do it. Most Australian films that I sec. ugly, critical, cynicol. debouched and very, the film. thot I like. I'm forever silling there thinking very, very lunny "There's all these guys with all this energy with absolutely nothing to do why don't they get on with telling the story. II I society. with it. There's nowhere to channel it. I think that on one level, at the was 01 home I would be fast-forwarding Idiof Box will be screening at the Schonell very least, that's unloriunaie. but at the very worst it's dangerous. I think through it. I think thot's not good enough. Cinema in the coming weeks Don't miss it. that il you say to people you don't have o ploce in the world' they end they're not telling the story well enough or lost and remember...Get A Dog Up Ya! up resentful ot society. That's the thin end oi the wedge, its about peo enough. I think it's importom to do that. Thats Nick Leys what I wos trying to do. capture the energy of the choracters in the ple who have basically been told repeatedly oil through their lives that GIVEAWAYSIllI! there's no ploce lor them. And if they get angry enough about it then form of the film as well as the characters." they just say fine we'll make our own place and you can't come into it. The him was made with a $2.5 million budget, lunded through the Semper has heaps of Itdiot Box CD's, screenplays. T-shirts We'll make ou' own world, our own laws, our own culture...! think 1995 A.F.C. Film Fund. I asked David if he thought thot the film could and posters and double passes to give away. that's Ihe danger in Australia that we could go down ihot road, if we hove been made with o smaller budget. To win one. come down and fell us another film that Ben say well you don't have a place." "I probably could have, but the problem with that would have been Mendelsohn has been in. or the TV. series that Jeremy David demonstrates this aspect with the current debate over the work- that people putting money into the liln would probably wanted to for-ihe-dole' scheme. have control of the casting, the music or whatever. I think that's really Sims bared his butt in. Christmas is here and thot meons Melbourne A few kilometres further on a bird on the side awaits. It's (our days before Christmas Day ond 11AM: Driving along with my sunglasses of the road looks dead but suddenly moves and MELBOURNE:Itto.es e.'- I'm up disgustingly corly on o Sundoy. bags on the clouds look very strange. They seem to takes some shoky steps before it topples to one doys in Melbourne before I ogotn feel comlort packed but not lecling bushy toiled. Friday recede oway Irom me toword the horizon, side ond lies still ogoin. I remember the occi oble there. I feel like on outsider Melbourne, night's exertions at the bar have created repcr sucked dov/n into the vortex where the sky dent scene ogain ond wo- jer why an ombu v/hich has olv/oys been home, even alter three cussioi i I still shamefully fecf meets the rood ond a funnel is formed by the ionce isn't rushing lo 'le rescue of this bird. yeors living in Bnsbane. suddenly makes me v/all ol trees bordering the roari ahead. It feel like a tourist m 0 none too v/clcoming The iiiiital way out ot Brisbane is predictably reminds me of scenes from o Hitchcock movie I'm relicv-ci v,l. . we linolly reach Dubbo ond ploce. For these first lew days I v/ish I wos bock mundane. A sour'ey can be so tedious when so It could hove been Vertigo where distonces our mo'el which 0 surprisingly comlortoble. By in Brisbane, Brisbane, v/hich hod alv/ays seemed much of 11 lif J anrod of you. and driving ou: oi in the camero's eye seem to be ropidly '/votclv'd this stage I om unable to see properly (hough. I like J place full of thick necked, rugby league ond away (rem o :ity has olway^ been one of ond distorted. The cloucis a'so anpcar sick, if 'on see shapes but I am onlv portiolly aware of playing. I con crush you bctv/een thumb ond the niosi inodcicnmeh'sobering iin-.,"jl Knov/ ihol's possible. Tnc-y are a dorKcr grey ai nu; details like people's exnrc-ssions I hove reached forphngcriype of guys, and girls v/ho locked the of. Leaving o iomilior ploce ond fomilior peo edges than their v/hiie niarshmallowy centres zombie form ond not even ihe thought ol being imagination to believe there was anyihmg bet pie, both of vhicii ore nevertheless iinnrc and the grcyness is flimsy like on especially bock in Melbourne to:iionow excites me as 11 tor then such 0 cloned. Queeiis!or4mole variety. dictoblc ond dv^omic, ond heading of! into sur mouldy musnioom. Looking at them depresses used to during past trips ! have my tirst. second Bui in the last six months I hod come to realise roundings whic". never appco"- to change much me and I start lo imagine cuticles ol mouldy and third cigorcr' for the doy fill up on dm that this perception was only ponly irue. that or show signs ol people's presence is like Icav substances spreading through my body ever out ncr like a cor ri' piling, and go to bed in there svaj ^ v/hole other secnon ol the popula ing behind hie in favour ol a walled i:i him set wards Iron-i the pit of my stomach. preparation ic • .noiher early stori, non v/i(h tolerance ond imagination, and thai with only the sound of tne car's engine to sug the thick necked moles didn": really wont to gcst forward movement. Possing through the The ncy tev/ hciun seem to stretch on inter it U11 iJfWm Today's travels provide me crush anyone betv/cen their thumb and toreiin burbs I am dismayed to think I am going to minably like the rood ahead. The red sand cdg wiih litilf I'Morcst. Souihern New South Wales ger They just hod thick necks, thick thighs ond cop the full force oi the sun's roys for the next mp, the high-vvav provides mc with only passing punches r,;c v/ith the most uni.ispiring panoro barrel chests and a gentle breeze stirring the lew hours until the sun posses overhead. I iniero:: 'her-. •, no evidence wc are making ma I hove ever seen. On both sides ol the rood bock oi their eyes, and once you accepted this, groan a deep. dari<. sewer llecked. inworci any orogross except tor ihc occasional sign indi there ore holds and fields ol tall, pole yellov/ they were as easy to get olong v/ith os anyone groan directed ot my latest nemesis whicn is sii eating hov/ ior u 15 :o ihc next town 870.. gross -//hich I guess is probably some sort ol else. So ] guess you con begin to see how easy it uoted light yeors owoy yet always finds o prorni B6S.. B60... Hours? 1: seems like iimc stonds crop unknown 10 mc. although there is nothing IS 10 |udge people bosed on inc v/ay ihry look nem spot in my days it's bloody rude oi the sun still ond I begin to feel mat some-whercoui sprouting Irom the grass stems to suggest ihey because of one or two people you may have to intrude upon my brooding this corlv in the ihe'c" people ore continuing v/iih their normol might be oi any use 01 all Not even my sun me: who look the some way. doy It could be oniy momenis before my agito doiiv activities ond the v/orld is still spinning, glasses can alter the v/ay ihcy look. Evety now tion leods to a loose comment which will trig while I have been caught in 0 time loop ond ond then the long grass gives .way to shorter After those first lev/ doys in Melbourne though. ger an unprofitable orgumeni with Mum Will be stuck running on this treodimll of a grass of the some colour, and then there may I am again lured into ihe lold by its chorms. its Silence seems the best choice ond my throat road OS centuries poss mc by It's amozing hov/ also be a couple of cov/s or sheep crov/ding oiirociive hallwoy v/ilh doors branching oH into hurts too much for using barbed words anyway. boredom breeds insoniiy. under 0 solitary, leofless tree. limitless possibilities. Numerous social opporiu Oh. lor a thunderstorm and a VB! I put on mv nines anse and suggest an oppealing roison de yellow tinted sunglasses which moke the v/orld Tunes slov/ ticking leods me to observe some of We linolly cross the Murroy and reach Victoria, tre. What better pastime can there be than hav a cheener colour white Australia's iradmonal icons hke some indi and it isn't long belorc the trees creep toward ing drinks with Iriends? If only one could inake cators oi the .groin industry. In loci it's hard to the road ond we are driving through shadows an occupation of it. 9AMI:* As we pass over Cunninghams Gap imagine any Iorm of civilisotion along this par for the first titnc since yesterday I om surprised the sound of cellos soaring up fingerboards ticular str2ich ol the Newell without the smat Mum can still drive. I have been peering My grandmother always says home is where the crescendos an accomponimem to our approach tering of silo settlements. Every fifty kilometres through a letter box llap gap between eyelids heart is. so I guess home can be anywhere or to the mountains peak. Dvorak's Cello Concerto or so the speed limit slows os we pass, on one lor most of the doy ond can no longer fight of! eveiywhcrc you've been and you con hove bits is playing on the cassette player The coverage side ot the rood a house v/ith accompanying the tension at the bock of my eyes. My eyes shut of your heori scattered all over ihc world. I oi trees on the mounioms slopes reminds me store, ond on the other side three or four tow olihough mentally I'm still awake and I try to know I feel at home in ot least two cities in the of paintings I've seen ot various Austrolian set ering silos. There is olwoys 0 sign before you coax iliem open, because it's my )ob to see thot world and before I die I'm sure there'll be fings like the Blue Mountoins. They are a faded pass these settlements to soy you are possing the driver doesn't drop off. Sorry, you're fired. meiaphoric bits ol mc left behind in other blue green colour ond seem to create a hazy through a town, but unless people live in 0 My heod lolls, my neck takes a