Scope Issue 17 Week 9 Sem 121 by Bond University Student Association

Issue 17 Week 9

Sem 121

scope Scope is proudly brought to you by BUSA and a dedicated group of student volunteers. Scope: By STUDENTS for STUDENTS

PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR EDITOR IN CHIEF GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jorja-Lee Wallace FEATURES EDITOR | Shannan Carroll SUB-EDITOR | Bonnie Whitehead SUB-EDITOR | Kyle Manning

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MUSIC, ARTS & REVIEWS EDITOR | Oliver Kidd SUB-EDITOR | Jonathan Dodd SUB-EDITOR | Emily McGregor

contents

SPORT EDITOR | Rebecca Thompson SUB-EDITOR | Linda Woelk PHOTOGRAPHERS Kenny Kagiah Shaun Rotman Caroline Kovac SPONSORSHIP Michael ‘Papa’ Penklis

DEADLINES Space Reservation: Sunday 4pm Completed content: Monday 4pm

CONTACT Editor: jorja-lee.wallace@student. bond.edu.au General: scope.bond@gmail. com Phone: (07) 5595 4009

3. Letters to the Editor 4. Nothing is More Powerful Than an Idea Whose Time is Now 6. Think Before You 'Like' 7. Haters Gonna Hate 8. Shoeless in Paradise 10. Foster Families: The Rewards of Helping Others Grow 12. eTEVALS are here... 13. My Whine About Being a Swine 14. Photos 18. Posters

20. Music, Arts & Reviews 22. Sport 24. Hope of a Better Future For Cambodia 25. There is No Psychiatrist in The World Like a Puppy Licking Your Face 26. CDC Careers Fair 27. Kin Kao: So Good, it Would be Worth Driving to Griffith 29. Odds & Ends 30. Posters 32. Haaaave You Met...?

22. COVER PHOTO: Shaun Rotman

The views and opinions expressed in Scope do not necessarily represent those of the Scope team, the Publications Director or BUSA.

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facebook.com/scope.bond bondstudents.com

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CONTENTS

Letters to the Editor Have something to say? Feedback for the Scope team? Send a letter to the Editor at jorja-lee.wallace@student.bond.edu.au Max 100 words | DUE: 4pm Monday

editor’s report

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itor, Dear Ed

Hello hello and welcome to another jam-packed edition of Scope! With mid sems out of the way, and only the assignment mountain to scale; the light at the end of the tunnel is shining brightly. Three weeks until exams, and five weeks until EOSB - time has surely flown this semester. For those of you looking for someway to spend this miserable Wednesday afternoon, I implore you to don your reading glasses, grab a cup of hot chocolate and hunker down with Week 9 Scope. Actually you could probably whip yourself up a blanket with this edition, and it’s 32 pages of Scopetacular fun.

This edition is riddled with intellectual thought and discussion worthy prose. It’s almost as if our writers knocked their noggins together and produced procrasti-worthy pieces that will satiate your Week 9 thirst. I don’t know where it’s come from; but I like it. Not that I don’t like controversy; I love controversy, and this week is not devoid of such, but it’s definitely a different kind of though-provoking controversy.

Dear Ed

itor, In respo nse to ‘A B althoug h I supp itchy Guide to R ort all th a cle, I am e do’s Is cewear Do’s and o abella s Don’ts’, ion expe ffended that so poke of meone w rience t in her a hinks th ithout p No one rtiey can t rofessio has the ell nal fash right to is not go tell peop people what no od enou t to wea le t gh to a coll r. ective o . Nor should an hat their best d f individ y r should p uals suc one direct their essed robably h as ‘th d isdain rethink can pro eA duce. her car eer if th mericans’. She is is the best she

Also, exciting news: finally someone has taken the time out of their busy day to pen me a letter! Even better! We have three! As per usual the photo pages are stocked full with event-related goodies, covering USA v ROW, HSA Chill Sesh and Mile High Mid Sem Bash - don’t forget to search for your ugly mug... I mean pretty face. Going back to articles, the Kony 2012 movement has claimed Scope; with four pages (pgs. 4-7) dedicated to this topical international issue. We also have a lovely interview with a student who has seen first-hand the benefits of foster care, and an emotive piece from Jayde de Bondt on her week as a pig. There’s also a delicious tidbit from Ava Anastacia on page 27, that’s going to have your mouth watering before the second paragraph.

Karissa

As usual, don’t forget to touch up on your knowledge of Bond sport (pgs. 22-23) and enjoy well written reviews from the MAR team (pgs. 20-21).

Until next week,

Jorja Wallace SCOPE

tting into itor, in for pu w ld see a B Dear Ed a abell when we d thank Is d I have n n a a to k s e d ic k s n li my frie es. I’m I’d just c ts a h r g ht, e u o ig th e th ital he ound words th p to gen tting ar u u ed. p tr e s m e u ’ r s s c ’t l is con s that o e s h the ‘don s o e lc r a d ire, and seeing as more ort of att tired of shorter h t s e t g a to th r em a place fo which se time and a ’s e r N e Th Jessica e races. th t o n ’s it

Unfortunately, cat’s got my tongue this week (for anyone who knows me well enough to know in what context I use the word ‘cat’ - seriously get your mind out of the gutter), and I’m going to leave it there. Hopefully I can dig deep and find some sort of energy to get me through the day, otherwise I will be employing the helpful hand of Red Bull.

Straugh e

BUSA

Joseph Kony. Does the name sound familiar? If you have noticed the recent flood of news articles, Facebook posts and current trending topics in the Twittersphere; the name should sound familiar. KONY 2012 has been labelled one of the most pervasive, successful and unprecedented viral campaigns in recent memory. KONY 2012 The Invisible Children Organisation is the movement behind the campaign. Their primary aim is to bring the Ugandan rebel warlord, Joseph Kony, to justice. Filmmakers Jason Russell and Laren Poole co-founded the organisation after travelling to Africa in 2003. In 2005 they produced the documentary, Invisible Children: Rough Cut, which exposed the tragic realities of northern Ugandan child soldiers and night commuters. In 2006, Invisible Children Inc. became an official non-profit organisation. They continued to dedicate their efforts to effectuate change, awareness, safety and peace for the children of northern Uganda. On the 5th of March this year, the organisation released Kony 2012; a half-hour documentary aimed at forcing Kony’s profile into the domain of international publicity. Essentially, Invisible Children wanted to make the man famous. Not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and establish an international legal precedent. WHO IS JOSEPH KONY? Joseph Kony is the Ugandan militant leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a group of guerrilla combatants. The LRA were assembled to enforce syncretic Christian religious ideology through a violent campaign. They have committed extreme atrocities against the civilians of Northern Urganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan. According to the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009, the American Congress established that for over two decades the Government of Uganda engaged in an armed conflict with the LRA, which led to displacement of more than 2,000,000 Ugandan people from their homes. The report divulged that members of the LRA had utilised brutal tactics in northern Uganda, including mutilation, abduction, forcing individuals into sexual servitude and forcing a large number of children in Uganda to fight as part of the rebel force. According to the independent Survey for War Affected Youth, over 66,000 children were enslaved into the LRA during this period. Kony was indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the 8th of July 2005, for 12 counts of crimes against humanity and 21 counts of war crimes in relation to the LRA activity in Uganda. In response to the organisation’s plea to the American Government for

“Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time is now.” Tenika Vakauta

