Universe Issue 1 - 2017

PREsIDENT’swelcome

Having come from Longreach, it is amazing to see how the university continues to build momentum in providing students with real world opportunities. Our job at the Guild is to make sure that your time at QUT is the best it can possibly be. The best advice I could give to any new student would be to remember that, although your studies are vital, it is equally important to take advantage of all that is on offer at university.

You probably won’t remember every single detail from your first year classes, so be sure to make the effort to get involved in social sports, club events and those impromptu sessions at the bar – you’re guaranteed to make longer lasting memories.

During my time at QUT I have been fortunate enough to see a Student Guild that genuinely has the interest of students at heart and continuously challenges the university to improve student life. To that I have a lot of my EPIC predecessors to thank for their contribution to making the campus life what it is today. 2017 will be no different except for my guarantee of more student advocacy, club support and definitely more EPIC parties.

Coming up in week one is the Botanic Bar’s 4th Birthday, so be sure you are there to celebrate all that is cold and ever flowing in the bar. If drinking isn’t your game, then why not try social sport instead - or in the spirit of Old El Paso “why don’t we have both.”

Welcome back to QUT for what will definitely be another EPIC year jam-packed with huge student parties, even more events and maybe even the potential for study. For all of you first years, welcome and congratulations. You have just signed up for the best real world experience, thanks to an EPIC Guild.

For those new to QUT here are a few things you can do in O-Week to ensure that your first year is the best year of your life.

The first step is to become accustomed with the number one university bar in Australia. The Botanic Bar will become your new local whether it be between class, after class or just getting lit on your Friday night. If you’re at Kelvin Grove, make sure you swing by The Grove bar for a sneaky bevvie or two.

The next step is to realise that your QUT Guild is not the university. The Guild is a student run organisation that caters for students when the university fails to. We’re here to make your life on campus the best it can be. This means everything from providing independent advocacy and support through our 1800 WINGMAN service, to holding ‘The World’s Largest Toga Party” - a rite of passage for every university student to kick off an EPIC year.

Nothing cures a Sunday session hangover like scoring at Monday night netball.

In the coming pages you will meet the Guild’s awesome executive that have been working tirelessly over summer to plan and kick start another EPIC year, so be sure that if you are having any university issues or just keen to knock the froth of a cold beer, make sure your EPIC executive are your first port of call.

As a wise man once told me, university is far more than just lectures and tutorials. Head to the bar, have a drink, play a sport, join a club and maybe even make some mates along the way. Whatever you do, have fun and make sure you get the most out of your university experience.

We will see you out and about in O-Week or maybe even enjoying a sneaky beverage!

Charlie Harris

CLUBS + SOCIETIES

Editors:

2017 ExEC meet the

s ECRETARY

Hannah

Bonjour mes ami QUT! No..I’m not french, and I actually suck at learning languages... but what I am good at is managing the day-to-day operation of the QUT Guild’s commercial services so we can remain a financially independant organisation and advocate for students, support clubs and bring the best campus culture to all QUT students.

How does a 19 year old, 3rd year Law/ Finance student run the QUT Guild? Well, with the support of our General Manager, Finance and Marketing team as well as all the other store managers that run the Botanic and Grove Bar, the General and Corner Store, the Second-Hand Bookshop and Academic Gowns. These are the core businesses which help financially sustain all the great work your Vice-Presidents do on a daily basis, like your Toga Party and Puppies and Pancakes.

At the Guild, we strongly believe taking student’s money (SSAF) is against the fundamental nature of being independent from the university. Why is independence important? Because without independance, what good is a student representative body going to be when they are being supplied with funding from the very organisation they’re trying to keep in check? This is why it’s imperative that our commercial services are successful, so we have the finance to distribute back into the QUT community and make your uni days, the best days of your life! So that’s me, the one that deals with HR, finance, legal matters and everything in between. Do me a favour, and head to one of our stores to pick up a Redbull - you’re going to need it once you see what we have planned for you this year!

Good luck friends, and I’ll see you on the other side.

Bryson

G’day everyone, I’m Bryson, and I’m fortunate enough to be the 2017 Guild Treasurer. I’d firstly like to welcome everyone, from the older generation returning for a career change, to you young guns straight out of high school, rearing to get into the ultimate lifestyle. I’ll be doing a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure you see the best services the Guild can provide. I work mostly with clubs and societies, helping them when they need, and giving them an EPIC amount of funding every semester. You’ll see me getting my fill of mangoes at Australia’s #1 University bar, right here, at Gardens Point. If you happen to see me doing the coight, it’s probably because I hit the cranberries a little hard, so apologies in advance. If I could give my first year self advice, it’d be to get involved in as many clubs and societies as my liver will allow, and play more social sport to make up for the excessive carb intake. I look forward to seeing you all around the ridges, for another EPIC year.

TREA s URER

s PORT

Campbell & Jesse

To all the new and returning QUT sports nuts, welcome to another EPIC year of social sport! As your new sports VPs, we look forward to increasing the accessibility of sports on campus for all students. Due to its great success, we will be running a number of one day competitions for a range of different sports. With an unprecedented 3,000 students participating in our social sport program in 2016, it is a great way to meet new people, stay fit and forget about uni for a while.

We are also well underway on our promise to grow eSports on campus and are working closely with QUT, QUT Gaming clubs and interested third parties to provide the best experience. Inclusive competitions and events for all skill levels are also in the pipeline, so watch this space.

With a large range of social sports on offer, two massive end of semester parties and over 3,000 of your closest friends, QUT Sport in 2017 is going to be bigger and better than ever.

Get fit, stay healthy and join our team in one of Brisbane’s biggest social sport league.

Bianca & Eric

Hey guys, it’s Bianca and Eric here, and we’re your campus culture execs for 2017. Our job is to bring the life, the fun, and the party to your studies and make uni the time of your life that it’s supposed to be. We’re passionate about clubs, friends, beer, and having a good time – and we hope you are too. There’s a lot of exciting things in store for 2017 so get ready for a fantastic year. See you at the bar (and the toga party early Semester One!).

Jayden & Abi

Hello! We are your student rights VPs for this year. Get keen for an EPIC year! In 2017 we’ll be working hard to make Uni a great experience for you!

Puppies and Pancakes will be back again during exam time! And this time there’s a twist. We’re bringing along some kittens and cookies! Sounds like the purrfect way to de-stress to me!

Don’t forget our support services with free legal aid and an academic advocate at your disposal should you get into strife. And if you’re in need of stocking your cupboards feel free to access our food bank at Kelvin grove campus!

Finally, we’ll have your back throughout exam time with free stationery should you forget those exam essentials.

Aenghas & Isobella

Hey QUTies, nice to meet you, we’re Isobella and Aenghas your Gender and Sexuality Vice Presidents for 2017. 2016 was a fantastic year for G&S, our G&S VP’s brought you International Women’s Day, our annual Charity Night, Safe Sex Day and more. We’re proud to say that in 2017 these will all be returning, starting with International Women’s Day on March 8th. In addition, we will be focusing on ensuring that QUT remains a safe campus for all QUT students.

Happy start of semester and good luck with those exams!

Vanessa & Julia

This year we are lucky enough to have two International Representatives in the Guild Exec from two very different cultural backgrounds –Julia from Sweden and Vanessa from Malaysia! Although we have our differences we have a common goal, and that is to make uni life at QUT as great as possible for international students! This means more fun and exciting activities, and support to the international clubs at QUT. Moreover, we are also here to assist with and guide all the other things international students are facing. We know what it is like to be international students and we are here for you.