nasty turn, ond places m the v/orld. but lor the moment I'll set mist about them thot suggests there could be bomb shelter beneath the store or the silos the little light in my brain clicks oil impercepti tie for hoving my heart divided in tv/o. becouse mogic in them there woods. I imagine druids have been relurbished as 0 block of ilats possi bIy I wake up about 0 hundred kilometres out it's nice to be oble to escape to one place or the performmg some ritual of initiation although biy with views ol the sparsely covered londscape ol Melbourne. other v/hen things start 10 close tightly around it's more likely that any human magic that they hide irom possersby. I guess thot only the you. might be found there emanates from some inhobiiants of that one house could moke up form oi Aboriginol spirituolity The violins pluck the population of Y... It's 0 strange ploce this DKlbBANt: I om lortunoie to out staccato sounds as we rise higher and my land of ours. return lo Brisbone by plane. I was sad leaving ears pop in sympathetic unison. Melbourne, ond I am agoin unnerved 10 find it The sun has lied the hatred of my stare ond so tokes nie about three doys to settle in ond feel we lunch beneoth one of the prolific golden 01 home. Only two weeks earlier Brisbone had arches because Mum soys ihcy always hove been my sanctuary. It is at this point thot I clean toilets. It's a shame they're not clean reolise I am at home in two places, ond the enough lor us to eat in though. I think to temporary discomfiture I feel upon orriving m myself. Further down the road we move aside either of ihese places is the yearning for the to let an ambulance, sirens screaming, pass us. place lelt behind. It is thai bit ol me lelt behind Eventually we pass it again where it has but still ottoched to me by some unseen piece stopped and where police usher us slowly ol elastic always tugging at me until the elastic through an accident scene. About six people stretches, creoies slack and the tugging is not as stand together at the side of the road just noticeable. above a ditch where a red four-wheel drive rests ponderously on its roof. At last count the national road toll for the past few days stood at twenty two. 'Doob. I can't look. Are there any bodies?" Mum asks. I tell her there is no sign of fatalities. Green week Our campus celebration of green lifestyles and activism is coming up during the week Alternative modes of transport, sustainable ways of living. - Come along to Environment Collective at 1 pm - Workshops scheduled for throughout the afternoon e.g. make-your-own soymilk non-violent direct action • Boycott your car day Leave your car at home and v/alk. how green is my trolley? - shopping tips for students (possible field trip) ride, skate to uni or suffer the consequences! There v/ill ecovillage ideas and action in Brisbane be rewards for those joining the boycoff... papermaking. - Get involved in the round-campus bike ride - show the indigenous cultures and environmentalism University that we need improved bicycle facilities on deep ecology campus including more safe places to lock up, more vegan 4 vegetarian cooking showers, upgrade of bike tracks around campus pannier-making recognition of bike culture! Say NO to campus planning green literature discussion group exclusively for car users! environmental activism on the 'net - evening screening of inspirational environmental movie. Location and exact time to be announced. - Green festival in the forum area (celebrating biodiver sity in our environments) : music, speakers, markets, food, fun. other greenies. PLUS.. Launch of the rideshare carpooling scheme! - 6 pm Green Politics Forum (celebrating diversity within the green movement) in Abel Smith lecture theatre fol lowed by wtne and vegan cheese. We will have speakers - No school today, (sleep in after the Green Ball) but meet your new friends from the Feast at Critical ranging from public servants to grassroots activists and Mass at 5pm in King George Square. City Critical Mass is a gathering and ride by heaps of cyclists to organisations to politicians to community groups to stu protest the number of cars on the roads, the amount of pollution, the lack of planning by City Councils dents and academics. for commuter cyclists. An excuse to have fun! • ,r,_ .- yi; - Morning excursion to Norfhey St. City Farm in Windsor. 9am to 1pm. - 8pm Green Ball and Vego Feast in the Holt Room N.B. This week coincides wifh Inte:^natio!:||l Days of Action against food made from genetically engi (Union Complex). Mustc. food and frivolity provided. neered crops. In Brisbane the campaign will be coordinated by Eco-Consumer (a consumer food lobby This is a fundraiser to help UQ students get to the which aims to encourage the development of sustainableagriculture and food production in Australia, Students and Sustainability Conference in Townsville in and inform consumers of ways of obtaining food that is hjealthy and environmentally friendly). July It is rare to meet a person of notable clanty and wisdom. Rarer still to His current project is the building of the OM Vishwa Deep Gurukul meet someone who has absolute peace of mind who can convey that Swami Maheshwarananda Ashram. Education and Research Centre. A peace to others. Such a one will visit Brisbane in April. He is known as centre of learning, t'le Gurukul offers study in Vedanta. the great Swamiji, (his full title. Professor Pramhans Swami Maheshwarananda Indian Scriptures and spiritual teachings ol the world. Il will also pro ). He is known internationally for his profound wisdom, immense love vide an orphanage, retirement village, model farm and Hospital based WHO IS and knowledge and selfless humanitanan works. on Ayurveda. Naturopathy and Homeopathy The centre will serve lo renew the fires of inspiration in Vedic culture and philosophy Swamiji strongly promotes and encourages the Indian Community and all Highly respected and sought throughout the world for his wisdom and Indigenous peoples ond cultures to continue to preserve and honour exceptional ability to build individual potential, uplift and enhance their cullurol and spiritual heritage in the spirit ond altitude of SAT spiritual growth. Swamiji has been bailed as undoubtedly one of the SANATAN DHARMA3. (This will be a theme for one of his presenta SWAMIJI ? greatest living Masters of our time. The respect and gralitude with tions whilst in Brisbane): which he is met ail over the world is evidence of the vital power of his message. 'Vedic Culture (and the spirit of Sat Sanatan Dharma) means to live in Swamiji is a Master of Meditation and Yoga. Born in Ra;asthan. India. harmony with nature, to protect and respect God's creatures, to be Swamiji. comes 'rom a lineage of honoured ond respected Masters, his aware of the ecology, to recognise and 'especi wisdom, to become teaching embodying the true essence of Yoga ond the ancient wisdom. aware of the purpose ol this life and tc realise God (the Truih and Having lived for over twenty five years In the v/esf. Swamiji under your relationship wi;h the Truth I stonds the western mind ond lifestyle, ond therefore imparts the ancient knowledge of Meditation ond Yogo in a v/oy that is unquestion In lis heori there is a place for people irom any other culture, religion obly relevont in today's society or noiionolity..This kind of knowledge is umversol ond is meant lor all people. Everyone has o right to use and gain benefit from ii.' Swamiji adheres to a gruelling schedule of international travel, selfless ly imparting his own experience ond knowledge to all people. His Swamiji teachings and humanitarian elforts are acknov/lcdged •hrougiiout the world - twice being chosen to receive an honour from the World Although Swomiji rarely spcoits o! it. many v/ho Religious Parliament in recogniiion ol his endeavour in cosing the speno lime with hmi know v/ell hov/ often unex- hardships of humankind ond encouraging the light of Sot Sanotan plainoble evenis occur oround his presence, as does o Dhorma. lUnivc-sol wisdom) orour.d the globe. He hos receiveo sever sense ol heightened spirituol awareness and lucidity ol cominendotions irom various digiiiorics ond political figures, includ If you have yet to be in the presence of o Self ing the Presidents of Hungary-. Czech Republic ond former Yugoslavia, Realised Master ii is difficult to convey -his cxocn plus literary figures ond socio! comnentaiors such os Vaclav Hovei for ence in v/ords. The ;loniy and simplicity with which recognition of his contribution to sociol ond humaniianan v/orks. he imparts his knowledge ond insights .s inspiring and has o direct relevance and appeal to a brood HIS acclaimed system. "Yoga in Doily Life", is us'?d extensively through cross section of discmlines. out Europe, parnculorly in the former Eastern Europe bloc countries, in the Czech Republic. Hungary. Croosia. Slovenio. Serbia, ond olso m Last year the Brisbane coinmunitv had ihe privilege Germany Swirzeriond. Englond. the Uiiiied Siates. Canada. Howoii. New of Sv/oniijis presence at the Customs house and mis Zcalond and Australia. It has been endorsed in rchabilitotion centres, generated much interest. hospitols, heolth retreats, education centres ond schools and has had applications across both the community ond corporate sector: personal development and stress management training with Executive Directors. This yea'' Swomiji v/ll give o Public Leciurc- oi Customs House, Council workers, in mental health. Corrective Services, and lor improv ing concentration ond memory for university students and stall, high Wednesday 9th April ai /.OOpir., school students ond children. 