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US assistance in Uganda, President Obama authorised the deployment of 100 American advisors to central Africa to provide assistance to regional forces. Kony is now considered a fugitive. His current whereabouts are unknown. The LRA continues to operate in remote areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. The Invisible Children Organisation operates on the basis that Kony must be tried for his prior crimes, and that he still remains a threat to neighbouring countries, which may face future conflict. KONY 2012: THE DOCUMENTARY The documentary explores the organisation’s combined plans and efforts to arrest Kony. It describes the guerrilla warfare tactics utilised by the LRA, claiming that instances have occurred where children have been forced to murder their own parents. One of the main people featured in the film is a Ugandan boy, Jacob, who has remained a personal friend of the filmmaker, Jason Russell. Jacob discusses his personal predicament and the constant fear of abduction. “We worry the rebels when they arrest us again, then they will kill us. We fear that if we sleep at our home we can be abducted by the rebels, because our home is far away from town. They will catch us then they will us there in the bush. We come here to save our life.”

and supportive learning environments. In communities where the LRA remain active, the organisation also provides resident protection and rehabilitation therapies. CRITICISM OF THE ORGANISATION Widespread criticism of the Invisible Children Organisation has surfaced. Some individuals proclaim that funds raised by the organisation are poorly vested into the Ugandan communities. Individuals have criticised any action to facilitate the direct military action of the American Government, arguing that the issue is complex and potentially volatile. There are legitimate concerns for the ramifications of destabilising a country that is experiencing the improvement of some domestic conditions.

In a particularly moving segment of the film, Jacob discusses the death of his brother. “My brother tried to escape, then they killed him using a panga [a bladed African machete]. They cut his neck.” Upon Russell’s asking whether Jacob witnessed the act, Jacob simply replies, “I saw.” Jacob explains his desire to be reunited once again with his brother, simply stating, “I love you. But now I miss you. [W]e are not going to meet, but we may meet in heaven.”

It is blatantly obvious how emotionally provocative and politically divisive this topic really is. In light of this, I contend that this type of matter should be discussed in the open civil context of mutual respect and understanding that we all possess a right to agree or disagree. However, regardless of how people view this matter in respect to their own social, cultural and political opinions; the central focus should be to spread awareness of Kony, the LRA and the many Ugandan children who have suffered and continue to suffer.

The discussion that ensues from this point of the film has continued to produce a throbbing lump at the back of my throat. Jacob explains that with the looming threat of abduction, enslavement or death; he wishes to be dead. “It is better when you kill us and if possible, you can kill us, you kill us. For us, we don’t want now to stay because – we are only two, no one is taking care of us. We are not going to school.”

People may not become social activists by viewing a mere video, sharing a link or even writing an opinion article. But, the Kony 2012 campaign holds the potential to mould people into informed global citizens who seek to attain the truth about the significant issues that affect our world. The campaign urges people to confront and discuss international atrocities that happen on a daily basis, but are so often ignored or overlooked. I personally support the possibility of harnessing widespread support and awareness for the cause, into a remedial and productive end result. The Kony 2012 program should focus equally on addressing what is in the best interests of all Ugandan people and future generations to come. In spite of its critics, the Kony 2012 documentary has persuaded people to take a deeper look into the military enslavement of children in northern Uganda. The issue is now openly discussed between friends and amongst work colleagues on social media, in newspaper articles and online commentaries, at the family dinner table, and between international political leaders all over the world.

At this point in the documentary, Russell divulges that he made a promise to Jacob to initiate the arrest of Joseph Kony and try him in the International Criminal Court (ICC). This represents the origin of the Kony 2012 campaign. In order to facilitate Kony’s arrest, the campaign revolves around obtaining support from a select group of people who are referred to as ‘culture and policy makers’. The list included 20 celebrity culture-makers, such as George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Ryan Seacrest and Taylor Swift. The list also identified 12 policy-makers, such as former U.S. President George W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice and former presidential candidate John Kerry. In Central Africa, the organisation maintains several partnerships with the citizens of LRA-affected communities. They develop programs aimed at providing a foundation for children to take responsibility for their future. They address the evident need for educational reform, mentorship, leadership opportunities, financial stability, and the re-development of educational centres

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These children have become noticed. They have become VISIBLE.

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Think Before You ‘Like’ Scanning my Facebook News Feed on Tuesday morning, there was the usual smattering of: “OMG I hate 8am Lectures!” and “Me and mah gurlies havin saaah much fun”. There was also a post by a high school friend of mine about Joseph Kony, rebel leader of the LRA. I was somewhat surprised. In high school she had been incredibly apathetic towards current affairs; but I shrugged it aside. Perhaps university had enlightened her. Good for her. When I next logged onto Facebook, 168 of my friends had posted the same video about Kony, I had been invited to four different events to “Cover the Night”, and every second status was along the lines of “Kony 2012” and “Make Kony famous”. Intrigued, I watched the video. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t particularly impressed. It didn’t ‘change my life’ or ‘open my eyes to the world’. I was familiar with Invisible Children and the situation in Uganda and, frankly, was a bit confused by what the group hoped to achieve by making ‘Kony Famous’. The onslaught of social media coverage aggravated my anger. It is all very well to post a slogan, but what’s important is understanding what that slogan represents - in effect, what you are supporting; as well as any consequences that may arise from that allegiance. On Wednesday evening, I approached a friend of mine who was gushing about the campaign and bluntly asked, “So, what’s the conflict in Uganda about?” She looked at me, bemused, “Who cares? Kony is a terrible person and we need to make him famous!” Well, yes, he is. But so is Yoweri Museveni, the president of Uganda, whose support Invisible Children are seeking. So is the Sudanese Liberation Army, who Uganda is funding and to whom the Invisible Children have had links. There are no good and bad actors in this situation. Wrongs have been committed across the board. I initially envisioned this article as being a vitriolic attack on the campaign by Invisible Children, as well as the general popularity it has had Bond. However, after this conversation and after reading the response of Jason Russell, founder of Invisible Children, to criticisms leveled against his organisation; I came to realise that the problem lies not in the group or even in the video, but in the manner that the message is being dispersed. There is fault in that this campaign is being incorrectly presented as a pure awareness campaign. It is not. This is not about educating people, it is about an NGO advocating a policy position; people are being educated in the process of achieving that position. When NGO’s write policy, they tinge facts to suit that position and, having written policy, I can assure you the manner in which you define a problem is key. NGO’s are entitled to do so. In fact, if they believe in their cause, it is their duty to do so. However, before you align yourself with that position, it is prudent to understand the background, history, present circumstances and future consequences of any action you promulgate. This article is thus a caution of sorts to the people who have jumped onto the bandwagon, or who are considering joining. I merely want to provide perspective on the other side of the story.