CA m PU s CULTURE

GENDER + s E x UALITY

s TUDENT RIG h T s

VICTORY Epic

Last year saw two teams nominate with what was regarded as one of the quietest elections in recent QUT history. EPIC arose victorious in what was a display of their continued commitment to redefining what university culture should be at QUT.

The election saw EPIC retaining the Guild and picking up a majority on the Guild Student Council. 2017 will bring another 12 months of an EPIC executive, with more EPIC parties and an even more EPIC uni life.

Before EPIC there were only 40 clubs and societies, no QUT Sport, minimal student advocacy, and annual deficits of $800,000. Since EPIC’s inaugural win in 2011, the EPIC executive has delivered students an official world record with the World’s Largest Toga Party, has grown club affiliation to over 160, founded QUT Guild Social Sport and increased student advocacy to support almost 1200 students in 2016.

Last year saw the Botanic Bar, also introduced by EPIC in 2011, officially become the number one university bar in Australia.

The Guild bars and other commercial services are all a part of EPIC’s financial responsibility to accommodate student needs while remaining independent from the university. In doing so EPIC still has increased club funding, grown social sport to over nine competitions and continued to bring you the UNIVERSE Magazine that you are reading now.

Of course EPIC is all about the good times on campus, but are also your experts in academic advocacy with the 24/7 student rights hub, featuring the 1800 WINGMAN advocacy hotline. EPIC has continuously had your back during exam times with puppies and pancakes, chill spaces and support stalls with endless amounts of FREE stationery, FREE coffee and FREE Redbull.

Under EPIC, university life for students has definitely been loaded up on Redbull, don’t worry that you will be made to pay for it. With EPIC, the Guild will never waste money on irrelevant political grandstanding or pushing personal agendas unlike others in the past. Students of QUT overwhelmingly voted in favour of EPIC, receiving approximately 68.5% of the student vote, in what was an EPIC victory.

QUT STUDENT GUILD ELECTION RESULTS

OTHER

EPIC

In the latter half of semester 2, QUT students have the power to elect their student representatives for the QUT Guild.

keen

GET KEEN FOR AN

2017 epic

PARTY toga

I hope you’ve savoured your three months of holidays, because uni is back in full swing and it will only be a few short weeks before assessment starts to roll in. But don’t let that get you down – the World’s Largest Toga Party is back in 2017 and shaping up to be bigger and better than ever!

Rolling into its sixth year, the World’s Largest Toga Party this year will be featuring artists Mashd N Kutcher, Brooklyn, Rejuvenize and Taleena, with more rides, market stalls and bigger after parties than ever before.

Previously held at Riverstage, the Toga Party was announced as the World’s Largest Toga Party in 2012 with 3700 people attending. Since 2012, the event has continued to grow, so much so that we reached Riverstage’s 8000 capacity in 2015 and have since moved venues to the Brisbane Showgrounds.

The QUT Guild World’s Largest Toga Party is undoubtedly Australia’s largest student party and rivals any student party around the world. Tickets are on sale throughout O Week and Market week on campus or follow QUT Guild on facebook and head to the event page for all the details and tickets. Toga packs are also available on campus until sold out, so get in quick!

hOW TO tie a toga

Many thoughts may come to mind like, "What is it?", "how does it apply to me?", "Sounds like the most amazing party ever!" and "I've been, it was great, but how am I going to find ANOTHER way to tie my Toga?".

Well, fellow students, we at the QUT Guild have you covered... literally.

We’ve prepared our councillors and executive members to show you how it’s done. For a full tutorial, check out our YouTube channel, QG Universe.

Keep in mind, these are just guides - you can alter and add as much or as little as you’d like! But remember, we’ll be looking for the best dressed to give away a pretty cool prize! So get creative, this party is for everybody.

Have your toga material ready. Whether it be a bed sheet form K-Mart or a piece from us at the Guild, they're all the same as long as they're white so whip them out and let's get started...

The World's Largest Toga Party, brought to you by the QUT Guild.

sERVICEs Guild

The Botanic Bar + The Grove BAR

The Botanic bar is conveniently situated on the Gardens Point campus in close proximity to the city and South Bank. On the top level of C block at Kelvin Grove is The Grove bar, only a short drive or shuttle bus ride into the city. Just a few years ago, both bars underwent major renovations to create the modern bars that students and the public can now enjoy on campus. Function spaces and bookings are also available for special events – email pcanning@qutguild.com.

The General Store, THE Corner Store + Post Office

The QUT Guild runs a convenience store on each campus – the General Store at Gardens Point just next to Burger Urge and the Corner Store and the Post Office on level 4 of C Block at Kelvin Grove. Both stores offer a wide range of products from bulk lollies to batteries, lab coats and go cards.

Academic Gowns

The QUT Guild offers students the best quality academic gowns for graduating QUT students. Students are able to purchase or hire gowns through the QUT Guild website or through the student graduation portal.

Secondhand bookshop

The Secondhand bookshop is located in room 201, G block, at Gardens Point. A visit to the Secondhand bookshop could save you hundreds of dollars, just by buying used textbooks instead of the newest edition. Students also have the opportunity to sell their textbooks in the store, just visit the QUT Guild website for more information.

Social Sport

QUT Social Sport runs nine different sports each semester with over 1500 students participating over the 10 week competitions. Games are held at various locations close to the city with the league known to be the best value for money sport competition available in Brisbane. Check out the social sport pages in Universe for more information about registration!

Clubs + SOCIETIES

The QUT Guild now has 161 affiliated clubs on campus, from sport clubs, faculty clubs, religious clubs, international clubs to special interest clubs. Through the QUT Guild, clubs are eligible for funding each semester, banking support, free event photographers, fundraising BBQ bookings, storage space, bar tab matches and club insurance. For any club enquiries email campusculture@qutguild.com.

Student Rights Hub

The QUT Guild is a student run organisation providing services for QUT students. The ‘Wingman’ service is a free student advocacy program where students can be offered advice and support when having difficulties academically –whether that be an unfair grade, issues with assignment extensions or problems with a lecturer. Contact wingman@qutguild.com. If you require any tax or legal help contact bcampbell@qutguild.com.

FOOD BANK

The QUT Guild Foodbank provides students who are struggling with daily expenses with access to basic food supplies. Students are able to access the Foodbank by visiting the Guild reception at Kelvin Grove. The Foodbank is located in the microwave room at Kelvin Grove. Microwaves are provided for students to use for food preparation at uni (level 4 C Block at Kelvin Grove and outside the library at Gardens Point).

精彩活动！和你朋友一起来加 入我们吧（不是 QUT 的学生我 们也欢迎哦）！制作你独一无 二的团队制服参加到我们的 社交体育竞赛中来吧，这是个 超棒的机会去认识校内外的新 朋友！加入一个团队的方法很

简单，你只需要用 email告诉我 们你的名字，手机号码还有你 想参加的运动名称到 sport@ qutguild.com，我们会尽力帮你 加到到你最想参与的活动！请

到QUT Guild 网站来看现在已 有的运动。 商业服务

are YOU a fresher?

h ere’s what YOU need to know before coming to QUT!

Between the post-schoolies depression and QUT’s orientation week, you might be feeling slightly bored and (let’s be honest), kind of lost. I mean, it’s not unusual to feel stuck between the long three-month summer holiday and the start of your first ever year of university at QUT. But do not fret! The advice you’re about to receive will keep you as busy as a bee until the arrival of O-Week. Here are a few essential things every first year needs to know and do to prepare you for Uni!