399 Queen Street, City This comprehensive system wos thoroughly and scientifically researched All Are Most Welcome. in the Czech Republic prior to it being adopted into the education sys tern and rehabilitation centres. The Hungarian Govcrnniettt Ministry also accepted "Yoga in Daily Life", now taught as a Diploma Course Other events to be conducted by Sv/omiji include: with opplications for social, psychological, physicol ond spirituol devel opment. Weekend Residential Seminar: 12tn 13ih April Rosalie Waters Retreat Centre. Mount Mee. Swamiji has centres internationally and conducts Satsangs and semi nars regularly throughout Europe. Canada. Australia. New Zealond, ENQUIRIES: I 071 3357 3817 India ond the United States, with crowds in attendance of over i.OOO Presented by; The Australian Association ol Yoga in Daily Lfe people in cities such as Vienna. Hamburg. Washington, and Prague. He recently attended an auspicious ceremony in the Pali district of 1 SATSANG SAT truth. SANG- being together Rajasthan. Invited by the Local Indian Community both Swamiji and To be with truti. meeting with a spiritually developed his Master Paramhans Sri Swami Madhovanand (Holy Guruji), were held as guests of honour and over 8.000 people were in attendance person, getting together for a spintual purpose. Irom neighbouring cities and villages. The Sotsangi continued through out the night with discourse from both Swamiji ond Holy Guruji ond BHAJAN Spiritual or devotional song. Ihe constant sound of Bhajans2. SAT SANATAN DHARMA • the true eternal religion. Swamiji is appreciated in India and world wide for the light and spirit of his presence and teachings, and for the incredible humanitarian support he has given to centres in India and elsewhere for orphanages, elderly, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. Take a MOVIE BREflK Next Semester at YOUR OWN STUDENT UNION Cinema The SCHONELL IWin and the V^OW, Its 50 most "=»».?.^* cheap comfortable 5est5 too] ^ Vit^ .B^ ^O^ 50^ ^i^ ^^"kCftt S^Svcest^-* VCi^''V^^ ^ .^i^iS^U^^Pi*v VoS" * Acclaimed by The Courier Mail "Unquestionably Brisbane's Best a f REE PfiSS to any STfiR WfiRS Trilogy Film WIN The First 20 callers to ring SEMPER (3377 2237) On Tuesday 1st April will WIN!!!!! Dod or stcpdod depending on which child you are in LOST HIGHWAY this Brody bunch, is ployed by Alon Aldo I Hawkeye David Lyncn's latest film is v/iihoui o doubt the most from Mash I. and Mom I or slepmom I is middlingly ombiguous production he hos offered since his 1978 middle aged performed by Goldie Hav/n. Together debut. Eroserhcad. In whoi is perhops a typical reac Ihcy CO "nice' bciier ihar tea ond toast with tnar tion to a Lynch lilm. I've no idco oboui what most of ma lode. It was oboui. but I do knov/ that I v/js cnihrolled the whole way ihrough. Drev/ Bonymorc plays the sv/cel ond romontic young Lost Highway is a "21st century noir horror lilm". thot dougfiier. Juha Robe.'-fs does her sweet and rotnanfic, fells the 5for>' of on acute schizophrenic killer I oppar BOUND wiot would you expect. Moreover. I'm sure that v/iih young neurotic but ihe nceness is ever so ilighily entlyl. In the opening scene v/e sec lazzmusician " For me, stealing has olwoys been a ot like sex The out the goy sub plot it would noi have received on R thinned by Tim Roth whose choracter is a charming Fred Modi'on (Bill Pullman! receive, via the inter only dilference is I con luck someone I )ust met. Bui rating, but this is Australia, so v/hai v/ould you expect. bui vulgar ex murderer on parole thanks lo Mom. com in li's house, the mysterious message "Oick to sleol? I need to know someone like I know Worth seeing. Nick leys Laurent is dead". This holds the key lo the whole plot mysell." And Woody Allen, in whai must reflect his character II think I as v/c v/itness an c-loboi.iic ossossinotion EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU does his fuddled, weird, awkward and sexy, tailed where Fred is the murderer, yet oi the same time ihe Ceosor is o money launderer lor the mob. Violet is the Well ihey obviously did to Woody Allen, director ol man cs only one practised in the role con. victim of a satanicol protogonist. the Mysieiy Man moll ihoi he's been keeping for a lew yeors. Corky an Ihe amusing, the real, the deep. How else did he get (very spookily played by Robert Blake I. Aficr expen encing some v/eird hallucinations Fred kills his wfc ex con. is renovating the aportmeni next door. Violet so mony big nomes in this movie? And oil ol their Woody Allen's movies lind the beautiful spots m ugly Rence (Po'ncio Arquettel one: is sent to death row. ond Corky fall for eoch other ond decide to rip off the choracters are obsessed with lurve. oil la'ling into ii ptoces They explore the liitle bus thai make up Here he undergoes some sort of metamorphosis, ond two million bucks Ceosor is holding for the mob. and then tumbling out again after the spin dry. human character inr- day to doy boring loibles thai becomes Peio Doyfon I Boliha/or Geiiy). a you'ig This directoriol debut from Lorry ond Andy ore cuie and funny bui tnai no Hoilyv/ood directoi mechanic In o normal Ho! ywood norroiive we Wachowski Is classic film noir. but as is the trend ai NDI only is this lilm o love story, us a muiical: kitsch, would dream of inllicimg on on oudiencc: no tosi v/ould nc'vc'- leave Frcci. but this bein.o Lynch, v/e Ihe moment in revising the genre, there's a twist; tacky chock lull of early holly.vood style melodies, ociion editing here. Ii is 'hose day lo day foibles iha' cor. I see •iim af;o'n until the onci o! the fihn Insicid Violet ond Corky ore lesbions. The title is represenia orchestros. chorus gnh ond top donee pasted slapstick ihis movie is oboiii. comoleic v/iih siliy musical inter ihc pioi n-jw follows Pete, who '•••oppr-ns ;o be tne tive of Corky being seen bound up in the opening into our modern context. iudes 'hoi mode me lougii. mcchonic ol choice to '^r. iicic:^ ', Rohci- Loggia I. a scene, but more implicitly of the reloiionship between 1 •- r: '.oca'. 'voDsipr wiiosc -jirH'-'prd nappers to 'JC Alice the two femole charociers ond the degree ol irus- « Wokelic'd. i;-|.,r,cci Ogoin cv Arquc-tio ='orc ard Ahcc between ihem: they ore bound' logetner. Tnis is o u ijcni'i on aftai- ond c-.'^ruio';) accidc- 'c run ot' reasonably clever lilm that has o lot o* iun plovinc logctiior I'll stop ihc'-e sutlicc lo iJv o' ttv.:, coin: I witi-, ih.p genre one its accepted norms. ^IM I KIM was nrcfv ckif-icss c. "o v/no-, psvcrc v/r v-rrc acv. Jennife-Tilly DIOVS Violet, and is cniovaolc to woicn j;, ally iniiabi'in.c (.yor:! v.'Ofy •: cloc'. r,ioK<: s:7n'c- sersf she oliernotes between vulnerable gonosic-- moli on:; at Ihc- cnc; • seductive iemme fotaic. Likewise Gina Gershon ij good OS Ihc )eon onci singlet clad CorK>. aliliough she This y> -ypica' l.vnch icrnicr), o nisH'njriMi io;ic;i,coyf . J?"'*.;?- docs lake ihe Jomes Deon rhmg a little bu too ior. The where ncthmg i;, as u scoiri where clistuvijing p ot stand oui performance however is Joe Ponioliono as seono'ios c.r:\ imafici ore iranst.ise'ci w'li a ven aari; the sleazy mobster. Ceasor. who manicallv tries lo sense ot njinor. All ihr- clernenis o' classic film roi'' keep things under control: he is comically oui of his ore present l chorocters who O'X- ihc vicum of cir depth OS opposed to the very cool Corky. Indeed. cumsioncp ontty. sleazy criminols ond oombsheit frnimc laiales). yei through Lynch s vco unique Bound's real strength is m worchtttg the two strong He comments on the kind of lomily we ore oil mconi vision u becomes o genre unio itsell. Tiic oeiioo is b'll femole characters os they outdo the tough proles BJI unlike the tiy hard socially scnsiiivc musicals of 10 wont to be, nice, hoppy rich. Iun. iriends with our lioni: PuHman is ihe best he hoi ever been and proves sionol gangsters. the 'SOs whose charociers were poor ond tough, this ex spouses ond able to livt^ where wc vvant, iravcl thai he can act. whilst Arqueite is seductively donger The Wochowski's (who also wroie ihc script ond pro modern doy omcrican fomily live m uptown New where v/e won* ond hang out with the glitierot:. ous in both roles. The most spooky costing hos to be duced with Dino de Loureniiis) have produced a very York, in no less ihon a penthouse. Appropriately then There is no norrative siruciure. no tension or oramat the inclusion of Jack Nonce os o monic meeho.tic stylish thriller thoi monages to keep the oudicnce this lilm IS a musical about the type ol people that IC climax but instead a lunny ond satirical waltz in 1 Nonce played the leod in Eraserhead. ond wos m.ir interested. It is hord to accept thot tliey ore the some can pay to go see o musicol. v/hich Goldic Hav/n actually leops over Woody's head dercd o lew weeks ogo). two thot wrote the script for the dreodlul Assassins. ond donees on his hond. But ol course ihey are sensitive about iheir status. Tlie dry dialogue ond quirky comero angles v/i|( Everything else is sfunfting: the set design, cincmotog Dad worked his wjy up from the streets to be the undoubtedly lead to comparisons wiih the Coen's. rophy one cspecioMy Angeio Bodolonicnn's music lawyer he is today ond il Mom hos olv/oys had money It's iun and silly and should be accompanied by ice score I see rcviev/ ol the soundirock on the music although this lilm is ceriainly not of that caliber. well now she works tirelessly ior chanty organisations cream. Soma Tv/igg page). Th? production notes cloim Lost Highway lo One criticism is thot perhops some ol the lesbion char demanding bosic nghts like personalised interior dec be rodicol, even for a Lynch f'Im. ond this is true in actenzatlons are o tod cliched. but it is Hollywood, so orating ior prison ccl s. evei7 possible v/ay It is certainly amongst his best lilms Just go and see it. Nick Leys '"*'" '**-^'ii5^^ffeSf!i*'':^ • r-^'-i- i!i, ,;:?r^ •'iN'. .i&ai^.'i.r'ii'i;- Promising the Earth Robert lamb, Boatiedge, 1996. •]\ OF (^iin The View from the Bridge Aspects of Culture sustenance and spice have one lecture out loud il Pierre Ryckmans you can