still exist in the higher echelons of Ugandan society; if Invisible Children want to see a resolution to the conflict, they should focus upon resolving these. As for US intervention, there are already 100 US AFRICOM Special Forces stationed in the Central African Republic to assist in tracking down Kony (who has not been in Uganda since 2006). AFRICOM has previously sent missions to Uganda to find Kony and the most recent, Operation Lightning Thunder, in 2008 inflamed the situation and was followed by retaliative killings. Nevertheless, Invisible Children appear to be afraid that the US will suddenly abandon this mission; even though President Obama has issued express statements to the contrary. At a time when Uganda is approaching stability, is military intervention the best move to take? I have heard the phrase ‘something is always better than nothing’ many times this week. It is not. You can always do more harm than good. It is not a matter of offering anything you can in the hope that it will be beneficial. That is the condescending attitude that underpins countless disastrous development programs. Invisible Children has provided an option – exterminate Joseph Kony. But, pause for a second and ask: What good will this do? Why is it the best option? Arresting Kony would be nice, but it is not essential to helping Uganda move forward. Make no mistake, if I were ever to confront Kony, things would get messy; but I’d rather not make things messy just to find him. The Balkan Wars demonstrate that countries are able to move forward and develop even if war criminals are at large – Ratko Mladic, arrested only last year, is a perfect example. There is a greater political situation at play in this turbulent region. The LRA is a symptom of endemic structural violence in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. It is easy to fixate a battle around one man. The United States did the same thing in the War Against Terror. Osama bin Laden is gone today but Al-Qaeda is still with us. Taking Kony away is not going to lead to the disintegration of the LRA; its fighters can join other groups or can act independently. It would be wiser to disempower Kony by aspiring to create a society with transparent and effective governance in which his political propaganda and messages of hate fall upon deaf ears. Don’t take my word for it though, take a minute to read the International Crisis Group’s latest report, in which the committee emphasises that a “multi-dimensional approach is likely to bring peace to the tri-border area, and begin the slow task of healing the physical and social wounds the long LRA nightmare has inflicted”. Raising an issue is easy. Invisible Children have been excellent at it. Solving issues is where things get difficult. You do not want to advocate a misguided solution that will derail tenuous peace that has recently been established. The crux of the matter is this: Invisible Children believe that military action by the United States of America is the best approach to resolving wrongs and stabilising Uganda. They want you to advocate this line. You have the power and the right to do so. All I ask, is that you think before you ‘like’.

There are a few premises that underlie this campaign which are questionable. I vehemently oppose the characterisation of Kony as the only bad guy, and the failure to mention the horrendous acts of the Ugandan government who have also commissioned child soldiers. There is also the complete dismissal of the underlying political issues that led to the formation of the LRA. The LRA was formed due to frustration arising from Museveni’s discrimination against the native Acholi population in northern Uganda. There are underlying tribal conflicts which

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Marryum Kahloon

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No one is claiming expertise by participating in Kony 2012, and it is irrelevant whether they knew about Uganda before last week. The important thing is they know about it now. By using social media, people are making a social statement, not a political one.

Haters Gonna Hate

Ashleigh Peplow-Ball

I am not a Kony fanatic. I don’t think the Kony 2012 movement is going to change the world, and I definitely don’t think that by liking a status we are going to bring down a Ugandan warlord. But I am an International Relations student who is encouraged to see people paying attention to such an important and largely ignored issue. With the Kony 2012 campaign all over the Internet, I am seeing more and more ill-informed and ignorant arguments arise; and I would like to go through some of them and explain why they are redundant.

day, Joseph Kony needs to be captured and that is something that is internationally agreed upon. The campaign isn’t claiming to represent the ins and outs of African politics, disempower Ugandan people, or act as a neo-colonial campaign to disenfranchise Africans. I can only hope that by liking a status, posting a video, or visiting the Kony campaign website, that people will be motivated to look further into the issue. If you want to do some good, why don’t you donate money to a charity instead of setting Facebook statuses? Raising awareness is just as, if not more, important than raising money. It is a central tenant of democracy that if a majority wants change, it is the government’s duty to respond. We saw this in operation last year with the Indonesian slaughterhouses. The Australian government banned live exports after a media campaign exposing the issue sparked enormous social pressure from a population demanding change. If there is enough pressure on governments worldwide, they will respond to the problems in Central Africa and capture Kony. Knowledge is a powerful thing.

The LRA have been active in Africa for 20 years, why are we only doing something about it now? Focus has landed on Joesph Kony and the LRA now because we have the capacity and the appropriate mediums. As the world becomes more interconnected and people become more aware of what is happening around them, movements such as Kony 2012 will continue to arise. The focus should not be on why it is only happening now, but that it is happening now. Joseph Kony isn’t even in Uganda anymore. This is true, and there are many flaws and misrepresentations in the short documentary that is supporting the campaign. Regardless of whether Joseph Kony is still in Uganda or not, he is still fueling violence in Central Africa; and capturing Kony is still essential in order to start making substantial progress in reducing the impact of the LRA in Uganda, the Congo and Sudan.

Good for you, you just found out where Uganda is and now you’re an expert on African politics. No one is claiming expertise by participating in Kony 2012, and it is irrelevant whether they knew about Uganda before last week. The important thing is they know about it now. By using social media, people are making a social statement, not a political one. They are not claiming to know everything, nor do they suggest that they have all the solutions. It is unlikely that anyone had a full understanding of the LRA before Kony 2012, or that anyone does now. This includes those who choose to criticise the campaign and those who support it.

Invisible Children is a corrupt organisation. Whether this is true or not is largely irrelevant. The Kony 2012 campaign, supported by Invisible Children, does not have an overarching aim to raise money, but to raise awareness. Whether or not you agree with the operations of Invisible Children is not important. You have the choice to donate money or not. Just so you know, the CEO of Invisible Children makes $88,241 per year; that is more than $60,000 less than the average compensation of charity CEOs, as reported by Charity Navigator. It is up to you to research where your money is going and what it is you are paying for, and Kony 2012 is asking for your voice, not your cash.

No harm comes from setting a status or posting a video. The Kony 2012 campaign has fuelled a debate over an issue that would otherwise have continued to be ignored by the majority of the Western world. Individuals who disagree with the movement need to consider their arguments more carefully before they shoot something down simply because it has become too ‘mainstream’. Kony 2012 gives people a starting point to read more, know more and do more. At the end of the day, haters gonna hate; and the fact that the haters are doing so much hating just proves the success of this campaign. People are talking and people are aware.

Kony 2012 oversimplifies the issue. I completely agree with this statement; the operations of Joseph Kony and the LRA is an extremely complicated situation that goes beyond one man. The Kony 2012 campaign has simplified the issue to make it tangible and accessible. At the end of the

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SHOELESS IN PARADISE

Matt Jackson

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During the Christmas holidays, a group of 39 University students (including five Bondies) from all over Australia had the opportunity of a lifetime. We went to Fiji for two weeks as part of the Volunteer Eco Students Abroad (VESA) program.

shots. Maybe something Shooters should think about implementing... We also went to Ed’s Bar which was completely different, with a jungle-like appearance and wooden bar tables circling a wooden dancefloor. It was a great night to end what was undoubtedly the best two weeks of our life!

We spent one week performing volunteer work in the Lomoya village. During this time, we painted a school, built composts and performed puppet shows. We were welcomed into a Fijian family. Ate, drank, danced and lived like a Fijian. We were exposed to a number of different foods, and survived drinking copious amounts of ‘kava’ (think drinking dirty creek water then times that by a hundred, and then some); and managed to learn some important life lessons, and absorbed the cultural differences.

Collectively everyone had an amazing time. We arrived as strangers. Spent two weeks together 24/7, and we left as friends for life. But I took something more out of the trip. I realised how lucky and fortunate I am. At times this realisation was confronting, but it made me want to make more of a difference. Therefore, this was the catalyst for a fundraising initiative I have created since being back. You may or may not have seen some ‘kid’ walking around barefoot with a crazy haircut and a horrible moe. Well, that’s me! And if you have passed a judgement - big awkward kava bowl (Fijian rendition of ‘awkward turtle’), because excluding my hair and moe; I have been walking barefoot for charity.

You may or may not have seen some 'kid' walking around barefoot with a crazy haircut and a horrible moe. Well, that's me! And if you have passed a judgement - big awkward kava bowl (Fijian rendition of 'awkward turtle'), because excluding my hair and moe; I have been walking barefoot for charity.

