UON Survival Handbook (2023)

UON SURVIVAL HANDBOOK

UNSA and Opus would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians upon which this magazine was written, the Pambalong Clan of the Awabakal Nation. We would also like to extend this acknowledgement to the Birpai, Darkinjung and Gadigal peoples, as the traditional custodians of the lands upon which the University of Newcastle resides and UNSA operates. UNSA would like to pay respects to all Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge them as the true knowledge holders.

We acknowledge the historical inequalities faced by Aboriginal people and the continuing struggle for justice and equality. Black Lives Matter.

Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Resources

The Wollotuka Institute is dedicated to supporting you through your studies with highly qualified, Indigenous staff. Wollotuka offers a huge range of support services, including academic support, support with University policy and procedure, and additional learning and professional development opportunities. Available services currently include the Indigenous Tutoring Program (ITP), opportunities from the Student Advancement and Experience team, and consultations with the Wollotuka Learning Development Officer. The Wollotuka Institute is also home to experienced staff, Elders, and cultural leaders who are available to give advice, offer collaboration, and encourage knowledge-sharing.

You can find out more by heading to their webpage at newcastle.edu.au/our-uni/indigenouscollaboration/the-wollotuka-institute; or you can contact them directly by heading to the channels below:

Email: wollotuka@newcastle.edu.au

Callaghan phone: (02) 4921 6863

NUspace phone: (02) 4921 5307

Ourimbah phone: (02) 4349 4500

The UNSA Indigenous Collective is a studentled, collaborative, safe-space for students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The Collective is dedicated to supporting and advocating for its members in the wider University, while also providing a culturally safe space for knowledge-sharing, studying, or just having a yarn. The Collective also collaborates on and runs a number of events through the year which prioritise the University experience for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. You can join

the collective by heading to unsa.org.au/Clubs/ IC, and you can check them out on Instagram @ unsaindigenouscollective.

Awabakal LTD is an Aboriginal communitycontrolled service who primarily provide health and medical services. Support from Awabakal can come in the form of GP and Medical services, mental health services, disability and NDIS support, support with housing for the local Aboriginal community, and preschool services. Their website also houses an extensive list of external support services and organisations, and can act as a hub for additional support options. You can find out more, or request a service, by calling 1800 174 908. You can also visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/awabakal, or their instagram @awabakal_ltd.

The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) provides legal services and advice to Aboriginal people in NSW and the ACT. Their services can range from legal advice to court representation, and their interests lie in a range of areas including Tenancy, Care and Protection Law, Family Law, and Criminal Law. The ALS is proudly Aboriginal and dedicated to law reform. If you need legal advice or want more information about your rights, you can head to the ALS website at alsnswact.org.au, or contact them via the channels below:

For police charges and court matters: 1800 765 767

For care and protection, and family matters: 1800 733 233

For general enquiries: (02) 9213 4100

Or fill out the Contact Us page on their website.

Editor’s Letters

Welcome, welcome, aaaand welcome!!I

It’s so exciting to back as Editor and welcome you to university this semester. It’s amazing to meet you, person who is reading this good looking handbook. I’m the Editor here at Opus, UON’s student media, and this is our hard-working little team. We’re here to make sure your voice (any UON student) is heard and your work is published - continuing to write history from the student perspective since 1954.

Inside these pages we have some of the best tips and tricks to surviving this crazy time in our lives called uni. From student media coverage (us), and your student association who hosts the best uni parties, clubs, and gives us free food (UNSA), all the way to free student services, UON culture, and student accommodation. We even included a Newy pub crawl bucket list for you to enjoy!

I hope that this survival handbook can make your life at uni just a little bit easier, and a hell of a lot more fun.

Editor

Melanie Jenkins

Aaaand, we’re back!

If this is your first flip through an issue of Opus, let us introduce ourselves. I’m Steph, that’s Mel, there’s our Graphic Designer Tiana, and we’re your student media team. To start the semester off strong, we’re bringing you everything you need to know about life at UON with this Survival Handbook. Whether you’re fresh meat or a veteran student, there’s something in these pages for you.

As for Opus, we’re dedicated to putting a spotlight on the voice of students. If you’ve got a gripe, we want to tell the world about it. I’m sure you’ll be sick to death of hearing from us in no time this O-Week, so I’ll make like a tree and leaf you to it.

Thank you for picking up a copy of our little magazine, good luck with the year, and don’t forget to pay for your overpriced parking ticket.

Assistant Editor Stephanie Jenkins

Opus Graphic Designer Tiana Williams

President’s Letter

continuing this year! Check out the UNSA Events Calendar on our website to keep up to date on all our upcoming events and workshops.

As well as being on a mission to help you have a great time here at university, UNSA is home to the peak representative body for all UON students, the Student Representative Council (SRC). The SRC is made up of elected student representatives from diverse backgrounds, levels of study and campuses, and is here to be the student voice on campus and advocate for your needs and concerns as a student. You can read more about the SRC and why it matters to you in my explainer article later in this handbook!

Above all, UNSA is here to make your time at university the best it can be, and we are always looking to hear your feedback. Get in touch anytime at unsa@newcastle.edu.au or drop in to the UNSA building – don’t be a stranger!

Dear Students,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Opus survival handbook! A special shout-out to those of you who are new to UON – what an exciting journey you’re about to embark on.

My name is Georgie and I’m the UNSA President for this year. I’m so excited to be leading the SRC and UNSA team in what is sure to be a jam-packed year.

UNSA is your student association, here to support you throughout your time at university, whether it’s with a free BBQ lunch each week, groceries from our Free Food Friday program, discounted First Aid and other courses, a free coffee and space to chill in the UNSA Building (come check it out!), or help with any issues you might be having while at uni. Drop in and see one of our friendly UNSA Crew, who will be glad to point you in the right direction or let you know about the support available to you.

I hope to see you at plenty of UNSA events throughout this year, of which there are a multitude lined up for you. Kicking off with an O Party at Bar on the Hill, as well as International Women’s Day, SHAG Week and Harmony Day coming up soon. In 2022 we launched some epic events including a Pop-Up Op Shop and the UNSA Ball and Awards Night, which we look forward to

Most importantly, know that you are not alone on this university journey and that there’s no shame in reaching out for help whenever you need it. There are literally whole teams of people waiting to help and who are dedicated to seeing you succeed, however that looks for you.

My two other contrasting yet complementary pieces of advice to you as a student are: firstly, to get involved! There’s so much on offer outside of your classes while you’re at uni and so many ways for you to find your people and community. Join a bunch of clubs, sign up to a Collective if you’re from one of the equity groups, attend PASS classes, come along to events and put yourself out there!

Secondly, in saying all this, do try to keep a balance. I know from personal experience how easy it is to get engrossed in things like extracurriculars or work, so keep focused on your priorities while completing your studies. Be sure to look after your wellbeing and take care of yourself too, especially as the year starts to get busy!

Best wishes for a fantastic semester ahead,

UNSA President

Georgie Cooper

UNSA General Manager’s Welcome

you choose to leap off the ledge of your comfort zone where you grow the most. You never know where a snap decision may lead you–and the possibilities are endless. Who knows, it could lead to a scholarship, a job (or even your dream career), a friendship (or a relationship), an overseas trip (or uni exchange program), or maybe an important lesson to be learned!

Howdy and welcome (back) to Uni!

My name is Jen and I am the General Manager at UNSA, your students’ association.

Not long ago I was in your shoes, an international student doing the daily student slog; trying to balance the seemingly never-ending stream of classes, assignments, and exams along with work, some hint of a social life, and (occasionally) a bit of exercise, all while keeping my eyes peeled for any whiff of free food on campus.

Looking back on my own experience at uni, my one piece of advice is to SOAK IT UP! One day you will blink and it will be over. Yes you are here to study and earn that degree, but don’t forget that the world outside of class is your oyster. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and join (or start) that club, nominate for that leadership position, apply for that job, go to that party, join that social sport team, spark up a conversation with that classmate, volunteer for that cause you care about, switch degree programs, write a piece for Opus about that topic you love, go to that protest, or slide into your lecturer’s email inbox to ask that question about your assignment. Speaking from experience, it is always the times

Most importantly, never be afraid to reach out for support throughout your time at uni. There are so many student support services available for you to take advantage of, many of which are partially SSAF funded; paid for by you, to be used by you! This includes UNSA, the Careers Service, Counseling, Campus Care, the Chaplaincy, NuSport the Forum, health services, IT, Security, and crisis support to name a few. There is also tailored support available to equity groups including Indigenous students, International students, AccessAbility (students with a disability), the ALLY Network, and more! Simply search https:// www.newcastle.edu.au/current-students/support for more information. Or, if you’re not sure where to start, pop in to the UNSA building at Callaghan or Ourimbah campus (or drop us an email at unsa@newcastle.edu.au) and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

What is UNSA?

Launched in 2020, UNSA is a not-for-profit organisation that is separate to the Uni. UNSA’s purpose is to enhance the out-of-class student experience through social events, free food initiatives, student advocacy via the SRC, welfare initiatives, clubs and societies, student media, and more! UNSA’s values are Inclusivity & Diversity, Respectful Collaboration,

Safety & Security, Kindness & Compassion, and Empowerment. UNSA strives to use these values as a compass to guide our decision making and aim to exude these values in everything that we do.

How is UNSA funded and how is UNSA led?

UNSA is funded by the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and led by the Student Representative Council (SRC) who are elected each year in semester two. The Executive of the SRC makes up the student Directors on the UNSA Board, and the Board oversees UNSA’s governance and strategic direction. The General Manager (me) is hired by the board to lead the UNSA operational team of over twenty staff (many of whom are current students) to implement UNSA’s strategy and mission. Each year UNSA receives a portion of SSAF paid by students (in 2022 UNSA received approximately 17.5% of the SSAF pot) to perform various services and provide a number of supports to students across all onshore University of Newcastle Campuses.

What does UNSA actually do?