Join all the Clubs with under 18 events

As you can imagine, university involves a lot of socialising and, yes you guessed it, drinking! Unfortunately, most first years are 17-years-old and cannot attend a lot of club parties and events. Even so, there are so many ways under 18’s can get involved with clubs.

Do Not Buy Brand New Textbooks!

This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a first-year student. The average new textbook can cost you anywhere between $100-$300 (rip off!). Instead, you can go to the QUT Guild Secondhand Bookshop located in G Block at Gardens Point, which provides cheap books and the opportunity to check out the quality before you buy.

Another option is to just rent textbooks out from the QUT Library during exam period for free. There’s no guarantee your textbook is available during this period so be warned!

Do not worry if it’s a new edition textbook from 2016, that no students have; older editions usually have the exact same information with slight differences and are SO much cheaper. I personally consider new editions every year a money grab.

Most Lectures Aren’t Worth Going to Uni For

Let me preface this by saying going to lectures is up to YOUR discretion. Do not take my ever so wise words as the gospel. What I must say though, is that going ALL the way to uni is definitely not worth your time, especially if your day is just full of lectures. It’s much more time efficient to not attend and listen to the lectures at home and it’ll save you heaps of money. If you go to uni, you’ll be tempted to buy lunch and a coffee which will put you back around $15. Save your money kids!

Coffee is Your Ultimate Saviour!

Don’t think of this sweet nectar as just a ‘drink’ you have when you’re tired. Even though it allows you to function when you’re completely dysfunctional, there are so many more uses for it. Coffee is THE #1 source for social interaction at Uni, especially if you’re under 18. Have some mates you want to catch up with? Do it over coffee. Want to work with your group on a project? Do it over coffee. See a cute girl/guy across the room? Ask them for COFFEE. Coffee will be your saviour throughout this coming year, so embrace it with open arms. Best of luck in the start of your next chapter of life. See you at O-Week!

the best IN BRISBANE breakfast

1

Alcove Café + Deli Wilston

Alcove is a quirky little café located in Wilston Village (a five-minute drive from Kelvin Grove). While a hidden gem to most, Alcove is well known by the locals and often has customers spilling out on to the foot path. My go to dish is the avo smash with poached eggs, haloumi and bacon –this favourite is yet to disappoint.

For years we have been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For me, this is more than a good enough reason to treat myself to some of the best breakfasts that Brisbane has to offer – after all, I’m just looking after my health. While some days breakfast becomes lunch, or in the rush to make it to class on time a coffee must suffice, if you’re ever looking for a tasty start to your day, here are my top five breakfast spots.

Naim

formerly known as Shouk Café

Shouk Café in Paddington has recently undertaken some rebranding and is now known as Naim. This Middle-Eastern inspired café in Collingwood Street is very popular with Brissy hipsters and foodies and rightly so. They may have recently wiped the latke stack from their breakfast menu, but the pumpkin and haloumi has remained and is just as scrumptious as ever, just don’t eat too much of the spicy paste.

Chapter IV Paddington

Only a short walk from Naim is Chapter IV, a beautiful rustic cottage café with stunning views from the rear balcony over the hilly streets of Paddington. If eggs benedict is your thing, then look no further for the best eggs benny I am yet to find in Brisbane. With your choice of ham, maple-cured bacon, smoked salmon, field mushrooms or haloumi, this dish always lives up to expectations.

The Pantry

The pantry is situated in Old Government House at Garden’s Point and has been given the title of the number one on campus breakfast hot spot. With great dining options on campus like the Pantry, there really is no excuse to skip breakfast anymore. Whether you’re after a muffin and a great coffee or eggs and avo smash on sourdough, the pantry caters to everyone… and if you find yourself at Kelvin Grove, check out their sister store Brewed Awakening.

3 5

Charlie’s Raw Squeeze

4

If you’re after arguably the best acai bowl in Brisbane then head to Charlie’s located in Everton Park and Stones Corner. This vegan friendly store is renowned for their fresh produce and delicious squeeze bowls. Charlie’s not only offers acai bowls but also snickers bowls, bounty bowls, mango bowls and a whole range of healthy and delectable options. Not to mention you can also pick up your fruit and veggies while you’re there.

-TOP cities

in Europe

(that i've travelled to so far)

Let me preface this by saying I've only travelled to the following countries in Europe (below). Thus, I have not picked cities that I haven't travelled to. If you're favourite city isn't in my top 5 it might be because I am yet to see how amazing it is!

Austria

By Ryan McKane

Prague

Oh Prague, how I miss you. Possibly the rowdiest city in Europe, Prague is definitely not for the faint hearted. Offering some of the best nightlife Europe has to offer, Prague is a place where you won’t get much sleep in a hostel. Beer is literally cheaper than water here, and my oh my, does it taste like the sweet golden nectar it is. Nightlife here doesn’t kick off until about 2am so make sure to sleep during the day if you want to survive! However, if you’re feeling risky you can take a stroll during the day through the beautiful old city and climb all the way up to Prague Castle. If cardio isn’t your thing, think again before making the trek up the hill! Let’s just say it’s a tad hard on the knees. Prague’s old city is as picturesque as they come so I definitely recommend getting lost amongst the tiny, windy roads! Prague is an absolute must for all travellers looking to have a fun time and meet exciting people!

RomeAfter witnessing the magnificence of Rome, you can truly understand why it wasn’t built in a day. Possibly the birthplace of western civilisation, Rome is a city for every traveller. The obvious history, architecture, food, and weather culminates into a very well rounded tourist destination. Rome is one of the only cities I’ve been to where I became genuinely lost amongst the wonder. Rome is the perfect example of a modern metropolis intertwined with historic elegance. To this day much of its water supply is fed by aqueducts built during the Roman Empire period. What I found to be most interesting was the constant flow of water running out of communal street taps, fed by these very aqueducts. I’m not even joking. These taps never turn off. Definitely hit up Rome on your next European travel.

of the Yugoslavian War. It’s famed 16th Century ‘Stari Most’ Bridge, destroyed, then rebuilt after the war is the centrepiece of this majestic little city. It is home to interesting War museums that really capture the torment and devastation the city and its people went through. To this day the streets of Mostar are riddled with dilapidated buildings and bullet holes, yet these brutish images add a certain charm and character to the city. What is also interesting about Mostar is its noticeable religious divide between Christians and Muslims. On one side you have towering Minarets and Islamic graveyards, whilst the other brings you to many Christian graveyards overlooked by a dominating white cross on top of the near Hum Mountain. After being to Mostar twice in five years all I can say is the people are super friendly and accommodating and the food is amazing!

Istanbul

Mostar

Little Istanbul is what I like to call Mostar. If you haven’t noticed by now I really... like REALLY love culturally exciting cities and Mostar is no exception! A little known city located in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it became the home of one of the most brutal armed bombardments

London

I nearly looked over London due to the fact it feels like a second home to me. However, taking a step back I’ve come to realise this city is truly remarkable. The capital of the world, and rightly so, London offers it’s travellers an abundance of culture and attractions fit for any personality. If I look at most cities throughout Europe, there’s usually a defining feature that really pulls in the tourists, like Rome and the ancient architecture. However, with London there’s not one thing I can pin point because it is such an expansive and exciting city. Anything you want as a backpacker can be found inside the walls of London. The Royal Family, the best Museums in the world, amazing nightlife, Big Ben, Cathedrals and the list goes on. Just watch out for the price tag! London offers you everything you can ask for and that is why its #4 on my top 5 best cities in Europe.

