Honi Soit Week 6, Semester 1, 2020 / First printed 1929

Redfern now / p. 12

Student bodies respond Farewelling the The allure of reliced to COVID-19 / p. 8 hospitality industry / p. 10 guitars / p. 18 LETTERS Acknowledgement of Country Letters

Honi Soit is published on the stolen land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. For over 230 years, First Nations people in this country have suffered from “Oh, Dear Corona...” We Have a Proc-blem the destructive effects of invasion. The editors of this paper recognise that, as a team of settlers occupying the lands of the Bidjigal, Darug, Gadigal, Wangal and Wallumedegal people, we are beneficiaries of these reverberations that followed European settlement. As we strive throughout the year to offer a platform to the voices Binds us together yet holds us apart; Hi there, be able to access your computer mainstream media ignores, we cannot meet this goal without providing a space for First Nations people to share their experiences and perspectives. A student paper which Amidst fear and panic, I am sending this email in regards to without your express permission”, does not acknowledge historical and ongoing colonisation and the white supremacy embedded within Australian society can never adequately represent the students In a time like this, consternation is profound. the announcement of using ProctorU a statement that can be easily swept of the institution in which it operates. We seek to resist colonial violence and the racist power structures that serve to oppress those who are Indigenous to this land. for examinations, and the potential away with a EULA for using the Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was and always will be Aboriginal land. Holding onto hope in a time of fear and panic privacy concerns that come with it. service itself, giving a student no Is a remedy to fight this pandemic. I hope that Honi Soit will be able real control over access to their own Let’s not forget to count our blessings and express our gratitude, to bring to light the problematic personal computer. In a hope of combating this hysteria. nature of such a service, as well Contents Editorial as the misinformation that saying Thanks for your time. Sincerely, Oh, Dear Corona… that “An online proctor will not - Benson McClelland As the lockdown continues and not sleep for two days. Some habits You’ve taken lives yet taught us the meaning of life; COVID-19 lingers, disruption is never die. What’s on / 2 Editor in Chief: Robbie Mason everywhere. Within our homes, We have a good range of articles A dark lesson, not to be forgotten. we fall into routine. But the world in this edition - some to stimulate Editors: Nina Dillon Britton, around us is changing - often your mind (Aiden Magro’s makes With isolation filled with connection and reflection, Proctor Me, ProctorU Fanfic / 3 Matthew Forbes, Zhiquan Gan, irreversibly. In a world of ever the case for a Young Workers Let’s stay positive and Let the world heal! Hello, security. I am writing in to let you Robbie Mason, Angad Roy, Lara increasing consumerism and Centre, for instance, p. 9), some For the first time ever, My name is Ben Pollock, I am a know that there are students who workplace alienation, as the brain Sonnenschein, Ranuka Tandan, to relieve your mind of stress We can save humanity by staying indoors. current student at the University of are displeased with the University’s News / 4 is cleaved from the hand, a world (Alvin Chung’s eloquent piece Let’s not forget to wash our hands and practice social distancing, Chuyi Wang, Madeline Ward, where we live through our phone on relicing guitars, p. 18), some Sydney, and as I’m sure you are aware, choice of using this software, and Lei Yao screens, coronavirus further isolates to offer escapism (Khanh Tran’s As it is a way to flatten the curve. as part of the transition into an online would wish to see alternatives Analysis / 6 us. It is easy to lose hope in an reflections on Sydney’s disused learning environment, the University available, or at least a statement from Contributors: Aisha Abdu, environment like this. train stations, pp. 16-17) and some And maybe when this is all over, of Sydney has started to use the third- the University acknowledging the Opinion / 9 Jemma Daley, Felix Faber, Conservative warlords such as to find shared pain and catharsis in We’ll look back and appreciate the teachings of COVID-19. party company, ProctorU, to perform issue. Please see attached document Samuel Garrett, Bob He, Pranay Peter Dutton and Boris Johnson (Madeline Ward’s personal essay on United yet d i v i d e d; We stand equally, online assessments. Unfortunately, for an elaboration on my position. coming down with COVID-19, Jha, Marlow Hurst, Aiden the hospital industry in the time of No matter what religion we belong to or how powerful we are, part of this company’s methods Perpsective / 10 meanwhile, give us hope that COVID-19, p. 10). Across the globe; Magro, Kowther Quashou, God(s?) may exist. I extend special thanks to requires the student to install software Thank you, Khanh Tran, Alice Trenoweth- In these trying times, Honi Soit is Alice Trenoweth-Creswell for the Together we stand in solidarity, on their computer that is intrusive - Ben Pollock Feature / 12 Creswell, Tom Williams a sign of continuity. It is something masterful feature on the changing In a fight to curb this pandemic. and does not respect their privacy or habitual, something to cling onto, face of Redfern. Her particular Artists: Alex Mcleay, Claire like a kitten in the middle of a connection to the suburb helps shine By Fibha Frameen - 2020 Culture / 14 Ollivain, Janina Osinsao, Karen cyclone. For those of you who don’t a light on Redfern in a way that few Tengan Okuda read Honi - yes there are a lot of you others could achieve. Thanks also An email a day, the Protctor’s astray - now is your time. After all, what go to Shrawani Bhattarai for the Creative / 19 else is there to do in this lockdown? beautiful front cover. Interested in reporting or Cover artist: Shrawani Bhattarai Write, Hey, I’m not sure if you guys have handled things in his most recent (I resisted a ‘Honi makes decent making art for Australia’s received messages in regards to email. SRC / 20 toilet paper joke’ here - it’s been Yours, in solidarity, ProctorU being used for online Back cover artist: done just a few too many times.) Robbie Mason only remaining weekly Emily Thompson With nowhere to go on a Saturday create and student newspaper? Email examinations for students at Usyd. - René Ni Comedy / 23 night, we were better prepared than us at [email protected] I’m really not comfortable with this and not happy with how the VC ever for the weekend lay up of or message us over on our this edition. That is, there were no produce for hangovers for the other editors. But Facebook, Twitter or Instagram Nudes, declarations of affection and hate mail may be I personally somehow managed to pages. Honi Soit sent to: [email protected] Disclaimer: Honi Soit is published by the Students’ Representative Council, University of Sydney, Level 1 Wentworth Building, City Road, University of Sydney NSW 2006. The SRC’s operation costs, space and administrative support are financed by the University of Sydney.Honi Soit is printed under the auspices of the SRC’s directors of student publications: Maia Edge, Peiqing Fan, Nina Mountford, Roisin Murphy, Mikaela Pappou and Maxim Vishney. All expressions are published on the basis that they are not to be regarded as the opinions of the SRC unless specifically stated. The Council accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the opinions or information contained within this newspaper, nor does it endorse any of the advertisements and insertions. Please direct all advertising inquiries to [email protected]. FANFIC: Harry Styles is in Socialist Alternative We recieved this tantalising fanfiction, in which British pop sensation Harry Styles runs for the USU Board, through the email of an anonymous source.

I throw my long, brown hair He briskly walks me toward I get a new one from an unknown I know that Melinda’s petition locks eyes with me from across What’s on this week into a messy bun. I check my the voting booth at Fisher, but number. only has 22 signatures, but I need the room, and I feel my phone For the recently class conscious. appearance in the mirrors of the I’ve tuned out. I’m staring deeply “Hey [your name]! It’s Harry. to change the subject. buzzing in my pocket. What’s not on this week New Law bathrooms. Not great, into his eyes. I got your number from that “It’s going fine!” she snaps. “Want to get out of here?” but it’ll do I guess. Gathering my “Anyway, I guess you could petition you signed last month. “I have to go. I’ll see you later He motions for me to follow library books, I hurry out of the say that Adore You is inspired Would you like to get a coffee [your name].” Melinda and her him out of the room, so I turn to Centrelink Bricking your landlord’s window Eating the rich bathroom. I’m late for class! by my admiration for Karl with me before council tonight?” friends march away, just before Melinda and tell her I’m going to

As I exit the bathroom, I run Marx” Harry stops, awaiting my I’m hot and flustered all of a Harry gets there. Relieved, I walk the bathroom. When: A week or two from the date you begin your When: After your centrelink claim is finally When: After you brick your landlord’s into someone. Embarrassed, I response. He chuckles as I don’t sudden. Harry Styles wants to toward him. “Okay. Just make sure you claim, maybe more! No one knows. submitted window glance from beneath my fringe to say anything, handing me a how get coffee with me? I send him a “Hey! Let’s get takeaway and stay away from those filthy Where: On the phone? Online? Where: Your landlord’s house Where: Everywhere apologise. When I look up, I gasp to vote card. reply, trying to act cool. walk to council? I think you’ll commoners. They have germs.” Price: The hours you spend softly crying on hold Price: Free Price: Nothing in shock. It’s Harry Styles! “Just follow the instructions “Hey, sounds good. Let’s really enjoy it.” I’m instantly She points toward where “I’m sorry Harry!” I say, on this. I’ll see you later.” He meet at Courtyard.” worried — what if Conrad and Grassroots and SAlt are sitting, Whoa, how good! The hundreds of thousands Celebrate your reliance on our notoriously We’re banned from eating out, the shopping barely concealing my stutter. winks at me, watching as I walk Melinda see me with him! Harry and I nod my head. of workers laid off in the wake of COVID-19 are unreliable welfare system by launching a brick centres are bedlam and we’ve all lost our jobs. “Don’t worry about it,” he toward the line. I’m waiting at Courtyard for senses my fear, drawing me into now eligible to wait indefinite periods of time to through your landlord’s window. I know, your real Whatever are we to do? I’ll tell you what: we’ll smiles, placing his hand on my Harry to arrive when I realise his arms. I leave the Professorial receive the princely sum of $1100 a fortnight. estate agent is also a class traitor. Brick theirs next! eat the rich. Can’t buy rice or pasta at your local arm. “Hey, do you mind if I Two hours later, I’m studying that I should have picked a more “Don’t worry [your name]. Boardroom and walk down the take a moment of your time? in the stacks when I get a text discreet location. Some of my You can sit with your SASS steps into the Quad. Wandering All out of windows, with lots of bricks to spare? Coles? Eat the rich. Run out of toilet paper? Eat It’s about the upcoming USU from my friend Conrad. friends from SASS are there, and friends, and I’ll text you. It’ll through the cloisters, I wonder We hear the Lord Gladstone has some lovely the rich, and then use theirs. Craving a tasty elections.” “Hey Bitch! I heard u were they wave me over. be our secret.” I’m blushing where Harry has gone. Suddenly, Sticky Fingers themed stained glass. snack from your local Merivale establishment? I can barely contain my talking to that filthy trotskyist “Hey [your name]. Conrad furiously, as Harry releases me to I feel two strong arms around Find Justin Hemmes, and eat him. excitement. Harry Styles is trying Harry Styles outside Fisher 2day. told me you were seen speaking pick up our coffee. He passes me me. Harry turns and pushes me to give me a walk and talk? Hope u know who to vote for!” to that Harry Styles. I hope you mine and grabs my hand, as we against the wall, leaning over me. “Yeah, sure. I mean I guess! Conrad is the current USU didn’t vote for him!” Melinda walk toward council. I blush as he caresses my cheek Go ahead” I say nervously, President. He’s pretty much the looks at me with hurt in her eyes. with a single finger, winding an hoping none of my friends in Regina George of the University I instantly feel guilty. Two hours into council, and arm around my waist. Student Unity see me talking of Sydney. He’s in Student Unity, “I voted for you Melinda, nothing interesting has happened “I’ve wanted to do this for so to the Socialist Alternative with all of my friends from SASS. of course! How is your petition yet. I’m sitting next to Melinda, long.” candidate for union board. I go to reply to his text, when to save Manning Bar going?” trying to act casual. Harry