UNSA services and supports include:

• Free food: free lunches across campuses, Free Food Friday (grocery service through OzHarvest) free coffee machine (Callaghan), free food pantries (Callaghan and Ourimbah), Breakfast Bar, Freezies (frozen meal) Program, and more!

• Student advocacy and leadership through the elected Student Representative Council (SRC), and the Committees, Senates and Collectives that feed up to the SRC.

• Funding and support for UNSA-affiliated clubs and societies. Did you know you can start your own club, access funding to run

your own events and activities, and access special opportunities for upskilling as a club executive?

• Events, activities, and parties (yes, parties!) for students of all cohorts. Our calendar of events includes O-Party, Clubs Week, Sexual Health and Guidance (SHAG) Week, International Women’s Day, Halloween, Pride Week, Oktoberfest, our Annual Ball and Awards night PLUS many more!

• Free/discounted training courses like First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, and Responsible Service of Alcohol/Responsible Conduct of Gaming.

• Five Collectives for students from equity groups, including Parents and Carers, Accessibility, Indigenous, Women’s and Queer.

• A platform to grow your media skills through (you guessed it) Opus Magazine, both in-print and online!

• And more!

What are you waiting for–get involved!

Lastly, UNSA loves to hear from you so feel free to reach out to us with your feedback and ideas at unsa@newcastle.edu.au

I hope your semester is as buzzing as the devilish Callaghan mosquitoes!

Yours truly,

UNSA General Manager Jen Hanson

Who, What, When, Where and Why is the SRC? An Explainer

You may be reading for the first time about the fact that we have an SRC here at the University of Newcastle, or be curious to know more about what it is, what it does, and why this is relevant to you. Even if you couldn’t care less, read on regardless and I guarantee you’ll learn something in this handy guide – an SRC SparkNotes, if you will.

Who

The Student Representative Council (SRC) is made up of elected student representatives from a variety of backgrounds, locations and levels of study, aimed to be representative of all students at the University of Newcastle. Of course, even with up to 18 people it’s impossible to be a perfect representation, hence why we’re constantly looking for your input (more on this later)! Each student rep has a specific cohort of students whose needs and feedback they are representing.

The structure of the SRC can be broken up as follows, including the names of those who have been elected so far for 2023.

Executive:

The SRC Executive also sit on the UNSA Board of Directors alongside two Independent Directors and one Community Director. Each VP and Senate Convenor chair a committee or senate made up of students from their cohort.

Campus Convenors:

The Campus Convenors also chair a committee of students studying at their campus, to raise any issues and ideas affecting students at that campus.

Equity Officers:

The Equity Officers represent each of UNSA’s five Equity Collectives, who exist to support and represent these diverse communities. You can sign up as a members of relevant Collectives through

the UNSA website and look out for upcoming meetings and events.

Ex-Officio Members:

Ex-officio means that these people have a position on the SRC by nature of being elected to their respective roles.

You can find a bio for each SRC member on the UNSA website to learn a bit more about each of them and their roles!

What

The SRC was established to be the peak representative body for all students at the University. It achieves this through a range of activities undertaken by SRC members. This includes seeking out feedback from their student cohort (ie you!); presenting reports and proposals at regular SRC meetings; meeting and working with staff and Executives from the University on matters relevant to students; advocating for student needs in various forums such as committees and working groups; collaborating with other student reps and UNSA staff to action student feedback and improve the student experience, for instance by creating new educational or welfare-related initiatives, fun events where you can engage with your community, and more.

Essentially, SRC members are elected to be the student voice, to hear your feedback and implement improvements to help make your time at uni the best it can be!

When

Elections are held during Semester 2 (around September) for the majority of SRC positions. The exceptions to this are the ex-officio members and Equity Officers, who are elected through separate processes.

Once elected, SRC members hold their role for the duration of the following calendar year, and are most active during Semester/Trimester periods, especially at key events on campus.

An important part of each role is attending SRC meetings once every two months, or monthly for the Executive members who also attend UNSA Board meetings in alternating months. At SRC meetings, members review and discuss matters such reports and funding proposals. Did you know you can read the minutes of SRC meetings on the UNSA website?

When is the SRC available? You can get in touch with us via email anytime through unsa@ newcastle.edu.au and we’ll be happy to write back or arrange a time to meet with you. We’re also keen to hear your feedback at the weekly UNSA BBQs, or at upcoming student forums – keep an eye out for these!

Where

You’ll find SRC members at most UNSA events on campus such as O-Week, Harmony Day, SHAG and Pride Weeks, as well as helping at weekly UNSA BBQs and other events across all UON campuses. You can usually also find us in the UNSA Building, or online through the email above!

Why

Why does all of this matter to you? Because the SRC are here to represent YOU! Regardless of your degree, campus, or background, if there’s an issue affecting your cohort, something you’d like to see improve at the University, or a great new event or initiative you think UNSA should run, then we want to hear about it. As mentioned above, get in touch through email, find an SRC member at the weekly BBQs or student forums, or look out for info about joining an SRC sub-committee such as the Education Committee. Above all, don’t be a stranger or scared to reach out. We’re all students just like you and are here to help!

If student advocacy is something you’re interested in, you can get involved in the next SRC elections and nominate for a position. It’s a great way to give back to the student community and be involved in making change to help students.

I hope you’ve found this a helpful explainer! If you’ve proven me wrong and you haven’t learnt something from this article, please be in touch and I’ll be happy to chat further, as we’ve only scratched the surface here of the many things the SRC is involved in.

Meet your 2023 Student Representative Council

Executives

President

Georgie Cooper

Vice President Education

Sarthak Birani

Campus Convernors

Vice President Experience & Engagement

Summer Harrison

International Students’ Senate Convenor

Rahul Lunia

Vice President Welfare & Wellbeing

Ruby Walker

Postgraduate Students’ Senate Convenor

Tegan Stettaford

Newcastle Campuses Convenor

Samuel Cox

Sydney Campus Convenor

Quijie Ye (Allison)

Current Vacancies

Central Coast Campuses Convenor

Cloud Campus Convenor

Ex-Officio Members

Student Member on the University Council

Lucas Dowling

Student Accomodation Representative

Academic Senate Representative

The UNSA Building (Callaghan)

What’s there?

Studying at university is not just about getting a degree. It’s about making social connections, learning new skills and exploring a new culture (if you’re new to Newcastle) and feeling like you’re a part of a community. At UNSA, our job is to help you make the most of your time at uni – through student events, clubs & societies, advocacy, and much more. Our main building at Callaghan is the nerve centre for all of this, and it’s where you’ll find most of our operational staff and SRC working hard each day to improve your student experience while studying at the University of Newcastle.

It's also much more than that – the UNSA Building is a place where students come to relax, socialise, catch up on study, or to have lunch with some mates. During your time at university, you’ll soon learn that we like to do things a little differently here at UNSA – and our building is no different. Unlike your standard student area, the UNSA Building is decked out with gaming consoles,

comfortable lounges & communal tables, a pool table, board games, a commercial-sized kitchen, and (perhaps the most popular service) our free student coffee machine which operates every day from 9am until 4pm.

An important thing to note is that all of this is paid for by you! Just like all of our student events and support services, everything available at the UNSA Building is SSAF-funded: paid for by students, for students. So if you’re looking for a place to chill out between classes, or just need somewhere to heat your lunch – we invite you to come and say hello!

The UNSA Pantry Initiative

Free and Discounted Groceries for UON students

For many students, it can be incredibly challenging to work full-time (or even part-time) while giving your degree the full focus it requires. When money is tight, it can be hard to keep the fridge or pantry stocked and maintain a healthy diet week to week. The UNSA Pantry is a collection of food initiatives designed to address the growing levels of food insecurity amongst students at the University of Newcastle.

The UNSA Pantry operates every week during regular semesters & includes the following services:

Free Food Friday

Our ‘Free Food Friday’ service provides students with free groceries every Friday morning during regular semesters. Food donations are delivered each week from Oz Harvest which is then sorted, packed, & quality-assured by our frontline UNSA Crew.

Currently this service is only available at our Callaghan UNSA Building. Doors open 9am, however we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early to receive your numbered ticket.

Please note that Free Food Friday is a very popular service, and we cannot guarantee enough stock for every student attending.

Grocery Hub

We know that some weeks are better than others when it comes to finances, especially when you’re supporting yourself through university. Our Grocery Hub service is a backup supply of long-life pantry items, available for students to collect for free when they’re experiencing financial hardship. This service is entirely reliant on food donations – so whether you’re a student or university staff member – if you are able to donate, we would love to get you involved! You can help us by popping in an extra item or two (if you can manage) into your weekly shopping trolley and bringing it along to one of our donation bins (or you can donate in person at your closest UNSA office).

All donated items need to be sealed. Our UNSA staff will properly sanitise all items before we distribute them to students.

Grocery Hub’s are located at Ourimbah Shop101, and also our Callaghan UNSA Building.

Free Breakfast Bar

Our free Breakfast Bar is available every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday during regular semesters, between 9am-11am.

This service is for current University of Newcastle students only, and you will need to show a valid UON student card upon arrival. This service is currently only available at our Callaghan UNSA Building.

The free Breakfast Bar includes:

• Variety of cereals

• Toast

• Fresh fruit

• Coffee & Tea

• Juice

• Plus other seasonal options

$4 Frozen Lunch

Forgot to pack lunch? There are some great food options on campus, but we know that sometimes money is tight – or perhaps you’re just trying to save for that group trip to Bali.

We have a variety of frozen meals available at our Callaghan UNSA Building, with vegetarian and gluten-free options too. Available for purchase from the front desk – just $4 each!

(Microwaves available)

Reasons to join an UNSA Club

Bring your campus to life

“Not everyone wants to do a degree in music. And so UoN Musos was made for people whose passion for music isn’t their main gig (at least yet). We exist to give the hobbyists, amateurs, up-and-comers, and fans a space to enjoy music with other like-minded people. Whether you’re looking to develop your skills, looking for your next gig, or hoping to make a band, UoN Musos has you covered - we run open mic nights, song-writing workshops, weekly meetings, and have an annual musical. Do you like music? So do we, and we want to support you in that passion.”