I have been doing this for a month now, and will continue to do so until my last exam on the 20th April. This is my own individual fundraising initiative however, I have received tremendous support from BUSA, Gold Hospital and their CEO Mark Hindle, and Everyday Heroes; all of which have made this possible. All of the money raised will be going to the Gold Coast Hospital, specifically the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department; seeing as the work there ties into my walking. Not only I, but the Gold Coast Hospital and all of its patients, would love your support so IF you can donate during the next six weeks, please do!

After a week of bloody hard work in torrid, moist conditions; we deserved a reward. And boy did we get one! For the next week we cruised some of the best ‘turquoise’ waters Fiji has to offer and stopped over at three of the most exciting and breathtaking islands.

I have made it easy for you: 1. If you see me on campus walking barefoot and you have some loose change, any donation will be greatly appreciated. 2. Alternatively there is a moneybox in the BUSA Office, so you an also drop some shrapnel in there. 3. Or, you can jump online to my website and donate (yes it is tax deductable): http://www.everydayhero.com.au/ mattjacksonbarefoot

Firstly, we stayed at safe landing resort where we snorkelled in the blue lagoon, played volleyball, hit golf balls in arguably the best driving range in the world, experienced breathtaking views of the water and the islands, and swam within a pitch black cave where the only way of entering was through a tunnel under water. This required one Fijian to push you and another to pull you up the other end. It definitely got the heart pumping!

I have set a realistic goal; one that I think will make a real difference. So, if you can, please join me and DONATE! Also, here is the VESA website (http://www.everydayhero. com.au/mattjacksonbarefoot) for more details. IF you can go on a tour DO IT! Trust me it’s life changing!

Then, the next stop was Korovou Island. Hands down the best place on Earth. It is located in the middle of an inlet of islands, and the view at sunset had us all gobsmacked. Here we played volleyball, snorkelled, hiked up a mountain, danced the local way, drank 58 per cent rum, and went through all the vodka that was on offer; which culminated in very loose but enjoyable nights and decisions that we all... ahh… regret! After two amazing nights at Korovou we were on our way back to the mainland, with just one stop left; Bounty Island. Now this island is incredibly small - we legit walked around the island in thirty minutes…hungover. This was a great way to finish the island-hopping, and everyone appreciated the cheap drinks (vodka and pineapples about $2.50 AUD). Again, a long night of drinking, swimming, dancing and singing! Arriving back in Nadi we had one night left, and we hit the clubs in style. The first club, Ice Bar, was very modern and made us feel like we were at Shooters. They also had $2

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Photos: Kenny Kagiah

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Foster Families: The Rewards of Helping Others Grow AnneMie Decatte

When I met Dannai MacRae a few semesters ago, I was intrigued by the fact that she consistently approached challenges with a smile and showed empathy for individuals in unfortunate situations. Later on, when I had a chance to talk to her individually, it all became clear to me why this young lady has such a positive attitude and enthusiastic outlook towards life. She told me that her mother had made a conscious choice to give back to society by opening the door of their family home to foster troubled children, to care for them and, most importantly, to support them to find their own way in life.

AnneMie: So how did this adventure start?

I asked Dannai if she would mind sharing with the Bond community how she experienced growing up in a family that fostered problem children. As I had hoped, I received an email back within minutes to say that she would be more than happy to tell me her story. When I walked into Papyrus Cafe to conduct the interview, Dannai was waiting for me with a big smile on her face and two cups of fresh coffee. What amazing hospitality!

AnneMie: So did your mother succeed in adopting her?

AnneMie: I was fascinated by your statement about growing up in a family that fosters disadvantaged children, and was wondering if you still have foster children living with you a? Dannai: We have no foster children living with us now, but we still have contact with a lot of them that we had living with us. Most of them are all over 18 and living on their own.

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Dannai: It all started just before I was 10, when my mother started to work for a company that dealt with disadvantaged children and got into that line of work. Then, when my parents split up, she looked into changing jobs and starting her own company. But in the process, one of the young girls who worked at my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company was not in a stable social setting and my mother looked into adopting her. However, the fact that this girl was Aboriginal made this process very difficult.

Dannai: No, it was impossible but we did end up fostering her. AnneMie: And how long did this particular girl live with your family? Dannai: We had her untill she was 18. She stayed with us for three years and then we had some personal problems with her, and my mother thought it was time for her to be independent. The relationship was a little strange at first, but it improved and now we have a good bond. She has actually recently given birth to a baby girl.

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There were many times we did not see our mum because she was in hospital, or at the therapist with one of the foster kids. She knew WE were alright, but she had to take care of them as well.

mental issues. Some of the parents have mental illnesses themselves. But all for many different reasons, mainly health related. AnneMie: How did your mother get involved with fostering children? Was it through an organisation? Dannai: In NSW there is an organisation called DOCS (Department of Children Services), and they deal with all the neglected children and also look for homes for them. This organisation contacted my mother directly to ask if she could assist. AnneMie: What is your responsibility as a foster family? What sort of things does it entail? Dannai: Pretty much taking care of their basic needs, such as food and shelter, but also emotional support given the fact that so many of them are struggling with mental issues. You also fulfill the role as a coach, motivating them to go to school. That was a big issue. And many of them had serious issues with any form of confrontation. They would run away immediately when they thought they had done something wrong. For example, when they believed they would get in trouble for minor things such as not doing the dishes, they would run off. My mother had a good strategy for this kind of behaviour. She let them run off as she believed they would come back when they were getting hungry! AnneMie: Indeed, I like her strategy! Do you still keep in contact with your foster sisters and brothers? AnneMie: Over that 10-year time span, did you have many foster children coming into your family? Dannai: My mum cared for many children in the weeks that my siblings and I were with my dad, so there were many I did not really meet. However, there were three boys and about 10 girls. AnneMie: Are there more girls that need foster families than boys? Dannai: I am not sure, perhaps that was my mother’s choice to have more girls. Maybe girls have more problems than boys… my mother is a very caring person, so she gave priority to children with mental issues such as schizophrenia, or bipolar. From my point of view, the girls struggled with this more than the boys,;or they express it more. The reason why we fostered mainly girls is because it is easier not to mix genders as it makes things even more complicated… you know what happens when you put random boys and girls in the same environment… AnneMie: Interesting. So, how does a child become a candidate for a foster family? Dannai: Well, some of the families cannot deal with their children anymore. They cannot deal with the issues of running away or

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Dannai: Yes, there are about seven or eight who are still really close and who spend Christmas time with us. They are still part of our family, as they don’t really have any other family. AnneMie: Would you say that growing up amidst foster siblings has enriched your life? Dannai: That is a really hard question. It is hard to compare a situation with another one you have not experienced. It has definitely made me who I am today, and I would not change anything; but it was hard. There were many times we did not see our mum because she was in hospital, or at the therapist with one of the foster kids. She knew we were alright, but she had to take care of them as well. Growing up in this kind of family definitely contributed to the close bond I have with my brother and sister, as we were pushed aside a lot for the foster kids. The connection I have with my siblings is so tight; way tighter than most others I know. AnneMie: I suppose you could say that in the end it all worked out for the best then? Dannai: Oh yes, it was definitely an experience! AnneMie: Excellent! Thank-you for the interview and for sharing your story.