For me, there’s absolutely no debate when it comes to the best city in Europe. Istanbul is as captivating and immersive as it gets, and for good reason. The historical and geographical divide between Europe and Asia and the melting pot of Western and Islamic culture, it is truly the cultural capital of the world. Plagued with captivating structural masterpieces, Istanbul provides even an amateur Instagrammer with stunning photos worthy of a $3000 Kodak. Home to nearly 15 million residents and countless intricate Mosques and Churches, the streets provide a bustling and vibrant atmosphere full of street venders selling assortments of local foods and clothing. Home to perhaps the most famous and largest market in the world; the Grand Bazaar weaves its way through western Istanbul. You can buy literally anything here, however, compared to a Somalian market, maybe not so much. Think silks, pottery and the latest in $5 Ralph Loren ‘authentic’ polos. Although, on a serious note, Istanbul is pretty full on and if you are a solo female traveller perhaps lean a little more on the side of caution (Contiki is fine though, as long as you are in a group!). Turkey is becoming quite unstable at the moment with the recent failed coup d’état and rise in terrorist attacks, so be careful. However, even with these cons in mind, Istanbul is still too good to pass up!

ON QG CLUBS Spotlight

ON QG CLUBS Spotlight

HINDU SOCIETY QUT

The Hindu Society of QUT (HSQUT) is affiliated with the QUT Guild and got it’s first AGM on 16th August, 2016. It is a platform for the Hindu communities (students, staffs and alumni) and who value/practice the philosophies and cultures of Hinduism on/off campus.

The aims and objectives of HSQUT are as follows:

• Practice solidarity on/off the campus among -

• QUT students, staffs and alumni who belong to Hindu communities from all over the world, and

• Individuals and groups, who value and/or practice philosophies and cultures of Hinduism, from inside and outside the campus.

• Provide a multinational and multicultural platform to explore, discuss, learn, and practice various paths of Hinduism.

• Organise, celebrate and participate various rituals, events, festivals, and occasions associated with the Australian and International Hindu communities.

• Providing ‘Seva’ (service) to the greater community.

HSQUT is organising/participating social gathering, events/rituals, cultural concerts, discussion sessions, lectures, exhibitions, workshops and humanitarian activities.

Short after affiliation, HSQUT has arranged the successful event Diwali at GP campus on 28/10/2016. It is highly appreciated by the students and staffs of QUT.

HSQUT is planning it’s signature event ‘Swaraswati (the Goddess of knowledge) Puja’ in February/March 2017.

Student Paramedic Undergraduates (SPU) is a society at Queensland University of Technology for student paramedics. We are in partnership with SPA, Students Paramedics Australasia. SPU (pun intended) aims to make university life more appealing to all students, both academically and socially.

2016 was an exciting year for us, with the inclusion of SPU boat cruise, sports, conference, trivia night, the ball and continuing professional development (CPD) events. You won’t be disappointed with all these events we have on offer! We also have a few more secrets planned throughout the year, but you will have to become a member We also have a few more secrets planned throughout the year, but you will have to become member in order to reap the rewards from our events.

Furthermore, as a SPU member you’ll get a subscription to the ‘Response’ magazine, discounts for SPA International Conference tickets and PA events, discounts for SPU merchandise and more! Discounts are worthwhile and you’ll get the cost of your membership back in no time. Becoming a SPU member is easy and only costs $30 for a year. To join up, simply visit www. paramedics.org/membership/how-tojoin. Otherwise, come visit our stall during Orientation Week if you’re interested in learning a bit more about us. We hope to meet you soon!

MedRad is QUT’s largest social club and we accept members from all faculties and universities. Membership with us entitles you to a special card that will gain you access to the hottest deals at various venues across the Brisbane area. On top of this, we host many social events per year including our QUT famous launch party on February 23rd, Hawaiian pub crawl, barefoot bowls, scrub crawl and our annual decadent event of the MedRad ball! If social events aren’t quite your thing, we also have multiple teams who actively engage in social sport throughout the university semesters. Like our Facebook page “Med Rad”, follow our Instagram @ medrad_qut or come and visit us at our O week tent to find out more about us.

Do you have a passion for wheels? And do those wheels have a car attached to them? Wow! What luck! You have stumbled across QUT Car Club!

QUT Car Club is a community for the car enthusiasts within this fine University. We like cars, HSP’s and a whole lot of banter. If you’re asking what makes us so great, then the answer would come from the title. We are a club, and we accept all members even if you don’t have a car! You just need to share the same love we do. As for what this club does; we do many things:

Social events all year (car meets, BBQs, mountain cruises and cruises to the coast).

Competitive events (sprint days at Queensland Raceways, dyno days) of which we do so to provide a safe and fun experience to gain bragging rights!

End of year tradition: The “Big Tab $$$” Bar Event. What’s a Uni Club without bar events??

If any of this tickles your fancy, make sure to follow us on Facebook! And once you’ve remembered your student login and found your student email (yes we all forget the first time), come join our community page! That’s where the party is at! See you there.

QUT Solar Energy Scientific Society is affiliated to build bridges between science and engineering students and researchers who are interested in photovoltaic technology and solar energy. Our solar media pages have daily content related to photovoltaic and solar power. We will have plenty of casual events, technical talks and workshops in 2017.

Contact us at solar-ess@qut.edu.au or QUTSESS (twitter and Facebook)

The QUT Hockey Club Inc. is an allencompassing hockey club catering for men and women looking to participate in the sport of field hockey in the Brisbane community.

Affectionately known as the ‘Ibis Army’, the club boasts teams across 4 competitions; Women’s and Men’s turf, Women’s Grass and Women’s Masters. With a huge social calendar and plenty of hockey to take advantage of, there’s something for everyone with QUT Hockey Club Inc.

Find us on Facebook “The Ibis Army”, Instagram “@theibisarmy” and on our website “www.theibisarmy.wordpress. com” for more information, or come and join us at our first social event of the year, the preseason pub crawl on February 25!

Physics is not just differential equations and mindless algebra. Beneath everything you love is a foundation of fundamental physics. The QUT Physics society is a hub for thinkers, tinkerers, star-gazers, the inquisitive and the experienced. Focusing on events that bring people from all levels of knowledge together, the society helps to take your passion and provide some direction, insight and fun. Astronomy nights, trivia, deals and discounts, pubscience and special events. All welcome – you don’t need to be a physicist, just interested in how the world works!

To join, simply email qutphyssoc@gmail.com

QUT Big Lift is a student-led organisation that allows you to get involved at uni in a meaningful way outside of the lecture theatre. Throughout each year, we aim to foster student development by providing numerous needs-based volunteering opportunities, from assisting with local community initiatives to providing a “big lift” for regional towns on our week-long road trips. We also place a focus on service learning, whereby students involved develop a better understanding about the culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as knowledge about the dynamic heartbeat of regional townships and thriving local community groups. The club has grown considerably over the past few years and offers students the chance to meet and work with like-minded peers, whilst gathering unforgettable experiences and making a positive impact in both local and regional communities. Each year, we look to build on the relationships made with communities in past years as well as the powerful relationships made with our evergrowing Big Lift family.