I eoch morning for breakfast. A.B.C. Boycr Lectures 1996. Suson Holdcn. The Boyer Lectures ore on onnuol series of lectures commissioned ond broodcost by the A.B.C. in honour Finishing School for Blokes I J'Asj, Yt-iMiHfjAV of 0 post chairman. Sir Richard Boyer Last years Those magnificent men from St Andrews are here. series wos presented by Pierre Ryckmans. o Belgion Rooiing the women ond drinking the beer. born scholor who settled in Ausirolio fo teoch ond During the game we win all of the rucks. write after a period ol working in Asia. Ryckmans is And in the night we get all the fucks. internotionoily renowned os a novelist: scholar, sinol (Old St Andrews WorcryI ROBERT ogist: oriist and colligropher. a list of credentials which certoinly must qualify him to discuss the impor- lonce of culture in society However it is Ryckmons' HIILBRONIR understoted wisdom ond quiet insights which gives these lectures o certain whimsicol llorc. The A.B.C. feeling that the future could be changed. That Published to mark the ?5fh anniversaiy of Friends of must feel proud of itself for luring Ryckmons into this progress could exist. But the was Yesterday 1-1750- the Earth, an enviromental action grouped founded public orena. os he is a mon who normally refuses -1950). Today (-1950 ?) flaws hove begun to in England, this book is o valuoble collection of infor interviews ond shuns medio ottennon. show in our progress. We still look toward the future. maiion detailing the history of the orgonisotion. The but no longer can we be confidently optimistic that it sheer density of facts in each chapter make it both a The lectures, numbering six in this series, explore the will be better than today For the first time we face to valuable resource and a norso easy slog for the read themes of Looming. Rcoding. Writing. Going Abrood our uncertain future. er. however the journey is lightened with quotes like: and Staying Home. From the very beginning. "on the scale of 665 million yeors to each one of the f?yckmons' builds upon his assertion thot culture is the This book is based on a series of lectures and the sim 1 6 doys of Genesis, it took all doy Mondoy and unlit sustenonce oi lile. The imporionce of cultivanng one's ilanlies between the book and the talk ore there, for Tuesday noon for Creotion to get Earth going. Life mind as one might a garden ond feeding one's soul better or for worse. The lecturer is in and knows his began ai noon on Tuesday and developed steadily as one might a body ore cliches which ore stripped ol subject well. His points are significant and interesting over the next four days. At 4pm Saturdoy. the big rep their fomiliority ( and thus the contempt wc might to novice and expert alike. And you doze off a liitle in tiles came in. Five hours later, when the redwoods have developed for ihem) allowing a fresh consider the middle, think you've lost the plot completely, but appeared, there were no more big reptiles, At 3 min ation of the importance of oppreciaimg and respect then get drown in again. If you want to read an easi utes before midnight (human beings) appeared. Ai ing culture ond knowledge. ly accessible book containing a serious discussion by a one fourth of a second before midnight Christ arrived. leading thinker in the field of economics, then take a At one-fourtieth of a second before midnight, the Within these five themes wc find the wisdom of great leaf out of Mitsubishi's page and "please consider', Industrial Revolution began. We are surrounded wiih thinkers both known and unknown, from east and • Michael Burden. people who think thai what we hove been doing for west. Here Michael Leunig ond Ian Foirweother mix If ever there was a book that could make college that one-lourtieih of a second can go on indefinitely." with Soire. Rousscou ond Confucius. Ryckmons' adds principals nervous ond sweaty this is it. In following Eoch mojor campaign of FO.E. London was covered in to this gothering of wisdom with some topicol provo upon his previous books which record Peter detoiL which should be of interest to anyone who is canons of his own He declares ihoi the University as Camerons bottle wifh the Presbytarian church over or who has ever worked on a political campaign and an institution is dead. He dismisses the proclamation heresy this new book has created o storm v/uh it's for onyone who is interested in the interaction that 'to see is to believe" and asserts thai "he who worts ond oil record oi St Andrews college in Sydney between the media and activists. believes in nothing sees nothing". He asserts thot After serving os principal of St Andrews for 4 yeors • Amber Webster books ore useless, but thot useiessness can be an infi Peter Comerons book provides an infelligenf insight niicly usclul quality into the running ol o residential college. The picture It paints IS of on insiiiution clinging to the post ond in Visions of jhe Future By f?oberi Heiibroner'Siocks These books & more Among these serious cultural discussions Ryckmans drosiic need ol reform. From the bizore irodiiions have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau." explores some less weighty questions involving the ond fresher initiations, to the culture dominated by available at everyday expenencc "the miraculous bono! in both sport ond alcohol, it provides an honest approach to IRVING FISHER professor of economics. Yole life ond scholorship". He wonders about the hoppi the role of residential colleges in the 90's. It further University. Oct. 17. 1929 ness of fish and whether or not it is philosophically more raises pertinent questions as to whether those correct to hove milk ond sugor in your coiiee. These who sit on the boords running such instuuhons hove The future is a veiled landscape, and we can only smaller revelations posses an anecdotal quality thai students concerns trully m focus. The conclusion it guess at our glimpses. Especially at this fleeting complements the discussion of life's bigger questions draws ocnowledges the benefit that such insiiiuitions instant in the life of the world, on the doorstep of the tackled by Ryckmons ond says something of his hum provide in lociliioting the growth and development of third millennium after Christ, there is a strong sense ble ond pnvoie choroeier students while moking painfully obvious the need for of looking toward the future. And it is in these cir 0 chonges in the culture and organisation of colleges. cumstance that Robert Heiibroner writes. THE UNIVERSITY Alter spending three yeors in on unnomed U.Q resi Ryckmons lourney ihrough culture becomes on dential college 5 can say wholeheartedly thot Peter expression of both ihe ordinory and extroordinory. The basic thrust of this short book is how people have Cameron's expose holds more than o kernal of truth. BOOKSHOP Herein lies its oppeoL Ryckmons uses both scoles of considered the future. Three major periods are Anyone interested in the subject, who is concerned by investigoiton and insight to build his story everydoy drawn. In the Distant Past (-150.000 BC - -1750 open 7 Days local U.Q residential college activiries. or just curious experiences ond those which ore omozmg. I recom AD) the future was considered little more than an Phone: (07) 3365 2657 05 to the towdry tales of student life would well en|oy extension of the present, treated disinterestedly With mend these lectures as an opportunity to delve briefly Fax:(07)3365 1977 the read.. the rise of economics, and other things, came a into one of Australia's most significant minds. For Email: books® browscr.bookshop.uci.oz.au In the hope of inducing sotne of the student population to lift their pens and be creative this year we are running a Short Story Competition. With Prizes. The competition will run through the next five ^yenipm editions of Semper v/ith edition 7 featuring the overall winner. Shallow Grave Camp£titiaft This new stage production of John Hodge's Shallow Grave, by Shotgun Theatre is a highly creditable trans formation of o very funny, very macobre film. The clever set design ond lighting os v/cll os some notable aa The adjudicatoffor the next four editions will be ing performances mode this difficult tosk. of recreating a film on sioge. work. If you have seen the film :vou Jan McKemmish, Lecturer of Creative Writing in will know all the gnarly ond gruesome details of this very black comedy and some ol the shock v.-^liic-' ihat the English Department. The overall best short you gel Irom the film's graphic hacking and smashing is somewhat diminished, in this siogf production, by story of the year will be decided on by Jan the constraints of live performance. However, the comedy of the sick brutality is not ot all lost in this version. McKemmish and by Rosie Fitzgibbons, Fiction If that statement made me sound really warped then perhaps I should point out that the humour of the script Editor at University of Queensland Press. is ol quite a viscious breed and needs to be appreciated as such. The three central characters in this production ore competently and convincingly ployed by Rosalind Searle. The University Bookshop hasTcindly sponsored this competition by offering the Yolin Ozucelik and Andrew Silcox. These three seemed well cast, Yalin Ozucelik being suitably freaky and following prizes: Andrew Silcox playing o very natural ond reloxed lirst ever theatre performance. There ore also some small A $50 book voucher for winners in the next four editions. part roles that reolly add fo the comedy of the production. When watching, keep your eyes open ior the chor A $200 book voucher for overall winner ior the year and a $100 voucher for UQP acters Cameron and the head accountant who gives a fantastic little spiel. books for the runner-up. Overall, this is a highly enjoyable production and a credit to its director. Potti Glasgow. Shallow Grave is very funny macabre ond hos the potentiol fo be quite disturbing. Conditions: Get down to the Cement Box soon if you wont fo catch the last shows. 