First Edition | 2017

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Contents The Voice?! ................................................................................................................................ 4 The Editors ................................................................................................................................. 5 Dear Freshers............................................................................................................................. 6 College Tips................................................................................................................................ 9 Who's who? ............................................................................................................................. 10 Hotspots .................................................................................................................................. 12 the Wiretap ....................................................................................................................... 14 Upcoming Events ..................................................................................................................... 15

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The Voice?!

Yes, you heard that right, the Voice is back and with a bang!

Established 43 years ago, this college magazine is designed to bring you all the latest in RMC life. It will be full of articles, stories, tips and tricks that will help you navigate being a UNI student living at college, as well as surviving the daily struggle we call adulthood.

Through the editions, The Voice will also feature recaps of the events and happenings of the past weeks. So just in case you miss any, they’ll be there for you to relive.

The Voice is a collaborative endeavour and, in essence, it’s your voice. That’s why all of you are invited to share your experiences with everyone in any format imaginable, - except video we can’t print video (yet).

A great conversation topic and breakfast reading material The Voice will truly be a great companion to you through your time at Menzies.

So, go on, turn the page, have fun, and enjoy the VOICE.

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The Editors Nicole Cairney "Hey guys, its Nicole."

I'll be your frizzy haired, law - media studying editor of The Voice.

Originally from the Hunter Valley - Menzies is now my natural habitat.

Happy to read any submissions to the magazine!

Looking forward to meeting you all this year!

Basel Hindeleh Hey there, Glad to see you reading The Voice – the camera behind you ;) I hope you like what we’ve got in here for you, and that you will be one of the cool kids to send in stuff.

I’ll be the other Editor of The Voice as you can probably see, and I’ll also be one of the Duty Officers, so if you ever call 88, I might just pick up.

I’m a fun guy to talk to, so just walk up to me and say hi.

Very excited for what’s to come, and happy that you’re all a part of it!

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Dear Freshers Dear Freshers, Today’s the day, the day you embark on one of the greatest adventures of your life, and like any adventure it has its ups and downs. But don’t fear, everyone’s been through it and can help you get through it too.

The moment you step into college there will be non-stop events, and that might be a little overwhelming, you could feel shy or anxious, but we’ve got good news for you, everyone feels the same way.

So, you’re probably thinking where to start?

Here’s the top four hurdles you must tackle:

Survive O-Week Involve yourself! O-week is all about making new friends and getting to know the people you will be spending the rest of the year with! Try new things and push yourself. You might surprise yourself.

Naps will be essential in O-week, grab some sleep in between activities because you will want to make it to every event!

Make sure you wear clothing that is comfortable but also old to events like tour de mac. You don’t want your favourite t-shirt getting ruined.

Get to know some Returners! They’ll teach you the ropes and help you overcome any obstacles you may feel throughout this first week.

There is no shame - embrace the weirdness of this period.

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Navigate the Dining Hall Now that awkward lunch is over you’re probably thinking - is every college meal like that?

The answer is No, we assure you eating in the dining hall will become one of the highlights of your college experience. It is a chance to catch up with friends or even meet new people!

As it usually goes you go up to the dining hall, grab a drink, grab cutlery, scan your card, stand in line and get your food, but then you walk out, and that’s when it dawns on you, “where do I sit?”

It could be a frightening thing not knowing where to sit down and have a meal, but it doesn’t have to be.

There will always be tables with a couple of extra spots, have a look, find the closest table and go for it, no one will turn you away. Once you take a seat, make conversation about o-week, home or even the weather, get to know the people, so that maybe next time you will have a group ready to go.

Once you do have a group that you regularly sit with, do your part and invite nervous-looking people over to sit with you, remember that you were once in their shoes.

If you would like to avoid all of that, we recommend finding friends to sit with before you go up to the dining hall, they may be your neighbours, your Scav hunt group members or RT’s and Exec.

And Finally, just to make sure you have a smooth sailing through the hall, always remember to bring your key card, you won’t be served without scanning it, always have footwear on, empty all your cups and dishes, no one else is going to do it for you, and if you want to be extra nice offer to refill others’ water cups when you get up to refill your own.