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eTEVALs are here... Vishen Naidu and Matthew McLean

From this semester onwards, Bond University has moved into administering electronic teaching evaluations (ETEVALS). From Week 10 eTEVALs will open and run right through to the end of the semester. The Office of Quality, Teaching and Learning and the Bond University Student Association have put together the following helpful hints to eTEVALS. Why complete your eTEVALs? Your feedback counts. The information gained from eTEVALs helps inform the Curriculum Review process, which in-turn helps improve the course/subject content and delivery of your subjects. eTEVALs are also used for academic review and promotion. Access your eTEVALS eTEVALs can be accessed in two ways: To access your eTEVALs via email, simply follow the email link sent through your Bond Student email account. To access eTEVALs through iLearn, log in to your iLearn account and follow the pop-up options. Please remember that the scale runs from Strongly Disagree on the left through to Strong Agree on the far right. Anonymity eTEVALs are completely anonymous. Your personal details and responses are stored in separate tables, and there is no way of distinguishing which responses belong to you. eTEVALs are also administered centrally through the Office of Quality, Teaching, and Learning, as a results your instructors don’t gain access to the eTEVAL results until well after exams. Results From the end of this semester, the eTEVAL results for all subject quantitative data will be made available in the Library. Evaluate and WIN an Ipad and movie tickets Every TEVAL submitted will put you in the draw to win an iPad 2 at the end of the year. There will also be movie ticket prizes to each faculty drawn at the end of each semester.

Extended Opening Hours for Students As a result of BUSA’s Teaching with Technology Position Paper, I am pleased to announce that the Vice-Chancellor has commissioned Information Services to trial extended opening hours for the both the Main Library and Multimedia Learning Centre. The extended opening times are as follow: John and Alison Kearney Multimedia Learning Centre – Week 9 - 14 Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 1:00am – Swipe access from 11pm Friday: 8:00am – 11:00pm – Swipe access from 6pm Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am – 11:00pm – Swipe access from 6pm Balnave’s Multimedia Learning Centre – Week 13 – 14 24-hours - 7-days a week The extension to the Main Library opening hours provides students 100 hours of additional access to their library between now and the end of this semester. The extension to the Multimedia Learning Centre opening hours provides students with 24/7 access to this facility for the very first time. Students should embrace this trial and make the most of it from now until the end of semester.

For more information visit: www.bond.edu.au/etevals or follow the QR code

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My Whine About Being A Swine

Jayde De Bondt

It is hard to know where to start, or how to express my past week in words. However, I will try. I am the girl who wore a pig suit for a week; the girl many of you judged, questioned and stared at. The girl who “lost a bet” or “lacked clothes to wear”. You laughed at my expense, jeering at the bacon head that walked past you in the Bra or sat behind you in the lecture. You thought that with my pig suit on, I would not hear the hurtful things you said about me. And, although I pretended to be immune to your sneers; I began to hate you. I understand that some of you had a genuine curiosity in my cause, and I truly am sorry if I didn’t greet you with a happy smile or a polite natured “hello” when you asked me, “why are you wearing a pig suit?” The truth is I didn’t want to answer your questions. I actually wanted to tell you to “f*ck off”, but my senses thankfully got the better of me. I was too tired; tired of being chased to class and stared at by everyone when I entered the room. The thing is, I already knew I looked different. I didn’t need your questions to remind me.

One minute I was carefree, confident and willing to try anything to get a reaction. The next I was couped up in my room, messaging my friends to see which one was free to take me out for a walk and some fresh air. In the seven days I wore the suit, I was reduced to nothing. By the end of the week, people had forgotten my name: they only referred to me as ‘Pig’. I had become the thing that I was dressed as, and when a man told me to “go back to my f*ckin’ sty”, I willingly obliged. Every smile was a smirk, every laugh a snicker, every pun mocked me… and by the end, I didn’t care

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about anything. It was a dramatic fall from grace. One minute I was carefree, confident and willing to try anything to get a reaction. The next I was couped up in my room, messaging my friends to see which one was free to take me out for a walk and some fresh air. I began my week as a pig thinking I could conquer anything and, although I accomplished what I set out to do, I am left with a bitter taste in my mouth. When I decided to dress up as a pig for a week, my goal was to write a story about society and acceptance. When I finished the week, I realised society wasn’t accepting at all. Even those closest to me found themselves embarrassed to walk beside me when we went anywhere. My boyfriend’s face was as red as his hair when we ate at Sushi Train. I couldn’t blame him, but because I knew I embarrassed my friends, I couldn’t help feeling I’d embarrassed myself. Everyone always encourages us to “be ourselves” and “not to worry what others think”. However, as soon as someone is considered too different or too unique, we are conditioned to see them as weird and absurd. We ridicule them because they are not like us, instead of applauding their courage for choosing not to conform. This week I have noticed the people who are deemed different a little more, maybe because I was also lumped into that category. They managed to smile at every passer-by who stared at them, walk strongly and boldly to wherever they needed to go, and be polite to those who were not necessarily polite to them. I tried so hard to channel their attitudes, and I know I failed dismally. But, I was inspired. These people give me hope, hope that kindness is not lost… you are so kind. Continue to be “a fugitive from the law of averages” and a beautiful ship in a vast sea of murky water. Finally, to those aggressive, ill-mannered, arrogant and rude people who teased and taunted me; you are the true pigs. Oh, and I will be writing about you in my 2,000 word creative nonfiction story due in Week 10, which I aim to get published externally. So, many more get to hear about what went on in my week that was torture.

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WEEK EIGHT Photographers: Kenny Kagiah (pgs. 14 & 15) | Caroline Kovac (pg. 16) | Shaun Rotman (pg. 17)

Events: USA v ROW | HSA Chill Sesh | Mile High Mid Sem Bash

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MUSIC ARTS & S W E I REV

John CarteR PARIS FAINT

What do you get when you mix together scantily clad women, lots of fighting, southern men with terrible acting skills, and weird green humanoids with tusks and four arms? Theme night at the local strip club? No. You get John Carter, the action film directed by Andrew Stanton. I had the opportunity to go and see John Carter on Saturday night with my mum, who insisted on seeing the movie for the ‘cool 3D experience’. So I tagged along, but not for the same reasons as her. I just wanted to finally make sense of the movie’s weird-ass trailer which got me asking questions like: Is it on this planet? Is it set ‘a long time ago but somehow in the future’? Is it more like Star Wars or Conan the Barbarian? And most importantly, does the hot woman and the hot man get it on in the end?!? Spoiler alert! The hot man and the hot woman do get it on in the end... the world is right once more. But in all seriousness, despite the strangest costumes, concept and creatures that I’ve seen in a movie recently; John Carter was pretty entertaining (in the sense that folks from Mars just happen to speak modern day English, have the same customs of courtship, marriage rights and prayer habits, and they all look exactly like humans with red squiggly marker drawn all over their faces - bravo makeup department). Oh whoops, did I just say ‘folks from Mars’? Okay well, the cats out of the bag now. The movie’s set on Mars!