1. The prizes in this compotifion v;ill only be given fo University of QueenslancJ students. And. by the way. the original musk by Michael Kane, which v/as used mostly during set changes, wos oimos- 2. Word Limit: 2,500 words. pheric and kept the energy alive. 3. The entrant's real name and phone number must bo attached to the short story. The entrant should indicate whether they want their name published or not. 4. The entries must arrive before fhc deadlines of an edition to be considered for that edition. Deadlines are published on the Contributor's page. Entries should be foavarded (o the Semper Office either in person, faxed (fax 3377 2220) or sent by mail. On disk in RTX format is best. Semper Floreat, Its Comedy' University of Queensland Union, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4067. every second Wednesday at the Hub Internet Cafe in the city is a night of local skits and songs comedy featuring the troop "Not Them". Its all a bit rough and ready on rather, not PIITP ready. But the mistakes are all part of the fun PRECISION* and "Not Them" are slick enough to pick UUIU themselves up and charge on through drag Student's Cuts ging a fev/ good gags out in the process. If $10 you want to see local talent before it breaks Mon. and Tues. 9-5 and enjoy some red faced adiibbing, I urge ,'D fiEQJ:.R£/: 3R .V-ENnO,N£D 59 E - '.'S:I•^r- ~ r''.'"' ?.'^T ^ftT"^) •• ??.* ^n|n^ur music A*- :\' W' "^i-^af.'' — » Messenger and the eulogy to Fred. My Madrigal, ore chilling in their beauty This is a fantastic album that i- will undoubtably become a classic SHAMPOO I know what boys like V/haf can you say? They know what boys like. Perfect fun matenal for their whiny. girly voices, a pity they BLUR didn't get mildly less boring mixes done. Never agoin Anyone who hos tuned into Triple J recently would should they attempt (and fail) a serious final track hove heard the first two irocks. I "Bectlehum''&"Song like'Blisters ond Bruises". Girls like these should stick 2' I irom Blur's latest olbum. It combines funky ond to the cutesy grunge imoge because if Shampoo sometimes hard guitor with electronic mises ond is aren't there to be laughed with...or...at. why ore ihey ideal for the purpose of "chilling out'. If you're there? - Koihcrine DAVID BOWIE Earihiing WARNI.'JG IS- ! olready a Blur fan. you definitely won't be dissopoini Its amazing that ot the age ol lilry. Bov/ie is able to ed with their latest effort ond even if you haven't reinvent himsell ond become so cutting edge. This been convened yet. I can guaruntec lhat you'll be lotest oHenng is cosily the best thing he hos done LOST HIGHWAY Soundrrark impressed, if nothing more. I give this one the big smcc 1980's Scory Monsters. The ellecis ol touring The soundtrack to the devastating new David Lynch thumbs up! LH v/ith Trent Reznor hove obviously hod on effect: this film 15 a brilliant collection of differing styles. Artists album 15 lull ol frantic rhythms, big. lot boss Imes and included ore Dovid Bowie. Trent Reznor. The swirling nils The title track hos been getting plenty of Smashing Pumpkins. Lou Reed ond Marilyn Monson. airplay deservingly so. Other highlights are Seven ond oil of their contributions are worthy of a listen. Years In Tibet ond the very witty I'm Afraid Of Long lime Lynch collaborator Angeio Badolamenfi Americans. Major Tom is back... has scored some brilliantly melancholy rnusic to counter the heaviness of the rest of the album. This is 0 good olbum to pick up. I don't think it will tire eosily. Nick Leys : '"i-'^; •• CAKE Sb SHAWN COLVIN A Few Small Repairs Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! What a great album. Shawn Colvin has put together CONCRETE Structurally Sound one hell of a collection of songs. A superb array of lay This compilation disk is pure quality including back sounds that are emphasised by an acoustic gui European and American labels. Impossible not to bop tar, backing harmonica, violin and percussion. to the brilliantly funky samples, hip hop. house, disco, "He'll say I don't know why we met chemical beats and even dance/ indie sounds. Aleem. The simple truth is always the best Death in Vegas, and Dub Pistols have tracks which C'est la vie - what's done is done PATTI SMITH Gone Again made me smile wifh appreciation, but it is impossible And there's somebody for everyone." Annie Liebovifzs cover phoio for ihis latest from to do it full justice here. My suggestion- buy it and play It is lyrics like these that help bring meaning to the Smith sums up ifs sentiments perfectly. She is vulner it loudly. music (of course it sounds better when she sings able and retrospective, and grieving lor departed them). This CD is definite must. • Craig Thompson companionj: Jong fime friend Robert Mapplefhorpe, CAKE Fashion Nugget her brother Todd and of cou.w her husband and col Geek Rock? Not really! This album has a lot more sub laborator, Fred "Sonic" Smith. Most of the tracks here stance than that tinny sounding bouncy stuff The deal with loss and the pain resulting, but are not with humour has an edge, the guitars are distorted, and out v^armlh and compassion. some aggression i$ expressed. This is something new The songs co-written vAih Fred are powerful in their rather than just another geek rock" album. Il is a angsf. especially the brilliant Summer Cannibals. good good good piece of work wifh much wit and Other tracks such as the cover of Dylans Wicked perception. With tracks like " The Distance' and other The Rhino on the Piano Festival The Biennial Festival of Music It's a strange image, the rhino on the piano. Fairiy humorous and light-hearted. Thankfully very different from the festival it promotes. Music lovers should be delighted with the line-up of events for the fourth Biennial Festival of Music. Performers and composers are coming internationally and nationally fo be pari of ihe festival which is held conveniently close to exams (23 May to 9 June). Although many people would perceive the Biennial as an enclave for classical music lovers, this is not the case. This years programme has a considerable choice of Jazz, Gospel and Popular music. Dance and Theatre as well as Early. Contemporary and Romantic music. Nicholas Heyward. the Biennial's Chief Executive Officer, raves about the diversity of the festival saying; "Where else could you go from Finnish folk to Australian punk via twelfth century polyphony and cutting edge string quartets and still fit in opera, ballet and the symphony." One of the highlights according to Heyward will be Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo performing Romeo and Juliet choreographed by Jean Christophe Maillot. Another is Emma Celebrazionel, a play by Graham Pitts accompa nied by the Abruzzi Women's Choir from Brisbane. Showing at La Boite, Emma Celebrazionel combines the sfoiy of an immigrant's hardships wifh pasta recipes. Heyward. recognising the popularity of early music, has included many well-known ensembles including the choral group. Anonymous 4. and organist, Naji Hakim. For jazz enthusiasts. Jazz '97 features legends like Don Burrows. Graeme Bell and Bob Barnard. Look out for didgeridoo and clarinet duo. Lewis and Young, and Danish trumpeter. Palle Mikkelbong. Those who like Gospel will be impressed with soloist Venetia Fields, conductor Isiah Jackson and the QSO in the opening concert. Opera goers have two very different options: Korngold's Kie tote Siadt (the Dead City) or La Gran Scena. a complete opera in drag! The Arditti Quartet. ELISION. Perks and Perihelion are just some of the contemporary groups. Ensemble 415. Andreas Scholl and the Harp Consort make up more of the early music selection. All perform for the first lime in Australia. If heading the QPAC. the Con or a Cathedral is not your thing then look out for It Came from the Mosh Pit. featunng Blowhard. Blitz Babies. Frcnzal Rhomb. Nancy Vandal. Fugg and Scrumfeeder (31 May) The Solstice also becomes part of the festival this year with the Fire Event to finish off the programme. This list goes on and on. Basically, the message is fo get out and get the programme and find something for you because there's bound to be something to excite you. The standard of this year's Biennial is exceptional and hopefully, with the merging of the Brisbane Festival and the Biennial, will be maintained in future years. Bronwyn Powell on tap 5 pool tables - latest machines live great - bbq area big screen TV with sport, music make a booking for you own f=IELD No. 4 function by calling: GALAXY SCHONELL ALUMNI BOOK FAIR The Russian Revolution: Bolshevik page 42 From Anzac Day until April 30th, Coup or Worker's Power? 100.000 books priced from a few Speakers: Tom Poole (Lecturer tn cents to a few dollars will be sold in Russian Histor}') and Silja leskinen Maync Hall. iMany thousand are good (Socialist Worker Student Club) text books, but you'll also find sci Thursday April 17, 1 pm. Axon Room ence, hobbies, music, art or just a The October Revolution of 1917 has darned good read. generated immense debate in the 80 years since. Was it an example of Students can save money and do workers power and human liberation themselves a ser\ice because the tak or was it a Bolshevik Coup that led to ings go to help finance research in the monolithic dictatorship of Joseph this Univcrsit)'. If you can't inake it at Stalin? Tom Poole and Silja Leskinen door opening 12 noon on April 25th. debate to what extent the Bolsheviks no worries...All day. and each day new were responsible for the degeneration crates will be opened to replenish the of the revolution and whether the tables. Drop in each time you pass. actions of Lenin and the Bolsheviks should he defended. Hours: Anzac Day - noon to 6pm. Other days 1 lam to 6pm. Ready or Not, Eat my Schlock. Handicapped people have an exclu Did you ever want to immortalise sive ONH D.