Sam UoN Musos

Career opportunities

1 2 3

“Joining an academic based club is a fantastic way to grow your career opportunities. By joining an academic club, you’re able to attend a wide range of events such as lunches, information sessions, networking nights and more. These opportunities expose you to professionals from diverse backgrounds and different industries, allowing you to make connections and get a head start in your career. Attending these events will also help you to improve your soft skills which are vital for modern day success in any industry!”

Matthew UoN Engineering Society

Academic benefits

“Whilst joining the Bachelor of Biomedical Science Society (BOBS) at university has a fundamental social benefit for students, it can correspondingly help to strengthen an individual’s academic success and future. Students starting their academic journey may feel isolated and therefore struggle to meet academic standards. Joining our weekly study groups allows individuals to collaborate and share knowledge with one another when working on projects, reports or when studying for final exams. This builds a network of support between students as well as faculty, where individuals feel comfortable asking for help and can strengthen their learning habits and routine, ultimately benefiting their academic results.”

Sara Bachelor of Biomedical Science Society

4 5 6

Connect with a faith community

“Being part of Newcastle Christian Students has meant getting to know people who share my beliefs easily. Knowing so many other fellow believers on campus has encouraged me to create meaningful relationships that all support me in my faith. It has provided great teaching which I can easily engage and interact with which has been highly beneficial. It also has enriched my faith during my time at university which has led to me being able to better support others who share my faith.”

Luke Newcastle Christian Students

Try something new

“Being a part of a club with UNSA has led to many opportunities and friendships that have really made me feel connected with the University of Newcastle. Being an active member in the executive committee with the Strength Society has allowed my leadership skills to grow by helping the club run events and communicate with other businesses. I would highly recommend to any university student, new or current, to reach out to UNSA and find a club to be a part of.”

Patrick UoN Strength Society

Learn new skills

“Being part of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Society (CCJS) has afforded me the opportunity to learn many lessons and gain valuable life skills, including networking, organisation, and problem solving. The most important lesson that I have learned however, is how many opportunities are available to individuals who join student societies. Being an executive member of the CCJS has provided me an edge over other candidates that has seen me land multiple roles, including becoming an intern at Fire Forensics, and collaborating with some of the leading minds in the field, such as Associate Professor Xanthé Mallett.”

Isabella UoN Criminology and Criminal Justice Society

Clubs directory

Academic:

Renewable Energy Engineering Society

Medical Radiation Society

University of Newcastle Oral Health Society

Newcastle University Chemical Engineering Society

University of Newcastle Association of Pharmacy Students

Speech Pathology University of Newcastle Student Society

Historia

UON Women in STEMM

University of Newcastle Criminology and Criminal Justice Society

University of Newcastle Engineering Society

Occupational Therapy Student Society

University of Newcastle Medical Education Society

UoN Physiotherapy Student Society

Bachelor of Biomedical Science Society

The Denovocastrians (Synthetic Biology)

University of Newcastle Law Students’ Association

Student Nurses and Midwives Association

Newcastle University Psychology Society

Newcastle University Women in Engineering Biology Higher Degree Research Society

Cultural:

Hong Kong Student Association

Australian China Youth Association

UoN French Society

Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia Australia

Bangladesh Students’ Association of Newcastle University

Singapore Association University of Newcastle

Japanese-English Club

Special Interest:

YAK Media

UoN Musos

Newcastle Gaming and Anime Club

Sign Language Club

College of St Crispin (Medieval Society)

University of Newcastle Social Club

UoN DJ Club

UoN D&D Club

Latin American Dance Society

Sporting:

Newcastle University Mountaineering Club

Uni Baseball

University of Newcastle Cheerleading Club

Newcastle University Snow Sports Club

Newcastle University Boardriders Club

UoN Strength Society

Newcastle University Armwrestling Club

Political:

International Youth and Students for Social Equality

UoN Liberal Students

UoN Socialist Club

UoN Nationals

Religious:

Adventist Students on Campus

University of Newcastle Islamic Society

UoN Christian Club

Newcastle Christian Students

Students of Newcastle Unichurch

Philanthropic:

University of Newcastle Rural Health Club

UON Wilderness Society

Doctors for the Environment Australia

2022 Winners Club Executive of the Year

Cameron Watman

UoN Musos 2022 Treasurer

You were crowned ‘Club Executive of the Year in 2022’. Can you tell us a little bit about your club? The UoN Musos Club is the University's own music appreciation, performing, and musical theatre club and has been running weekly meetings since the start of 2021.

We are a club for musos, by musos! With the majority of our members and exec performing for fun or as a hobby (as well as some seasoned pros), we endeavour for every student to give it a crack no matter their skill level or degree!

We provide a supportive environment with the majority of our members having music as their hobby rather than their ride or die. Our weekly meetings allow anyone to perform and build confidence in front of a crowd, or to make friends with people who have similar interests aka. music!

What were your biggest achievements as club exec?

As Club Treasurer I took the role extremely seriously (as any exec should), and took my position in stride by developing new income streams for the club.

I developed merchandising for the club and managing finances to drive profits from the two musicals produced in 2022 by reselling purchased assets for the production and recouping expenses.

As well as this, I set up a new member management system to drive engagement at meetings. This included an ‘Automated Musos Loves Playlist’ and music games which integrated this.

Finally, being Technical Director for the UoN Musos Production of Twisted, I put my heart and soul into ensuring that the show was at a high calibre and built skills in the cast and crew that I hope will further with new projects.

What were the highlights of the club in 2022?

In 2022 the Musos Club hit massive milestones, some of these including the productions of The Trail to Oregon in March and Twisted in August, and setting up monthly Open Mic Nights at the Newcastle Hotel.

Additionally, the Song Writing Week we hosted went off with a bang! With a lot of members coming out of the woodworks to help produce an original piece of music, who knows what we might do next!

It's these efforts that push our executive team to build bigger and better events inside the club, and to further expand horizons with external members, allowing the team to develop skills in areas they can take into their professional careers.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 with UoN Musos?

Unfortunately I will not be a club executive in 2023 as I need to focus during my final year of studies however, I look forward to seeing the constant work that is being put into events run by the club.

I cannot wait to see the club expand into new areas (and performance spaces) and know that with the group's growth in 2022, that 2023 will have a lot of things to look forward to!

With more musicals being planned for 2023 and further cross-club collaborations being proposed, I wish the Musos Club executive team all the best in their future endeavours!

Michael Plant President/Founder of the UoN Strength Society

You were crowned ‘Club Executive of the Year in 2022’. Can you tell us a little bit about your club?

The UON Strength Society is a club formed to give all strength sport enthusiasts a place to come together and share their experiences and knowledge in the worlds of Powerlifting, Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting, Bodybuilding, and general strength training. If you love the gym, this is the club for you.

We have partnerships with Hunter Performance Centre (a local powerlifting gym), Cerberus Strength (gym accessory retailer) and Best Body Supplements. These partnerships give our members significant discounts, which are always appreciated by university students!

We hold regular events in the form of seminars, training sessions and competitions that give our members the opportunity to learn, perfect, and express their strength.

What were your biggest achievements as club exec?

I founded the Strength Society in 2021 and since then, I have seen it grow from a handful of members, to over 100. This makes our club one of the largest non-faculty-related societies at the university. I have seen members blossom from nervous gym newbies to competitive powerlifters, aiming to represent their state at the national level very soon.

I was also given the 2022 UNSA Club Executive of the Year award for my work with the club, but in all honesty the club couldn’t be where it is today

without the hard work of our executive team –Chris Olsen, Patrick Stubbs, Ellie Fisher, Georgia Andrews, Rayden Richardson, Tiana Dumaine and Jason Gray. They’ve helped me grow this small group of friends that trained together into the Strength Society we have today.

What were the highlights of the club in 2022?

In 2022, we held one of the largest Novice Powerlifting competitions in Australian history. Fifty-four lifters competed at a high-quality event at Hunter Performance Centre, many of whom have gone on to compete in sanctioned competitions, qualifying for the 2023 state championships.

We also held a novice strongman event, a deadlift competition, multiple training sessions, and form workshops to grow our community. We have an active Facebook and Snapchat group where members share their training, ask for advice, and express their love for their sports.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 with the UoN Strength Society?

2023 is going to be the biggest year yet for the Strength Society, with more events aimed to increase inclusivity for people that were hesitant to come to previous ones. We also plan on holding many more social events, with the aim to foster a large, positive community of gym-goers from the University of Newcastle.

Our fave student spaces

And everything you need to know about them. THE HOUSE

On Monday the 22nd of August at 2pm, the official opening of ‘The House’ took place - a new space at Callaghan campus that’s for students. If you’re in need of a study sesh, somewhere to enjoy some food, or even just hang out, this is the ideal place. Located next door to the Shortland Building, it has Car Park 5, which is a General Parking zone, and motorcycle parking directly in front of The House.

It’s decked out with lounges, a kitchen WITH a toastie machine, an upstairs mezzanine, private study rooms, conference call options on the displays, and places for collaborative study groups. It has very comfortable seats, a beautifully designed mural, and practical features throughout, giving The House a really nice, modern vibe.

ADVICE: If bringing food to eat, keep in mind that there is no fridge - so bring an insulated bag.

changer. Auchmuty library closes at 9pm weekdays and 5pm weekends but how often do students work over these times especially when the assignments are due at 12am?? It’s disruptive for students to get kicked out at a relatively early time of night when they’re on a role and/ or cramming.

It is seemingly accessible and comfortable for all, with a wheelchair access ramp, a lift inside, and adjustable sitting/ standing desks. Despite UNSA begging for an inclusive bathroom, there remains only three available; female, male, and a disabled toilet. This is a verrry disappointing move from the University. It’s 2022, inclusive bathrooms should be MANDATORY in new buildings.