2 3 NEWS COLLECTIVES Youth allowance, Austudy and ABStudy to There is nowhere left to go but the streets Pranay Jha’s speech for the CAA rally. Friends, brothers, sisters, and of course delusion amongst us, that Australia will happy to peddle a policy of ‘divide and as Indian police officers stormed their be included in new Coronavirus Supplement most importantly, our enemies. Allow develop a set of morals today. conquer’ while they bankrolled their campus and beat them mercilessly. Chuyi Wang reports. me to begin with a basic question; why Why then are we here? Standing colonies from stolen wealth, only to The 9-month old baby, burnt alive in are we truly here? outside the consulate of India — few then turn a blind eye to its effects when her house, as the Indian government The government has circulated of pressure from the National Union demonstrate, to students and the public, momentum into housing protection Do we honestly believe that the and far between — demanding an end they had taken everything we had left to sadistically watched on. What was the amendments in a Senate meeting of Students (NUS) to also allow full- what we can achieve through political and mutual aid initiatives, which are Australian government will condemn, to the system of Hindutva that takes the give. India she would have grown up in? tonight to the Coronavirus Supplement time students and those training in action, even under such challenging emerging across the country.” in the harshest possible terms, the lives of our Muslims brothers and sisters In the face of those factors, we cannot India’s Muslim community has announced yesterday by Prime Minister apprenticeships, who were notably circumstances,” SRC President Liam While this decision comes as a great actions of the Indian regime? Of course daily. The answer is simple. For those of rely on any traditional methods of been pushed to their limits for far too Scott Morrison. The new amendments missing in the announced program, to Donohoe commented. benefit to financially struggling students not. How could they? Not two months us who wish to take a stand, who wish communicating our message. The time long. They’ve been subjected to every will regulate to include those currently access increased welfare payments. “We hope that students across the in the current coronavirus crisis, there ago, our Prime Minister was willing to to challenge the fascist government in has come for us to speak directly to our possible atrocity imaginable and told on Youth Allowance, Austudy or “The government’s announcement country are inspired by the collective remains some vulnerable parties who abandon this country during one of its Delhi, there is nowhere left for us to go. comrades in India. To let our friends to be thankful that they’re living in a Abstudy payments. was an awesome, necessary, and action and continue to fight just as hard are yet to be included in the Supplement. worst climate crises, to lick the boots of What do I mean by that? on the front lines know that we will no ‘secular state’. These protesters are not From the 27th of April, eligible politically significant victory for the for fixes to eligibility requirements, Particularly, those on disability and the Butcher of Gujarat in India. And, I mean that we face a media, who longer remain in blissful oblivion to the anti-Indian. They have every right to be, students will receive $550 per fortnight NUS National Union of Students and improvements to the DSP and NDIS, carer support will not be able to access if it’s not that sycophant’s free will have a tendency to align themselves with harsh realities of their true condition. but they are not. The BJP government in addition to their regular support the student movement more broadly. and reductions in mutual obligations. the additional payments. that impels him to cosy up to India’s the conservative and sinister interests of To let them know that we stand here, should thank their Hindu gods that the payments for a period of six months. This will help many survive the coming Alongside an escalation in our broader More to come. fascists, his American masters have just the state. Which, as Malcolm X told us, before the Indian government, declaring 200 million Muslims in India have not The decision has come as a result months of hardship, and should also demands, students should focus this announced their ‘love’ for India and a has a tendency not to place the proper in no uncertain terms that we support become anti-Indian. But do not blindly desire to strengthen ties with the Asian importance upon what they hear, the emancipation of India’s Muslim demand peace from the protesters. Not superpower. especially when they’re hearing it from communities. That we are willing to when you have burnt them alive. When Do we think that the Australian persons they can’t control. Which will make whatever sacrifices are necessary you have robbed them of their brothers, government will open its borders to have you believe that the price of toilet to fulfil that cause. And that, around sisters, parents and children; of an entire Research students call for thesis and dissertation the thousands of Muslims, likely to be paper, should be of greater importance the world, people like us will take to the generation of thinkers, mentors and rendered stateless and stripped of their to you than the millions of Muslims in streets to ensure our voices are heard. cultural leaders. When you have given rights in the face of a violent nationalist India, being hosed down daily with the I see amongst the host of communities them every reason to turn violent. This extensions amidst COVID-19 disruption government? Of course not. This is gagging perfume of fascism. in this crowd, a lot of students much is a community that is ready to define Lara Sonnenschein reports. the government that puts Rohingyan I mean that we face a state that will like myself. Take for a second, the freedom on its own terms. A community children in off-shore prisons. The have you believe that they are the moral opportunity to place yourselves in that has the desire for revolution in their Research students on campus are appointments to borrow from the Performance Studies Honours and PhD considerate and offered extensions, government which turns a blind eye, arbiters of justice. All the while smiling the shoes of those calling for justice hearts. A community that is ready to calling on the University of Sydney libraries or access archival material, programmes, ethnographic fieldwork is others have been too busy to do so at as children on Manus set themselves and shaking the hands of genocidal in India. Many of them, youths and test the strength in their executioner’s (USyd) to grant a six-week extension on access to financial assistance, and a a mandatory component of courses. best and negligent at worst. For this on fire. The government which maniacs around the world in the pursuit university students just like us. Shahid arms. A community that, after 73 years their thesis or dissertation due dates as a two-week extension on all coursework “For many students this means reason we see a clear need for a blanket exists on stolen land, subjecting first of their unjustified economic wars. Khan Alvi, an auto-rickshaw driver shot of subjugation will no longer remain result of the coronavirus pandemic. assignments. completely restructuring thesis research rule approach coming from Faculties nations communities to domination, Who put their hubris and commitment in the stomach. Mehtab, a 22-year-old, silent. You have reduced their houses Over the past two days, USyd Social distancing policies and that they have been planning and in the interests of equitably protecting subjugation and every other type of to ‘fighting communism’ ahead of the the same age as me and many of my down to rubble. There is nowhere left Honours, Masters and PhD students library closures mean that research working on now for months, which is a all students and ensuring they have the malicious ‘ation’ one could possibly obligations they owe to the world’s most friends burnt to death. The hundreds for them to go but the streets. have drafted an open letter which students will no longer be able to access major disruption,” the letter states. time to restructure their projects and imagine. Make no mistake. There is no persecuted communities. Who were of students at Jamia, sitting in a library, addresses their concerns regarding the all the materials necessary for their Bella Devine-Poulos, a Political find new ways of accessing resources ability to carry out research on campus assignments, theses and dissertations. In Economy Honours student who they vitally need. If the university cares due to social distancing policies. the absence of this, students will either spearheaded the response, told about the quality of the research it puts This includes the recent closure of all have to pay out of pocket for them or Honi, “We are disappointed that the out it should listen to our demands.” USyd Disabilities Collective’s statement on COVID-19 University of Sydney libraries and study not have access at all. University hasn’t been more proactive The open letter notes that if these spaces as of Wednesday. Students who had originally planned in reaching out to us about these issues demands are not met by the University, Disabled people are always inevitable casualties of COVID-19 strips and if equitable access for disabled fighting for justice, to be elevated and Sent to University management on undertaking fieldwork are also now and creating solutions to them.” many students are prepared to drop out disproportionately affected by our community of agency and obscures students and staff existed already then heard. We need to understand that “the today, the demands also include: unable to do such for the foreseeable “While some individual academics of their courses. coronaviruses. Our community the structures that inhibit our survival. we would not be in this situation now. vulnerable” includes all of us, because an extension of the census date, future. For those in the Theatre and and Honours coordinators have been possesses valuable knowledge and Crucially, it also ignores the valuable We are bitterly aware that the measures nobody is invulnerable. We need to skills that are urgently relevant insights of a group of people more being implemented in response to the be interdependent, because nobody toward the formulation of an effective equipped than any other to understand pandemic are measures that disabled is independent. We need to build a community response to the current and effectively respond to medical people have been organising towards community that cares for its own; we pandemic. Our survival strategies crises. We have had to develop networks for decades, and that we have been need love and solidarity, and we need to UNSW engineering faculty to move to are now the survival strategies of the to deal with financial precarity and lost consistently denied. give a shit about each other. entire population. We are already working hours due to illness; nearly Our needs are your needs. We need This is not a complete list of familiar with effective hand washing 40% of Australians living in poverty testing centres and social distancing. demands. The two people writing this techniques, social distancing whilst are disabled. We have had to fight for We need medical infrastructure, statement are both considered “high pass/fail system sick, and navigating overloaded healthcare access in medical systems ventilators, and widespread adoption risk”; if either of us catch COVID-19 Angad Roy hospital systems. For many of us, that are overcrowded, understaffed, of hygiene protocols. We need effective it is very likely that we will experience reports. flu season is an annual crisis that the and held hostage by the indifference containment protocols rather than severe complications or die. We are not UNSW Civil and Environmental An email circulated to students cited and where the course coordinator has overall WAM. community at large is ill equipped to and cruelty of capitalism, leading half-hearted measures attempting to representative of all disabled people, nor Engineering has become the first “the high level of disruption to teaching, been granted an exemption. The mark The pass/fail debate has grown handle. We know how to respond to to the systems themselves becoming flatten an impossible curve. We need of all the people worst affected by the Australian university faculty to the high levels of anxiety caused by the a student receives at the end of the significantly in Australia over the past COVID-19 because we do this every indifferent and cruel. We have kept systems of community support, mutual outbreak. Pandemics work along vectors transition to a pass/fail system in COVID-19 and the lack of integrity of semester is either SY (success) or FL week, with a petition organised by USyd year. each other alive through trauma and aid, and home nursing care, without of marginality, and other “high risk” response to the ongoing COVID-19 online quizzes,” as the major reasons (failure). Students still earn 6 credit students attracting over 3300 signatures Over the past weeks, much of the isolation. We have been fighting for exploiting the unpaid labour of informal groups include people in prison, people institutional, medical, media, and each other because nobody else will. caregivers, but also without prioritising in institutions and group homes, elderly crisis. This follows in the steps of several for the move. points and must achieve an aggregate so far. activist response to the COVID-19 Medical institutions hold a institutional responses over community people, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait major Ivy League Colleges including The new assessment criteria does mark of at least 50%, but the subject outbreak has been informed by an dominant position within capitalism responses. We need immediate and Islander people. An effective community Harvard. not apply to theses, project courses does not count towards the student’s underlying rhetoric of eugenics. This and are often complicit in structures widespread reforms to welfare and the response requires consultation with the rhetoric positions disabled and elderly of marginalisation. Uncomplicated NDIS, so that people do not die simply entire community. This statement is a people as expendable and disposable. narratives of hospitals being places because they cannot afford the supports necessarily incomplete component of The logic of eugenics is the logic of of healing ignore the real harm that and resources they need to live. We need an ongoing conversation. capitalism: those who do not possess capitalist, eugenicist and neoliberal to avoid authoritarian measures that Disabled people make up around 由于COVID-19干扰 做研究型课程的学生生要求延 productive worth are considered logics are causing within them every reinforce military and police powers a fifth of the general population, and worthless. It should go without saying day. It is incredibly important that we at the expense of ordinary people. We around half of Aboriginal and Torres that this is unacceptable, not only begin working towards a community need to avoid punitive measures like Strait Islander communities. We are 期硕士和博士论文的提交 because every life has inherent worth based approach towards health, which outrageous fines, but instead work not an irrelevant fraction of society; but because ranking members of a takes advantage of the science, but also towards a social provisioning of needs, we are not identifiable on sight; we community by perceived value is gives people agency and allows them such that vulnerable people do not are not inherently separated from the Lara Sonnenschein 报道 Lei Yao 和 Zhiquan Gan 翻译 detrimental to everyone. We should not to access care on their own terms. We feel compelled to break self-isolation non-vulnerable population; we are 在过去的两天中，悉尼大学荣誉学士 业的两周延期。 必修部分。 教授很体贴的提供延期服务，但有些 have to point out that disabled people note that public hearings and forums requirements to access the basic not all neatly contained in hospitals or are valuable, or that the sacrificial for the Royal Commission on the abuse necessities of life. We need sick leave institutions (and those of us who are 学位，硕士和博士学位的在读学生起 限制社交距离的政策和图书馆关 信中写道：“对于许多学生来说，这 教师却因为最近忙乱的现状而疏于应 reasoning of eugenics would have and neglect of disabled people has been and eviction freezes. We need to commit hospitalised and institutionalised are 草了一封公开信，以解决他们受限制 闭意味着研究学生将不再能够获得其 意味着要重新架构他们已经计划和研 对。因此，我们需要院系采取统一的 robbed the world of great minds like suspended. This has been done at a time ourselves to anti-racism, to explicitly even more disempowered). We live 社交距离政策而对在校园进行研究的 作业，论文和学位论文所需的所有材 究了几个月的论文研究，这对他们来 应对措施，以公平地保护所有学生并 Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and in which exposing the harsh cruelties reject the blame, hatred and violence among you. We live in the world and 能力的担忧。这包括截至周三最近 料。在这种情况下，学生要么不得不 说是一个重大的影响。” 确保他们有时间重新构思项目并找到 Frida Kahlo. We should not have to and realities of being a disabled person being directed against Chinese people, we want to continue living in it. The 悉尼大学所有图书馆和学习空间的关 花费额外的费用，要么根本无法使用 率先做出回应的政治经济学荣誉 获取他们急需的资源的新方法。如果 argue that we are capable of greatness, in this country has never been more and to recognise and dismantle the responsibility for effectively responding 闭。 这些教学资源。 学生 Bella Devine-Poulos，她对Honi 大学关心研究的质量，那么它就应该 because the most profoundly ordinary important. colonialist structures causing disparate to this pandemic belongs to the entire 今天发送给大学管理部门的要求还 最初计划进行野外作业的学生现在 说：“我们感到失望的是，大学在与我 听取我们的要求。” disabled person still deserves to live as University bureaucracies around health outcomes for Indigenous people. community, not just for our survival, 包括：延长最后退出课程的日期，从 也无法在可预见的将来这样做。对于 们联系并提出解决方案方面没有采取 公开信指出，如果大学未能满足这 much as anyone else. A society where the country are struggling to respond We need the many fierce voices of but for the survival of the community only the fittest survive is a society that effectively to closures and online access the disability community, exhausted itself. 图书馆借书的预约服务或访问档案材 戏剧和表演研究荣誉和博士学位课程 积极主动的态度。” 些要求，许多学生准备退出课程。 has lost what it means to be human. requirements. These requirements have by years of silence enforced by the 料的，获得财务援助以及所有课程作 的人来说，民族志田野调查是课程的 “虽然有些学者和荣誉学位的课程 Positioning disabled people as always existed for disabled people, paternalism of those who claim to be