If you’re interested in hopping on the Big Lift bus in 2017, give our website (qutbiglift. org) and our Facebook some love - we’re constantly posting updates about what we’re doing and how you can get involved. #bigliftlove

My Time is a student run club, which aims to help students to release their stress from academic life through provision of meditation and yoga. We care about your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing, and with a vision of creating a more diverse, involved and self-aware QUT community, we welcome all students with different cultural backgrounds to join our club. Let us ease your mind and support you through your semester.

Weekly meditation and yoga sessions are scheduled on both Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses, where you will be guided by our professional instructors and meet like-minded peers from a diverse range of majors. Besides the regular sessions, we are also going to hold our annual events including Yogathon and Yoga Conference for you to have a deeper understanding on the practical uses and benefits of mediation and yoga, with an opportunity to participate in our Yogathon project and gain professional skills and experiences.

In 2017, our club launches two new activities of Movie Marathon and Yoga In the Park to create more opportunities for you to have fun. Come and let us show you a totally different experience in doing yoga!

Meet us at our 2016 O-Week or Welcome Week stall to find out more about our sessions and sign up! Follow us on Facebook at ‘MY Time QUT’ to get instant updates throughout the year.

NorSK is the pinnacle party club for international and domestic students alike. The club was originally just for Norwegian students but don’t let the logo fool you, NorSK has long since opened its doors to anyone looking to have some fun and get loose as a moose.

Look out for our pub crawl early in semester one, it’s Brisbane’s biggest. And make sure you find us on Facebook to stay in touch with all our other events throughout the year.

See you at the bar!

NorSKStudent

2017 is set to be a big year for the Guild or more specifically the Gender and Sexuality portfolio.

Taking over from Abigail Hill and Bethany Fitzsimon, we are your new Gender and Sexuality Vice Presidents Isobella Powell and Aenghas Hopkinson-Pearson.

We’re kicking off our year with International Women’s Day on March 8th. Building off last year, we will be bringing you an opportunity to celebrate, with a variety of women’s groups taking part in the day. If that’s not enough to excite you than come along and grab a snag, get keen!

Like last year, we’ll also be bringing you Safe Sex Day to keep your sexy time, sexy. In previous years Gender and Sexuality have supported various charities such as the A21 Campaign, Beyond Blue, Red Cross and this year will be no different, we’ll keep you updated with this and a few more events over the year. Watch this space!

One of our primary goals for 2017 is to ensure that QUT continues to be a safe campus for all students to study. Last year we pointed out several safety flaws surrounding the new smoke-free QUT policy and the potential risks of moving students off campus, particularly during the night.

One of our goals for 2017 is to continue this focus to ensure that QUT is a safe campus for all students to come and learn.

Stay classy QUT, Izzy and Aenghas.

IN 2017 GENDER + sexuality

We are Vanessa Chan and Julia Hagen, this year’s International Representatives.

Being international students ourselves, we know how amazing it can be to be an international student, but we also know it is not always easy. Coming all the way to another country, a whole new place without a single familiar face around, we know it can make you feel very lost at first. But, we are here to help you! Our goal is to make your uni experience unforgettable. One of our top tips to making uni a great experience is to get involved with clubs. It is a great and fun way to make friends and we all know how important friends are. They can become your family, which can be a great way to bring home a little closer, and can be vital when your family is far away at home. We are therefore very excited to be able to support the international clubs this year, and hoping that many of you are keen to get involved!

Another great way to make new friends and to make the most of your uni life is to go to all the fun events, hosted by both the clubs and the Guild. A great way to find out about

events is to like “QUT Guild” on Facebook, where a lot of the events will be advertised. We are going to organise some events for you this year, and you do not want to miss out on them! We are, for example, going to throw a welcome event for you international students in the beginning of this semester, so stay tuned for that..

IN 2017 student Rights

Our QG wingman represented 139 creative industry students in what was a record HECS refund for overcharged fees, as well as saw to over 1,300 advocacy cases including student misconduct, special considerations and reviewing of grades across all faculties.

2016 saw advancements in QG welfare programs including increasing funding to our foodbank services, providing exam support stalls to supply free stationery, and increasing engagement with our free law services in conjunction with McInnes Wilson Lawyers. We know that our Student Rghts portfolio has a solid foundation for 2017 and I have no doubt that we will continue to make progress and expand, delivering for all students.

We are proud that as the Student Rights portfolio continues to expand, we are seeing increasing numbers of students who are accessing our free wingman service, whereby students are represented by an experienced Guild officer during university proceedings. Since 2011, student advocacy cases have been continually increasing. However, these cases are becoming increasingly concerning at the same time. It has become almost impossible to ignore the fact that students are penalising their grades because they simply don’t know how to apply for an extension, provide medical certificates or access QUT counselling services.

things such as plagiarism, bringing prohibited materials into exams, the list goes on.

One week before the meeting, members of the committee review case material as preparation for the meeting. Sometimes the student shows up to defend themselves, other times with a letter. These cases become eerily similar after a while as students are often found to be uninformed about QUT’s academic policies, the process itself, and the QUT services they could have taken to get an extension or learn about QUT assessment policy.

Unfortunately, students often find themselves facing charges of plagiarism because they genuinely could not complete the assignment independently within the timeframe given due to stress, anxiety, medical conditions or even legal issues. These few tips are simple yet effective, coming to university at first can be scary, knowing where to go for help before misconduct accusation is the key.

It is too often that students are being summoned to appear in front of a misconduct committee. These can be for any number of

Medical Certificate: Be proactive. We see many students submitting forged medical

Why are misconduct meetings occurring?

What can you do to avoid misconduct?

2016 was a fantastic year for student rights. Our advocacy and welfare programs continued to expand and reach even more students than previous years.

certificates even if their illness is legitimate. Welcome to the land of bureaucracy, if you’re in doubt that you will need to provide official documentation, then you probably do. Get a certificate from your GP as soon as you feel as though your illness could hinder your academic performance.

QUT counselling services: Don’t feel as though visiting the free QUT counsellor is raising the white flag of defeat. Visiting the counsellor regarding mental illness, unforeseen personal circumstances and domestic disputes are all legitimate reasons for deficient grades. Getting an extension for your work instead of rushing and copying off the internet is always the better option. If you feel as though you need the extra time, get it. Students often don’t think they will be eligible for these services and don’t try – trust me, the alternative is potential to fail a heavily weighted assessment, fail the unit, or even suspension from the university for a semester. Ultimately these decisions made in panic do nothing but get you into trouble with the university, increase your HECs debt and ultimately increasing your course duration. Don’t play yourself, get some help.

Common misconduct misconceptions

What a lot of students fail to recognise is that, although the misconduct committees and boards take into consideration the personal circumstances of each case, there is little the committee can do once your case has hit their desk. It will become apparent once reviewing the case material that the student has more times often than

not, failed to access the QUT help services. These include, counselling, disability planning, course tutor’s consultation times and online lectures.

The committee has very little flexibility of penalty. We see too often letters asking for minimisation of penalty, referring to unfortunate personal circumstances that unless considered by a QUT or private counsellor, cannot be used to waive penalty.

The QUT Guild is heavily involved in dealing with a wide range of advocacy cases ranging from special consideration applications and misconduct representation to course complaints and assessment extension disputes. Our wingman who has dealt with approximately 6,100 advocacy cases since 2011 offers service in educating and coaching students regarding special considerations, enrolment etc. The Guild also sources students to sit on these university boards and committees to provide a students’ opinion in the deliberation process when verdict is reached.