But hey, while this student space doesn’t give us any better parking options or make up for the money grabbing ticket system in place, at least now, when you have a one hour class you have to pay a full day’s parking ticket for, you have a place to hang out.

AUCHMUTY LIBRARY

The classic Auchmuty library. Of course this had to make it on the list for student spaces as there are The House

The fact that it is open for students for extended hours, 6am-1am by swiping their student access card, is a game

spaces

so many varying environments to choose from depending on what you’re up to. Approaching the rainbow front steps, on the right hand side is Sprout cafe - supplying students with coffee and food in a collaborative working space. With a computer lab, some lounges and a separate room for a silent/quiet study zone, level 2 is worth checking out.

Going up one flight of stairs you’ll find the busiest level. This is where the foyer is located and where the majority of students go for group study. If you need to buckle down with an assignment, avoid this level or, at least, the Learning Lounge. It’s a good spot to hang out with friends and casually procrastinate together but it is full of distractions and bad for getting real work done. If you turn right on level 3, and find the Reading Room 4, there is another group study room which is generally quieter. There are small group study rooms also available and plenty of computers for use on this level. An exciting fact about level 3, is that it’s home to a Sleep Pod that students can use during Library Hours.

Finally, level 4 is a silent study zone - don’t be expecting any chats with your friends or you WILL get glared at. If you need to escape the silence, go outside to the roof terrace and get some sunlight. It’s a really beautiful spot to sit, enjoy some lunch, or even just relieve your eyes from screens. There are multiple rooms to choose from including the Flowers Reading Room and Reading Room 1 and 2. Generally, the Flowers Reading Room is considered more of a quiet, rather than silent, zone.

All in all, the Auch has a lot to offer students in terms of study space rather than a general space to chill and relax.

Scan the QR code to check out the full map of Auchmuty Library.

CLUB SPACE

Heads up before reading (and becoming too attached to this space): The Club Space is primarily for UON clubs and needs to be booked before use.

Located inside the Shortland Building, and newly renovated, the Club Space officially opened on the 29th of August in 2022. Students had the opportunity to attend a workshop with muralist tutor Moriko Kono, and create their own individual artwork. Each student’s work was then combined and curated into a mural piece, designed by student alumni Anna Rolfe, and displayed across the Club Space wall.

This collaboration set the tone for the future of this space - somewhere clubs could meet and come together. So far, the space has been used for club specific events and activities including movie nights, drawing sessions, meetings, workshops, social club meetups, and games night.

The space is very adaptable for whatever purpose you may need the room for with lounges, a huge wall projector, a kitchenette, desks, lockers, and more. It is important to keep in mind that this is a club dedicated space and so if you want to use it, it needs to be booked for a club activity - please reach out to UNSA-Clubs@newcastle.edu.au

Shortland Club Space

Behind the Doors of Student Accommodation

With so many options for student accommodation at Callaghan campus it can be hard navigating the who, what, and where of it all.

Maybe you’re interested in a quiet and independent environment, or maybe you’re here to get rowdy and party with like-minded people. Either way, there’s a student accommodation suited for you and we’ve got the low-down:

Edwards Hall

Mascot: The Lion

Colour: Navy

Motto: 'Esse Quam Videri' - To be, rather than to seem

Edwards Hall, known as Teds, has many living options, including main hall (catered) and selfies (self-catered), and is the original student accommodation at UON. Known for their students’ vibrant personalities and drinking culture, Teds is a fast-paced accommodation that comes equipped with the cellar (used for parties) and the Teds swimming pool (available to all student residents).

Evatt House

Mascot: The Dragon

Colour: Red

Motto: 'Carpe diem' - Seize the day Evatt is often deemed the most inclusive and community-based accommodation due to their high ratio of students to space, with 10 bedrooms per floor, one kitchen, and two bathrooms to share. Evatt also has a quad in the centre of the blocks where students go to study, hang out, and do pre-drinks together.

International House

Mascot: The Kangaroo

Colour: Green

Motto: unknown

‘IH’ is where international students often choose to live; however, everyone is accepted there and welcomed into an exciting and inclusive

accommodation. Residing a bit further away from the rest of the accommodations, they have their own pool and large common room, and it is a fun and fast-paced place to live.

Barahineban

Mascot: The Wedge-tail Eagle

Colour: Black and yellow

Motto: 'Forti Animo' - Strong in Spirit

‘Bara’ is a student accommodation that holds 96 studio style rooms of either single or dual occupancy. It is generally quieter, with most students living a more independent lifestyle. However, it is equipped with a rooftop area holding a BBQ and ping pong table, and a large grassy quad area in the centre of the accommodation.

THE TOWERS

South Mascot: The Wolf

Colour: Maroon

Colour of tower: Yellow

Motto: 'Fides, integritas, feritas' - Fidelity, integrity, ferocity

South is well-known for their sports achievements and their students’ outgoing personalities. They have one of the largest common room spaces, which have hosted numerous rave parties, movie nights, and ping pong games.

East

Mascot: The Pirate

Colour: Blue

Colour of tower: Blue

Motto: 'Magnitudo parva initiiiis' - Greatness from small beginnings

East is well-known for their inclusivity and regular partying, as music is often blasting from a sixshare. They have a small cinema room which is perfect for movie nights, and a ping pong table in their common room.

North

Mascot: The Phoenix

Colour: Unknown

Colour of tower: Orange

Motto: 'Elementa in statera' - Elements in balance North is known as a lifestyle accommodation. It’s known to be a quieter environment, allowing students to focus on their studies and simply live without the craziness of a drinking culture or regular partying.

West

Mascot: The Wombat

Colour: Purple

Colour of tower: Green

Motto: 'Vivere, ridere, amare' - Live, Laugh, Love West is well-known for the student’s friendly and welcoming personalities. They enjoy socialising and partying just as much as the other accommodations, but also excel in getting involved with other colleges, the wider university community and uni events.

The truth about parking, sharing spaces, and exclusion blues.

The Parking Situation

To be entirely honest, parking is one of the worst parts about living on campus - it is atrocious. You have 10 bags of groceries? Have fun walking (and juggling) them all the way from your car to your room, which can be a 50 metre walk or a 500 metre trek, all depending on where you’re lucky enough to get a park. Otherwise you have the lovely option of risking an $80+ fine parking in one of the two loading zones per accommodation, making sure you are no longer than 15 or 30 mins, or else the overly punctual parking inspectors will get you. Trust me, doing circles around the carparks, and multiple walks per day, is not something I’ll miss.

ADVICE: In future, consider getting a student/ general parking permit over the residential one, as there are some student parking lots that are closer depending on your accommodation.

Exclusion blues

Despite being told that you’ll make lifelong friends

from university, sometimes living on campus can be the most lonely and isolating you’ve ever felt. It might sound crazy, with so many people around you. However, it’s not always easy to make friends and putting yourself out there can be hard.

ADVICE: Make the most out of the first few weeks living on campus. This is the time of year where the most social events are held. Everybody is looking to make friends and are much more welcoming to newbies. After that, it can be hard to join a group that’s already formed. Sometimes living on campus is similar to being back in high school; however, my advice would be to treat everyone with kindness and be brave - put yourself out there.

ADVICE FOR EVENTS: Show up even if you’re alone. Chances are you won’t regret going, but rather, you’d regret NOT going. It sucks hearing the pre’s music blasting and people having fun (because, yes, you can hear everything on college, no matter how far away the party is), which would remind you of your regretful choice to stay in.

Sharing Spaces

I guarantee that you will have an issue at least once with one, or all, of your roommates. Sharing spaces can sometimes put people in an uncomfortable situation. Whether it’s dirty dishes, unfair chore sharing, loud *banging* noises coming from the bedroom next to you, hogging the TV, etc. there will always be issues when living with others. It depends on the type of person you are when it comes to conflict - whether you talk about it, or silently stew over it until you blow up or eventually get over it. Everybody has annoying habits that usually don’t come to light until someone points them out to you so that you can try to improve.

ADVICE: If something really bothers you that much, try having a gentle conversation with your roommate so that things might improve - they cannot read your mind and so nothing will change if you don’t speak up. Try and create a positive, comfortable environment as you have to live with these people for the rest of the year.

First-Year Survival Advice From Your UNSA Team

We asked the team at UNSA what advice they would give to their first-year uni self and here’s what they told us:

“As 2 Chainz once said, "Believe in yourself, health is wealth". Don't count yourself out of an opportunity that comes along thinking you're not worthy/not ready-- just GO FOR IT! Also, take advantage of those free health & wellbeing resources while you're a student.”

Jennifer Hanson, UNSA General Manager

“If possible, actually go to lectures/study groups. Classes being recorded makes it easy to watch later, but means missing out on knowledge, memories, and relationships. Also, you won’t have 20 hrs of lectures to watch before exams! I’ve been there…”

Renee Grima Executive Assistant

“Doing your best is absolutely enough. Remember also that your best looks different each day but if you show up and give it your best shot, you’ve done good”

Jess Philbrook (JP) Student Representative Support Manager

“Find out which days the free BBQ is happening at your campus and then try to schedule your classes around that”

Lukas O’Madden, Digital Strategy and Marketing Manager

“Are you looking at that person also waiting for your tutor to get there, why not start up a conversation and break the ice. It can be as simple as “this is CIND1004 isn’t it?” Everyone is feeling the exact same way, we’re all just trying to make some friends.”

Tiana Williams, Opus Graphic Designer

“There's no such thing as a stupid question. The amount of emails I've sent throughout my uni career with the subject line "enquiry" is staggering, but I wouldn't have got to where I am now if I hadn't sent them.”

Stephanie Jenkins, Opus Assistant Editor

“Speak up, get involved, and put yourself out there - what’s the worst that could happen?”

Melanie Jenkins, Opus Editor

“It's okay to have a period of adjustment as you enter a new environment and it is important to be kind to yourself in this time!”