4 5 ANALYSIS ANALYSIS The Zoom classroom: Privacy and pedagogy Eco-fascism and COVID-19 Lara Sonnenschein interrogates the new centre of online learning. Kowther Qashou analyses the eco-fascist response in the time of COVID-19. After weeks of uncertainty as to For example, one male law student and the flow-on adjustments that need and could be used to harvest data, Following the rapid spread of mass murder. against climate change. policies and border closures, whether campus would remain open, who noticed a boys club culture to be made to teaching. performance manage or enforce student COVID-19, social distancing and This also feeds into other harmful Ecofascist narratives such as particularly in places like Europe, self-isolation measures have been ideas like the overpopulation population-control have also the US, and Australia, some of who the University announced that all face- (encouraged by the tutor) in his class, Acording to our lecturers and tutors, attendance with an iron fist. implemented worldwide, leading to a myth, which argues that resource been peddled by more ‘liberal’ are greatly responsible for carbon to-face classes would cease, coming into which is roughly split even along Zoom classes are no genuine alternative Zoom analytics aren’t even all that wide shutdown of society. As a result, scarcity is due to population growth. environmentalists in the past emissions. These measures have effect last Monday, two days afterHoni gendered lines, noted that this problem for in person face-to-face classes. accurate. As one casual tutor told Honi, the lack of human activity has led Overpopulation discourse is rooted which only further reinforces great consequences for many from broke the news that a first-year student had become worse online. Many Ultimately, this is not just because of “Given that I, the tutor, was given the to a “cleaner” environment, or so it in eugenics, primarily focusing on Western hegemony and dominance, surrounding underdeveloped nations had tested positive for the coronavirus. students are also having accessibility technological concerns, but because of lowest ‘attentiveness’ score in the whole seems. Images of crystal clear rivers the Global South to the exclusion of particularly when it comes to potential who are at risk of becoming climate A week in, with the switch from the issues, either with their own internet the intrinsic social dynamics that being class by Zoom for a tutorial that I taught and animals flourishing, matched nations in the West. This rhetoric is environmental solutions. refugees due to potential environment physical classroom to the virtual one, it connections or Zoom itself, due to the together in a building on campus brings. last week should tell you enough to with record low levels of air pollution disputed by statistics which show that This also largely obscures the fact devastation. is clear that the higher education sector exceedingly high traffic. One student In bedrooms, instead of classrooms distrust such crude analytics. Having have been widely circulated on social half of carbon emissions are produced that it will be working-class people Additionally, assigning blame to is undergoing its biggest transformation told Honi her Zoom “crashed several our educational experience becomes said this, I’m under no false impressions in years. media. More often than not, these by half a billion of the world’s richest who will pay the price, especially in humanity absolves those who actually times in half an hour.” atomised. As one Senior Lecturer put it, that higher-ups actually believe such posts are followed by the assertion people who comprise 7% of the global less developed countries where they wield power - from the coal industry As the novelty of being able to wake Of course, there are students with “since the purpose of education is the measures are valid. They’ll only lean that all of humanity is to blame population, while 50% of the world’s may lack the necessary resources to politicians in Canberra - of the up ten minutes before class, attend in more positive experiences. These collective benefit of society, it should on them when they want to get their for climate change; that we are the poorest only produce 10% of carbon and infrastructure to survive the harm they are actively doing to the pyjamas and change screen backgrounds generally include: those with smaller be a collective experience.” Staff have way and punish staff that aren’t in their disease. emissions. drastic effects of environmental and environment. It also places the burden like a 12-year-old on Photobooth wears classes (such as honours cohorts), those also noticed less students willing to favour.” It’s pertinent to ask who contributes The foundations of fascist ecological crises. of environmental responsibility on the off, it is important to interrogate what with mobility issues and people who contribute to discussion. When the University announced that to climate change the most and how? ideology are rooted in the idea of Environmental degradation and Global South and peoples resisting this digital transformation means. live far away from campus who now Yet, one aspect of Zoom which has all classes would move online, Vice- Some of the content that has security. Climate change threatens exploitation are a global issue and ongoing colonialism, especially those Most classes have been going ahead don’t have to spend hours commuting. been somewhat overlooked — likely Chancellor Michael Spence told the circulated widely on social media environmental security whereby their there have been very few attempts who are directly impacted by climate on Zoom, a video conference and online Nonetheless, it is clear that the student because a lot of people aren’t aware of Sydney Morning Herald, “we’ve put a lot have included images of the canals aim is to preserve it in which they can by governments to transition to change. meeting space. Previously a platform experience is considerably worse for the it — is its potential use for surveillance of effort and thought into how to do it. in Venice being clear and animals establish a future white ethnostate. clean, green energy. Globalisation Racist approaches to of choice for both multinational vast majority of the student body than it and breaches of privacy. With the I think this is a tremendous opportunity. returning to these habitats. This was As elements of society, such as the and increased trade facilitate the environmentalism are far from the corporations and fledgling activist was the week before. University having an institutional This could be an interesting pedagogical soon matched by responses such as economy are starting to crumble due need for constant manufacturing solution. While the shutdown has collectives, Zoom is now being used by Yet, there is a group who’ve had to account used by staff, the University as experiment.” But staff have been left “Earth is healing,” including by a far- to the widely-implemented shutdown, and production to fulfil the market’s placed a temporary halt on society, universities worldwide as calls become adapt far more than students. Staff are a Zoom administrator has immediate without the support they need to make right group posing as environmental fascists are taking advantage through constant supply and demand, and by extension, industrial activity, digital classrooms. As of Wednesday, seemingly finding the shift even worse access to view “a snapshot in real an effective transition, harming student group Extinction Rebellion who had the spread of propaganda. particularly across developed, this is not sustainable in the long- the University told Honi that the than students thus far. Staff toldHoni time” of whatever is occuring, analytics learning in the process. Alarmingly, this stickers proclaiming that “Corona is An investigation into Neo-Nazi wealthy countries. In Australia more term, particularly as it has costly University’s Zoom has hosted 378,107 that they were provided with little capability of ranking users based on crisis thus represents “a tremendous the cure, humans are the disease.” networks on Telegram and other specifically, ongoing colonialism and economic and health impacts. It is users this semester. According to the training on online teaching, with the various categories, data which shows opportunity” for the University to shift However, these images were soon channels by The Guardian has land exploitation and profiteering imperative that a just transition into University, “feedback shows that it is exception of sending online materials where and how people are logging onto more classes online and reduce teaching proven to be misinformation. shown that fascists often rely on by industry giants have resulted green energy is embraced, rather than working well.” to read over. Unlike universities like the Zoom, access to view any meeting going and learning costs, while splurging on Perceptions that humans are “the narratives of systemic and societal in marked environmental impacts looking towards genocidal solutions. However, the students and staffHoni University of Technology, they were on under the organisation’s license, and consultants, administrative buildings virus” play into eco-fascist sentiments failures, some of which have been such as extreme weather conditions, This is why anti-colonialism, spoke to paint an altogether different not given a week break from classes seemingly the ability to log directly into and their own salaries. about the environment and reinforces highlighted by the COVID-19 crisis, resource mismanagement and anti-capitalism and anti-racism are and more complex picture. All staff and to transition online. Further, one staff any meeting (in this case, class) going Ultimately, if there is one positive notions that mass immigration to spread disinformation, recruit and temperature increases. essential to the fight for climate an overwhelming majority of students member said that administrative hours on. With a range of administrative to be gleaned from this crisis, it is and poor people are to blame. This organise. The survivalist element As climate change becomes more justice. An environmental movement Honi spoke to preferred face-to-face (which are usually used for meetings) tools to surveil and categorise users, the rising consciousness amongst students is dangerous for several reasons. in fascist ideology advocates that of a pressing matter, it becomes that fails to consider the nuances of classes. for Graduate Teaching Assistants online classroom begins to resemble a and staff. More than ever throughout But what exactly is ecofascism? only the strongest and fittest will easy to latch onto simple narratives. history, class, and colonialism will Students find Zoom classes harder to were cut in their department this year, digital panopticon. my time on campus, we are thinking Defined very loosely, ecofascism survive. Through the assumption that Combined with the rising tides of only exacerbate existing inequalities concentrate in, less enjoyable, and slow and were only added back as a result When Honi put these Zoom features critically about how the University combines white supremacy and COVID-19 is the “cure,” the vulnerable fascism, migrants, especially from by reinforcing fascist notions of who sometimes to the point of awkward. of the additional workload because to staff, most were largely unaware of functions, who this benefits and how environmentalism and advocates for such as the elderly, disabled, and the Third World, become an easy is and isn’t worth saving in the fight There is consensus that people are of the COVID-19 crisis. They note the specific tools institutional Zoom to change this. It is absolutely essential conservationism through any means those who are immunocompromised scapegoat. This kind of rhetoric also for a better future. contributing less than in comparable that four hours does not make up for accounts have. However, there was a that we keep this up post pandemic. necessary, including eugenics and become collateral damage in the fight helps justify harsh, strict immigration face-to-face classes, and more select the time needed to keep up with the widespread belief that the implications people are dominating the discussion. everchanging coronavirus information, of managerial surveillance are genuine,

They paved paradise (and put up a fancy courtyard) Tom Williams investigates the University’s decision to destroy a grove of native Tallowwood trees. “Save the Darlington Trees” is an ongo- local ecosystem and the wellbeing of the most promising students can beyond the realm of general disrepair,” ing campaign to stop the University of those around them. tackle the problems of the future.” one engineering student says. Sydney administration from demolish- The local community has been The development will be a four-storey Though the project is now on hold ing a grove of Tallowwood trees behind organising since 2015, with ongoing building stretching beyond the current due to COVID-19, the development is the Civil Engineering Building. The fate support from Newtown MP Jenny Civil Engineering Building, with the still scheduled to go ahead with Sydney of the 19 trees has become a hotpoint Leong to oppose the demolition. The carpark and hence the grove replaced City Council. Vice Chancellor Michael for the local community, with the cam- demolition was brought to the attention by a “landscaped courtyard, the design Spence has offered only empty words paign gaining support from local MPs of Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who in of which references the constellations to the campaign. “We deeply value our and university academics. But why are a letter to the “Save Darlington Trees” above Sydney.” neighbours and I welcome all ongoing these trees important? campaign, shared sympathy at the But students at the nearby Civil discussions of our operations and The Darlington grove supports demolition, stating she had “serious Engineering building, which was plans,” he states in his letter. a range of wildlife, and the local concerns to the Department [of constructed in the 70s and has not seen “It is crucial that Sydney University community values the ecological Planning, Industry and Environment] major renovations since then, have is a ‘good neighbour’ and shows respect diversity it creates. Peter Prineas, an about the trees, opposing their raised concerns that the University to those who live in the surrounding organiser of the campaign, describes removal.” In a separate letter to the has prioritised shiny new buildings suburbs,” Leong wrote in a letter to the “possums and flying foxes, rainbow campaign, Leong promised to “raise over upkeep of existing ones. “The Spence. “[The University must] reflects lorikeets, white cockatoos, kookaburras, the issue with the Liberal Government” university is currently too concerned the environmentally sustainable values currawongs, butcher birds, Australian in January this year. However, since with constructing new buildings held by the students, staff and local miners, wattle birds, magpies, ravens the development was approved by the than maintaining its current ones,” community who are the heart of the and at least one migrating koel.” Department, neither politician was able administrator of popular Facebook organisation.” It’s unclear with this Moreover, a 2014 paper (source) co- to directly intervene in the approval page “Broken things in PNR” told move, whether the University values authored by USyd professor Dr Dieter process. Honi. A quick browse of the page anything but new buildings for its Hochuli, who has been involved in the In a letter to Leong, the University indicates the building deserves urgent promotional pamphlets. campaign, argues urban biodiversity is justified the demolition as necessary attention. “Engineering has always important to the wellbeing of nearby to redevelop the Electrical Engineering been a little in disrepair, though the last Art by Claire Ollivain. residents. These trees are crucial for the Building, to create “a place where… 18 months have seen several things go