\Y. ONH IIOIR lead start yourself in the hack and slash genre? at lOam on Saturday April 26th. Well here's your chance in the Tra.sh Video. "Eat .My Schlock" horror com ASIET- Action in Solicfaiity with petition. To enter all you need is an Indonesia and East Timor- js pre- extremely tacky horror flick that is scntintji (he premier launch of a docu under 15 minutes in length and mentary from the Indonesian under placed loving onto a VHS tape. Hand ground. "There is only one word - deliver your entries to 709 Ann St. Resist" is showing at the Resistance Fortitude Valley (next to The Zoo). digital laser Centre. 29 Terrace St. .\ew I'ann. on The winner receives- a cash prize (half Sat. 12 April at ~.M)pm. S5r. Contact the takings at the door). 3 months of photocopying #J2>/ 0565 free rentals, free movie passes, and nojiv avai\ahle at free cd and gift ^•ouchers.The deadline Rally Against New Drug Laws is the 31si of .March .so start gurgling QUICK-EEZE April 8. 12 noon. Roma St. Forum that tomato sauce, get some more COPY CENTER Toowong The new charge under the redrafted petrol for the chainsaw and borrow Drugs .Misuse Act is "Publishing or your Dad's rusty hatchet because ii'.s po.sse.ssing instructions for producing time to make schiock horror special student rates dangerous drugs'. Publish' is defined !iistor\-.For those who prefer to \\att!i QUICK in the broadest possible WAX US sup can attend the screening on SuiKla\ on presentation oF. I.D. ply, exhibit and displa>- to an\ j^crson the 20tli of April at ipm and check orally or in written, electronic or out the band "Hlvis and the Burger another form. Like drugs, information Kings". Audience participation is BaW A4 is now banned in Queensland. required to decide the winner. See digital photocopying you on the other .side. Semper has 5 double passes for the 9 cents "Hat -My Schlock" movie .screening. '\'o COPY win one come down to the Semper 10% discount on all other office and tell us the director of the services including H\'il Dead movies. aminating, binding & '• • ' Level B1 - Toowong Villoge Full colour laser 9 Sherwood Rd. Toowong Q 4066 Tel: (07) 3870 2256 Fax: (07) 3870 2371 photocopying Siddhartha • Benefit Film Interested in better transport to Screening Uni? A special benefit screening of the Come to meetings of the Transport 1973 film "Siddhartha" based on the Collective, Wednesdays at 2pm in the novel by Herman Hesse, ivill take small Clubs and Socs room in the place at the Schonell Theatre on Union Complex. We are courageously Simday 20 April 1997. Session times working on: are 6,45pm and 8.30pm. Admission is $9 with a light supper available • facilities and avvess to Uni for after each screening for $3. Prepaid cyclists, pedestrians, people ivith tickets available. disahilites (and rollerbladers and skaters and scooters and urcN Evini UAT uuifinu All proceeds from the screening will skirters and skulkers and go to the Bodhgaya Development stankers) Poimdation (BI)f) for support in • improved public transport - education and health projects for the improved and integrated services poor in Bihar state, northern India. from buses, trains and ferries For more information ring 3899 3779 • better palnning for alternative or 3395 5183; or write BIW, 147 transport on and off campus Richmond Rd., Morningside, 4170; or • developing a car-pooling register visit http'.llwww. uq. edu. aul—pygshutt as a Union service EASTER • and more... (according to your Gheck Paiie 49 * Stop Sandmining Srraddic Rally ideas) FREE OF FEB or Your Student Diary You can show your support for Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) in a Tor more information contact Lihby , Aspley - Auchenf lower • City - Carina - Goorparoo - Enogg^ra peaceful way Hear more about the McAllister on 3377 2200, or just show Foi;tltude Valley - Highgate Hill - Lutwyche - Carind^lfe - New Farm environmental and cultural conse up... Stones Corner - Tatlnga - Newmarket - Beenieigh quences of sandmining on Stradbroke Island. 1997 Young 'Writer's Award Join the campaign to stop sandmin The State Libraiy of Queensland is ing on Stradbroke Island. running a creative writing competi Wednesday 2nd April (in Easter tion for young writers aged between break) at 11am 18 and 25 years. The winner will be Meet at big fig tree near ferry termi announced at the Brisbane Writer's nal at Dunwich on Stradbroke Island. Festival in September 1997. The win For more information contact UQ ner will receive a S 1,000 cheque and Environment Area. Ph. 3377 2255 the chance to be involved in the (Organised by Stradbroke Island/ Brisbane Writer's Festival. Mingerrlbah Action Coalition.) Entries for the competition must be no more than 2,500 words in length and accompanied by an entry form. Entiy forms are available from public libraries and the State Library of Queensland. Entries close Friday 27 June 1997. HusfstiQiiiSiiiilenHll'Plus Pldijl/SHour [his coupon Valid fo 2H-97 lion - Pri ,)lflii)-7pii) After our interesting games, the group leaders tried lo get us to sleep by 1 o'clock, but we youngsters persisted and stayed up till 3am. The next day. most of us were up bright and early. We weren't looking forward to the day of what was thought to be. "Boring Talks'. We had '97 input from all the different areas of the studeni union such as execu What to expect! What to expect! These ooritig old people going tive. welfare, activities, clubs and socs. education. WEO (Women's •hrough "expectations'and stulf like thai? Whot a great three days we Equal Opportunity!. Semper, environment ond Queer Tribes. Later on thought we'd hove (sarcasm). But it didn't turn out to beat all what we had talks from Quivaa about sex and drugs. These talks were unex we had thought! pectedly, INTERESTING. EDUCATIONAL and for some. EYE OPENING. We carried our luggage to ihe Holt Room and walked into a crowd ol However, we all got sore bums Irom silting down for so long. 150 people, some ol whom knew not another person in the room. We After lunch we had some fun activities lead by the environmenr coiiee soon felt disorientated! Soon we were sorted into groups v/ith big. tive. Some of us even went bock to kindergarten and did some finger ugly coloured name lags, which quickly became a loshion statement painting on ann sandmining banners. Following this, a Quandamooka I not!). Then there was a typical get to know you time where no one Aboriginal dance troupe performed some local Aboriginal dances (no asked anything else but. "What course arc you doing?", "what school one could understand how their knees didn't break). Most of us even did you go to?". fually got up and attempted to have a go. The groups were then allocated buses. 1 was among the fortunate peo We finished the day off with skits, (which we had made up 5 minutes pie on bus 2 who knew ii was going to be an interestmg trip to the befo-e getting up on stage). There were some interesting perfor ferry as soon as we heard crunching gears. The backseaters copped mances including a version ol the reefer song which was quite humor tree branches on their laps from close shaves with shady avenues. ous. To top the skits oil. we had a dance wi'h our dear dj. Andrew, BANG!: we went sailing into the back end of a new Ford Fairlaine. Our playing mostly Brit top pops (What's the story morning glory? need a need for entertainment for the afternoon had been fulfilled. We little time to wake up. Andrew?). caught the ferry over and soon arrived at Minjerribah. Wo got our stuff Wc were all looking forv/ard to the next day : the whole doy at into the rooms and had a choice of activities: soccer, volleyball, swim Cylinder Beach. It was an almost perfect day at the beaclr Most of the ming, or for the less active, philosophising ond chain smoking with leaders were exhausted from trying to keep up with us youngsters. Bede. After that beaut day. it was straight off to uni. Dinner was delicious definitely not your standard camp food. Next Many, many thanks go out lo the organisers and participants of 0 aciivity? BOMB FIRE (NB. This is not a spelling error I. Well it was a Camp '97. Il was a huge success, many fncndswere made anc I'm bit of a disaster, but the lack of organisation and our leaders odd sure that everyone had an UNREAL TIME. Our first big contact with Uni sense of humour turned it into an interesting and cracked up nighi. life was legendary. Now back to study mode THANKS GUYS for a Highlights of the night were the charades, movie games, dirty jokes great OCamp! and sendups of Perfect Match. But surely the one thing none of us can forgei from the whole camp was Jamie and Swifte's dance! THE COW Janice Bryant. BOY AND THE INDIAN! Yes, they taught it to us! So by the end of the camp we knew how to, "Ride Ride Ride Ride . Slop Bang Thrust Thrust'. 8:21 am. was an ungodly hour lo be awake and out n" about at Santa the UQ environs. V/e were truly astounded at the quantity and variety fearless crew the Minnow would have been lost (yuk yuk!). Lucia on \he Sabbath, the first one for the month ol March, even for a oi decorative party nbbon tangled menacingly in nearly eve7 second Having two bags full (prize find for the day • a blue and white coffee good cause. But nonetheless, there I was. along with Brie, secretary of mangrove branch we set eyes upon. Although conceivably bodegrad- thermos - near pristine on the outside, but inside, filled with broken the UQ Students for Nonviolence, and Ted. an eco friendly American able in time, as we discovered, this seemingly innocent addition to a glass of the shattered inner vacuum cylinder), we paddled hard back exchange student also involved with the group, joining the canoeing gift for every occasion proved quite strong, making us many a time to our set off point at the Sir William Douglas rowing shed slipway A riverbankscouring contingent of Australia's annual emu parade. curse ourselves for not bringing a swiss army knife along. We couldn't channel nine camera recorded our ungraceful return to the jetty, crash Come 8:30, and after completing a registration form ("which age help but wonder how a dugong or a dolphin would cope with this ing into Ted's canoe that had arrived just before us. I didn't wotch the group arc we? Under 7? 