Sarah

Norton, Events Assistant

“There will probably never be another time in your life where you have this kind of freedom. Embrace it, make the most of every opportunity, don't shy away from new friends, and remember, you will never think back to that one night you decided to go to bed early instead of living your best life!”

Jessica Schuhmacher, Clubs Manager

“You don't have to cling to an acquaintance from your high school like a life raft! Definitely don't plan your class schedule around theirs. You'll end up in a nightmare carpool.”

Ethan

Andrews, Clubs Officer

“Remember that it's ok to not get it right the first time, whether that is a subject, your degree or your social group. Try things out along the way as it is all part of the learning curve”

Claire Mcdonald, Clubs Officer

Semester 1 Assessment Calendar

Friday

Will you try to use it? Probably. Will it be for long? Probably not.

Saturday Sunday

Our Guide To Callaghan

The UON Letters

Uon Love Letters Revived

The inside scoop told by a secret source.

Run by a mysterious and anonymous student for years and years, the Facebook page UON Love Letters is core to both the community, culture, and student experience. An interview with an unnamed source revealed that the history of the page dated back past 2016, with a new owner of the page coming onto the scene in 2021 after the previous owner DELETED the original UON Love Letters. Renamed UON Love Letters Revived, this new Facebook page is thriving, enabling students to anonymously confess their campus crushes and foster connections.

Whether you’re an avid anonymous poster, tagger of friends in the comments, or simply there to read the UON gossip, the Love Letters page is a reminder of the good going on at uni. It’s a trusted source as it is simply students talking to other students and university staff are unable to infiltrate yet another communication channel.

Main topics/uses of the page previously include:

• Confessing your love or appreciation for a particular student, teacher, class, building, or other UON related thing.

• Connecting with other students via a safe space

• Raising awareness about issues such as SASH (Sexual Assault & Sexual Harm)

• Building traction for causes and industrial action within the UON community

When asked whether people actually find love via UON Love Letters, our unnamed source replied that “...love looks different for different people. It can look like romantic relationships, friendships, even a simple appreciation for someone.”

There are multiple stories of students who have found and formed friendship groups, stories of people who are now dating, and others who are even engaged or married, thanks to UON’s love letter facebook page.

“If people are brave enough to put themselves out there, genuine connections can be made”. Check out the page here:

Uon Hate Letters

…and not the superior kind.

Contrasting to UON Love Letters, students also need to let out their frustration. Therefore, low and behold the Superior UON Hate Letters page - a page for students to vent and connect about relatable issues here at the University of Newcastle. Have you got a terrible class you despise? Connect with classmates who feel the same and work out how to make it through. How about a group of people talking obnoxiously loud in the library? Post about it and raise some damn awareness and accountability. Uon Hate Letters is a way to communicate your shared frustration and create a sense of the community expectations as people in comments tag friends, agree, and relate to the content being posted.

Unfortunately, recently the page has been seen as a way to bully and outrightly target people - causing damage to them and their reputation. Anonymity is fun until it’s not. It’s important to keep in mind when using this page that there are real-life ramifications for what is written, as accusations and defamation are extremely serious and the University of Newcastle’s legal team are acutely aware of the situations that occur from this page.

On the other hand, this page has encouraged change from students and in turn, improved conditions. There was an instance, quite a few years back, where the Huxley Library became a place where students were really arrogant to their peers, talking or listening to music loudly, it was always left in a mess, etc. etc. Multiple posts on UON Hate Letters initiated change for it to become a nicer space - somewhere people enjoyed being again. The page is quite often funny, relatable, and interesting in learning about the drama in other student’s lives, or what classes not to take.

Unite over a common enemy or mess and create change via Uon Hate Letters.

A guide to conquering Newy’s best pubs and clubs

Walking Distance

Waterboard Bowlo

Hotel Jesmond

Bar on the Hill

Beachin’

Junction Hotel

Prince of Merewether

The Burwood Inn

Merewether Bowlo

The Beach Hotel

Bar Beach Hotel

Hamilton crawl

The Newcastle Hotel

Sydney Junction Hotel

The Kent Meantime

Northern Star Hotel

The Greenroof Hotel

Exchange Hotel

City Sipping:

Honeysuckle Hotel

Clarendon Hotel

Foghorn Brewery

The Lucky Hotel

The Crown and Anchor

The Ship Inn

Star Hotel

Bar Petite

The Rogue Scholar

The Rum Diary

Coal and Cedar

Babylon Newcastle

Blue Kahunas

Uptowns Bar

5 Sawyers

(Uni) Party Central:

The Cambridge

King Street

Hotel Delanely

Finnegans Hotel

The Argyle House

Queens Wharf Hotel

Customs House

The Great Northern Hotel

Newcastle Vegan

Whether you’re plant-based, vegan, vegetarian, or simply a friend of one – we’ve got you covered on where to eat, what to order, and how much to gush about the vegan scene around UON. From Newcastle to the Central Coast, this list is chock full of amazing eats that everyone will love.

Vego’s Vegetarian Fast Food (Vegetarian / Vegan Options)

83 Maitland Rd, Islington

When you’re feeling snacky before a gig at the Cambridge, Vego’s is the perfect place. All-day breakfast, burgers, chips and nuggets – great for when you’re craving that classic beige dinner with a twist.

Newy Fried Chicken (Vegan Options)

139 Maitland Rd, Islington

It’s a UON students’ right of passage: A late-night Newy Fried Chicken feed at the Newcastle Hotel. Don’t let the name fool you though, this place has the most unsuspectingly delicious cauliflower wings to grace this side of NSW. We’ll see you there next trivia night!

Pino’s Restaurant (Vegan)

98 Maitland Rd, Islington

The Italian food your nonna would not approve of–this completely vegan restaurant is such a treat. Newly renovated post-Covid, Pino’s is a beautiful venue perfect for date night or a post-graduation treat. A seasonal menu has the key to my heart, and will keep you coming back each month.

Habesha Restaurant (Vegan Options)

7/50 Glebe Rd, The Junction

The vibe at Habesha is truly unmatched: homely, welcoming, and smelling of warm, rich spices. Traditional Ethiopian dining is all about eating with your hands, so just embrace it. Wash those grippers, scoop up some spongy, tangy injera, and chow down.

Susuru Ramen & Gyoza (Vegan Options)

140 King St, Newcastle

Turn those two-minute-noodle meals up to eleven and head to Susuru for some ramen. The serves here are bigger than your head and go down like a spoonful of sugar. Remember to slurp your noodles and deshell your edamame. And make sure you read the comics in the bathroom stalls!

Momo Wholefood (Vegan)

227 Hunter St, Newcastle

This wholesome cafe is perfect for a mid-morning breakfast, a coffee date, or a solo study session. The vaulted ceilings and bright, airy atmosphere draw you in like nothing else. The delicious food, friendly staff, and hot coffee is just a bonus.

Vegan Guide

Studio Lane (Vegan Options)

4/185 The Entrance Rd, Erina

The Central Coast is no stranger to the niche cafe, but Studio Lane has to be one of the best. Tucked away in a strip of warehouses and complete with a locally made jewellery shop and studio space, this one is perfect for a mosey, a stellar coffee, and a chow down on a crispy vegan jaffle.

Burnt Honey Bakery (Vegan Options)

1/224 Del Monte Pl, Copacabana

Or, for a change of scenery, head to Burnt Honey on the beachfront of Copa and catch the sunrise with coffee in hand. Don’t forget to grab one of the rye choc-chip cookies and, if they ever bring back those tahini buns, you might even see me there.

Pinocchios Wine & Pizza Bar (Vegan Options)

32 William St, Gosford

Pinocchios is perfect for that classic date-night feel. Small, dim, and cramped in the best way; this place is where you go when Dominos just isn’t cutting it. Wine first, pizza second, Pinocchios has a classy feel, friendly staff, yummy vegan cocktails, and delicious pizza.

Hoi An Vietnamese (Vegan Options)

7/50 Glebe Rd, The Junction

The vibe at Habesha is truly unmatched: homely, welcoming, and smelling of warm, rich spices. Traditional Ethiopian dining is all about eating with your hands, so just embrace it. Wash those grippers, scoop up some spongy, tangy injera, and chow down.

Hotel Gosford (Vegan Options)

179 Mann St, Gosford

Newly renovated and severely underrated, Hotel Gosford is your classic pub feed with a twist. Their vegan schnitzel had me transcending the mortal plane like Anton Ego eating that Ratatouille in the film Ratatouille (2007). And does anyone go to a pub for anything other than a schnitty? Come on.

BMX Burgers (Vegan Options)

1/315 Trafalgar Ave, Umina Beach

The Coastie list wouldn’t be complete without a burger joint, and BMX is definitely the best. Right by the beach, BMX burgers are pillowy, saucy, and tangy; and don’t forget a side of onion rings. Worth being harassed by the seagulls for.

eats in Newy

Cheaper meals that won't break the bank!

Jesmond hotel

They have a wide variety of offers. They offer roughly 7 different lunch specials every day for $12, some of which include fried buffalo wings, fish and chips, and a traditional margherita pizza. You can find specific nighttime offers from Monday through Thursday. For example, on Mondays, there are $12 Schnitzels, an Aussie favourite, and of course Thursday night (which would be described as Church for TEDS) is the Jeso’s Student night with $6 drinks and $10 burgers!

Beach Burrito Co

Who doesn't love TACO Tuesday? On Tuesdays, Beach Burrito offers up to ten different taco options, including vegetarian and vegan options, all for $3! They also serve delicious frozen margaritas, which are ideal on a hot summer day. You must be quick for this deal; make sure to book ahead of time, or you will most likely not be able to walk in and grab a seat. If you want a drink special, frozen margaritas are $10 from Monday to Saturday from 4-6pm, and a $20 sangria jug is available on Sundays.