6 7 ANALYSIS OPINION How student bodies have responded to COVID-19 The case for a Young Workers Centre in NSW Vivienne Guo and Ranuka Tandan scrutinise the effectiveness of student representative bodies in the time of COVID 19. Aiden Magro imagines what a Young Workers Centre in NSW would look like. With the announcement of the essential items which will be distributed package, echoed the demands of the welfare, including delaying the census When I originally pitched this article, Australian Capital Territory. With the improving themselves. As NSW does demands against their employers. Just COVID-19 pandemic by the World by volunteers once they are collected. USyd SRC’s petition and demands that date. I had anticipated that COVID-19 2016 launch of the Victorian Young not have one yet, we are in a unique last week, they set up Young Workers Health Organisation (WHO) on 12 The USyd Education Action had been published earlier that week. Additionally, workers do not seem would present new challenges that Workers Centre, then coordinator, position to demand an effective model, COVID-19 Response, a weekly online called for entirely new approaches to Keelia Fitzpatrick stated that the centre reshaping them to better support discussion group aimed at developing March, universities around the world Group (EAG) fought to extend the But it left out mention of reforms to the to be at the forefront of the USU’s organising workplaces. For instance, would address a gap in support available young workers. There is a tendency strategies to call for an evictions ban at have been plunged into mayhem. government’s welfare stimulation National Disability Insurance Scheme concerns, with the organisation standing organising a workplace is usually for young workers, citing an analysis for these centres to follow a model that the Australian National University and Classes have been moved online, package, which originally had gaping and increased funding to frontline down many of its casual workers and more productive when you can have undertaken, which indicated that more focuses on recruitment and individual the University of Canberra for students facilities have closed, and the University omissions to student welfare, Youth medical services. laying off several full-time workers in political conversations in person in than half of young people seeking servicing. While it is important that living in residential halls. It is this deep of Sydney is scrambling to find its legs Allowance, AUSStudy and ABStudy. Despite their slow start, the the past week. This comes after weeks order to create collective demands to legal assistance about their workplace young people join their union, the connection with what union organising as it is suddenly cut off from sources EAG members took an active role in NUS have now put together the of uncertainty, and an undertaking level against your employer. Living in were being turned away due to lack of focus on recruitment and individual is all about that I want for NSW. It is of revenue. In the midst of all this, Twitter bombing, calling and emailing #SaveOurStudents campaign, to by Wherrett that casuals would have a time of self-isolation has meant that dedicated services. servicing ignores the question of why this emphasis on connecting young students are feeling the socio-economic politicians in order to fight for this. demand that students, as one of the most access to sick leave. During the meeting, the use of online avenues to organise In NSW, just as any other state in young people should join their union. workers that I imagine a Young Workers disaster first and most acutely. A lack of Donohoe also reached out to the vulnerable demographics impacted the Board passed an amendment that have been necessary in the face of the Australia, young workers make up We want young people to be critically Centre in NSW would have to centre response from university management mainstream media and put pressure on by the socio-economic effects of the changes the wording of the Regulations current issues posed by the pandemic, a large percentage of the hospitality and ideologically engaged in the union in its work for it to be a meaningful which workers have bore the brunt of. and retail industries. Just this year, it movement, so we should be emphasising contribution to the union movement. has left student organisations to them to report on the student element COVID-19 pandemic, be prioritised so that the Board is no longer obliged to What I did not anticipate was the more was reported that hospitality giant, the importance of rank and file activity What a Young Workers Centre in mobilise in order to fight for protections of the struggle, which has largely been in government actions like stimulus fill student leadership positions such as critical engagements with unionism Merivale, had underpaid a largely in unions over the union’s own activity. NSW should centre in its mission is and support for students on a number overlooked by mainstream media packages and university actions like Campus Activity Coordinators, PopFest that would arise and the surge in rank young workforce to the tune of $126 Ultimately, the main goal of a union facilitating the empowerment of rank of issues: from jobseeker payments and reporting. academic leniency. In the past week, Creative Directors, or Pulp Editors. and file organising that has ensued. million. Merivale’s exploitation of is not what it can do for its members and file organisers in the struggle against rental assistance, to academic support. Since the coronavirus supplement effective explainer graphics made by the This amendment, according to CEO COVID-19 is not the specific reason we workers does not exhaust the problems individually but rather what it can allow exploitation and engaging young Some have done this more successfully was expanded to students, the SRC has NUS have generated large amounts of Alexis Roitman, would allow the Board need a Young Workers Centre in New that young workers face. Indeed, many its members to do through collective workers with specific resources that are than others. turned to international students, who interaction, with one post reaching over to have more discretion from a financial South Wales - it has merely rendered hospitality and retail groups have been organising. A Young Workers Centre tailored for them. However, it must also have not received the same financial 750, 000 people. and staffing perspective, especially existing unfair structures such as the embroiled in similar court claims and in NSW has the opportunity to provide realise the importance of a generation The Students’ Representative Council given the precarious state of the USU’s casualisation of the workforce that there are also those smaller groups a very unique and crucial engagement of union minded young workers to the (SRC) It was not until students at universities like USyd finances. This amendment fares poorly affects young workers more visible. who slip under the radar. The young with young workers that could really entirety of the union movement. for many of the USU’s staff, who now The importance of young workers people who work in these industries change the way unions operate in NSW. Most importantly, a Young Workers mobilised that the national student body put out being able to access resources that truly in NSW have not been provided So this leaves a very important Centre in NSW should be focused on The USyd Students’ Representative face uncertainty in their future with the a press release. The NUS had not set up a working engage them in the union movement is adequate and dedicated resources or question: what should a Young the way young workers can contribute Council (SRC) responded swiftly to the organisation. now more fully realised. platforms to organise their workplace. Workers Centre in NSW look like? The to the strategic direction of unions. An huge upheaval, setting up a COVID-19 group until 20 March, after many Australian In a blow to the student media, The goal of a Young Workers Court claims against businesses who Young Workers Centre in the ACT, ideal Young Workers Centre should be response group as soon as the first universities had begun the transition to online contributions to the USU’s own student Centre, at its core, is to recognise underpay or mistreat their staff are which first launched in 2019, provides training and educating young people, case of the coronavirus was confirmed media Pulp have also been indefinitely the necessity of providing specific effective to a point but there must be an excellent case study for a centre that but ultimately following their lead. in a first year student at USyd. The classes and students were beginning to feel the suspended by the USU due to a large- resources on organising the workplace, particular avenues in place in order to NSW should be striving for. Crucially, A new Young Workers Centre in a SRC’s services, including access to socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. scale budget cut, meaning that only the legal advice and tailored education to affect meaningful change for young they are largely campaign based. In time where people are becoming more caseworkers and lawyers, were moved current editors are still able to write and young workers. On top of this, a Young workers. There is also the issue of the one of their first campaigns, they critical of the way unions currently­ online so as to maintain physical support while paying exorbitant fees. Like the SRC, their next step is to publish content. Workers Centre can reach out to the disproportionate exploitation that discovered that 77% of students who operate has the possibility to create a distancing measures and accessibility The SRC has formed a WeChat advocate for international students, Ultimately, the USU’s dedication to next generation of workers through young apprentices in all industries face worked on campus were not getting new generation of unionists who are not visiting schools in order to empower which has not received proper, tailored paid the correct wage. It was through just simply members of their unions but to students, who will now need these mutual aid group and are designing calling for reduced fees, amended visa student wellbeing seems to fall short. them against exploitation. Currently attention thus far. having conversations with students are more actively involved in organising services more than ever. SRC President flyers in Mandarin to promote the conditions, better health insurance This is especially evident from the in Australia, Young Workers Centres This is not to say that the current about the importance of organising workplaces. Liam Donohoe encouraged the SRC Inner West mutual aid group and SRC coverage and a delay of census dates USU Board discussion about how they have been established in Victoria, South model of existin­­g Young Workers and giving them the tools to do so that COVID-19 Response Group to come up WeChat mutual aid group, aiming to in universities across the country. would find “creative ways” for members Australia and most recently in the Centres around Australia do not need allowed these young workers to level with key demands of the government distribute these to students in campus Aside from a brief press release, the to receive online rewards instead of and the University. accomodation. NUS has put out a survey, circulated having to give students cash refunds. From the beginning, the group took through Facebook and WeChat, asking The six $50 Woolworths vouchers that a strong political stance that prioritised The National Union of Students international students to outline their the USU will be giving away to Rewards Privacy concerns raised over exam provider ProctorU the safety and needs of students. As a (NUS) struggles and opinions about the members seems to be little more than Robbie Mason questions the university’s use of ProctorU for online exams. part of the SRC’s response, Donohoe situation. By 25 March it had already a tokenistic show of care, and the wrote an article for Honi condemning For all intents and purposes, the received over 1000 responses. emails to members promoting online The University of Sydney’s choice to When using ProctorU’s services, email inbox at Honi has been inundated abused and stretched the boundaries of the government’s prioritisation of NUS functions as an SRC on a national discounts reads as a cheap marketing use third-party contractor, ProctorU, students must present an ID card on with messages from concerned USyd these laws since their introduction. for online exams has caused widespread camera. ProctorU uses the image students, one of whom wrote “a person These moves come despite a lack of businesses over the vulnerable in its scale. The NUS, in contrast to the USyd The University of Sydney Union ploy for corporate sponsors dressed up outrage amongst students who fear from this ID card in conjunction with in their right mind wouldn’t ordinarily evidence for growing terrorism threats. initial $17.6 billion stimulus package. SRC, were slow to get on their feet. (USU) as compassion. At the very least, these the ways the software (read: spyware) biometric facial recognition software tolerate this level of privacy breach.” Clearly, powerful institutions care more A petition titled “Contain the virus and When the travel ban against non- vouchers could have gone to the USU invades privacy. to confirm a user’s identity. ProctorU In a statement to Honi, however, the about authoritarian regulation than protect the vulnerable” was created to citizens travelling from mainland Unlike the SRC and NUS, the USU employees who will no longer receive Downloading the software for may monitor online exams live with University stood by its position to use protecting civil rights. the same point. These actions were vital China was announced in February, it has hesitated to call for student welfare- shifts for an indefinite period of time. It ProctorU gives offshore proctors access a proctor via webcam but the process ProctorU. “We’re confident ProctorU Students need not blindly follow in getting the message out to the student was swiftly condemned as racist by the focused responses to COVID-19. is unmistakably clear where the USU’s to personal information and data on can also be automated via technology will be able to fulfil our exam needs, a status quo that erodes our right body, and getting students involved in NUS Ethnocultural Department in its While the USU stated in their priorities lay, and it is not with the students’ computers. Though ProctorU that tracks and records eye movement, given the platform’s ongoing­ and to privacy and commodifies our the group and campaigns to come out “Chinese Students are Welcome, Racism response to the COVID-19 outbreak wellbeing of students and workers. claims it “does not use any student’s noise and keystrokes. Users must then similar work with many universities personal information. We need to of it. is Not” campaign. The Ethnocultural that their “highest concern remains personal information for any reason download a program, LogMeInRescue, globally. However, if we do experience push for alternatives to ProductU: The SRC has pushed mutual aid Department created Facebook profile the wellbeing of the entire University ___ other than the proctoring of online to obtain “remote support” from a any technical or other issues we’ll take home exams, online assignments exams,” proctors can access far more technician. Proctoru disables the work hard to manage and mitigate or suspension of exams for some hard from the start, necessary in a time picture frames against the initial first community,” a recent USU board information if they so choose, since screenshot function, the copy and paste any potential impacts as the particular units altogether. The University has where communities have been disrupted wave of Sinophobic vitriol. meeting seemed to focus largely on Undoubtedly, the coming weeks and sitting through an exam with ProctorU function and all sounds outputs (aside circumstances demand.” previously been more responsive to by social isolation and thousands However, the NUS did not seem their own finances rather than advocacy months will be incredibly difficult for us involves handing over control of from verbal instructions from proctors), More than 1000 institutions, student complaints over invasions of have lost their jobs. Notably, some of to respond to the broader dilemma for students. USU President, Connor all, and much more action is required personal computers to proctors. takes control of your mouse, turns off including hundreds of universities, privacy. In 2017, the University decided the Office Bearers of the SRC, such of student welfare as swiftly or Wherrett, argued that student advocacy from these student organisations. Some, The company also claims that it any running apps and prevents you from use ProctorU, raising ethical questions against adopting cheating detection as the Education Officers, Women’s comprehensively. It was not until was largely the responsibility of the like the SRC, have stepped up to bat. It is “never sells any personal information opening new internet tabs or windows. around the broader normalisation of software Cadmus, which would have Officers, Ethnocultural Officers, Queer students at universities like USyd SRC, despite Wherrett himself having essential we remember that these student to third parties,” but in its privacy Users have described having to show privacy breaches. In 2019, Australia analysed keystroke patterns on students Officers and Disabilities Officers, have mobilised that the national student body previously appeared in a University ad organisations have a responsibility to policy it acknowledges it may sell or a 360 degree view of their bedroom, was downgraded by global research computers. Security concerns have also been involved in groups like Inner put out a press release. The NUS had not which condemned coronavirus-related advocate for the students they represent, transfer information collected from including each corner of the room in organisation CIVICUS Monitor from caused companies like Amazon — no students in the event of a “bankruptcy, which they sit the exam, as well as the an “open” to a “narrow” democracy, champion of workers’ right to privacy West Mutual Aid and have also been set up a working group until 20 March, racism. The Board has not formally whether that be on political grounds or merger, acquisition, reorganization, spaces under desks and on the floor. in part due to severe limits on — to abandon their use of ProctorU. responsible for setting up mutual aid after many Australian universities had discussed their stance on potential through material relief and mutual aid. or sale of assets.” That information One user reported doing the exam on press freedom and whistleblowing. Perhaps this gives us hope that USyd groups in other areas including South begun the transition to online classes changes to academic regulations — To sit back and assume that someone includes students’ name, email address, his bed after his desk was considered Mandatory metadata retention laws too may cave into the demands of West Sydney. The SRC will be helping and students were beginning to feel such as delaying the census date or else will pick up the slack is simply educational institution, phone number, too cluttered. This involved removing were introduced in 2015 with bipartisan (what the university hierarchy views as) with storage and resource distribution the socio-economic impacts of the expanding special considerations — not good enough. There are still many country of residence, IP address, the bed sheets to prove that no materials support. The Greens, minor parties and customers, or think twice before using for Inner West mutual aid activities, pandemic. The NUS’ first media release as of yet. However, they did approve fights to be won, and there is no space to internet service provider, browser for cheating were lying nearby. academics have criticised these moves, ProctorU in future. and has been organising ways to source since universities closed, addressing signing the NUS petition calling for a let up the pressure we’re putting on the extensions and video and audio Unsurprisingly then, students have highlighting the numerous ways in masks, hand sanitiser, gloves, and other the government’s COVID-19 stimulus range of measures to protect student government from all angles. recordings of the examination. heavily criticised the proposal. Our which law enforcement agencies have

8 9 OPINION PERSPECTIVE Farewelling Hospo Public transport: a hotbed for racism Madeline Ward mourns her job. Jemma Daley questions why we sit back when we witness scenes of racial abuse. The hospitality industry fell in shared grief — though some will our society are ever present, if not whilst ordering Ubereats. It would You’re sitting on a train. The humming the same as me; my classmates, trying of hatred onto someone else. Race continues to refer to COVID-19 as “the under a week. There were rumblings reopen, many will not. amplified by the nature of our work. seem that there is no greater evil of the vehicle is causing you to feel a to get home. And I said nothing. is an easy target. Without ordinary Chinese virus.” of things about to go wrong on I think that I am grieving the loss Merivale mournlessly stood down than going outside, unless you’re a little drowsy, the people and buildings Instead I felt transported to another pleasantries to distract us, do we become European right-wing political parties Monday, and by Saturday almost of these spaces the most. This loss, the same workers they have under- delivery driver bringing the outraged outside are passing in a blur. It should time. I was 14 years old again, travelling nothing more than selfish, ignorant have been using the virus as a ploy to be comforting, sinking into your chair home on the bus after a hot, sweaty day discriminators? In these unsettling halt immigration. Other news sources everyone had lost their jobs. though temporary, is more than paid for a decade. Racism and xeno- their food. All the while, many of while barrelling towards your destina- at school, the older boys in front of me times, when people have resorted to have reported a collective feeling of It’s hard to describe the grief I feel an absence of places to drink in. phobia is rife, with migrant workers the recently unemployed see social tion. But the seat beneath you is like snickering and making pointed glances hoarding toilet paper, and brawling over villanisation. A Taiwanese woman at the loss of my own. I feel foolish Their walls hold the memories of largely left out of the COVID-19 dis- distancing as the direct cause of sandpaper against your thighs, the win- my way. When the bus finally skittered the last can of tomato soup, it’s scary riding the train in France recounted for trusting there to be work in an departed friends, of people I won’t cussion, even as it affects them the their situation — and who can dow is painted with hateful words, and to a halt and I shuffled towards the to imagine that humans are incapable her experience of racism; “I sat down industry known for its precarity be seeing for a while. Many won’t most. Many workers are currently blame them? in the distance, is the sinister sound of gliding doors, I faintly heard the word of common decency under extraneous with my headphones and suddenly at the best of times. In Sydney, make it back to Sydney, even after existing in Fair Work Act limbo, un- Those with a job in hospitality racism pervading the carriage. ‘gorilla’ come from their direction. It circumstances. heard the word ‘Chinese!’ and a mother restaurants close as frequently as the pandemic abates. sure if they have been stood down are the lucky few. For most of us, We’ve all experienced it. If you’re hung over me like a shadow. I can’t give you a definite answer as and child got off to change carriages.” they open. How could I assume they it’s over. Many will have to return a regular commuter you’re bound This particular memory rendered to why people behave this way. All I can While Eunice, a woman living in NYC to have witnessed at least one act of me utterly frozen. I stood there listening say is that I wish somebody had stood spoke to The Atlantic about people would survive a pandemic? home, whether that be interstate racism on public transport. In my first to this man spread vulgarity and chaos up for the 14-year-old girl struggling overly distancing themselves from her Hospitality in Sydney is a more Those with a job in hospitality are the lucky few. or overseas. The rest of us are left year of university I was headed home on the bus, no longer an intelligent, to comprehend why the word ‘gorilla’ on public transit. Similar stories have interesting study as a scene than as For most of us, it’s over. Many will have to return waiting for Centrelink, watching on the 412 when a man began hurling confident woman but a frightened was being thrown at her all those years been surfacing all over the world.These an industry. On the business side home, whether that be interstate or overseas. The as the government stutters over obscenities at people of Asian ethnicity schoolgirl. I had no voice, and so the ago. All it would have taken was one global challenges should be uniting us of things, it’s much the same as decisions that will determine how for having the audacity to step foot on cycle was perpetuated. Those people person. And then perhaps, I might have against the faceless foe that is a deadly anywhere else: companies are prof- rest of us are left waiting for Centrelink, watching we survive the next few months. the bus. on the bus left feeling as powerless and been able to return the favour for those virus, but even as national leaders from it-driven, workers are exploited. I’m as the government stutters over decisions that will In some senses, COVID-19 has I’ve watched at least a dozen videos alone as I had so many years ago when students on the bus who most likely left around the world urge us to be kind and among the lucky few that work for been transformative.The response online that have made me feel like I’m nobody bothered to speak up for me. feeling as lost and alone as I once did. considerate, we are still divided. determine how we survive the next few months. watching back my own experience. Why has public transport become an The virus sweeping our nation has Maybe a little time spent at home establishments that pay correctly to the crisis has revealed an Moments of hatred shared on social unrelenting breeding ground for racism? only worsened this pre-existing issue. in self-isolation will lead to some self- and treat their staff well. Most overwhelming sense of solidarity media. We watch and we think ‘how Why, when we are surrounded by so New incidents of racism on public reflection, so that when this is all over others are the victims of missing I am also feeling a deep sorrow at or made redundant, or what either and community. Those lucky terrible,’ and then, we move on with our many people, do we feel the most afraid? transport are emerging every day. These and we’re next faced with a beautiful payslips and an award system that is my lack of work. I miss my customers. term means. enough to still hold their jobs have lives, comforted by the thought that if Maybe it’s because train carriages and new outbursts stem from the naive array of multicultural Australians frequently “misunderstood.” There I long for their conversation and Though many workers are provided for those without, as free we had been there that day, we would buses are enclosed spaces that leave us misconception that those of Chinese crammed into a moving metal box, we is very little in the way of union their company, their familiarity. I individually political, the invisibility meals are offered across the city. have stopped it. feeling trapped. We’re surrounded by descent are carrying COVID-19 won’t be afraid, we’ll embrace it. But at support, despite the successes of miss even the worst of them, not of the union movement in Sydney The economic devastation of the But standing on the bus, gripping the hideous beige-coloured walls, sticky microbes everywhere they go and so, the very least, my hope is that we can Hospo Voice in Melbourne. Like for themselves, but for the solidarity hospitality means that most aren’t pandemic has instilled a more furious metal pole, trying to maintain balance floors, and an inescapable musk, with we are left with racist upsurges and all ride the bus feeling a little safer than as we zipped through the city streets, nothing but our own reflection staring people moving seats on the bus to get before. Melbourne, exploitation is rife. they unwittingly created between unionised. and immediate class consciousness I did not. I watched the man spew back at us. We’re forced to see our own away from Asian Australians out of This is perpetuated by a media me and my coworkers. I feel the loss Watching their response to amongst my co workers than I have revulsion and disgust at ordinary people faults and imperfections and instead of irrational fear. Political and economical class more interested in Neil Perry’s of every hour of my working week the unfolding crisis, it’s easy to ever encountered before. for no reason at all. People who were confronting it, we deflect that feeling instability fosters xenophobia. Trump burgers than the workers from as keenly as I did in the moment I understand why many workers are Though I am filled with sorrow, whom he has stolen millions of knew my job was lost. disillusioned with the left and their I am also filled with hope: hope for dollars of wages. The workers that COVID-19 may have sounded respective unions. The university my community, for my friends, for make any of these places worth the death knell, but it wasn’t what educated, middle class left condemn our lives. writing about in the first place — the killed hospitality. The structures of those that fail to practice social waiters, the glassies, the bartenders power and oppression that control distancing with religious fervour, Art by Ash Duncan and the chefs, are ignored in the face of the latest celebrity opening. It is these people that create the culture of hospitality in Sydney, and it is for them that I mourn. The hospitality scene in Sydney is tight-knit. You know everyone. You either worked with them, know someone that worked with them, or met them at 4am at the Strawberry Hills Hotel. In a demanding, high pressure service environment, the relationships that are formed can become those most important in your life. There’s also a camaraderie in being “hospo,” heightened by the sense that people outside the industry don’t really understand it. Friendships that aren’t formed behind a bar are formed over one, on shared breaks and drinks after shifts. The bars and restaurants that we visit on and off shift, as well as the ones we work in, are the physical base of our community. Their staff become an extended part of our working lives, as much a part of it as the people we actually work with. The loss of these spaces has contributed considerably to our