2017 KPI s

(Key Performance Indicator)

Have at least 15 classrooms open for students to study while unoccupied

Establishing the tax and legal help services hub

Creating a Q&A segment on our site

Clear avenues and regular pit stops for legal and tax help workshops

Begin to see decreasing levels of misconduct (relating to mental illness) by second half of semester 2

Establish educational media to inform students about QUT services available

Where does the Guild fits in all of this?

AND Events Recap Caboolture

Last year we had two epic Caboolture Officers, Katie Anderson and Grace Mambear. As a dynamic duo, we took a small, quiet campus and created a Guild presence on campus that was bigger and better than ever - and shows no sign of slowing the progression.

At the beginning of the year, Katie and Grace took a look at the events and services held at Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campus’ to find the best way to bring them to Caboolture – because why should anyone miss out?!

These gals kicked off before the 1st December 2015, with a mini Puppies and Pancakes! Exam Support Stall tents were the first to appear on Campus in 2016, early in the exam block of Semester 1. These provided students with pens, pencils and erasers for exams and provided students with an opportunity to chat to and get to know the Caboolture Officers, as well as finding out more information about the Guild.

Shortly after, Chill Spaces debuted at Caboolture Campus with bean bags, turf crates, rugs and even ping pong! There was free tea, coffee, juice and pancakes provided as well, to keep you all from losing your minds through that pesky 3 Day SWOTVAC. If that wasn’t enough to enjoy, the famous QUT Guild ball pit even made an appearance a few of times – how’s that for an epic way to relax!

Come August, the first ever QUT Guild Caboolture Ball was ready to go. Held at the Sandstone Point Hotel, it was a huge success with everybody dressed up to the nines and looking as glamorous as ever! With food, drinks and laughter, everyone danced the night away, overlooking the views of Pumicestone Passage and Bribie Island.

For those that missed out in 2016 –never fear! Your new Caboolture Officer, Rylee Dobson, will be back and working alongside your 2017 QUT Guild Executive to make these events bigger and better than ever. Tell us what YOU want to have on campus, contact Rylee Dobson at caboolture@qutguild.com and let us know! We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Keep up to date with all events happening with the QUT Guild on social media - just search “QUT Guild” on Instagram and Facebook!

Peace, love and positive vibes

Katie and Grace xo

an insighT to the smallest ofcampus QUT

To this day, Caboolture Campus appears to be a mystical place, the forgotten sibling of the three QUT campus’. Well I’m here to tell you that it is not. I’m here to make Caboolture a little more real and even bust some myths or misconceptions.

Some may think of Caboolture as a sunny, bogan town – it’s not. I actually had a Southside friend say to me once, “You came all the way from Caboolture for a day? Isn’t that like, a 3 hour flight away?!” Well, uh, no.

I’m sorry to break your illusions but Caboolture is a suburb just like any other, with shopping centres, parks and plenty of normal, civilised and awesome human beings. Caboolture Campus is just the same as any city campus as well; only smaller .. oh, and no one’s afraid to smile at and talk to one another (looking at you, city goers).

With a canteen on campus as well as all the food you could possibly want just around the corner including Burrito Bar (hello lunch breaks!) and Coffee Club, all the best things are only a minutes drive from campus. And if that hasn’t got you sold, did someone say FREE parking?!

Having a little over 1000 students on campus may not seem like much, but it’s a supportive, friendly community that not everyone gets the chance to experience. QUT’s newest building, N Block, is a building just for QUT Students (for those who don’t know, the campus is shared with TAFE), with bean bags, lounges, a kitchenette and

quiet and collaborative work spaces.

Since the start of 2016, QUT Guild has brought to you Exam Support Stalls, Chill Spaces and plenty of pancakes, as well as having started up Caboolture’s first ever society, Creative Industries Society! This has now been successful across all three campus’ and continues to rapidly grow. So if any of you Caboolture QUTies out there have an interest – why not start a club on campus!

With all of the aforementioned, and the prime location that is halfway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, I hope you have all taken a little something out of this to make you truly remember the previously forgotten campus, that is QUT Caboolture. There will be more updates to come as the QUT Guild presence grows even more on campus; so keep an eye out QUTies!

SPORT 2017 social

The whistle sounds. The six foot four male in front of me looks down at his feet with frustration spread across his face and stands beside me. The siren goes, “weeooweeoo”, and whistles ring around the courts. “Stay on court”, the umpire tells us. This is it. The match winning shot. I take a deep breath and hear my more experienced teammate behind me saying bend and flick. I launch the ball towards the hoop and with a swish it drops through the net.

My teammates come running towards me with hi fives and bum slaps going every which way. We did it – we were 2016 QUT Guild Mixed Netball Champions. “Let’s hit the Bot Bar!” Campbell exclaims.

Whether or not you are a competitive athlete, a recent school leaver, or a mature age student, QUT Guild Social Sport is the perfect opportunity to meet new friends at uni and a fun way to keep fit and escape the stress of study.

In semester 1 2017, there will be eight different sports on offer from netball to touch, basketball, badminton, volleyball, soccer, dodgeball and water polo. There really is something to suit everyone.

If you’re worried about having to find a team to join, there’s no need! Your Guild will take the stress and hassle from you and you can register as an individual and be allocated a team. Of course, if you’ve been putting in the hard yards at preseason training with your friends, you can always register a full team. Even if you have a friend who has been unlucky enough to wind up at UQ or Grifftafe or just living in the real world working 9 til 5, make sure they register and join in the fun of QUT Guild Social Sport, the more the merrier!

Earlybird registration is open until the end of O-Week or until sold out, so make sure you don’t miss out!

Full team registration starts from $550 and for individuals just $70, making QUT Social Sport one of the most affordable sport competitions in Brisbane. Join in the fun and get involved in social sport this semester!

CESS President of the Year

The Civil Engineering Student Society (CESS) aims to improve campus life by providing a way for students to connect to one another across different year levels and engineering disciplines. We host events that engage not just the student community but also the professional community, so that students can expand their professional networks. While the club focuses on engineers, anyone can join.

CESS aims to be a platform for students to meet new people and make great friends. Last year was an amazing year for us, and saw the beginning of a strong camaraderie between engineering clubs.

Previously, engineering clubs had little communication with one another, and had no solid plans of working together. The goal of my presidency was to bring more cohesion among different engineering societies in addition to an overall improvement of the club. As such, I would regularly attend events from other clubs and be in contact with club presidents who were open minded and willing to try something new. I also had a great team behind me who had the flexibility and dedication to see these changes through and maintain good relationships with these clubs.

My thoughts are that we are all engineers at the end of the day, and once we enter the work force we are going to have to work together. We might as well start now and enjoy ourselves!

During Semester 1, with the help of the Electrical Engineering Student Society (EESS) and the Mechanical Engineering Student Society (MESS), CESS established the ‘Engineering Games Trivia Night’ in which engineering disciplines had a chance to win a trophy and bragging rights for the year – more than 100 people showed up!

Semester 2 brought about an Olympic themed party which was the first of its kind to include all three societies together (CESS, EESS and MESS), also known as the C.E.M. Bash. The three clubs put on a great night with a substantial bar tab and enough neon paint for an art exposition.

There are already plans for bigger and better events in 2017. The Engineering Games trivia night will be brought back for the Civil Engineers to claim the trophy! We are looking into securing more construction site tours for our members to participate in throughout the year, while keeping our

industry nights relevant to students and their needs. We are also exploring future projects for members to join in on and improve their resumes.

Of course it goes without saying, we will be upholding our reputation - hosting the best engineering pub crawls on campus!

ampED Club of the Year

From networking nights to pub crawls, from doubling the size of our beloved members to winning club of the year. It has been a massive year for AMPed to say the least. 2016 saw AMPed continue to grow in size and vigour, a trend to continue in 2017.