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So after I internally dealt with the fact that people aren’t supposed to be able to breathe on Mars (let alone build whole cities there), I found myself getting into the story-line and ‘lol’ing more and more as it progressed. John Carter, southern cavalry man and a defector from the troops fighting the Apache horde gets beamed to Mars by accident after killing an evil ‘Thern’ (godlike bald man played by the likes of Mark Strong). He saves a Mars princess who dresses like Xena, he rallies hordes of ten foot tall green stick-insect-men with tusks, and finally ends up killing the bad guy. Hi-five! Why should you see it? • Men, you should go see John Carter to froth over the leading actress who pretty much only wears revealing rope and cloth for the whole movie, and the (admittedly) awesome special effects. • Women, you should go see John Carter to gaze upon Taylor Kitsch’s rippling abs for two hours, and to giggle at the fact that marriage is apparently now a ‘universal’ institution. • Everyone, just go and see John Carter. I really have no legitimate reasons why you shouldn’t. It’s either going to be hilarious (if you’re a movie purist) or actually decent (if you’re a person who appreciates good special effects... or you’re a brick). 3/5 stars

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Future Music Festival Frenzy Sydney, 10th of March 2012. EMILY MCGREGOR When I awoke to birds chirping and sunlight streaming into my room on Saturday the 10th of March, I knew that today was the day that I was going to get absolutely mortal and dance until my ankles dislocated. And boy, was my pre-emption right. As I slowly awoke from my drowsy slumber (I stayed up late the night before playing Sims 3 Night Life like a boss), I stuffed two pieces of slightly burnt, vegemite-encrusted pieces of toast into my mouth. I downed a coffee and chucked on my copper shorts, my Tiger Lily one piece, a plain black shirt… and of course, my awesome black lesbot boots. At this point, I looked at myself in the mirror and stated proudly, “let’s f*ck shit up”; Stepbrothers style. My brother rolled his eyes, thinking I was the biggest twat that ever walked the earth, but I didn’t care, I had a very clear mission. Shit was going to be f*cked up, and I was the one to do it. When I finally got to my friend’s house, she was obviously just as delirious as I was and ready to go after a quick five minute make-up/hair sesh in the bathroom. When our other friends rocked up to her house and we took a symbolic smoke in her backyard together, completely silent, as if to conserve the little amount of ‘quiet time’ we were going to be given today. When it was over, we crawled into multiple P-plater cars and made our way to the bottle-o. We purchased some sweet Rekordelig, Vodka and a box of shit orange UDL’s. We skulled them and waited on the M2 for the bus to arrive to take us to this much anticipated festival. We waited. And we waited. And waited a little more. Finally, our bus arrived 20 minutes late, but frustratingly the bastard didn’t even stop and just yelled that he was full. So much stress! So after some very annoying conversations with the NSW Transport Authorities (aka NSW Transport Wankers), we eventually decided to catch a cab. $90 later, we arrived at our friends place in the UTS Housing Complex, Ultimo Street, Sydney; where we could prink and hang out on the rooftop with our mates, and admire the 360° views of Sydney city. When we finally arrived after a sweaty, shoulder-to-shoulder bus ride to Randwick Racecourse; we were ready to go. We got our bags checked and walked right into the mosh for Gym Class Heroes ‘Cupid’s Chokehold’ and lost our shit. Travis McCoy, the lead singer of GCH, did well to keep the crowd psyched, constantly changing the lyrics to something to do with Australia/Sydney and demanding our cries and praise for beloved well known songs. After GCH finished their set, we quickly ran over for the opening of Skrillex and scored a spot on the left in the shade, near some super buff dudes whose shoulders operated as my own personal platform to view the delightful Sonny Moore and his sick beats. Surprisingly, I was actually disappointed with Moore’s set playlist. I do admit that he was making an effort to actually DJ and remix different acts songs, but the crowd was really there to see his own stuff. Regardless of the lack of authentic Skrillex songs, we decided we would make the most of it, and perform a triple shoulder lift. I operated as the effective ‘meat patty’ in the burger, and attempted to balance my lanky friend whilst sitting on a huge guys shoulders;

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practically 10 metres off the ground. Mixed with the alcohol I had consumed, and the contraban substances that they had probably consumed, our circus act was doomed to fail. I soon found myself upside down with my legs wrapped around a guys head, and my friend attempting to pogo-jump off my fat head. It sucked. It hurt, and I eventually opted to neverever do that again. Over the course of Skrillex’s set, we finally got sick of his stupid remixes and decided to bail from the sweaty mosh pit; which at this stage had turned into a Hep B convention. Yummy. We sat down and waited to re-group with our mates whom we had lost in the crowd. As we sat and waited, I couldn’t help but stare at the bizarre fashion choices that had emerged that day. There were three guys who wore adult sized diapers, really large girls who wore just lingerie (imagine, a walrus flossing), and the pack of obviously non-native American white Caucasians who decided it was the appropriate time to whip out the feathery head dress and paint their faces in traditional war paint. It was quite entertaining to watch the feathery, leathery, and edging on pornography fashion parade that ensued at Future. Next time, dress for your figure bitches. When we finally met up, me and my girls (yep, gay I know, but whatevs) went and saw the beloved Die Antwoord at the Likes of You Stage (Manning Bar), which was this gigantic boiler room, painted black, to keep in the heat. If any of you have ever been to Manning Bar, you would know how freaking disgusting it gets. As we entered the dimly lit cave of super germs, we realised there was no possible way to get in. So we decided we would climb up the walls, and swing off the roof support railings. It was mental. We were told off by security twice and ended up just sitting and rapping to the sweet Zef music that blessed our ears. I admit, this was not my first time seeing Die Antwoord and I probably enjoyed the last time better because I was right up the front, sharing all my juices with a zillion randoms. However, this time was no disappointment whatsoever; they played all my favourite songs and I got to see them perform in their full entirety (although I was a little bit bummed that Yolandi didn’t moon the crowd this time!). The best performance they did was ‘Beat Boy’ and ‘I Fink You Freaky’: they freaking went off and I ended up rapping in Afrikaans with a random by-stander. He asked if we could hang out, and I quickly ran away into the seething mass of sweaty Die Antwoord fans. Thank the Lord there was a crap-load of them! The last act I saw before my friends and I called it a night was Knife Party. I actually really enjoyed their set because I got to chill out on the grass and watch people get absolutely munted and dumped in the crowd. Basically, I pissed myself laughing the entire time whilst listening to some sweet tunes. And yes, ‘Internet Friends’ got retarded. It was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. After Knife Party, my group and I decided to call it quits for a number of reasons (shit cold weather, tired and some coming down), so we waltzed out in a happy chappy mood and thanked God for the fact that all our ligaments, fingers and toes were still intact. All in all, Future was a sick festival and I wish I could have stayed for Aphex Twin and the Wombats; but I had a shweet shweet time anyway! Make sure you grab a ticket next year bro’s!

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Res Wars Weekly Recap: Indoor Soccer Alan White Res Wars (Indoor Soccer) was a very interesting affair on Wednesday of Week 8. With a sparse number of competitors from all res areas, the Indoor Soccer games were always going to fall in favour of those that had the numbers; no matter what their skill level actually was! On the women’s side of the competition we were down to three horses before the race had even started, as the AC had one lone representative in play. With the single AC player joining the also light on numbers Green Machine, we finally had a competition! A Block and B Block kicked things off. A tight tussle saw a goal-less first half, where it was evident all players were still warming up their skills; and even more so, warming up to the absolutely shocking new umpire (ie. me). During the second half, a more aggressive B Block broke away, scoring two goals in quick succession to secure a 2–0 win. Next, it was the Green Machine/AC combination against A Block, who would need to win this game to make the finals. An inspired A Block took complete control of the game from the start, and although Green Machine managed to score; it was a striking and free kicking A Block

that booted their way through. It was a bad night for Green Machine, as they continued to push hard but didn’t make the grade against a top notch B Block, and would end up finishing third overall. In the final, the game was something else. With the best of Bond’s female athletes on display, including MVP of the night, Julia Steele (does she even go here?). It was a high quality and tight tussle. Surprisingly, A Block went into the final with a 1-0 lead, after a lucky out of touch goal soared over the goalies head. But the quality of the B Block side, led by Res Fellow Filly Bragg meant the experienced, committed and super fit B Block stormed through the second half to take out a 2-1 win and finish top of the women’s table! This week: it’s Res Wars: Carnival. So meet us down on the Ornamental Lawns at 5.45pm for a whole lot of Sports Carnival fun, just like when you were in grade 5! Lastly, don’t forget to sign up to Res Dinner on BondSync, and nominate your favourite Bondies for a range of awards for 121!