@hotel_jesmond @beachburritoco

Ginger Megs

Ginger Megs is an Asian restaurant and bar. Every Wednesday and Thursday, their bar menu is halfpriced; if you enjoy a good spring roll, chicken bao, or vegan dumpling, this will please everyone in the group. Just make a reservation for the bar because the upstairs restaurant is still full. I know we gen z'ers don't like ringing people up, but this is worth it. Another experience they provide that is completely worth it is their bottomless beverages and Yum cha lunch served between 12 and 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. It isn't the cheapest option, costing $60 per person, but that's okay because you can make up for it in drinks.

Onyx

If you're looking for a lunch special, Onyx Espresso Bar has $10 lunch specials from 12-2pm Monday through Friday. Mondays are toasties, and they make an excellent Reuben sandwich. Every day is a different meal, ranging from burgers to salads to wraps. Check out their social media to see what deals they have!

@gingermegsx @onyxespressobar

Student Resources

Mental Health Services

UON Counselling provides a wide range of free services to students to help manage your mental health while at University, including one-on-one sessions with a Wellbeing Advisor, face-to-face and online counselling support, and emergency crisis support. You can find out more through the avenues below.

(02) 4921 6622

After hours phone: 1300 653 007

After hours text: 0488 884 165

The NSW Mental Health Line is staffed by mental health professionals who can offer professional help and advice or provide referrals to local mental health services. The line is available 24/7.

1800 011 511

Lifeline is a national charity which provides emergency and crisis support to anyone experiencing emotional distress, as well as suicide prevention services. Their website also provides an extensive list of services and information relevant to those managing their mental health and wellbeing.

lifeline.org.au

13 11 14

Text: 0477 131 114

Scan this QR code for all University support resources.

Campus Support

UON AccessAbility provides support to students with a disability, or those who care for a person with a disability. Support can range from advocacy to assessment support, adaptive technology to mobility and parking services. For more information, and to register with AccessAbility, head to their website below.

(02) 4921 6622

Email: AccessAbility@newcastle.edu.au

Campus Care monitors the safety of the University of Newcastle environment, and their concerns range from environmental risks and hazards, to antisocial or threatening behaviour. Reporting incidents or concerns to Campus Care is important to maintain the safety of our campuses, and you can learn more through the channels below.

(02) 4921 8600

Email: campuscare@newcastle.edu.au

Campus Security is available 24/7 to call if you feel unsafe, threatened, or unsettled on campus. The University’s security personnel are trained to respond to emergencies, provide first aid, and assist with safe walks and shuttle services. You can also report witnessed incidents or potential threats to the Safety and Security Services team through the below email.

Phone from all campuses: (02) 4921 5888.

Email: security-services@newcastle.edu.au

The UON Chaplaincy are experienced and credentialed religious workers who can provide support and guidance to students and support the spiritual life of the UON community.

Newcastle phone: (02) 4291 5571

Central Coast phone: (02) 4348 4036

Academic and Career Support

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are study sessions designed to provide a welcoming and low-pressure environment for students to compare notes, engage with complex course ideas, and complete assignments with additional peer support and encouragement. The sessions are free, open to everyone, and a great way to make friends while studying hard.

Email: pass@newcastle.edu.au

Academic Learning Support provides a range of services to help you begin tertiary study, including tips for academic writing, note taking and research, and study planning. Their support can be accessed in the form of workshops, peer-led study, or online resources.

(02) 4921 5350

learningsupport@newcastle.edu.au

The Careers Service provides support to students working towards their career, including part-time work opportunities, job application support, career counselling appointments, and interview preparation.

(02) 4921 5588

Food and Housing Support

Food Not Bombs are a volunteer-run local service who provide food and other resources to anybody who needs it. Anti-capitalist by nature and selfdescribed ‘anarchists’, the Food Not Bombs Newcastle crew are dedicated to providing mutual aid wherever they can.

facebook.com/FoodNotBombsNewcastle/

The UNSA Food Pantry provides free pantry goods, including food, cleaning, and hygiene products. Products can be donated by students and staff by visiting the food pantry locations below, and

students in need can access the pantry during UNSA opening hours. Locations: Callaghan, UNSA Building Ourimbah, Shop 101

UNSA Free Food Fridays are a weekly service organised in collaboration with OzHarvest which provides free food to students to help eliminate food waste. Food baskets go quick, though, so make sure you’re there on time! Food is available from the Callaghan UNSA Building from 9am. Callaghan, UNSA Building

Samaritans provide support for anybody at risk of or experiencing homelessness. They offer a number of youth and student specific homeless services and emergency relief, and are also an Allied organisation. Samaritans are based in Newcastle, but have outreach in the Greater Hunter, Central Coast, and Central NSW. samaritans.org.au

1300 656 336

The Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline is available for victims of crime who would like more information about their rights as survivors, advice on accessing counselling, or financial assistance.

1800 019 123

The Kids Helpline is always available for children and young adults to call for support when facing domestic violence, crime, housing and food insecurity, and mental health concerns.

kidshelpline.com.au

1800 551 800

1800RESPECT is available 24/7 for immediate counselling regarding sexual assault and family and domestic violence.

1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

LGBTQIA+ Resources

The ALLY Network provides personal and professional development training opportunities to staff and student leaders at UON to better advocate for gender and sexuality diversity and advocacy. The ALLY Network is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff by giving ALLIES the tools to challenge heteronormative ideals. You can find out more about how to become an ALLY and what ALLIES do by heading to https://www.newcastle. edu.au/current-students/support/personal/ gender-and-sexuality-support/ally

Support for transitioning students is available at https:// www.newcastle.edu.au/currentstudents/support/personal/ gender-and-sexuality-support/ transitioning-at-the-university, where students can access a change-of-details form for updating name and gender preferences in the University system. This page is an evolving resource, and more information for transitioning students will hopefully become available as the University continues to move towards inclusion.

Trans Hub is an information and resource platform for trans and gender diverse people across NSW. The website has resources on a vast number of topics, including your legal rights as a trans or gender diverse person, peer support services, medical and health resources with Allied and gender-affirming professionals, and other useful online resources. You can check it out at transhub.org.au

The UON Queer Collective is an inclusive space for LGBTQIA+, Queer or Questioning students to meet like minded peers, access valuable resources, bring to light important and relevant issues affecting the Community campus-wide, and empower one another. The Collective is an autonomous representative body who have a responsibility to advocate on the University’s Queer community behalf to the University board and management. You can join the collective by heading to unsa.com.au/Clubs/QC

ACON is a community organisation designed to provide inclusive care for the LGBTQIA+ community in NSW in the form of health programming, HIV prevention and support, mental health and wellness resources, and community engagement. ACON provides a wealth of digital information on their website which address any and all concerns regarding the Community, and also provide many practical and accessible support services to those affected. To find out more, or to sign up as a volunteer, you can head to their website at acon.org.au

To find out more about queer events, activities, advocacy, and opportunities in the Newcastle area, head to newcastlepride.com.au. Newcastle Pride is an association and LGBTQIA+ communitybased charity who, more than organising the annual Pride festival, also post regular updates about Queer community engagement, support resources, and volunteer opportunities.

The Safe Students’ Guide to Getting your Rocks Off

Consent

Before any sexual encounter, it is important (and required by law!) that all persons consent. That means everybody has agreed freely and without coercion to the acts that are about to take place. Consent also must be maintained throughout the encounter by all parties. That means, if anybody changes their mind at any time, you no longer have consent. Consent for one act also does not mean consent for all acts, nor does consent at one time mean consent for another time, even between the same people and/or consisting of the same things. Consent cannot be given if your partner is affected by drugs or alcohol, is asleep or unconscious, or participates in the sexual activity out of fear or coercion. A good rule of thumb is that if it’s not an enthusiastic yes, then it’s a no. Consent is essential for any sexual act, and any act done without consent is sexual assault.

If you feel like you were involved in a sexual interaction which you did not consent to, you can access support by contacting 1800RESPECT.

Sexual Safety

Sexual safety can never be guaranteed 100% unless you’re abstaining from sex. To have sex or be intimate with a person in other ways is a personal decision, and only you can make it for yourself. If you do decide to have sex, there are some things you can do to help minimise the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and/ or pregnancy, and ensure that both parties are having a good time.

Communication

It is important that you communicate your sexual history to your partner, including when you were last tested for STI’s and what practices you are using to stay safe, especially if you have multiple sexual partners. However, it is not always safe to only take someone’s word about their sexual health. Some STI’s have no obvious symptoms, while others may take some time to begin showing up in a screening. While communication is important, there are other ways to practice safe sex.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

There are many different kinds of STI’s and they can be transmitted in different ways. Some can only be transmitted through blood, vaginal fluids, or semen; while others can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact alone. Some STI’s include:

• HIV & AIDS

• Chlamydia

• Gonorrhea

• Genital herpes (HSV)

• Genital warts (HPV)

• Hepatitis A, B, & C

• Public lice

• Syphilis

Condoms are a great option for reducing the risk of catching or transmitting an STI, however they do not protect against all of them. For STI’s that can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, condoms may not be as effective. Another barrier based protection method is the dental dam, which is usually used as protection by people

with vulvas who have sex with other people with vulvas, and can be a great option for protection during oral sex.

Another way to protect yourself from STI’s is to get tested regularly. STI screenings are often bulk-billed, simple, and quick to conduct. It is recommended to get an STI screening every six months or so if you are sexually active. If your partner recently had an STI, if you have recently changed partners, or if you frequently change or have multiple partners, you should get tested more regularly.

Pregnancy

There are a number of different contraception options for those wanting to avoid a pregnancy. Condoms can be a great option, but contraception can come in many forms. This can include oral, hormonal medication (like ‘the Pill’), injections, an implant, an IUD, fertility tracking, and more. Many factors can be taken into consideration when

choosing effective contraception, so it’s important to chat to your doctor about which method might be right for you.

Gender and Sexuality

A person’s gender and sexuality is not their choice. Exploring one’s sexuality identity and gender is a normal part of life, but it can be challenging to do when faced with confusion, anger, or stigma. Nor is gender or sexuality set in stone. Both exist on a spectrum, and a person can identify with different parts of themselves at different times in their life. For more information and support resources, flip to the LGBTQIA+ resources page in this handbook.