We started of the year in style with a pub crawl that was not to be missed. With our mates over at QUTASA helping us celebrate the evening, pubs across Brisbane CBD had no idea what hit them.

Brains were put to the test at our two trivia nights, one a collaboration with QUT JAMS and another more competitive with our counterparts over at UQ, UQMAS, squaring off for a giant trophy and naming rights as the “better/smarter/cooler uni.” Leis were brought out to send off semester one for a Hawaiian themed Sunday session and we suited up for the Studio 54 Business

Ball collaborating with all other business societies. The year came to a close with on a similar high at a California Dreamin’ themed barefoot bowls where dressed for the summer that was to come.

But it wasn’t all partying for our AMPed members. Careers week in semester two saw us prepare our members for the real world with four different professional workshops ending with the inaugural networking night at Friday’s Riverside. The event was an absolute hit with the highest number of attendees we have ever

had and a range of high calibre industry professionals attending. More industry insights were uncovered at our AMPed Panel Night where our member’s questions were answered as well as our International Business breakfast where our IB students mingled with the industry’s finest.

The year to come is to be equally as exciting with a fresh faced executive team ready to jam pack the year with the best events you could ask for. Come and say hello at O-week so we can let you know about all events we will be having this coming semester or check us out on Facebook!

Studying advertising, marketing, public relations or international business? Want to gain more from your uni experience? AMPed is the society for you! AMPed provides students with an advantage when entering the AMPR and IB fields. Joining AMPed sets you up with one year of membership to one of the coolest societies at QUT. Members receive a variety of benefits including early-bird discounts to our events and exclusive on-campus and off-campus deals.

qut film club

"Film Club is a fun and friendly organisation that mixes socialising with the fantastic world of film. Open to all students at QUT, the club convenes fortnightly to appreciate films both new and old through discussion, trailers and viewings. More importantly the club also finds opportunities to invite industry professionals to talk about the corporate side to filmmaking, Virtual Reality and the workings of the online world of digital media."

Opening the year is the Academy Awards Party. Join the club for an evening of guessing the top picks for 2016 films over drinks at Kelvin Groves University Bar- The Grove. Events include cinema outings or get togethers at the university bar for laughs over B grade movies. Last years popular B grade movie was Attack of the Killer Tomatoes 2. Enjoy watching movies? Come and enjoyed with a likeminded film community.

QUT Creative Industries Society(CIS)

"We created this society for students to be able to connect with like minded individuals, giving them a kick start in the industry. You'll have the opportunity to collaborate and create projects that will not only enhance your skills but offer numerous opportunities. Kick start the year with a bang and come in 'Anything but clothes' to our annual pub crawl."

follow us

qutcreativeindustriessociety

qutcreativeindustriessociety

snowriders

This year will be quite different to last year, with flights being included within the sale price of the trip. This means we will all fly over together directly, and not have to do the 10 hour drive from Christchurch to Queenstown. We will fly over on the 19th of July, just in time for the season to be heating up (in a metaphorical sense) and the snow should be dumping down. We’ll have days at Coronet and the Remarkables’ ski fields, which will provide all trippers with whatever level of shredding they’d like, from beginners to the pros. Off the mountain, Queenstown will turn it on for us, as it always does, with an incredible amount of bars and clubs, among many other tourist attractions that we can immerse ourselves in while over there.

By the time this goes to print, the tour video from last year will be up on our QUT Snowriders Facebook page, so have a look at the video and swing us a like while you’re there if you’re interested. Last year I went on the trip knowing nobody, and I’ve been lucky enough to become friends some of the most fun individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, and this year will be the same! So don’t be disheartened if none of your mates will come, or if you’ve never been to the snow before. Because out of all of us, you will find a massive group of mates who you will continue being mates with when you

get home AND you’ll have the week of your life having a ball in Queenstown!

If you have any questions at all, send us a message at QUT Snowriders, we’re more than happy to have a chat with you and get you having the time of your life!

Yew!

P.S – Don’t worry, just because we’re teaming up with UQ and Griffith does NOT mean there will be a very healthy amount of banter and competition!

This years' annual QUT ski trip to Queenstown NZ is on its way! This year, we are teaming up with our mates from UQ and Griffith to plan the best trip yet!

Flinton Races

Flinton, QLD. Most consumed liquid? XXXX Gold. Average hat rim? 5 inches. Average annual rainfall? Less than most places get in a year.

A five-hour trek, that takes 5 hours, will put you track side for what is bound to be the best weekend of your life, for your liver? Well… not so much.

Back in 2014 the club made it out this way, and boy was it a blast, so we felt the need to bring it back. From poetry competitions, and horseless foot races, to the horse races themselves, there is something for everyone, and if that’s not for you, then I suppose you’re just not everyone. Starting off in the big smoke, or the “city” as you slickers call it, the short limp up the great divide is made, from there it’s just a matter of getting back down the other side without braking too hard so you can roll into camp, tank still half full. Just don’t forget that there’s more cops than people out on the other side, so check the dial’s still somewhere in the middle of 0-240 every now and then.

If you’re strapped for cash, there’s a few things you can do to keep the costs down. The louder the country music, the more fuel efficient your rig will be. This is fact. If more than half a case of mangoes is consumed prior to arrival, more fuel will also be saved. Also fact. If your rig happens to have a bullbar, spotties and a Toyota badge, it is guaranteed to be more fuel efficient.

Definitely fact.

Toyota’s, country music and Milton’s finest aside, this event is really one of a kind. A quick flick over the form guide to pick the winners based off the firsthand knowledge you acquired that time you spoke to your Uncle who was best mates with a bookie’s daughter, will get you set for the hottest picks of the day. There’s a handful of novelty events to fill in time between the races, the bush poetry competition is always a fun one. Use your time on the drive down to write your own, or simply memorise some of the classics – I heard Nollzy was a good poet.

If that still doesn’t take your fancy, Fashions of the Field always brings out the glamour in everyone, even Russell Coight could scrub himself up well enough to get points on the board.

The sun sets over the dusty track, setting the sky alight in rusty red and the mango continues to flow. Now is a good time to get a feed from the local P&C BBQ or the classic potato van. The band will play into the night; a DJ makes an appearance for those still with their legs. Eventually everyone wanders back to their camp, a crawlable distance away, to sit around the campfire and spin yarns all night long.

The crack of dawn will be broken with –not roosters – but the top hits of country music and the revving of V8 Cruisers and Commodore utes. For the designated

drivers, it’s a great time to pull out the earplugs and try to get another hour or two of beauty sleep, as for the rest, it time to start getting back into the only breakfast known to Flinton, a mango in a tin.

Regardless of whether you’re a wannabe country lad stuck in the big smoke or a curious inner city girl up for an adventure to see what the heart of Australia can provide; I can assure you this event is a great place to start. Look out for us in O-Week to get your name down for a trip you won’t forget!

There was movement at the campus, for the word had got around, the QUTLNC was Flinton bound.

QUT GAME DEVELOPMENT

Game development is an all-encompassing industry. Whether you study computer science, art, animation, music or any other field; you can develop your skillset through game development.

QUT’s Game Development Club welcomes all with an interest in game development. During 2017 we will be providing many services and events to help you learn more about game development, improve your skills, overcome development struggles, meet and socialise with fellow developers and most importantly have fun!