BUS v LAW RUGBY BOND RUGBY FIELDS TIME: 6.30PM Photos: Madeline Wardleworth SCOPE

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Ever fancied being Greek? What about naked? ...what about nearly?

you when you’re legging it around Bond in as little as socially acceptable.

Then here is a story for you from the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. The myth that arose from the battle was of Greek messenger Pheidippides, who ran to Athens (some 40km away over rough hilly land) with news of victory and upon delivering of this news promptly dropped dead due to severe exhaustion and a nasty case of blisters.

So to the rules. Rules are important. They prevent anyone getting too embarrassed or in trouble with the powers that be.

Hence the legend eventually gave birth to the event we now call a marathon. Fortunately, for you oh so able bodied, prospective athletes; you only have to run a mile. Albeit with a few...interesting facts. On the subject of Greeks, did you know that in the bad old days the athletes competing in the Olympics would compete naked, baring all for the world to see? Yes that’s right folks, just think of your favourite Gerard Butler moment but minus the leather budgee smugglers and CGI computer enhanced six packs, and you’ve got the Olympics.

Let’s Get Naked! Well Almost…

However, fellow Bondies, this is not the Olympics and this is not Sparta. This is the Nearly Naked Mile for 121 proudly brought to you by your Freshman Council, and while we’re not going to make you run a marathon; it may feel like it for some of

On Sunday the 11th of March, over 80 participants competed in the Bond Touch Club’s very first Touch Carnival at Varsity College Ovals. Seven teams played for the Silver Cup in what was a very fun and successful day for both players and spectators. The storm clouds were looming over the fields, however the gods were in our favour and there was plenty of sunshine and quality touch football. The day started with participants arriving at 10:30am for an 11:00am kick-off. The teams played three games each, with the top four teams progressing to the SemiFinals. Victorious Secret narrowly scraped through to secure a spot in the Grand Final, and joining them was Rainbow-connection. The Grand Final was fast-paced, with both teams displaying a high level of skill and enthusiasm. Rainbowconnection scored a quick run-away try by Luke Evans in the opening minute. Victorious Secret responded with an all-team effort to score down the sideline. A sneaky intercept try put Rainbow–connection ahead; but not for

Mary Alice Grant

1. Swimwear is compulsory for the girls and applauded for the boys. Grab your onesies, bikinis, toggs, trunks, boardies and get a sprintin’. Extra points for budgee smugglers a la Tony Abbot. 2. Skins, Sports Bras etc. - for all you aerodynamic, raring to go runners, don your sleekest gear and put your fancy stitching and materials to the test. Some No No’s: • No being completely naked - this does not bode well for some, if not most of society. Keep your gear on, this ain’t the full monty. • Mankinis - lets face it, you may as well just ignore the first rule if you break this one. Sadly lads, you’re not Borat. Most people won’t find your attempts to offend amusing, they’ll find it offensive. SIMPLY STATED FOR THE BLIND. NO MANKINIS. Save the date: Wednesday March 21st Week 10. Specific times and locations to be announced very soon. Sign up coming soon! Keep an eye out for posters folks, and get keen for the first ever Bond University Nearly Naked Mile!

long. Victorious Secret squared the game up just before half-time. The second half was a nail biter, however Rainbow-connection was able to take home the gold only just winning 4-3. The Wooden Spoon went to Joel, Viko, Motty and Co. and the Spirit Award to Victorious Secret with their ‘pretty pink’ singlets. A special thanks to Joe and the Red Bull team for providing an ample supply of energy drinks and their epic DJ truck. We would also like to thank Athena Pliantsas and James Mulholland for helping out on the day. Thanks to CBD Hotel for hosting the Touch kick-on celebrations, with free pizzas and awesome entitlements. All in all it was a fantastic day and we hope to make this event bigger and better next semester. Signing off, The Touch Club.

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Hope of a Better Future for Cambodia Zoe Langley

In 2009 whilst travelling in Cambodia, my mother and father met a little boy named Pana. He was a street child. With no parents around, he begged and scavenged in the busy streets of Siem Reap to survive. Pana introduced my parents to Tough Main, a monk from the Watt where Pana slept (a Watt is a Khmer temple); and to the Volunteer Development Children’s Association (VDCA) school that Tough had opened behind the temple. Ever since that day, my family have regularly visited the school to volunteer, and have raised funds to aid in its development. The VDCA is a free school that teaches everything from Khmer history, to maths, music and English. As Cambodia is a fast growing tourism destination, it is essential for one to speak English if they wish to work and live in the city; away from the millions of undiscovered active landmines in the countryside, left by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.

The most difficult to bear are the landmine victims. I once saw a man who had lost both his legs to a landmine, and could not afford a wheelchair or crutches. He walked on his hands, and sometimes dragged himself up and down the streets; selling trinkets from a basket tied around his neck. In 1975, in an effort to end the streak of poverty that had engulfed the country since the Vietnam War, a warlord named Pol Pot administered a regime that would see the disposal of all traces of foreign influence. Cities were evacuated overnight, and literally everyone was sent to work in farms in the countryside. The soldiers murdered doctors, lawyers, members of government - really anyone who was educated, as Pol Pot blamed the intellectuals for having control of the country’s funds. In four years these farms became concentration camps. People starved, died of disease, and were executed for treason, or no reason at all. All forms of currency were destroyed. Pol Pot believed everyone should be equal, though he did not treat them that way. It is unknown how many lives were lost in the country’s darkest hour, but it is estimated that it lies anywhere between two and four million; which was well over 25 per cent of the country’s population at that time.

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Walking through the streets of Siem Reap is confronting, as there is a constant onslaught of beggars and sellers. The most difficult to bare are the landmine victims. I once saw a man who had lost both his legs to a landmine, and could not afford a wheelchair or crutches. He walked on his hands, and sometimes dragged himself up and down the streets; selling trinkets from a basket tied around his neck. Families of five cram onto one small moped and the roads are filled with tuk-tuks, bikes, ox carts and scooters. Hundreds of people queue outside hospitals all day every day, as there is simply no more room inside. Yet, despite all this poverty and sickness the people of Cambodia are the happiest and proudest people I have ever met. There are many treasures to be seen such as Kompong Luong, the floating village, a stunning coastline, and the famous Angkor Watt. It’s incredible that a country so small has almost as many people as the whole of Australia. When I come home, the streets here always seem so eerily deserted and people seem so harsh and selfish. At the VDCA, teachers earn a little less that $40 a month, and this is an average wage for the country. Other schools in Siem Reap cost about $50 per semester for admission (despite the corrupt government’s free compulsory education scheme), which is why the VDCA school relies solely on donations and volunteers like you and I. Recently, a second school was opened in Orlung Bei, a town about 30km outside of Siem Reap. This town is significant because it is built around a rubbish dump. The people from this village, both adults and children, spend their days scavenging through the trash for something to sell, or worse, something to eat. We visited this town in January this year, and saw people fishing through the rubbish with no shoes on. Within a week my uncle had managed to purchase 100 pairs of gumboots for the community. It’s easy to consider South-East Asia as the ideal holiday destination; it’s beautiful and ridiculously cheap (in Cambodia, a pint of Angkor Beer is 50 cents). But the truth is these are struggling countries. Not just Cambodia: Vietman, Laos and Thailand are also completely reliant on their tourism industries to survive, and so many people travel from all over the world to take advantage of that, and the people. So if you do visit these countries, when you’re trying to barter with a woman trying to sell you a painting, please consider who needs the money more. Further, anyone wishing to donate or to know more, please contact me via email zoe.langley@student.bond.edu.au

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There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. Stuart McKelvie

Guide Dogs Queensland has been helping to equip, empower and educate blind and vision impaired Queenslanders, of all ages, with a wide range of top-quality orientation and mobility services since 1960. With less than seven per cent government funding for some specific rehabilitation services, and none for the guide dogs; they rely on the generosity of individuals, corporate sponsors and people who leave a bequest in their Will so they can continue to fund their vital work.