10 11 towers that provided social housing to members of plan. It would give the Matavai and Turanga towers what have you, that there was a sense of safety”. the Indigenous community were named after spots a much needed refurbishment and develop the rest Lani has lived in Redfern for about 28 years. Redfern Now where Captain Cook stopped on his voyage through of the area with 4 to 13-storey apartment blocks. She started doing some cleaning and minor the South Pacific. It would deliver 5,300 homes in total, of which 70 administrative work at the Tony Mundine Alice Trenoweth-Creswell searches for the Redfern where she grew up among the boutique gyms and hipster coffee shops. At the time of construction, the towers were state per cent would be social and affordable, and there Gymnasium on The Block. Today she’s the chief of the art. The brochure that accompanied them would be dedicated affordable housing for the operating officer at the Aboriginal Housing Redfern erupted like a wildfire that Sunday. It was 5 This won’t be the first big change to have said they embodied “the best and most modern Aboriginal community. Company. “Redfern’s a place that, when your luck’s October 2014, and the annual heatwave was in full swept through Redfern. People who live here can thinking about the way… people should be housed “Bring it back to the days when social and down, you cross paths with people. That’s my swing. Everyone had been sweating over their TV pinpoint the date they moved in by changes in the to give them the most pleasure and enjoyment as affordable housing was easily available to story,” she says. screens for hours. The Tudor Hotel on the corner neighbourhood. There are people who moved in well as safety and comfort in their surroundings.” Aboriginal people,” says Pam. “Their children are Lani’s perspective on the Waterloo development of Redfern and Pitt was packed to the rafters, old when the Surry Hills shopping village was still the Over time, conditions deteriorated and they gained a growing now and they’re having to move out to reinforces the community sentiment. “What we timers and blow-ins all jostling for beer in their Redfern Mall. There are the people who arrived reputation as Sydney’s ‘Suicide Towers,’ but despite other suburbs. Redfern’s always been their heart and want to see is more housing,” she insists. And more green and red jerseys. Just like when Whitlam was before the Redfern Hotel became the Byron Map the negative perceptions, the neighbourhood spirit soul. That’s what I think and that’s what nearly all housing for the Aboriginal community and other sacked or Cathy Freeman won gold, any Redfern Gallery. There are people who remember when the prevailed. of [the tenants] have said.” diverse communities that have traditionally made resident can tell you exactly where they were when Post Office was still a post office and you could buy “It’s just the community, always,” says Pam. According to Homelessness Australia’s 2017 Redfern home. “…It would be good to see more [of the South Sydney Rabbitohs took out the Grand heroin on The Block. My family history in Redfern “Walk down the street and know someone, walk report, while Aboriginal people make up 3 per cent these people] being represented, not just in murals, Final, 30-6 against the Bulldogs, their first NRL precedes all that. into the shop and know someone. It’s just that. of the Australian population, they make up 23 per in artwork, but in providing housing for people and premiership in 44 years. My great uncle Pietro arrived in Redfern in 1909. Always.” cent of people living in homelessness. Despite the employment.” I, for one, was sitting in the lounge room of He came from a tiny town in northern Italy, called In January 2019, the New South Wales demand, the government has included no reference In early 2015, we moved out of Redfern. The my family’s George Street terrace. I don’t think Toppo, and set up shop in Regent Street, already a Government announced its plan for the to specific Aboriginal social housing within its plan. property market was starting to boom and Redfern I’d watched a football game in my life. Nor had slum, soon to be known as Sydney’s badlands. He redevelopment of the Waterloo Tower Apartment “This is, from my perspective… from how I can was Sydney’s hottest spot. We sold our house to my sports illiterate parents. But when Greg Inglis created the mosaics for the Chapel of Irish Saints scored that final try, we were on our feet shouting in St Mary’s Cathedral, carting his heavy tiles like die-hard fans. There was an audible roar from and tools from Redfern into the city every day in the street and we raced out our front door, just as a wheelbarrow. One mosaic and 200 pounds later, Sam the local hairdresser and his wife Nadia did; he brought the rest of the family out from Italy, just as Lisa, who was my age, 15, and her mother including my great grandfather. Chuntao​ did; just as Uncle Max Eulo rounded the In the early 1990s, my mum first moved to Our street distinctly lacked foot traffic but we corner in his cowboy hat, wide smile, twinkly eyes; Redfern. She was sharing a house with a violinist didn’t let that get in the way of good salesmanship. and crazy Jennipher ran up the street brandishing a on Wells Street, between a funeral parlour and a Eventually we’d tire of sitting on the stoop, pool our red and green flag as big as she was. The chant rose laundromat (now a gin bar). “The only bars then earnings and head to the corner shop, which was up: “Glory, glory to South Sydney / South Sydney were on the doors and windows,” says Mum. run by a Palestinian guy called Ali, who arrived marches on.” After years of being underestimated “Kids from the housing commission would stick in Redfern not long after we did. Dad set him up and pushed around, the suburb of the underdog was their hands through and grab anything in reach: with an immigration lawyer to help bring the rest finally on top jewellery, chocolates, small change”. The main drag of the family to Australia, back in the days when I grew up in Redfern, two blocks from the station, was filled with local shops, representing the melting that was possible. One by one, sons and daughters, a block and a half from Reconciliation Park. But pot of multiculturalism that was Redfern at the time. his wife and the occasional cousin started to pour the Redfern I grew up in is changing by the day, There was the Portuguese butcher, the Vietnamese in. Hazem, Ali’s eldest son, had a penchant for and the State Government’s proposal to demolish bakery and the Lebanese family grocer, known for imported sweets, which was great for us kids, and and develop the housing commission at the end of their good conversation and fly-covered fruit. an ambition to achieve Instagram fame. He now my street will change it beyond recognition. The When I was two, my parents moved from their runs the Redfern_Convenience_Store Instagram government plans to knock down 2,012 dwellings Potts Point rental apartment into our terracotta page, which boasts 15,000 followers and a writeup for people on low incomes and replace them with terrace on George Street. Just like the neighbours in The Sydney Morning Herald. Redfern’s always 6,800 apartments, in towers up to 40 storeys high. to our left and our right, we’d bought in Redfern been the place to go if you were looking for a break. “The plans are shockingly dense,” says Sydney because it was the only suburb a young family like Redfern is Gadigal land. It’s been the location Lord Mayor Clover Moore. “They will triple the ours could afford. “We couldn’t afford Newtown of corroborees and trading routes for thousands current density in the area to something more akin or Darlinghurst or Surry Hills, but people were still of years. When the gangs of convicts and settlers to development in Hong Kong or New York. It’s a scared of Redfern,” Mum explains. rendered the tank stream undrinkable, some scale and size that’s completely out of character for The hustle and bustle and sense of community Gadigal people retreated from the harbour and Waterloo and surrounding Redfern.” on Redfern Street extended around the corner made Redfern their home. The Eveleigh Railway and we Redfern kids stuck together. Samia Piper- Workshops brought Indigenous people, seeking Blocks, where Pam has lived for decades. The see it, but I think they’re still teetering around on a family from Avalon, whose Northern Beaches Larkings lived a few minutes away on Regent Street. work, from across the country all through the 19th government aims to demolish the entire Waterloo eggshells,” says Pam. mansion had featured in Vogue Living. They Her dad was an architect, and helped out Mick and 20th centuries. It offered job security and the community housing precinct and replace it with a From 1973 when the Aboriginal Housing wouldn’t have set foot in Redfern ten years prior. Mundine at the Aboriginal Housing Company. prospect of a stable home to people who had been “mixed urban village” up to 40 storeys high. Company bought its first six houses with a grant They’ve now rented it out for a small fortune We met in Ms Yanakouros’ kindergarten class in forced off their traditional country. Sixty-five per cent of the new development will be from the Whitlam Government, ‘The Block’ to a young couple and are negative gearing my Ultimo and walked to school together almost every Redfern was at the forefront of the Civil Rights privately owned, 30 per cent will be social housing provided refuge and accommodation for the childhood home. day. We strolled down Cleveland Street, took a right Movement in the ‘60s and ‘70s. It’s where Mum and only 5 per cent will be considered affordable Aboriginal community. However, since 2004, when Since then my dad has refused to return to at Regent and wandered past the Lord Gladstone Shirl established the Aboriginal Medical Service, housing. Despite boasting increased social housing, the bulldozers rolled in to level it for redevelopment, Redfern. It sends him into a depressive spiral. It Hotel, then a sleazy pub with sticky carpet floors, and where the Aboriginal Legal Service and the the government is only providing 28 new social Aboriginal housing in Redfern-Waterloo has been takes an army to get him to cross Abercrombie and a ragtag group of old men leftover from the Aboriginal Housing Company were born. It’s housing units. scarce. Street. When you drive down our old street now, night before. I spoke to Samia again just recently. home to Paul Keating’s Redfern Speech, where he “With a social housing wait list of over 50,000 Lani Tuitavake first arrived at The Block as a kid. you pass a PR firm, two boutique gyms and three “Remember at school,” she said, “people would be declared: “It was we who did the dispossessing. in NSW, I believe this is a missed opportunity, and She used to venture out from her home in Botany to hipster coffee shops. Sometimes we take a peek at like, ‘oh… you live in Redfern’, but we didn’t think We took the traditional lands and smashed the against the wishes of the community,” says Clover the Aboriginal Medical Service with her mum. properties for sale in the neighbourhood with hopes anything of it.” In high school, girls changed trains traditional way of life.” Moore. “My background is Tongan,” she explains. “My of moving back. But Redfern now isn’t what it was at Central to avoid Redfern and were too scared to I meet Pam Jackson in the cafe beside Redfern Pam is the Aboriginal Liaison Officer for the mum, in the ‘70s, she was an illegal immigrant back then. And if the State Government has its way, catch public transport to our houses. Oval, halfway between the Rabbitohs’ training Waterloo Tower Apartment Blocks. She brings and wouldn’t be comfortable going into a doctor’s it certainly won’t be the same tomorrow. I don’t remember when I first met the Pedersens ground and the spot where Keating gave that iconic the community’s concerns to the government with surgery. She had an idea that the doctors would (the neighbours two doors to our right). They’re a speech. Pam moved to Redfern in the early 1950s. hopes of being heard. “It will trickle down, it will report her to immigration.” I acknowledge the Gadigal People of the family of long-haired, long-limbed, blonde athletic She was 13 when her dad got a job at the railway. trickle down,” she says. The community feedback Redfern, and its services, offered Lani and her Eora Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the types. The eldest daughter Isabel was born 10 days In the 1960s, she was one of the first people to live echoes Clover’s call for increased social housing. mum security. “The Block, to me, is a safe haven,” land on which Redfern stands, and recognise after me and we were fast friends. We spent our in the Matavai and Turanga Housing Commission The City of Sydney has proposed an alternative she says. “Everyone knew everyone. Everyone knew their continuing connection to land, water and Saturdays sitting outside our houses flogging goods community. I pay respect to Elders past, present towers at the bottom of my street. Curiously, the to the high-rise, high-density State Government your kids. It felt, for me, despite all the hype and to the neighbourhood. It usually involved baking. and emerging.

12 13 CULTURE Ambassadors of oddity ‘Don’t read the comments’ Samuel Garrett explores the obscure sites of national psyche. Felix Faber reckons YouTube comments have a lot more to offer than they appear to.