A Handy Guide to Student Payments

The stereotype of the poor university student living on two-minute noodles and white bread isn’t too far from the truth. As the cost of living continues to rise, students are finding it harder than ever to make ends meet and keep up with their studies. While finding support sometimes isn’t easy, this handy guide might help you become a little better acquainted with what’s available to you.

Government Support

Youth Allowance for students and Australian Apprentices is for students and Australian Apprentices aged 24 and younger. You must be studying full time in an approved course (most undergraduate degrees are on this list), meet residence rules (that means you need to be an Australian Resident living in Australia), and satisfy income and assets tests. As a young person, your eligibility and the amount you may receive depends on whether you are identified as Dependent or Independent. This refers to whether it is reasonable for your parents’ or guardians’ income to affect your payment. You are also required to complete your course within the recommended time frame, or else forfeit your payment. While receiving this payment, you also need to report any income you earn, if your study load changes, if your circumstances change, or if you’re going overseas. Not reporting on time or correctly could result in an overpayment which will result in a debt you need to pay back.

Austudy is for students aged 25 years or older who are studying full-time or completing an Australian Apprenticeship. You will need to meet residence rules, an income test, and an assets test. Austudy is very much like Youth Allowance for students, but targeted at an older age bracket. Keep in mind, however, that many postgraduate and doctorate

students are unable to get Austudy, as doctorate courses are rarely considered an approved course. Financial support for postgraduate students often instead comes in the form of a scholarship. To be eligible for Austudy, you also need to complete your course within the recommended time frame (usually about three and a half years for a Bachelor’s degree).

ABSTUDY is a group of payments available for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices. The type of payment depends on your circumstances, but can include school fees, boarding fees, living costs, travel costs, or the purchase of school materials. ABSTUDY is highly dependent on your circumstances and the range of eligibility is broad. The payment can be considered for high school students, tertiary students, postgraduate or doctorate students, and part-time students.

The Tertiary Access Payment is a one-off payment of up to $5,000 to help eligible students who are relocating for study afford their moving costs. To be eligible, students must be moving from a regional or remote area for the purpose of tertiary study in the year after completing year 12 or equivalent. This payment is only available in the first year of study.

Carer Allowance is available for people who care daily for someone with a disability or medical condition, or someone who is frail aged. To receive the payment, the person whom you care for must meet a certain needs score and you must meet an income test. Your combined taxable income must fall under $250,000 a year to be eligible.

JobSeeker Payment is for people aged between 22 and Age Pension age who are looking for

work, or cannot do their regular work or study due to illness or injury for a short time. You must be an Australian resident and meet income and assets tests to receive this payment. JobSeeker also requires ongoing commitments to continue receiving the payment. These include Mutual Obligation Requirements, such as agreeing to a Job Plan, going to job interviews, and accepting any suitable paid work opportunities. In addition, you are required to report any employment income each fortnight to ensure you are paid the right amount reflective of any additional income you receive.

The Youth Disability Supplement is an additional payment for young people aged under 21 who already receive the disability support pension (DSP). The extra payment also may be available to students receiving Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY. Eligible students need to complete an additional Employment Services Assessment to show you have an illness, injury, or disability that will seriously impact your work or study commitments to receive this payment.

Rent Assistance is an automatic payment paid to people who already receive a government payment and who also pay rent. The rent assistance is automatically applied when you make a claim for certain payments (including Youth Allowance, Carer and Disability Payments, Austudy, and ABSTUDY). The amount you can receive for Rent Assistance depends on your circumstances and cost of rent.

Concession and Health Care Cards can get you cheaper health services and medicines. Most payments come with a Health Care Card attached, so they do not often need to be applied for separately. However, you may be eligible for a Low

Income Health Care Card even if you do not receive other government payments. To be eligible for this card, you must be an Australian resident and meet an income test. After you are granted the card, you must renew it each year.

University Support

Financial Wellbeing is a resource platform at the University which outlines the range of financial support available to students. This includes external financial support such as feeoffset programs (HECS-HELP), Centrelink, and International Student Welfare Services. There are also a range of services provided by the University, including Student Hardship vouchers and grants, placement grants, laptop grants, and student loans. Forms for this support can be found at newcastle.edu.au/current-students/support/ personal/financial-wellbeing. The value can vary up to $2,000 per academic year, but all are subject to your demonstration of financial hardship and individual circumstances. Financial Wellbeing also provides a number of advice resources for students, including budgeting, utilities costs, avoiding scams, work, and financial counselling.

Scholarships are available both through the University and externally and vary depending on your study area, study level, and individual circumstances. Scholarships can range from feeoffsets to one-off payments, from a living stipend to relocation funding. A full list of available scholarships can be found at newcastle.edu. au/scholarships. You can also reach out to your favourite professor, course coordinator, head of school, or supervisor for more information about what might suit your circumstances.

Recreational Drugs Info Package

Drugs aren’t uncommon and, as a student, you might come across them at parties, festivals, concerts, or other gatherings. Some drugs, like alcohol or nicotine, are legal, and often restricted in a number of ways that ensure your safety. Other drugs, such as cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, and heroin, are illegal. That means that their production is not regulated (so you can never be 100% sure what you’re getting), and it also means that you might face legal consequences if you’re found with them. However, it’s important to know the language around drug use to be able to make informed decisions about your health and wellbeing.

People use drugs for a number of reasons, whether it be to relax, to have fun, to be included in a group, or out of curiosity. While drugs have a range of perceived benefits, it’s also important to know the risks and potential harm that drug use can cause. The effect of drugs on a person can vary a lot depending on the user's age, weight, and health, the amount taken, and whether the drug is taken in conjunction with other drugs or alcohol.

There are three main classifications for different types of drugs:

Depressants slow the activity of the central nervous system and affect concentration and coordination. In small doses they can make a person feel relaxed and uninhibited. In larger doses, they may cause vomiting or drowsiness and, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and death. Depressants can include alcohol, cannabis, opioids (including heroine, morphine, and codeine), tranquilisers, and inhalants.

speed up the central nervous system energetic, or ‘lovey’. Larger doses can cause anxiety, panic, paranoia, or aggression, as well as stomach cramps or headaches. Stimulants may include caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstacy (that’s MDMA).

Hallucinogens change and distort a person’s perception of reality. This can take the form of auditory or visual hallucinations, feelings of euphoria, and distorted sensory processing. Hallucinogenic drugs include LSD, magic mushrooms, and peyote, however cannabis and ecstasy can also have hallucinogenic effects.

Drugs can often be called a lot of different things, and come in a lot of different forms, which can make it hard to keep track of what you’re buying or using. To help, we’ve made note of what street names and forms are popular at the moment so you can be sure you’re making informed decisions about drug use:

• Cannabis is the dried leaves from the Cannabis Sativa plant which are either smoked, vaped, or made into butter and baked into sweets. Also called marijuana, pot, weed, or hash.

• Ecstasy is the chemical Methylene

DioxyMethAmphetamine (MDMA) and contains both amphetamines and hallucinogens. Ecstasy normally appears as pressed tablets, capsules, or crystals which can be pressed into a powder and inhaled through the nose (snorted). Also called caps, pingers, or molly. Ecstasy is also sometimes mixed with other drugs, such as ketamine or methamphetamine.

• Cocaine is extracted from the coca bush native to South America, which is then processed to create cocaine hydrochloride. It most commonly appears as a white, crystalline powder which is bitter to taste, and is snorted. It can also be further processed into ‘crack’ which is often smoked. Also called coke, snow, blow, dust, lines, or ‘a bump’.

• Ketamine is a painkiller used by doctors and vets which has a hallucinogenic effect. It often comes as a white powder which can be made into tablets or dissolved into a clear liquid. It can be swallowed, snorted, injected, or smoked. Also known as ket, special K, or horse tranquilliser.

• Inhalants come in a variety of forms. One of the most common is Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas). This drug commonly comes in the form of 8g whipped cream canisters, which can be released into a balloon and inhaled. Also known as nangs.

• LSD is a chemical called Lysergic acid diethylamide. In its pure form, LSD comes as a white, odourless power, but is often consumed in liquid form which is dripped onto squares of blotting paper and placed on the tongue. Also known as acid or tabs.

• Psilocybin is from the same chemical family as LSD but occurs in some mushrooms. It often comes in the form of dried mushrooms which are eaten. Also known as magic mushrooms, or simply mushrooms or mushies.

Taking illicit drugs is never safe, but there are some things you can do to protect yourself. Pill testing kits are one way to keep track of what you’re taking, and some festivals even have pill testing facilities to reduce the risk of overdose or death. Long term drug use can have a number of effects on a person as well, including tolerance and dependence. Tolerance means that you might need to take a larger amount of the drug to feel its effects as your body gets used to it being in your system. Dependence means that you might feel psychologically or physically (or both) dependent on the drug, and find it harder to go for periods without taking it. A person who is dependent might also experience withdrawal symptoms when they do go without the drug. If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, it is important to seek out advice from your doctor on managing cravings and monitoring your health.

Possessing, using, making, selling, or driving under the influence of drugs can all also have legal consequences. These can include fines, imprisonment, and loss of licence. Some states and territories also have programs that prioritise treatment, recovery, and education for people with a drug problem that can keep them out of the criminal justice system. For more information about treatment, the law, and drug abuse, you can contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service 24/7 helpline on 1800 250 015. You can also get in touch with the University’s Drug and Alcohol Counsellor through a referral from a Student Wellbeing Advisor. If you find yourself in an emergency situation around drugs, call emergency services on 000. Ambulance officers are not obliged to involve police when responding to calls about drug use, so it’s important you don’t delay seeking assistance for fear of getting into trouble.

What’s the Deal with the Opus Website?