7 to 17? Or 17 ?! and receiving a dinky lit stuff if it wrapped itself around a muzile or flipper This was not just a news Ihot night, but I'm pretty sure the balance on my 15 minutes ol tie C-u.A.D. badge ( we were starting to realise quick smart which gen pretty parcel binding think about that next time you let a helium bal fame remains undebitcd stilL eral ago group lbs thing was aimed at). Bric and 1 donned our life loon go skyward. Brickbats also go to tooacco smokers for bloody Safe on shore we recounted the story of two school age helpers who lackcts. tenaciously lowered ourselves into a wobbly canoe, and were nearly everything - butts. latlyho sleeves, and especially those ubiquitous came out worse off fron: a battle with waves from the 'Cat. After nd on our way. tearoff plastic freshness seals. ing out eight surges from the City Cat's stern, the ninth ripple over Wc christened our lutlc liberglass wonder'SS Minnow" and set our Surprisingly, the much maligned styrofoain coffee cup thai the environ whelmed their boat and capsized them. To add insult to injury, possen sights on a three hour tour Thai's right, a three hour tour. ment collective discourages us from using in the refecs was virtually gers who sow ihe incideri Irom on board Jim Soorley's finest re elcc City Cats were ou' in force that morning, so we opted to row well out absent in [he riverfrash mix. An optimistic explanation for this is that lion marketing tool cheered and clapped at their mislortune! ol their path and locus on the banks ol the Duiton Park Highgate Hill we as a student body have become more environmentally aware ol When all was said and done, we had a pretty fun time. Thankycus side of the river We made slow progress along these banks, and late . The pessimist on my cynical left shoulder says lo mc however that must go to all who turned up ai civic gatherings across the land espe plucked all manner ol discarded llolsam Irom under the rocks, man siyrofoam. being infinitely more buoyant than just about anything, has cially Boyd Boland lor organising the UQ canoeing contingent, ond the grove branches and crude housebric< jetties made by private residents probably dodged the sleepy backwaters ol the Brisbone River, instead staff of St. Lucia's Westpac branch for moking up the crew of landlub on land lelt of the park and graveyard. Half an hour into our merry collecting and consolidating in merrily bobbing masses around heady bcrs. stuffing of the cheery corporate emblazoned rice sacks. Brie and I con estuaries off Fisherman's Island, or further afield on ocean currents Oddur Oddsson eluded lhat mars bar caters have to be the sloppiest, least thoughtful bound for Indonesia or New Zealand. people this side of Ipswich. Either that, or an unspoken part of the Beyond the musings on the half-life of puffy petroleum byproducts. work, rest and play routine includes chucking your wrapper into the Bne and I were confronted periodically with the unwelcome wake of nearest waterway when you're linished. On the beverage side of things, passing speed boats, piloted more often than not with a water skier in gatorade drinkers are far out in front m the environmental vandalism lew. Though seemingly sale Irom City Cat wash, little speed boots did stakes, based on the evidence we gathered, wiih coke consumers a their thing with wild abandon very close to us in turn being extremely close second. Perhaps this perception is skewed by the number of close to the banks, hopping in and out Ireauenily as we were. The sweaispillmg sports-minded folk who exercise on or near the river in sides rocked, the liny ship was tossed: if not for ihe courage of the areni6k on campus BRISBANE Driving School Being both o parent and a siudent involves being able to luggle. There ore hy.:,<"::~i^^i"-^H issues that must be dealt with such as child care, transport, class times, access to • free advice " " "^ .«•...'-^•M.-t.",.I libraries, lecturers and services as well as concerns such as time available lor siLCly. • international students welcome lime for our kids, h(?alih. money ond nous mg. A student poren; must be all things at • full 60 iriin. lesson once studeni and teacher, patien: one • discounts doctor busy and available. CENTBAL BOOKING H a siudeni wiihoui vMer vesponsibiliucs • manual/auto . IS sick, ihcy can either struggle to lectures or stay nomc. If a student porcni has a • tests arranged 38^81822 sick child ihey mus- either iina oitcir.aiive ' 7 PAYS A WEEK care iusuollv impossible 1 or stay hon-ic •dual .control with their child. You can't ask a live year old with chickcnpox or a two year old •air conditioned with the flu lo'solcier on". Il a siuden; withoui dependent has a 'oiil to pay bu! not CDOugh money for Irui: Present This Ad & Recieve 20% Discount and vegcs they can say. "Oh. well. I'll ea' instant noodles for a week". (, ', ' i. . , ' (corioitions apply)., , ' ,' ' . If 0 student has a bill to pay they musi also have enough left over for •oropcr, nutntiou'. food. Tlicrc can be no dictaiy compromises. Most students aren; clfcci ed by child core lee rises, meeting school costs as well as their own. having bus lares for two. shopping, cooking and cleaning .--•r for children. Being 0 studeni ond a parent is a luggling Computer ^ Recyclers act. Not an easy one. but one we must per '4 form becouse there is very little help out there for us and wc have as much right to an education as anyone else. This is why, in 1995. the UQU studeni Parents Group was termed, the initial aim ol the group was to provide a supporiive 20% off ALL NEW SYSTEMS network lor studeni parents. It hos since exponded its aims to the installation of high chairs in Union eating areas (partial ly achieved m 19961: the establishmeiv for all your COMPUTER NEEDS speak to of a Family Room on Campus for the use of student parents ond their children; ond the upgrade EXPERTS the establishmert of a Babysitting Exchange between student parents. The UQ Student Parents' group is opcr, to any student at UQ female or male, not call Andre' only to those with children but also to any one who is intercsied in improving the lot of student parents. If you would like to get involved or would like more inforniot;on, SHOP 3/221 phone: Rachel I Mature Age/ Pan Time'' Elizabeth St. Brisbane External Students' Area) on 3377 2246: Toni or Carol (Women's Equal Phone: 3211 2599 Opportunity Area) on 33 77 2242: or Katie (WellareArea) on 3377 2200. ext -343. Rachel Hooper page 45 Mature President Clubs Weil, 'hariKl.ji.y wp ,\.\ su'vived through the 'lurry ol activity that ^s Orientation week, it was a success n so -ivit^y ways anri was, I believe, t;-.e biggest and most •nclusive line up of Age/ Part events ewr. j.iT', '.'•w.'Q were :.0T,e ccmpja.nts atjcjt "axir.g" toga t;ut I inink the thousands of peoole and at maiket day anti the 3160 people who bought tickets to see Powacrfinger, Turtlebox, Webster, and Scrcomfeeder ON CAMPUS were oretty impressed. Plus all those people who Time/ attencieci il'C 'irslyear ••^nve and Duzi) 'vg'-,t, the liee' *'est and Ve'uis Sising, The aifferent people vvh.o caire 'roTi 'a.' aio wide to atte-'.n events wnich we worked very tiard to orga.n- :se shower) very clear'v that '.he doc:s:on was a good one Specia' thanks to Polly Swifty, Societies Nigei, ail the exec ar.d ail the volunteers wno .Tiade t haopen. Externai We also ran a succes'^hn carpa'qn aocut cuts to Austuciy wnicn .nvolveti Katie Connolly Things have been moving alone at a fairly Phoewe 3roa(i;e a'^d th.e Welfare area sta't organising a rrock Ai.study wedding wh(Chi was steady oace since the beginning of se.mester a visua. diso:av c' how ridicuiousiy hare: i ;-ia5 oeccme to get /^usiudy since the Coalition Hey there Happy Campers.. how are we ail O'Week Market Day went off well, w,th count got their 'lands on ttx- Department of Employir.crt fcdiicatiotT and Training, The media enjoying L'ni? It's a bit iiard to believe it has all less people approaching the area table at tne release {I confess!! I wrot" it in ten minutes at 8'30 thai ••noming!!!!) sparkeo the interest of started again after the :azy mrioience of summer, Urion stali to ask about the area and what it many rnedia outlets ;n{:..ding Triple J and we spent the rest o* the day and much of that Wei! O'Week started with, if not a bang, a loud can do for the.m, which Is great, because it week on the phone to joi.niaiists. Education minister, Senator Amanda Vanstone d'd a mas- noise! Tho Clubs a.nd Societies Mar. How did Hanson get elected? When Hanson was elected, right-wing commentators heralded it as a triumph over political correctness. Labor was supposedly kicked out because they focused on pleasing noisy special interest groups. Unfortunately this view has become the most frequently pushed analysis of Labor's defeat and the elec tion of Howard and Hanson, The media hype since the election would have you believe that "mainstream Australia" had spoken up against the so called "loony left". Labor, has unfortunately taken on these ideas and become rather quiet about attacking racism. Like every seat that was held by Labor until last years elections, Oxley can be seen as showing a vote against Labor rather than a vote for some alternative. This did not necessarily have anything to do with Labors political correctness (eg. Mabo) but was perhaps because of their economic rationalist agenda. Under Labor, Ipswich