An embassy is a most interesting addition of a portrait of Tintin in The For as long as I’ve been aware of aggressively shoving content like the username RayzeDark makes the of the truest parts of us, not just the place. Typically relegated to the Blue Lotus, a respectable effort at YouTube comments, I can remember SCARING KEVIN HART WITH observation that the song is what will hate. And just like stale, corporate sterile back streets of national finding a China-Belgium link which knowing that they are shit. It seems to A SNAKE down your throat. I can’t play when the ‘credits are rolling on content brings out pointless comments, capitals, they tend to only burst into probably represents the pinnacle of be one of those commonly understood help but think that sterile, emotionless the universe,’ and people agree. The honest and emotional content brings the collective consciousness at the their cross-cultural relations. Nice going truths, some part of the canon of the content designed to target a certain mood is calm, based on a shared out something human. I fully recognise centre of dramatic and unusual news Belgium. internet, lodged as deep in the online viewership leads to similarly lifeless stories – Jamal Khashoggi’s murder Across the road from the Belgian psyche as Chuck Norris jokes and comments. at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul embassy, we find a scale model of Impact font. But despite all this, I’ve come to and Julian Assange’s confinement in the Michelin Man, unceremoniously I never quite understood why realise that the comments section the Ecuadorian embassy in London chained to a tree. A veiled message to YouTube comments specifically seemed of YouTube can be beautiful and spring to mind. Yet there is something to attract such unique disdain. Of human. The first comments section appreciation of the way that the song that it’s the sappy, overly emotional particularly curious about these places course, they can carry vitriol, but it’s that stood out to me was that of makes them feel. To me, it feels like part of me that is willing to invest this that sit at the intersection of two no more than the standard level of spite CLAUDE DEBUSSY: CLAIR DE sitting, staring at the stars with a group much energy into analysing YouTube states, which due to the peculiarities The Australian Embassy in Beijing: of strangers. I became immersed in comments - the same part of me that of extraterritoriality, exist in a sort of a true blue Aussie security apparatus. jurisdictional limbo, oddly removed from their surroundings not only detailed example of colonial physically, but legally. architecture reminiscent of the buildings In recent years, I have begun to of Old Havana, though regrettably also deliberately seek out embassies while transplants the mould that typically The haul from the Fijian Embassy to China. travelling. A walk around a diplomatic accompanies them. district becomes a visit to a sort of live that you find people reach when they’re LUNE. Despite the loud title, the gallery of national psyches run wild Finally, a good embassy needs a certain given anonymity and a platform. on the well-to-do streets of national X-factor, something uniquely ‘embassy’ comments section is more restrained, There is something to be said about more emotional. People share capitals the world over. Their dressings that speaks to the randomness and the pointlessness of many YouTube of pomp and decorum are often absurdity of an international system stories about listening to the song the habit of scrolling down to the cries at ads. But I like them; I like their undercut, upon closer inspection, by the built on occupying fancy houses in other comments when a video made me feel earnestness, I like the stories people tell, bemusing, quirky and mildly alarming. countries’ capitals. a certain way, and I realised that this I like how publicly stupid some people Presented here is a selection of the most was more common than I’d thought. can be. I like the feeling of shared joy, intriguing. We come to the honorary Ethiopian Other people were feeling the same as though I’ve just made eye contact There are a few necessary ingredients consulate in Helsinki. Opened by order that make for a good embassy to visit. The Supreme Leader demonstrates his of a magnificent brass plaque; closed by strength on the North Korean Embassy in the power of the humble post-it note. If First and foremost, an embassy must Berlin. ever there were a more apt illustration of naturally represent its home country. the fragility of international diplomacy, their French neighbours up the road I am yet to hear of it. perhaps? The language of diplomacy way, and sharing how they felt very with someone while fireworks are can be abstruse at the best of times. comments. I put this down to what my with people they love, sometimes freely. going off. And I love how I can come The North Korean Embassy in housemate calls “YouTube content” people that they’ve lost. One or two YouTube comments sections are home from a shit day, put on a video, Berlin, proudly displays images of - videos that couldn’t survive on any people reference an anime that the good for many of the same reasons scroll down, and have it feel like I’m the Supreme Leader himself strolling platform that didn’t have an algorithm song appeared in. Someone with over sun-dappled garden bridges and they’re bad. Anonymity brings out all staring at the stars. travelling in magnificent convoy behind a phalanx of police motorcycles. The Cuban Embassy in Havana. Mould presumably imported. The North Korean Games to cure the ‘rona blues The Beglian Embassy in Beijing. Embassy in Berlin, Marlow Hurst is really into Animal Crossing. proudly displays images The Ethiopian Consulate in Helsinki: opened Quarantine can be a lonely time, but yone else, as Animal Crossing is truly Civilization 5 (or 6), SimCity, CityS- multiplayer. with a plaque, closed with a post-it note. Exhibit A: The Belgian Embassy in of the Supreme Leader that doesn’t mean it can’t be the fun kind universal). kylines, so on and so forth. Essentially Finally, what I consider to be the Beijing. A small detail can make a big himself strolling over of lonely. And nothing is more fun than In a similar vein is Stardew Valley: any game which broadens your mind comfort food of gaming: Lego. Lego difference. Here, a fairly nondescript sun-dappled garden The Australian embassy in Buenos a game. While you might like to read basically Animal Crossing with more to the bigger picture. When you’re di- games are as old as time itself. And embassy block is transformed into a Aires reveals to the curious that it was a book, talk to your family or do some story and less time restrictions. This recting a vast army or setting up essen- somehow, in that time, they’ve man- cultural ambassador with the simple bridges and travelling once home (for 29 days) to Albert arts and crafts, doesn’t that all seem a is a truly binge worthy game. You can tial services for your urban metropolis, aged to create a genre of their very Einstein. Not the most spectacular bit productive? It does to me. With these farm, fight, mine and romance for the smaller things tend not to matter. own, characterised by Legoese (a col- in magnificent convoy claim to fame but suitably quaint. games you can effortlessly sink your hours on end and still be left wanting It really puts things into perspective. lection of grunts, sighs and ahhhs), behind a phalanx of time into them and have very little to more. Grab this game if your pan- What does coronavirus matter when endless collectibles, numerous charac- Momentoes from the show for it, just like God intended. demic instincts told you to head out to compared to the majesty of global, po- ters, and a form of slapstick comedy police motorcycles. Kazakh Embassy in Latvia. First on the docket is the newly the country and farm parsnips till this litical, three dimensional chess? Not a which leans very heavily on people A good embassy must also be open and released Animal Crossing: New Ho- whole thing blows over. whole lot, at least in the world of the getting hit with croissants. For some Heartwarming. rizons. Thank the gods Nintendo de- Meanwhile, the Australian embassy welcoming. childhood nostalgia and the comfort layed it, cause right now, all across in Beijing presents more of a study in “Consider this an unofficial, that can only be provided by a game the world, millions of people are be- crusader-inspired defensive architecture The eagerness of the Kazakh designed to challenge 8 year olds, pick ing given meaning by this one single entertainment stimulus package than an exercise in open diplomacy, embassy in Riga, Latvia, to lavish me but without all the money.” up a Lego game (my personal sugges- complete with anti-vehicular moat with travel brochures seemed surpassed game. It promises a virtual world free tion being Lego Lord of the Rings) and along one side. Though its concrete only by their surprise that someone had of COVID-19, with clothes to wear, enjoy the ride. form appears to physically represent actually wanted to come in. furniture to rotate, animals to talk to, The Sims! Everyone knows The game. These are the quarantine games These games are all reasonably user In the Fijian embassy in Beijing, the and enough menial tasks to constantly a xenophobic national psyche, points The Australian Embassy to Argentina, and Sims. Which is why I won’t bother talk- for you if you keep 5 news tabs open friendly, expertly distract the mind, and bustling staff of one kindly took time distract your mind from the world’s must be granted for the rare and oh-so- brief home to Albert Einstein. ing about it, because come on, it’s The at once to monitor every aspect of the have a long term element which can Australian Tim Tams sold at a nearby out of her busy schedule catering to many problems. It’s a difficult game to Sims. If you don’t know this game you crisis. provide structure, purpose and goals the needs of the no doubt sprawling overpriced corner store that presumably So, while our borders may be closed pitch to people because on paper it can probably live under a rock, and if you Moving on, what would a collection to your life. So why not spend some Fijian diaspora in China, to provide me only caters to homesick diplomats. and all outbound flights cancelled, seem a bit dry, but let me assure you, live under a rock you’re probably not of quarantine games be without Mine- time in quarantine discovering the true biscuits and a complimentary bottle of Sometimes the representations head down to Canberra and take a this game is dripping with content. reading Honi because I don’t believe craft? Its importance to this discussion gamer at heart? Consider this an unof- Fiji Water. A Michelin Man chained to a tree. of home are less deliberate than are stroll around the embassies of Capital Feel free to buy this cracker of a game we service rock homes, and therefore is clear it allows for personal world ficial, entertainment stimulus package A veiled threat to France? intended. The Cuban embassy in Hill some time. There may be more to if your first response to increased so- such an explanation isn’t necessary. building, endless play, and supports but without all the money. Just what Buenos Aires presents a wonderfully discover there than you expected. cial distancing measures was to plant The next game worth mentioning is online interactions. It’s simple, hearty the doctor ordered. a herb garden or bake an entire nation more of a genre of game: simply, any fun, like a great big bowl of minestrone of muffins (or if you are literally an- city or kingdom builder. I’m talking that supports both LAN and online

14 15 CULTURE CULTURE

street to the platform, with a signpost Mary and by extension, Ropes Creek Sydney’s disused stations: A tale of three fates clearly labelled: “Ropes Creek Station” and its sister stations — Dunheved and seemingly inviting contemporary Cochrane. Khanh Tran takes a tour of Sydney’s abandoned railway stations. passengers to contemplate trains The last regular passenger trains to Scattered across Sydney’s network of instances of delays owing to fierce local line for the public. Rather, according to terminating on either side of the tracks. alight at Ropes Creek and its two sisters railways and light rail are remnants of resistance from the suburbs affected the NSW Rail and the Railway Digest Unlike most of Sydney’s other did so on March 21, 1986. The rationale former railway stations. Three of these - a notable one being Woollahra. This (2008), it served as a railway platform disused stations, Ropes Creek’s platform – according to the Sydney Morning — Woollahra, Enfield South and Ropes sentiment is perhaps best summed up for workers at the Enfield Tarpaulin is remarkably well preserved with Herald - behind Ropes Creek’s demise Creek — tell their own individual stories by a combative response from the then Factory until 1996, connecting Campsie remnants of railway tracks still visible was that the footfall to the station about the characters and histories of Transport Minister Milton Morris to to Lidcombe Goods Junction- with today around the platform. Albeit the gradually dwindled due to the decline each suburb and the vicissitudes of local Woollahra in August 1973 as reported similarly purposed platforms such as politics. by the Herald: “No matter what the Enfield Loco, Hope Street, and Delec residents on the picturesque higher levels decommissioned in the same year. Woollahra Station feel about it, hundreds of families near All these facilities were put forward the site want that station for convenient in 1914 by John Harper, the then Chief Disembark from Edgecliff Station and rapid transport, and they’ll get it.” Commissioner of NSW Rails to enhance Photograph of one of the two locomotive sheds at the former Enfield South turn right on the posh and reserved Finally, besieged by local rancour Sydney’s industrial prominence amidst and Loco stations featuring its signature turntable. Ocean Street where curious Tudor and the election of Neville Wran as the a dramatic increase in rural productivity Photo: National Library of Australia. windows dress red brick flats, This opens NSW Premier, the Eastern Suburbs line in NSW at the time. The chief purpose up to a tree-lined residential enclave. was revised. The Wran government’s of Enfield South was to service railway large locomotive turntables to facilitate complex maintains its role as a key Once you’ve passed the quaintness of revision thus excluded Woollahra workers who worked at the Tarpaulin the turning of steam locomotives as artery in Sydney’s logistics network. At the Polish and Russian Consulates on Station alongside the vast majority of Factory. This was a facility that without them these trains would clock status quo, the Enfield ILC is NSW’s A view over Edgecliff Road towards the Photograph of Ropes Creek Station as it would have appeared during the 1980’s. Trelawney street, head onto Edgecliff the southern portion of 1968’s proposal specialised in manufacturing tarpaulin substantially lower speed in their return largest railway-based intermodal abandoned Woollahra Station project. Photo: Sydney Morning Herald Archives. road. Be prepared to be greeted with an — from Rushcutters Bay to Charing — a highly durable, water-resistant Photo: Khanh Tran. journeys. logistic centre. Furthermore, the NSW unassuming bench with stunning views Other notable structures still Government, since at least 2018, has headhouse has clearly been restored in servicemembers serving St. Mary’s of a railway line. It is here that holds 1963 indicates that the Eastern Suburbs standing on the Enfield South Station given NSW Ports the permission to since closure to remove seats. Instead munitions factory alongside the closure the only remnants of the abandoned line was delayed and the government and Marshalling Yard includes the expand the Enfield ILC to form which an I-beam and related machineries are of the factory itself. This, in turn, meant Woollahra station project. had projected that the line would cost Yard Master’s Office, Administration is estimated to cost about $190 million displayed behind fenced enclosures now that after World War Two there was The unassuming nature of Woollahra 29 million pounds . This was to be one Building, and Pillar Water Tank. by SBA Architects - the firm that won Station is partly due to affluence. amongst other delays in the chequered replacing the interior. seldom demand for transport on the A 2-bedroom house in Woollahra history of Woollahra Station and much At first glance, one might wonder line. Indeed, the Sydney Morning Herald typically commands around $2.25 of the Eastern Suburbs railway project. why the line perished. After all, the reported that the Federal Government million. Indeed, the view that this bench This diagram depicts the Askin modern day St Mary’s precinct is a spent approximately $250,000 to affords arguably stretches all the way Government’s vision for the Eastern firmly residential area and a pedestrian maintain the Ropes Creek line. This is to the exclusive manse on 77 Wallaroy Suburbs line in 1968. Had Askin and journey from Ropes Creek to the station a major loss given that fares collected road that the University owns. Morris succeeded in persuading the entailed a fifty minute ordeal. Ropes from the line were a mere $5,000 per The story of why and how Woollahra residents of Woollahra, it would be Creek was constructed during World month, and thus significantly smaller Station was abandoned is both likely that Sydneysiders would have War Two in 1942 under Curtin’s prime than the government’s investment. intricately connected to Woollahra’s been able to alight at present day ministership, serving the Department There were only three scheduled trips a wealth and a state government that King’s Cross and connect to landmarks of Defence in order to transport work- day on the line until its closure. ers and service members who worked Thus, today Ropes Creek Station struggled during the 1960s. Archives such as Rushcutters Bay and UNSW. View from the Enfield Intermodal Lookout towards the Fleming-Campsie Goods from the Sydney Morning Herald Indeed, one can argue that a station for Line and Enfield South. Photo courtesy of Khanh Tran. at the nearby St.Mary’s Munition Fac- and her sisters stand as a living remnant suggests that the proposal of Woollahra Randwick in proximity to UNSW came tory. The factory was built to supply of Sydney’s role in the Second World Station - and by extension, a plethora of nearly 45 years late in the form of the Cross, Frenchman’s Road, Randwick, or waterproof cloth that drapes over ammunition and related weaponries to War. Today, the station serves the others constituting the Eastern Suburbs newly opened light rail by the Berijiklian and UNSW — with Kingsford existing containers in order to protect their the Australian war effort. Following the local community at Ropes Crossing line - was made during the Heffron government. as Kingsford Smith. contents. outbreak of the Korean War, the site as a public space to rest and play, with premiership between 1959–1964. However, the latter half of Askin’s Despite its closure, the Enfield South was once again utilised to manufacture children’s slides adorning its once munitions until the post-Cold War era sombre surroundings. Evidence from the Herald’s Archives in Eastern Suburbs line caused several Enfield South Station site is today home to several significant A 2018 masterplan of the proposed expansion of the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre. saw a period of terminal decline for St (Enfield Intermodal Lookout and architectural artefacts considered Photo: NSW Department of Planning and Environment. Intermodal Logistics Centre) to constitute “state significance” by heritage experts in a 2009 report to The Yard Master’s Office, as its name the Enfield ILC design competition. Amongst Sydney’s collection of lost NSW Ports advocating the conversion implies, once hosted the Marshalling Thus, although traces of Enfield stations, Enfield South stands as one of the derelict Enfield site into a Yard’s Master and were responsible South Station have amalgamated into the of the city’s most obscure platforms. public historical nature reserve. One for tracking wagons alongside ensuring lives of the busy Sydney Metropolitan Located just off the intersection between of these is the Enfield Intermodal that they are properly sealed prior Freight Network and Logistics Centre, Punchbowl and Cosgrove Road, Enfield Lookout, opened in 2017 by NSW to departure. On the other hand, the its future looks bright and will maintain South has all but vanished, leaving Ports, providing a wooden walkway, Administration Building served routine considerable significance to the administrative purposes and have community in Strathfield, Enfield, and Despite its closure, the Enfield South site is today since been subject to deterioration and Belmore for years to come. home to several significant architectural artefacts graffiti. Of these structures, NSW Ports considered to constitute “state significance” by expects to retain the Pillar Water Tank Ropes Creek Station heritage experts in a 2009 report to NSW Ports and Tarpaulin Factory citing the low significance and derelict conditions of Alighting at St. Mary’s Station along advocating the conversion of the derelict Enfield other buildings. the Western line, strolling north for site into a public historical nature reserve. Contrary to concerns that the nearly an hour past quaint streets and absence of steam locomotives and the tree-lined Ropes Crossing precinct, behind key remnants of its past as a ecological reserve and a lookout. The opening of the Intermodal Lookout I arrived at the former Ropes Creek railway workers’ train. walkway bifurcates the austere cast suggests that the future of the Enfield Railway Station. Cleverly camouflaged Intimately connected to the nearby iron of the derelict Tarpaulin Factory South, Loco, & Marshalling Yard is in amidst a quiet residential quarter, the A panorama from Edgecliff Road overlooking the railway where Sydneysiders Enfield Tarpaulin Factory andand the vast Enfield Marshalling Yard. decline, its contemporary incarnation former railway station now doubling as Signage in Ropes Crossing. Remnants of leftover railway tracks and platform would have alighted onto Woollahra Station. Photo courtesy of Khanh Tran. Flemington-Campsie Goods Line, The latter comprising an impressive as the Enfield ILC (Intermodal a local recreational park and historical remain amidst Ropes Crossing’s neighbourhood. Photo: Khanh Tran. Enfield South never served as a railway complex boasting artefacts such as two Logistics Centre) means that the artifact. A small stair connects the