Have you checked out our new website? We’ve been working hard with a local Newcastle web developer to create a new host for all our Opus content and it’s live RIGHT NOW! Scan the QR code below to take a peek. All of our links can also be found in our Instagram bio.

You might be thinking, “that’s all well and good but how do I get my name up there?” Opus is all about giving a voice to students, and we don’t like to say no! There are three ways to write for Opus online:

Print Magazine Longlist

Occasionally, we receive too many pieces to fit into our print magazine! When this happens, we direct some pieces to our website to be published as online content. To stay up to date on our print magazine themes and due dates, sign up as a contributor and get your hands on our Contributor Guidelines.

Casual Online Contribution

If you have a piece that needs to be published by a deadline, the casual online contribution

might be your best bet! Be it a live music review, a news article, commentary on a social issue, or a personal essay, our casual online contributions are open to anything. Casual online contributors don’t need to submit a proposal–simply shoot your finished piece through the link in our Instagram bio and the Opus team will take it from there. Each online article also gets a sister Instagram post on our socials!

Columnist Contribution

At Opus, we also have a handful of positions that call for regular contribution on our website. We call these ‘columnist’ positions. Each columnist submits two articles per month in their category to keep up a regular posting presence online. These positions include News & Politics Reporter, Sports Journalist, Environmental Journalist, University Reporter, two miscellaneous column positions, and two video content creators. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, head to our Instagram to find out when applications open for 2023!

This could be you!

Want to be a Contributor?

How our print magazines are made.

Opus is always on the lookout for new writers, artists, photographers, and columnists. If that sounds like you, read on to find out how our magazine gets put together.

1

Contributor Sign Up

If you’re keen on having your work published with Opus, the first step is to sign up to our contributor mailing list. Scan the QR code, or head to the link in our Instagram bio, to join! From here, we will send you a welcome email with a copy of the Opus Contributor Guidelines–a handy-dandy document which outlines all magazine due dates, word length requirements, themes, and links to the submission portals.

3 2

Proposals

Proposals are normally due three weeks after the call-out. All you need to do is submit your idea through the relevant link and wait for a response! A proposal is generally made up of a draft title and a brief outline of what your piece will be about. Once the proposal due date has lapsed, the team at Opus decides which articles we will publish in the magazine, which ones might be better suited for Opus Online, and which articles we sadly need to decline. Plus, articles that are not suited for the magazine still have the opportunity to be published online on our website.

4

Final Articles

Magazine Call-Out

At the beginning of each magazine month, a call-out email is sent to all contributors alerting them to that month’s magazine theme, some article ideas, proposal due date, and any other important information. This call-out is also posted to our Instagram, and is sometimes sent out as part of the UNSA weekly email, so everyone can see it!

Successful contributors are emailed with a new due date for their final article. This date is normally two weeks after proposals are taken. This due date is important because timely submission is what means we can get our magazine to print on time! During this time, the Opus team also begin to plan the magazine: which piece will go where, what will we advertise, whether we put in photos, posters, or games–all the fun stuff!

Design

Once the articles are edited and complete, they are sent in their order to our designer, who begins work on putting the whole magazine together! This is a really exciting time for us here at Opus, as we get to see what the magazine will start to look like for print.

Delivery

About two weeks after printing, the magazine arrives and is distributed among all the Opus magazine stands across the UON campuses! The magazine is also published on our website and can be read completely online.

Edits

Once all the final articles are submitted, the Opus team begins the editing process. Each article is edited for grammar, spelling, flow, and sometimes content if the article deals with important or difficult topics. If we think your piece might need a little more work, we will contact you directly to ensure that we’re all on the same page.

7

Printing

The magazine is finally sent to print! This normally happens 6 or 7 weeks after the initial call-out. It’s a long process! It is around this time that the call-out for the next magazine goes out, like a cycle!

Opus

Game of Uni From the Archives

How to play

This game can be played with any number of people, but remember, university is a competition and if you don’t come out on top then you might as well have failed (just kidding). To start the game, roll the die once, and move your piece along the board. Read the instructions on the space and do whatever it is they say (come on, do we really have to hold your hand through this?). If the instructions lead you to another space, follow the instructions on that space, and so on and so forth. Once you make it to the end, throw the dice and read your fate. And try not to panic.

Need a dice? Download an app like every other Gen Z-er.

1. Enrolment Day

Enrol in a degree, throw the dice to find your faculty.

1. Engineering 2. Science

3. Arts 4. Business

5. Medicine 6. Architecture

2. You actually showed up for your orientation day. Roll again.

3. After 1 week you switch degrees. Go back to Enrolment Day (no. 1).

4. You have to pay your $500 community levy fee to live on campus. You can now only drink goon during O-week.

5.

You forgot to drop your subjects before the census date, pay $10,000 in HECS. Skip a turn.

8. You go to the Jeso on a Thursday and have too much fun. You have to skip your classes.

9. You get lost on campus, give up and don’t go to class. Go back 2 spaces.

10.

Fail several subjects. Roll dice and move backward that amount of spaces.

11. You attend UNSA’s Free Food Friday, get free groceries this week. Move ahead 2 spaces.

12.

Go take a peek at the orginial game.

You’re 300 words under the word limit! Go back 2 spaces.

7. You get your first big assessment in a week early. Move ahead 3 spaces.

6. Your required textbook is forever unavailable at the library. Spend your life savings. Go back a space.

15. You try to find a parking spot so you’re late to class. Go back 4 spaces.

14.

Now you’re 300 words over the word limit! Go back 2 spaces.

13. SHAG Week

You win first prize at Trivia, have fun with that goodie bag (wink).

16. You find a secondhand parking ticket in the machine and get busted. Pay the $90 fine. Go back 2 spaces.

29. You attend a uni ball and get violently hungover, stay here in bed for 2 turns.

28. You go to Local Connections for lunch, looks like you won’t be buying grocieres this week.

27. Your roommate hotboxes their room. Student Living finds out, pay a $150 fine.

26. Go study abroad for a year and Return with a baby. Join the Parents and Carers equity group.

30. Engineering, Science, or Medicine students, roll the dice, see how many figures you’ll be making as a graduate. Arts, Business, and Architecture students, roll the dice, see how many figures you’ll be in debt.

31. You party at Wharfies and then get in at the Cambo. Congratulations on a successful Sunday sesh. Roll again.

32. The computer you’re working on in the library suddenly shuts down. Oh no! Your work is lost. Go back two spaces.

33.

You get so lit at the UNSA Halloween party and miss your exam. Go back 3 spaces.

34. Autonomy Day

You’re plastered by 10am, head to BOTH for the D-floor and overpriced drinks.

35.

The club you joined is looking for executives. Roll the die. 1-3: You’re President. 4-6: The club is forced to disband.

24. You do a workshop at Makerspace. Roll again.

17. You get asbestos poisoning from the Hunter Building. Start the game again.

18. You ACTUALLY attend your lectures for the week, you get to enjoy your weekend.

19. Take a self care day. No, a real one. Call your therapist. Have a sob.

20. Your classmate asks how you went on the quiz. Wait, what quiz? Go back to no. 10.

23. You see a description of yourself on Uon Love Letters. Go forward 2 spaces.

22. Get eaten alive by mozzies at Callaghan campus, and find the UNSA Building for aerogard.

21. You do drugs for the first time. Discover what trip you had. Roll the dice 1-3 feeling gooood. 4-6 it was not it.

37. ROLL THE DICE to find out how you went

1. Wait… you actually did it? You graduated! No more essays, no more exams!

2. You come out of your exams feeling confident. Maybe a little too confident… Roll again to find out if you passed. 1-3: You pass your class by the seat of your pants. P’s get degrees.

4-5: You get a mark your parents would be proud of. Now it’s time to pay that debt. 6: You pass with flying colours: rainbows break out across the sky and angels sing.

3. Uh oh, you failed a course. Good luck getting your GPA back up after that one. Head to the Jeso, get a $6 bev, cry in the bathroom until a stranger gives

36. Your parents didn’t send Centrelink the right paperwork. You owe the goverment $5,000.

you a heartfelt pep talk.

4. To better your chance of acing your classes, you head to the UNSA building to load up on free coffee. But...the coffee machine is broken again! Instead, you head to Bar on the Hill, get caught up chatting to a cutie in the corner, do some birdwatching, and get roped into a game of soccer on the green. You missed your exam! You lose.

5. You pass! But, hang on a second. Why are you enrolling again? You want to do Honours? AND a PhD? Go back to the start, you mad man.

6. Happy graduation, you did it! Now get out there, get in the field, have an existential crisis, and we’ll see you again in no time.

25. The coffee machine at UNSA is broken again. Go back 1 space.

O-Week Trivia

Are you keeping up so far? Starting at uni can be pretty overwhelming. We get it! There’s so much new information to take in and sometimes it can make you feel like a fish out of water. Take a turn at our O-Week trivia to see if you’re starting to get the hang of it.

1. What creature is the UON mascot from Greek mythology?

2. Which week is all about celebrating sexual health? Week

3. What’s the name of UON’s student media?

4. Where can you grab a free coffee at Callaghan? The Building

5. The best parking for early-risers on the Hunter side?

6. Your 2023 UNSA President is…

7. The name of UNSA’s resident pup?

8. What’s the name of the annual colour run at Ourimbah? The Colour

9. Where’s a great place to get your creative juices flowing?

10. What we’re all working towards…

11. Where to go when you’re feeling thirsty at Callaghan?

12. Which day are there free snags at Park on the Hill?

13. Where do you go if you need some free groceries?

14. If you have a question, who do you contact?

15. What can you join if you want to make connections?

16. Where can you go for a yarn with mob?

17. The website with all your course information is…

18. If you want to have your say, you can become an…

What can you attend if you need more support with your studies?

19. Can’t find your people on campus? Make or join a…

Opus Through The Ages From the Archives

Have a flick through some of Opus’ past issues (dating back to 1954) and take some time to reflect on all the students that came before you, all those that will come after, and what kind of impact we can all make in our time here.