There will be two cute little Guide Dogs walking around which would love to meet all of you and they are even carrying a money pouch for you to donate to their wonderful cause.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that overall incidence of blindness and vision impairment for Australian will grow from the 292,700 to 421,600 people in the next 15 years. By 2020 there is expected to be a 49 per cent increase in the number of Australians living with blindness or vision loss. On Wednesday 21st of March, Guide Dogs QLD is coming to Bond! Come on down to their stall on the Ornamental Lawns after feasting on the delights provided at Wednesday by the Water. There will be two cute little guide dogs walking around who would love to meet all of you, and they are even carrying a money pouch for you to donate to their wonderful cause. At the stall there will be an adundant supply of guide dogs merchandise for sale, as well as information brochures regarding the important contribution they make to society. In addition, there will be an ‘assisted walk’ obstacle course for you and a partner to experience just a little of what someone with a visual impairment has to endure every day. We hope to see each and every one of you, because it really is a precious gift which is often taken for granted.

Whilst they are best known for their iconic guide dogs, that service is just a small part of what they do. Their other services include: • Guide dog training and placement; • White cane training; • Electronic Travel Aids training; • Community and professional education workshops; • Mobility programs for vision impaired and blind children; and • Counselling by on-staff psychologist.

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|26| EVENTS

Kin Kao: So good, it would be worth driving to Griffith. Ava Anastasia We all have that takeaway restaurant we go to because it’s close, inexpensive and, although the components in the plastic tubs resemble no known form of meat, it has been drowned in so much sauce that you tolerate it. However, now you can forget about said restaurant. Enter Kin Kao; the Thai dine-in or take-away that somehow manages to be close and inexpensive, with delights so spectacular they make a plastic tub seem appetising.

This is not the first time I’ve walked through these doors, and it won’t be the last. I never give a recommendation if I am yet to test the venue for consistency. Here, you will not wonder if your green chicken curry is really ibis, nor will you question the hours your choo chee prawns have spent out of water. I am actually getting hungry again just reliving this culinary wet dream. This is not the first time I’ve walked through these doors, and it won’t be the last. I never give a recommendation if I am yet to test the venue for consistency. It’s Sunday evening and I’ve had better days; my only comfort lies in the haven of coconut cream and deep-fried moneybags. I phone ahead for the sake of impatience and within 15 minutes, I am strolling down the brown brick lane to my spicy destiny; and am met with a smile and a correct order. Even given the 10 minutes it takes to transport my feast back to my house, nothing is overcooked. The hypnotic genie seeping out of the plastic container is begging me to rip it open then and there, at the University Drive roundabout; to immerse myself in the harmony of sweet, sour, salty and spicy. I consider my options, and also the cute Nordic bike rider to my left; so not sexy. I am thankful for the moneybags I ordered in anticipation of such a situation; bite-sized, crispy, golden foreplay for my palate. Despite the inability to control myself, the venue offers a flawless dining experience for those unwilling to suffer the torture that is a 10 minute drive, with a possible lap full of tom yum. The balcony offers the tender kiss of the lateMarch breeze, while inside is adorned with golden Thai treasures. There’s nothing that can trump a relaxed atmosphere with impeccable fare and service. I acknowledge the fact that I ordered enough for three people, but I so enjoy the immediate gratification of leftovers. My Order: Moneybags (minced pork wrapped in crisp pastry) - $8.90 for a serve of four Tom Yum Soup with Chicken - $8.10 Choo Chee Prawns - $20.90 Red Duck Curry - $19.90 Coconut Rice - $6.90 Address: 8/217 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina PH: 5578 9959 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kin-Kao-Thai-Restaurant-Take-away-Robina/150873108343319

SCOPE

| 27| FEATURES

Don’t wor ry be Happy mon!! BOND UNIVERSITY STUDENT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

! S Y A D N O M n o recieve 15% off

*5% discount every other day

Eat in BYO or Takeaway Phone orders welcome

1300 JAMROC 5 2 6 7 6 2

GLOBAL MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE

HOT Library/MLC extended opening hours CBD Tuesdays Save Gold Coast United

UPDATE FROM YOUR BSA

Bond sporting fields reopening

Bond has come out on top of two pools after the first round of the GMC closed last week. Congratulations to the two Bond teams that have made it to the National Final.

Men in Black Finishing Grad applications

Bond 5 (Nitesh Chawda, Lewis Bourne, Matthew Boyce, Jacob Collier and Maxwell Davies) came out on top of Pool 3, and Bond 3 (Alexander Robertson, Casey Schneeberger, Paul Kelly, Connie Xu and Breanna Lee) topped Pool 4.

Nearly Naked Mile

Teams will be competing in the National Final on Saturday the 17th, being held here at Bond. The teams will be facing the winners from Pools 1 and 2, and all the teams will battling it out against each other.

St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day

Breaking up with someone via a meme

Centrelink payments Haircuts Stakes Day GRUDGE WEEK Inflatable bouncy toys

World Water Day International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March, as a means of drawing attention to the importance of fresh water and advocating for the sustainable management of fresh water resources. The Millennium Development Goal for access to clean water has been reached ahead of the target date of 2015. Now 87% of the population of the world has access to improved water supplies; up from 76 per cent in the base year of 1990. World Water Day 2012 is a fantastic chance to celebrate these tremendous results. However nearly one billion people still drink dirty water. Water changes everything and short-term campaigns and solutions will not be effective in ensuring a sustainable water future for the world.

NOT Getting mid sem results back

SPC

Having to work the extended hours

It is with this in mind that Bond SPC and Tap Collective are asking you to celebrate water with us.

Spinach ice-cream

Starting Monday Week 10, a Water Awareness pack will be available in the SPC store (located across from Dons). Tap Collective has raised enough to make two donations to water projects, and this Water Day, Tap is aiming to raise enough funds to build a complete water project.

Working on Stakes Day

How will this help? Every water project built will provide the freedom and incentive for members of the community to make a positive impact.

BOND CLASSIFIEDS

Send an email to scope.bond@gmail.com with all the relevant details (name, goods/services, contact number etc.), plus your student ID (so we can verify that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a student). MAXIMUM 50 WORDS DEADLINE: 4PM MONDAY EACH WEEK

SCOPE

| 29| ODDS & ENDS

GAMSAT

Caffeine breath No free time

HOT or NOT

H A A A A VE Y O U M E T . . . ? Ideal date location and companion? Do you call a snail without a shell naked or homeless? What food would you be and why? What is your study motto? A genie grants you three wishes - what are they and why?

Name: Age: Degree: Beginning Semester: Hometown: Facebook Relationship Status: Star Sign:

Do you judge other people for their past indiscretions? If you could swap bodies with anyone at Bond for a day, who would it be and why? Choose: never washing your bed sheets again, or never washing your towel again. Weirdest place youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a sexual encounter?

FUN FACT!

NEXT WEEK: Nominate yourself or dob in someone else to scope.bond@gmail.com