16 17 CULTURE The allure of relics The Quarantine Quandary Alvin Chung critiques the trend in relicing guitar. Words by Aisha Abdu Relic guitars are an increasingly could also improve an instrument’s Its official limited-edition replica is such as a ‘Lucy’ Gibson Les Paul he The Sinister Screen Carrying boxes of mango and peach Falcons circle her popular trend in the musical sound. John Mayer, a blues guitarist currently priced at over $45000 AUD. used to record with the Beatles and He guards our kitchen Like a flower crown. instrument market: guitar brands and pop singer-songwriter, used his In the documentary, Mayer admits a ‘Brownie’ Fender Stratocaster he Twitching Like Pharoah. Our eyes bow charge a premium price to make Black1 Fender Stratocaster to record Black1’s design is partly influenced played in the classic love song, Layla. Blinking screens Sanctify her sanctity The quietness in quarantine In the quietness. dents, scratches, and sanding off and tour his 2006 album, Continuum. by his hero, Texas bluesman Stevie People often prefer these replicas Graphs Grace news bulletins I know, is hard for him. paints on new instruments, rendering In a documentary about the guitar, Ray Vaughan, who had made famous because it takes them a little closer to Like Gospel But I wonder them with a vintage look. Artificial Mayer said the stripped paint is not another worn-looking Stratocaster: their heroes, to a golden age they had The falcon dips over train rides Will we need ageing had become more prevalent intended to make the guitar look old, the Number One. The difference, missed. Cabinet chaos Where school girl cliques Reprogramming? and accepted since the historic brand Many guitarists argue that a sense Preaches calm And small smiles to brown haired boys Will quick breaths in crowded restaurants Fender introduced its high-end ‘relic’ Many guitarists argue that a sense of of authenticity and history in a guitar But retreats into walls And businessmen in boujee black button Haunt us? ups Will we flinch before turning door series guitars in 1995, which quickly could be more important to some Of a capsizing Canberra authenticity and history in a guitar could be And rows of cross-legged knobs? became a cult status symbol. Some than an artificially-crafted look. “It’s more important to some than an artificially- And Coffee-breathed Will I love you’s dwell in aluminium musicians also “relic” their own a personal preference to relic, but I crafted look. "It's a personal preference to Cold tiles tell tales of Mornings phone lines? instruments in order to fulfil their would want to have memories with Supermarket conundrums Live only in the echo of empty carriages. Will - desire for an ancient guitar for a lower relic, but I would want to have memories every paint chip and fade in my Reassurances swim in price. Why do so many people love with every paint chip and fade in my guitar," guitar,” one guitarist commented Black crevasses The falcon flies over The morning chirps. old and worn objects — to the extent on Facebook. “Vintage guitars that Of canned food aisles Hozier nights one guitarist commented on Facebook. Where mothers divide Falcons flitter on our fences of distressing new acquisitions? have been played and show honest Pots of popcorn Smell of Italian balconies I asked members of the “Guitar wear look great, but modern relics... Pushing trolleys with fists Mayhem scribbled into shopping lists And Sunday barbeques battle on Sing Turkish songs Players on Facebook” group for PASS... not the same as an old guitar,” We crave Without grandma’s butterscotch And fly low The peregrine falcon lives on every some insights. “Aesthetics is part another said. Apocalyptic air pudding. In the Australian air continent in the world. The word ‘peregrine’ translates to ‘wanderer’, as the of our love for the instrument,” one Although I would still gaze at those The shoves and shuffles falcon migrates over land and sea each member commented. Another bought worn beauties in guitar shops, I guess The hustle Our bodies are unfit ‘Look out your window,’ year, crossing paths with other falcons, a ‘Roadworn’ Telecaster because “it for now I’ll just hang on to my well- The bustle. For the quietness in quarantine. They sing before returning home - which could be sounds and plays awesome” and has cared, shiny electric guitar and focus anywhere in the world. The only noise They crave the times ‘So long as I fly, “the right colour.” Hence, although on becoming a better performer. In the quietness of quarantine. When knowing aesthetics is important, it is often not After all, ancient facades wouldn’t Was no novelty. You can never be alone.’ Art by Alex Mcleay. the priority for many guitar buyers — add more soul to songs. I know if The falcon flies between playability and tone are often the most I had John Mayer’s Stratocaster, I Ravaged rainbows Are we selfish? valued elements. would still sound like me. The tens Watches us spill out But many players are willing to of thousands of dollars spent on Like octopus ink Is this how we got here? pay a steep price for a look Relic’ed a relic’ed guitar can never buy the Shameless self-poison custom shop guitars are often ability to connect with the audience. She lands double or triple the price of standard While a beautifully worn axe could Cries It’s Quaint and It’s Quiet factory-made professional guitars. inspire you to practice more, it’s the Calls for a caress of her wounded According to the official Australian player, not the instrument, that makes Wings. Who knew Fender Custom Shop website, the the music great. A coffee needed wind? Needed the blue-eyed barista with a deer Postmodern Stratocaster Journeyman Guitars are like people, each with Rewind tattoo Relic, one of the more affordable their own strengths and limitations We waited for the play-next button As the backdrop? models, costs $6599. For those in the and quirks. Their qualities, like But didn’t realise know, therefore, relic’ed guitars have people’s, could evolve with age—it’s This was the series finale There is a quietness in quarantine become an exclusive status symbol often said that aged wood produces a Cliffhanger That riddles my bedroom walls. for players to show off their wealth. warmer tone. Following this analogy, Ending It is important to note, though, the I wouldn’t understand why a young Everybody waiting I notice the mirror’s wooden frame Parallel grains premium price is not charged for the person would want to appear beyond Everybody watching. A Peruvian prize relic finish alone, but for the expert their age. Because often, youth is as There is a quietness in quarantine I muse craftsmanship as well. sublime as the trail of experience. For A slowness At how long I have missed this Because of the prohibitive cost, me, guitars are most attractive when I cannot quite grasp. And why? many guitarists adapt a DIY ethic to they are true to themselves, just like age their instruments. Many YouTube us. I prefer embracing new guitars’ No morning rush And why and other online tutorials are available youth and then growing old with With makeup brush I didn’t know Mama was greying Until sunlight caught the silver strands — owners could learn to distress the them. Just feet fiddling with carpet fluff Forcing ourselves to wake up Sipping cinnamon tea metal, strip off the finish, sand the I imagine one day, in my greying Face the day Her Aphrodite hair neck, hammer some dents. Despite the but rather “allowing the wood to sort though, is SRV’s instrument was made hair and thinning skin, I would Of TV on Teases the azaleas abundance of instructional resources, of breath,” thereby producing a purer from authentic vintage parts actually graze my fingertips on this beautiful TV off At our feet relic’ing remains an art to master with tone through a more resonant body. crafted in the 1950s and 60s. The instrument sitting on my lap now, and Facebook patience. Go too far and make the Although a professional musician desire to capture the talents of famous caress its dents and faded paint with Fridge In the quietness of quarantine Nature unfurls vintage markings look too obvious, could sometimes tell the tonal musicians through their instruments a tenderness reserved for old friends. And the funny feeling of Quietness Like grandmother willow the instrument becomes ugly, too difference, the improvement might seems to be the motivating reason True sentimentality, I think, could Waiting for her turn to speak subtle and no one will notice. To relic be extremely subtle for the general for many relic’ers. For example, only be nurtured with years; and Without After we a guitar, then, requires a developed audience. Mayer said the guitar Eric Clapton, widely considered one sincere tenderness, could only grow Gedo bellowing through the front door Wasps and termites sense of aesthetics that combines sounds like it’s “from heaven” and of the greatest guitarists ever, has with thickening memories. Shouting in Arabic Tantalised her roots tasteful restraints with technical has inspired songs such as Gravity. inspired quite a few relic’ed signature Cigar smoke kisses his chin Tested her. prowess. The Black1 was crafted by the famed guitars. Prominent brands produced Art by Janina Osinsao. Prickly beard But with one microscopic menace Some argue an antique appearance guitar builder John Cruz in 2004. replicas of his famous instruments, The little ones giggle and wriggle As he pulls them in. She has silenced us.

18 19 SRC REPORTS SRC CASEWORK HELP

Note: These pages belong to the Office Bearers of the SRC. They are STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY President not altered, edited or changed in any way by the editors of Honi Soit. Liam Donohoe This week was a strange and difficult week for the and other student unions for the past few weeks. student case, and upswell of grassroots outrage national conversation. Moreover, we will continue SRC Services SRC and, it seems, the student body more widely. However, as satisfying as that win was, we’re and organising among the broader student to pressure the University to provide appropriate The sudden transition to online learning for going to need even more support if students and body, has made them amenable to alternative, course fee discounts, grants to affected students, students, and to work from home for the SRC, has the ordinary people of this country are going to post-hoc remedies for the things making and total, unconditional support for all staff, been mangeable, for the most part, but alienating avoid significant hardship during the crisis. We students concerned. We will fight for significant even if that requires increased borrowing and as well. The caseworkers and legal service are need relaxed eligibility criteria for all welfare improvements to the ease and accessibility liquidation of assets. Still Available working hard as ever from home, and our Legal payments, and elimination of mutual obligations of special considerations, generous and Beyond this political advocacy, the SRC Service’s new solicitor, Cade Badway, is set to — perhaps a Universal Basic Income would do it. compassionate awarding of Discontinue without hopes to play a leading role in mutual aid and join us from Monday before print (the 30th). The We need an amnesty on bills, so expenses don’t Fail grades, automatic awarding of refunds for fail community solidarity efforts. We are looking publications team and Honi are also producing grow uncontrollably. And we need a moratorium and DF courses, and other academic and financial into how our resources, space, and labour to Students quality content despite the challenges of the on eviction, so people have a roof over their heads remedies which achieve functionally identical power can be used to respond to the specific work from home environment. Administration, (and walls within which to quarantine.) Hopefully outcomes to those demanded this week. We will needs and requests of the most vulnerable in as usual, is holding everyone together and the NUS and other groups around the country can also start encouraging students to push their our community. If you would like to join these assisting students with mutual aid initiatives. And cohere around these sorts of demands, helping Unit of Student coordinator to devise alternative efforts, please let me know at [email protected]. Office Bearers are finding new ways to conduct to support rent and labour strikes achieve the assessments which don’t involve ProctorU, and to edu.au. With any luck these short-term measures The SRC! has suspended all face to face Academic matters activism, holding large meetings via zoom, significant structural change we need to secure employ alternate grading schemes where possible. will help contain the immediate harms of the interactions to protect the health of all As usual we can give advice on Show Good executing broader social media campaigns, and, people’s lives. The SRC and life itself will continue in its crisis, while our broader political advocacy will students and staff. However, almost all of Cause, appealing a grade, applying for DCs, in some cases, assisting with brash political stunts These broader political battles sit alongside strange form throughout week 6, as yet more help create the thorough, long-term response alongside workers. tussles at the University of Sydney, of which there University committee meetings take place needed to ensure the basic survival of our our services are still available to you. academic honesty, enrolments, and any other It is interesting to see how activism is changing have been many this week. From behind computer from behind screens and activists refine their economy, our instutitions, and the vulnerable. academic issues. The threat of COVID-19 under these strange conditions. There has been screens, via email and Zoom, myself and other strategies for these conditions. With any luck we Tenancy has brought a lot of uncertainty around a deluge of good will and earnest initiative senior Executives engaged in a consistent will advance our mutual aid efforts further, and We know that this is a very difficult time academic matters, including, the online among many groups, not least the SRC, but conversation with University administrators about also develop a more structured approach to our for students, especially whose income is delivery of classes, particularly ones with a without obvious leadership or coordination it a range of topics, including the Census date, use strategy and assistance. affected by COVID-19. We are currently practical component; the possible extension hasn’t yet turned into anything very effective or of ProctorU software to invigilate online exams, University quality, and an enormous injustice Do you need help campaigning together with other community of the DC deadline; and how exams urgent. Nonetheless, a few big achievements were use of alternative grading systems, reforms to to the young people who depend on them for groups, to stop evictions during this time. will be conducted. The SRC is in regular achieved this week as a result of social media special considerations, and other topics. I also their future. And finally, accomodations around with CENTRELINK? There are a few other measures that we contact with various decision makers at the action and good old-fashioned lobbying. had conversations about these initiatives in formal census date, HECS repayments, and visas would might be able to take, if you find yourself University and will continue to advocate After much lobbying and social media context at the Academic Board’s Academic be the least the government could do to allay the at risk of homelessness. We are, of course, for the rights of the student body. SRC campaigning, the National Union of Students Quality and Standards and Policy committee(s) on significant stress this period is causing for students. Ask the SRC! still answering any other tenancy and Caseworkers will also continue to provide managed to force the government into including Tuesday. But while we made contact consistently We welcome the NUS’ latest statement and The SRC has qualified caseworkers who can assist Sydney accommodation questions that you might advice to students on any academic matters. Youth Allowance in its welfare expansions. This and seemed to be making inroads each time, the set of demands on the matter, and look forward University undergraduates with Centrelink questions and will more or less double the fortnightly payments University seems intent on pushing ahead with to working with them and student unions across issues, including: your income, parents’ income, qualifying as have. of over 200,000 students, and comes off the an opaque agenda which largely keeps business the country to build a campaign which brings the independent, relationships, over-payments and more. SRC Caseworkers back of relentless pressure from the USyd SRC as usual. That said, our prosecution of the issues students are facing to the forefront of the Check out the Centelink articles on our website or book an Centrelink The SRC’s caseworkers are independent of appointment if you need more help. Caseworkers can advise on Centrelink the University, and provide a professional,