saw the mining industry collapse, massive job losses in the railway workshops as well as declining wages high unemployment and budget cuts. In a situation of despair created by dire economic circumstances it is easy for people like Hanson to muster support. When people are ttying to understand problems like budget cuts and unemployment, Hanson's simplistic solutions and scapegoating seem more plausible. Howard, Hanson, Borbidge and Bosses When talking about Hanson and her racism it is important to make links between her and the Howard government. After her maiden speech in parliament, Howard started talking about the veil of political correctness being lifted. When Hanson was the focus of media attention, Howard remained silent. Rather than being seen as a weakness or poor judgement on his part, his silence should be viewed as quite well calculated. When Hanson talked about migrants tak ing jobs it let Howard off the hook when he took away thousands of jobs in Telstra and the public service. When Hanson talked about Aborigines being given special treatment it made cutting the budget easier by supplying a false explanation of the budget shortfall. In shori. what Hanson is about is scapegoating. John Howard has no solutions for unemployment and the problems of the economy Hanson directs the pressure away from him. If Hanson did not exist Howard would have to create her. John Howard is an experi at scapegoating. His talk of an Aboriginal industry and subsequent audit into ATS.I.C. were basically witch hunts. He has also shown himself adept at scapegoating the unemployed for the high unemployment levels. The dole diary, the work for the dole scheme and his willingness to get involved in Ray Martins Paxton family beat-up testify to this. This is not just an Australian phenomenon. The crisis of capitalism in Europe means that these strategies are being employed by many governments. In France, Chirac is making massive budget cuts. Like Howard, he is using scapegoats to divert attention away from himself. Chirac's favourite scapegoats are Muslims. The National Front, a fascist organisa tion plays the part of Hanson, making Chirac's attacks easier. Just like in Australia there is no foreseeable solution to high unemployment and low wages. Hanson's racism also benefits politicians like Howard and Borbidge because it covers over the class basis of society Rather than viewing the antagonism in society as between workers and bosses. Hansons rhetoric leads people to see society as divided along race lines. When society appears to be divided along race lines, white workers begin to think that all white people have similar interests. The treatment of the Wik decision in the High Couri is an example of this. Borbidge wants to overturn this decision because mining companies and pastoralists don't want tot pay compensation to Aboriginal communities. By talking about national interests being effected by groups like the Wik, the likes of Howard and Borbidge are tr/ing to win support from white working class people to an agenda that basically serves the bosses of mining companies. How to Fight Racism Presenting a united front against racism is important. Showing that racist ideologues cannot divide people helps in making these ideologues appear weak. Last year many rallies that used the concept of unity against racism were organised and attracted mass support. In Queensland the Ipswich and Brisbane anti-racist campaign (ARC) organised two successful rallies. Four thousand attended the Brisbane event and two thousand attended at Ipswich. On the anniversary of Hanson election the Ipswich ARC organised a forum to discuss racism. Four hundred attended dwarfing the pitiful attendance at a Hanson event nearby ^••'• The ARC is a broad group 5f individuals and organisations from a variety of cultural and political backgrounds that want to actively fight racism. The Brisbane ARC meets on the second floor of the ACTU building at 16 Peel St.. South Brisbane at 6pm on Monday nights. Anyone who wants to get involved on the fight against racism can come. The next ARC event is a rally against racism on the 12 of April at 11:00 in King George. This rally has two demands: Defend Native Title and Equal Rights for Migrants. It is Important for as many people as possible to come and show that the likes of Hanson. Howard and Borbidge won't find it so easy to divide us. Glen Kelly (Socialist Worker Student Club) page 51 To the Editors I would .like to voice my concerns regarciing your Editorial from Conception Semper - Semper Edition 1. When speculating about possible themes for future editions you suggested a men's edition to "offset" the women's edition. These did net seem tc me to be well chosen words and I wondered what you meant by this. I hope that you did not mean to marginalise the importance of having a women's edition anc the importance of women being allowed to claim their own space in what is still a male dominated v;orlG. I hope that this m.en's edition will not be based in a backlash against feminism, a tendency of some aspects of what could be seen to be a "men's movemient" which has emerged over recent years. I hope, rather, that this men's edition will provoke and discuss important questions about masculinity and gender roles in the hope of reassessing existing myths and stereotypes. 'These are important and topical questions and need to be addressed from the point of view of men and women alike. I might also add that many of the these questions have e.Tierged from discussions of gender originating in feminism. I have faith that you will do this and I look forward to some intelligent discussion. Meanwhile con gratulations on Semper 1. I do apologise tor my dcploroble error. My use ol ihe word "ollsei" (which I have recenily located in the dictionary I wos in no way meant to imply that a womens edition 1 Odrs S l^iCei e.^y needed 'countcrboloncing' with a men's edition. The idea for a men's edition was in laci intended to magnily the impact ol the women's edition by providing a further forum Susan Hol den '^'' discumon about gender. Acjually. if I wanted to be really annoying. I could point out that onorher meaning of the word 'offset" is something which 'springs, branches out from or proiects from', and hence attempt to show that I did actually intend that particular meaning of the word when I used it in the last editorial. That is whot I meant, but my ambiguous vocabulary apparently failed me. Sorry. It seems obvious to me that you already have a very good idea ol what a men's edition ought to be about and I whole heartedly agree. I'm glad you took the time tc show your concern and it's encouraging ^o know that someone reads and scrutinises the editorial. paula. •The Hansen Lament: In response to Felix Lewis's, Pauline Hansen [sic] article Felix ;.ev;:s, if that is 'nis real name, was as decisive and analytical as iianson herself. 'Please explain' v.'hy Lev.'is found it necessary to practice character assassination upon a person who is so devoid of character'? Disrr.issinq the Hanson effect on the grounds of her dearth of education, deficiencies in public relations and speech T.aking skills, and most of all her gender, is by definiLion purile, inane, and not in the least bit productive towards the current social and political debate. A far more potent critique v;ould address the issues raised by Hanson and her flock and the power that the Hansons' of this world actually wield. Main/ powerful despots have risen out of the vat of averageness to coxjr.and obscene levels of power. History shows us this. Tho Hanson's, Katter's and Borbibge's (etc) are the slime in the current Liberal governir.ent mire. When a confused and apathetic state (institution) installs a spineless, insipid govern ment, you get what you deserve. Last years student executive is another primary example. These previously niei-itioned 'mavericks' are used to push the governments actual agenda. More importantly, Lewis makes a fundamental error by stating how Australia is endeavouring to "catch up with the rest of the world". Catch up to vv'hat ? In terrr.s of reconciliation with the indigenous population, potential legislation against mul- ticulturalism, amending tho racial discrimination act, nullifying Native Title and the dis-empowering of tho High Court, Australia leads the world into the devolution of equality and morality and back into a xenophobic terror.Homogenisation of the 'different' cultures within the Australian population on high on this government agenda. As we know, this theme is not a new one in Australian politics. Hanson and the like are very dangerous to the socio-cultural fabric of Australia. They invite and entertain a draconian discourse that essentially creates a divided state. To consider them amusing and innocuous, is, in itself ignorant and ill-informed page 52 Michael Bible quccnstnnci theatre compnny half-price tickets for students from one hour before performance, be there, show id, get in cheap BLUE STOCKING WEEK 24th to 31$t March 1997 A celebration of women in tertiary education Monday 12 - 2 pm Lunch time Event QUT - Carseldlne Tuesday 9.30 - 11.30 Free breakfast & Women's Info Expo QUT " Kidney Lawn Gardens Point 11.30 - 1 pm Kids Picnic The Great Court - UQ Wednesday 1 pm National Day of Action King George Square 7 pm Women Against Racism GRIFFITH UNi Feast and Festival Featuring "ZImbIra" Thursday 8.30am W.A.T.L. Breakfast UQ @ Wordsmlths Cafe $5 12.00pm Relaunch of Pro Choice Club in Clubs and Socs Room at UQ 1.00pm W.A.T.L. General Meeting Large Clubs & Socs Room Friday - Monday Surfraglst City departs 11 am Women's Learn to Surf Camp Stradbroke Island $40 Includes Barge, Camping & Surf Workshops s r c QUT Student Guild Griffith SRC University of Qld Union QUT Student Guild Women's Dept: 3875 7227 Women's Dept: 3377 2242 Women's Dept: 3864 5528