Presentations will be held with experienced students, graduates and even some industry professionals where they will pass on knowledge and answer any questions you may have. Workshops will be run throughout the year providing learning opportunities for all disciplines and all skill levels. Another great opportunity provided will be group development projects that bring members together to join forces and create cool games within a close knit and supportive team.

The club will also have several of these development projects on display at the World Science Festival in March and at QUT Robotronica in August. We’ll be showing off our Interactive Virtual Reality projects using our HTC Vive. If you want to get involved in the development of some of these experiences, even if you’re just a beginner, come along, ask questions and get involved!

Finally, we are most ecstatic to be hosting our many social events. These will be the most valuable opportunities for you to meet and make friends with fellow game developers, something that you are unlikely to find through your course classes alone. Whilst our lively bar tabs are to be expected, we will also be running play testing parties, game jams, our monthly Video Game Club (like a book club but cooler ;D) and much more.

If you are interested in discovering more about the Game Development Club drop by the O-Week stall or visit a club event, details can be found on the club’s Facebook page.

QUTGDC@GMAIL.COM

QUTGDC

Indonesian Student Association of QUT (ISAQ)

Indonesian Student Association of QUT (ISAQ) is a branch of Indonesian organisation named Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia Australia (PPIA) that facilitates the entire community of Indonesian students who conducted study at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to assist and build a network with one another. ISAQ is also widely open to all other QUT students who are interested in Indonesia. Through ISAQ, all members can receive the latest updates about the study news, events, and exciting activities.

ISAQ facilitate both academic and non-academic events for all members including discussion series, workshops, student welcoming party, fun gathering, and many more! In 2017 we will hold our two big events, IndoFair and ISAQ Colloquium.

IndoFair itself is a cultural event to introduce Indonesian culture to all QUT students through Indonesian authentic foods and performances. This year we will promote Indonesia’s Pop-Culture, including Indonesian movies, local street foods, Indo-pop music and arts!

Not to be forgotten, especially to all students and researchers who have done or are currently undergoing research or even own any interesting findings about Indonesia, ISAQ would like you to participate in ISAQ

Colloquium by submitting your paper and share it with other students and researchers to enrich and broaden our knowledge about Indonesia.

So be sure to participate and keep updated with our events through our digital platforms: Indonesian Student Association of QUT (FB Page); @ppiaqut (Instagram); @ PPIA-QUT (Twitter); www.isa-qut.org (Official Website); and isaq@isa-qut. org (Email). If you are an Indonesian student or simply because you’re interested in Indonesian culture, don’t be shy to give us a shout-out!

IndonesianStudentAssociationofQUT

QUT STARTERS

Create an Uber, not another Taxi

Right now, you are part of an incredible time where innovation is happening faster than ever before. The best part is, there are no reasons why you cannot be part of it. These new exciting startups are shaking all industries and forcing change at a rapid pace.

What’s the difference between Hilton Hotels and Airbnb; Uber and Taxis; Amazon and Woolworths; or Google to Bing? The difference is in how the customer values service, how easy it is to get started, and the appetite for growth.

So, you have an idea you’ve been sitting on for a while but never giving it the chance to ripen. Here are 4 proven building blocks of a successful startup – think of them as the building blocks to ‘the next big thing’.

Element 1: Idea

The idea comes first. It’s the core to any startup. The way we look at it is through the question “what is the problem worth solving?” Every good startup exists to make a difference, without solving a problem why does the world need your product? Starting a startup is risky, that’s why no one cracked it yet. However, we can minimise risks by using the lean methodology, which encourages you to validate every assumption you make. From who else experiences your problem, to design, to price-point. Ideally you speak with potential customers but in reality, you could speak with any random person walking down the street.

Element 2: Product

From a great idea builds a great product. Your product is what makes or breaks your startup. It could come in form of a physical product, digital product or a service. As the lines between product and service become blurry, the question customers still always ask before they paying (or subscribe) is “what value does this add to my life?” It is convention in the startup world to identify your first few users and get the product right over rapid growth with a half-working product. You want to create something that people love - make it ‘sticky’. In result people will keep coming back and be your free marketing campaign.

Element 3: Team

Behind a great product is a great team. A great team is works like a well-oiled machine. The entrepreneurial journey is tough, often described as a rollercoaster, and the team is along for the ride. If you are seeking investment, it is no secret that investors invest in the people not just the idea or solution. From our experience a startup does much better when the team has complementary skills, where each individual brings a different view of the world. If you are a solo-founder and looking for co-founders, go out and network. Get to know the people you are about to work with. It is becoming more common for startups to outsource their development. Outsourcing is appropriate for some situation but not every but a rule of thumb is you should keep crucial elements of your business close to your decision making hub.

Element 4: Execution

Now that you have a great product it’s time to show the world. We understand it’s really scary the first time you speak with customers for the first time but it’s a necessity! A clear roadmap and steps to reality. When designing strategy a viable business is better than a viral strategy. Now it’s time to go out into the world and hustle. Develop a strong pitch, in general you have under 30 seconds to capture the attention of a random person or investor. Lastly, grow, grow, grow through execution by delivering value and iterating your product

QUT Starters launched from the basic principles of startups and like a startup been adding features as we grow rapidly in our community. 2016 was an incredible year where we ran Startup Hatch, engaged in corporate innovation, launched startups, and disrupted the legal fraternity. In 2017 we are running our proven month long pre-cellerator, Startup Hatch. Startup Hatch is a series of workshops, roundtables and socials held on campus and around Brisbane’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.

So, what’s stopping you from giving that idea a shot, developing your side project, or developing your business model to be globally scalable? While you’re a student brainstorm ideas and meet potential cofounders!

PROCRASTINATION station

WHY STUDENT ONE IS THE PLACE TO LIFE WHILE STUDYING @ QUT

As a student you have many choices when it comes to accommodation in Brisbane. So why choose Student One?

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION – You are likely to spend more time in your place of residence than at your place of study. Location is therefore of great importance. With Student One being right in the middle of Brisbane you have everything on your doorstep, including the free city loop bus that takes you directly to Gardens Point. We even have a couple of restaurants in the building plus a small supermarket open from 6am to 10pm, every day, 7 days a week.

FREE UNLIMITED INTERNET – Yes it is completely free and you can use as much of our highspeed WiFi as you. Anywhere and anytime at Student One.

SAFE AND SECURE – Our residents safety is our primary concern, and we mean it. Our buildings and all living areas are electronically access controlled. We also have discreet CCTV surveillance that provide additional peace of mind. Open 365 days of the year the team at Student One is on duty 24 hours a day, every day, so residents can check in, pay a bill, or seek advice at any time.

YOU CHOOSE YOUR DATES – Student One gives you the freedom to decide when to check in and how long to stay. All we ask is that you stay for a minimum of 4 weeks

CHOICE OF ROOM TYPES – Student One offers a mix of Single, Twin, Couple and Executive studios as well as 5 bedroom apartments. All rooms are fully furnished, air-conditioned and have kitchen and bathroom facilities (private for Single and Executive Studios and shared for Twin and 5 bedroom).

Take a virtual tour online or come and see us in person now. To book, simply register online at www.studentone.com or call or email our friendly team.

BE QUICK. APPLY FOR A SINGLE STUDIO BEFORE THEY’RE SNAPPED UP!

Sign up for your single studio before 6 March 2017 to receive: 1 month free rent, a free flight home ($500 travel voucher) and our early bird discount of $25 per week*

*See www.studentone.com/singlestudiosale/ for the full terms & conditions