srcusyd.net.au/src-help/ payments, including Youth Allowance, free, and confidential service to Usyd Education Officers Austudy, Abstudy, NewStart, and the undergraduates. Postgraduates should Jazzlyn Breen and Jack Mansell Disability Support Pension. Remember to contact SUPRA for a similar service. Students’ Representative Council, University of Sydney keep a record of any receipt numbers from Firstly, we hope that everyone is staying well and support payment. This campaign was successful, a university context we need to see the census supplements to those on the disability support Level 1, Wentworth Building (G01), p: 02 9660 5222 /usydsrc University of Sydney NSW 2006 e: [email protected] conversations with Centrelink, and do not Contact looking after each other in this time of crisis. We thanks to the efforts of countless students around date pushed back, relaxed special consideration pension and overall, and healthcare put before PO Box 794 Broadway NSW 2007 w: srcusyd.net.au/src-help @src_usyd ignore their correspondence. You can call, Skype, or email Caseworkers could never have predicted everything that has the country, and the NUS. Over 200,000 students requirements, support for students living in profit. The education department, the SRC and to get advice about your situation. If you happened over the last couple of weeks. We have who are in precarious employment or living university accommodation, fair grading systems, the NUS will continue to fight for the things that Visa would like a phone or Skype appointment seen a huge shutdown of the country, and have situations will now have access to the support they extended time for those currently completing are necessary for students’ quality of life, and had to fight to force the government to meet peo- need. We have also supported the SRC in various honours, masters of PhD research, and further broader society. STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL LEGAL SERVICE The SRC Legal Service can offer advice call 9660 5222 during office hours, Monday ple’s basic needs. other campaigns in relation to COVID-19, and we support for staff impacted by changing working about visas. Call for an appointment to speak to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Alternatively send As the EAG we played an active role in encourage those who have the capacity to help conditions. More generally we need to see rent As always, to keep up to date with what we to our migration solicitor. your question together with any supporting the campaign to include students on Youth out, or who need help, to reach out to the SRC. suspended, mortgages paused, a suspension of are doing; follow our facebook page “Sydney documents to [email protected]. Allowance in the increased COVID-19 crisis Going forward we still have a lot to win. In utility payments, housing for all, extended welfare University Education Action Group”. Women’s Officers Ask Abe Ellie Wilson and Vivienne Guo SRC caseworker help Q&A

With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Australia, ‘Shimmer’. This reading group aimed to further 8! Women’s Honi is autonomously written and can mean the difference between life and death. In our lives have descended into mayhem. In order an understanding of ecofeminism and the inter- produced by women and non-cis men and will this time of crisis, it may not be the virus that kills, to minimise the spread of COVID-19 and pri- sections between environmental and feminist ac- reflect the anti-colonial, anti-capitalist and inter- but racism, media hysteria, selfishness, poverty, Ask Abe – COVID 19 fear oritise the safety and well-being of all students, tivism. Special thanks to Amelia Mertha, Telita sectional feminism that WoCo stands for. If you unsafe work, and every other ill of capitalism that the USyd Women’s Collective has postponed or Goile and Claire Ollivain for facilitating a lively are interested in contributing to Women’s Honi, is coming out of the woodwork right now. These moved most of our events online for the foreseea- and engaging discussion! Though online reading fill out the form in the pinned post on our Face- are not new flaws in the system; in fact, they have Dear Abe, ble future. Our weekly meetings, which take place groups are new for us, we hope that it was an book page. always been sustaining the system, which has If you can keep up with your studies, that at 1pm on alternating Wednesdays and Thursdays open and educational experience. Community On a final note, WoCo expresses solidarity with been failing us for a long time. Let this radicalise I’m really stressed. I don’t really know what’s might help to keep your mind busy. Email will now be on Zoom. right now is more important than ever. We will workers and marginalised communities who have you, not lead you to despair. happening, and I am getting some conflict- your subject coordinator about what arrange- This week, we collaborated with the USyd run more reading groups in the future, so keep up- been made especially vulnerable by the pandemic, ing information from the Uni. The threat of ments have been made for your subjects, es- Enviro Collective to run a non-autonomous read- dated by following our Facebook and Instagram! either by the virus or by the government’s ing group on Deborah Bird Rose’s 2017’s article Women’s Honi will be going ahead for Week insufficient response to it. Right now, mutual aid covid is big enough for the uni to change to pecially if there are practical components. online classes only, but nobody from the gov- If you feel too distressed to maintain your ernment is stopping us from going out. I’ve studies talk to an SRC Caseworker about it Environment Officers seen lots of conflicting articles on Facebook, by emailing [email protected]. Prudence Wilkins-Wheat, Shani Patel, Lily Campbell, Sophie Nicholson and frankly I don’t know what to do to pro- tect myself. Please help. Take the time to have online meetings with ACTIONS WEEK 3-5: The beginning of Semes- concerns/restrictions, post a photo of your strike the use of the pandemic as a way for governments FUTURE ACTIONS: We are still looking for friends. You could meet on Skype or zoom ter has been a busy time for the Enviro Collective, sign on social media and caption #climatestrike. to silently repeal environmental protections). contributors to the Enviro pull-out in Honi Soit, Fearful or messenger, and you could have a meal, underlined by record turn-outs at our Tuesday In Week 5, we held an ecofeminism reading group We urge all readers to join the SRC COVID19 coming up in Week 11. We also have plans for watch a movie (e.g., Netflix Party), or do a weekly meetings. In Week 3, an Enviro Collective in collaboration with the Women’s Collective via Response Group on Facebook to engage in upcoming workshops on digital activism, as well Did you know Sydney Uni virtual tour of a zoo or museum. If you are contingent joined the Uni Students for Climate Zoom, and ran a free yoga class for Earth Hour, mutual aid actions for those immediately affected as discussion groups about the pandemic and its * Justice march, and member James Sherriff spoke led by Daisy Caterall. by government restrictions, rent issues, job losses implications for climate action. Join our Facebook undergraduate students Dear Fearful, feeling distressed, and don’t find it helpful to at the event. In Week 4, online meetings com- ACTIVISM IN TIMES OF CRISIS: or health problems. Our digital library has also Group ‘USYD ENVIRO COLLECTIVE 2020’ to talk to a friend, try talking to a counsellor. menced, and are ongoing. Fridays for Future still COVID-19 has drastically undercut our ability to been updated with specific COVID19 related get involved! can get FREE advice from our I am sorry to hear that you are stressed; it is There are plenty available through the tele- go ahead as per Greta Thunberg’s online state- engage in physical protest, but this is not stopping material. Head to the Enviro Collective Facebook completely understandable. There is always phone (Lifeline 131 114) or online (Head- ment - if you can’t strike in public due to health us - environmental issues are ongoing (particularly Group to access and contribute. registered Migration Agent? going to be conflicting information in social space). media and even on the news. It is probably Indigenous Officers Ask the SRC Legal Service! best to listen to “trusted sources”, like the Most of all look after yourself and your NSW Health Department, and ABC News. friends. Matilda Langford and Leroy Fernando did not submit a report this week. *SUPRA offers offersassistance assistanceto USyd postgraduate to studentsUSyd postgraduate students. They have clear information on how to do “social distancing”, and what to do if you Abe. Disabilities Officers SRC Legal Service feel unwell. Level 1, Wentworth Building (G01), ACN: 146 653 143 Liability limited by a scheme Margot Beavon-Collins, Chalotte Lim and Steff Leinasarsdid not submit a report this week. University of Sydney NSW 2006 p: 02 9660 5222 approved under Professional PO Box 794 Broadway NSW 2007 w: srcusyd.net.au Standards Legislation. Contact an SRC Caseworker on 02 9660 5222 or email [email protected]

20 21 PUZZLES THE Quick Find the connection What do these six celebrities have in common? RODENT REVIEW Fierce, independent journalists controlled by the rats on our heads! Newly single woman In this issue: embraces Stalinism, Couple has been social erases all photos of ex distancing for years /p. 72 Baopu He, Looking at pics of chicks on Instagram Hot tips for slimming correspondent down summer: Contract COVID-19! / p. 34 Dressed from head to toe in Gorman and an avid fan of Aperol Spritzes, Melissa Davies (25) is not what normally comes to mind when someone says “indoctrinated Scott Morrison releases Stalinist.” However, the PR assistant is finding herself heartfelt ballad “Andrew, more and more drawn to the ideology that ruled the I’m Sorry” / p. 24 Soviet Union from the 30s to the 50s with an iron fist after her recent break-up with her boyfriend. “Look, I get that Stalin did all those awful things. But VC Spence resigns over that time he edited Nikolai Yezhnov out of a pic after Nik petition asking for pass/ was purged? That’s so me haha what a mood.” fail marking garners 3 Davies’ own “Great Purge” has involved a full sweep signatures / p.19 Word Maze of her social media handles where she has removed all photos which feature her ex-boyfriend. Davies has been Connect the top-left and bottom-right corners with a path of vege- brutal, sparing no mercy - not even for the ones she looks INVESTIGATION: Do the tables, starting with CARROT. The path may — and does — turn at “really hot” in. veggies from Veggie Tales 90°, and vegetables may be backwards. ACROSS DOWN “I thought about maybe just changing the captions fuck? / p. 12 2 Spider’s home (3) 1 Small Mexican dish (4) to something like ‘I should have never trusted you” or 8 Cab (4) 2 Building with a wheel that turns in the “Counter-revolutionary scum’ but then I remembered Ladies Corner: How to make 9 Big flying vehicles (10) breeze (8) that Comrade Stalin wouldn’t have compromised. He 10 Second day of the Judeo-Christian 3 Someone to look after you when your the doctor administering week (6) parents are out (10) would’ve gone the whole way.” 11 Part of the house where you wash 4 A sea creature with a shell and claws (4) Davies said she topped it all off with blocking her life-saving medication (8) 5 Saliva (4) ex-boyfriend, but only after creating a fake account to during a pandemic fall for 14 Certainly (10) 6 18 Across with tusks (6) continue monitoring his online activity. She expressed no you! / p. 12 18 Sea mammal (4) 7 Outis (4) remorse for her actions. The editor who Photoshopped this is drunk as shit, 20 For example (2) 10 Crazy or angry (3) “Stalin was way hotter anyways,” she said. don’t judge her shitty job!! 21 Something that goes ding dong 12 Aussie Rules (3) (4) 13 Type of fruit (5) 23 Complete, whole (5) 15 Body part used for seeing (3) 24 A metal piece of money (4) 16 Additional (5) 26 Most common verb (2) 17 A warning in soccer (6,4) Ronda Rhousey to “If China didn’t cover Harvey Weinstein 27 Not closed (4) 19 A style similar to punk or goth (3) 29 Fair enough (10) 21 Tool for sweeping (5) become first woman to it up, we would’ve had horrified that 32 A legal agreement between lovers 22 Fib (3) (8) 24 Shrek character: Prince ... (8) enter the Octagon while more time to prepare” coronavirus would 36 Substance used to make concrete 25 Sick (3) (6) 28 Usual, ordinary (6) 8 months pregnant says man at Bondi enter his body without 38 An island off the coast of Africa (10) 30 Food that can be scrambled, boiled, Nina Dillon Britton, I’m Not Like Other Girls, Indian bread (4) poached, or fried (3) Beach during lockdown his consent 39 Make a whole in the ground (3) 31 Ingest (3) I’m Into Sports, Girls Can Be Just Like, So Much Baopu He, Mate Don’t Even Worry About It, Nina Dillon Britton, Problematic Fave Editor 33 First man in the world (4) 34 As soon as possible (4) Drama! Haha, What Are You Doing Later? I Reckon We’re Good To Go Out And Catch A 35 One per person: one ... (4) Target 37 Close (4) Editor Couple Of Waves Correspondent Preggo women have been making waves in elite Amidst an unprecedented lockdown in Australia 10 words: Modern productions sports over the last few years. Not to be overshone by due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, one man 20 words: East Lynne Serena Williams Grand Slam win while two months in the beachside suburb of Bondi has taken a brave 30 words: Firefrorefiddle Ken Ken Sudoku pregnant in 2017, Ronda Rhousey will become the stand against the Chinese Communist Party. Fresh P S G first UFC fighter to enter the ring while 8 months from his illicit evening swim in the ocean, David pregnant. Croft (52), a financial manager, toldThe Rodent The fight will be the first return for Rousey to the that he knew exactly who to blame for the social This article mentions sexual assault. Octagon, since her humiliating loss to Holly Holm. ostracisation he has received recently from just A A A “I’m coming back with twice the power,” Rousey going about his daily ritual. Harvey Weinstein has expressed his outrage that told The Rodent, “and I’m ready to kick whichever “It’s completely communists’ fault. If they something would enter his body without his sterile bitch I’m up against right in the pussy.” didn’t lie, the virus wouldn’t have spread across consent, after being diagnosed with coronavirus this The Divas star denied allegations that the move the world and we would’ve been more prepared weekend. S R U was just to create a story arc in a failing reality show to face. And I would still be allowed to go to the “I feel like my bodily autonomy was completely about WWE fighters. “It’s not exactly like people beach.” he said, his dad-bod glistening with the destroyed by this virus,” the rapist and fallen film are going to pay extra to see a pregnant woman do famous turquoise seawater of Bondi. producer told The Rodent. Week 5 Edition Solutions MMA,” Rousey said. “Why? Do you know anyone When presented with the fact that he was still Sudoku Omega “It’s incredibly important that those of us who’d be willing to pay? How much?” going to the beach in spite of the government diagnosed with the virus raise awareness, stand tall Following her MMA return, Rousey is planning lockdown, Croft was swift with his dismissal. and proclaim this has happened #ToMe.” on transitioning her WWE persona to better reflect “Yea well I’m not going to change what I’ve been “As Catharine MacKinnon tells us, ‘we are Find the connection: NUT her pregnancy. “I’ve been workshopping a few doing for the past 20 years just because of some nothing if not our bodies, the invasion of autonomy (butternut, Brazil nut, different ideas with Vince McMahon,” Rousey said virus. It’s a free country and I can do whatever I is invasion of our very selves.’” coconut, walnut, peanut, to The Rodent. “At the moment my favourite is just want. Do you think I paid all that money for my Weinstein has begun a reading group in prison donut). painting my belly black and slamming into people, house by the water just to look at it?” he stated, about the importance of bodily autonomy, where I’ll be ‘The Bowling Ball.’” before going into a coughing fit. the works of MacKinnon, Adrienne Rich and Audre Target: Something. “Sorry mate. Must be because of the water. Lorde are being discussed. Puzzles by Tournesol. Solutions next week. It’s getting colder and colder out in the surf.” he He has yet to realise their writings are about wheezed, before coughing again. sexual assault. 22 23