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Remember Names This is one of the greatest challenges you will face within O-week. You’ll see the same person each day and still wouldn’t be able to remember their name. It will be an awkward unknowing between the two of you, but trust us you aren’t the only one.

A key way of remembering is to simply add them on Facebook or Snapchat, that way every time you see their name you will see their face as well.

If no socials available, you can do it the old fashioned way, go to their room and have a look at their door everyone has their name on it, or you could grab an ‘old facebook’ booklet from the office, it has all the residents’ pictures, names, and room numbers in it.

If all else fails, and as embarrassing as it is, just ask them again. Everyone is in the same position, they most likely forgot your name too!

Not Gain the Fresher Five For the first time since you can probably remember you will have COMPLETE freedom on what you eat. No parental figures telling you to “eat a piece of fruit” or not to eat that WHOLE block of chocolate.

It is super easy to pack on the kilograms - hence why you will be warned about the famous fresher 5 aka the 5 kilogram gain.

Quick and easy things to do to avoid that gain, is to tell the kitchen staff exactly how much food you want on your plate, because a little bit, does not mean a little bit trust us. Try not to go crazy at Coles or Woolworths at 11 pm. And be active, join in on the sports events or join Team Carlo to go bush walking and running on Sundays and Tuesdays.

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College Tips Here’s a couple of other tips you might need this week

Keys are necessary at all times

Fire alarm sensors are sensitive

You can never have too many laundry tokens

Lunch is early… Don’t miss it

Watch out for your birthday

Windows are deceiving, close your blinds

Watch out for snakes

Don’t harbour fugitives

Bring ID and passports ALWAYS

The forest can be inviting

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Who's who?

Something wrong? Want to do something? Don’t know who to go to? Here’s a list of the people you need.

Residential Tutors

The Mentors you never knew you needed. They’re almost always your first point of contact, If you’re locked out of your room, someone’s being too loud after hours, absolutely have no idea how to navigate RMC or UNI related stuff, or simply need a fork for late night noodles, just walk up to their room and knock on the door (don’t wake them up for noodles though).

They’re also there for you if you ever need to talk someone about anything, they can always be a pair of ears that you can count on.

Duty Officers

Your Midnight Angels. Locked yourself out of college after a night out at ranch? They’re only one call away. After office hours in addition to many things, they can give you a temporary keycard, administer First Aid, unlock your room, or help you with accidents or emergencies.

All you need to do is to give them a call and they’ll come to the rescue. Always remember “88 don’t hesitate.”

The Office

The folks that can do things no one else can, and that is why you’ll hear the sentence ‘Just go down to the office’ a bunch of times. No Wi-Fi connection, broken keycard, lost key, payment issues, parking permits, or anything too general, they’ll be able to sort it out, so Just go down to the office.

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Exec

Fun time gurus, these folks plan everything from O-week to the formal Ball. They are responsible for all the social events happening at college throughout the year, and for the fresher dance that you must perform every time the song comes on (you’ll learn to love it). Go to them if you ever have questions about any of the events, and when there’s merch or tickets to be bought.

Maintenance and Housekeeping

They’re miracle workers on anything that needs fixing or cleaning, need a light bulb replaced, door lock oiled, or new set of sheets, just send a request through the maintenance app. No phone? Just go down to the maintenance shed between A and B block. And remember, In John we Trust!

Kitchen

The brilliant chefs behind every chicken and rice meal. Working relentlessly to provide you with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert every single day.

Cilla, Sabel and Bear RMC’s Pets, always there for you if you miss your own. First there’s Cilla, the fluffiest dog you will ever meet, and yet another reason to go to the office, where she occasionally hangs out.

Next comes Sabel the Cat, usually strolling through corridors and scavenging for food, or trying to catch fish in the pond. Be warned she has a habit of coming into your room unannounced.

And the newest member Bear, like many of us he likes beer and whisky and spends his time looking for fish food, or jumping on people.

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Hotspots Macquarie Centre Macquarie Centre also known as Mac Centre, Mac City, MC, MacPac, and The Mac. The place that ‘Macventures’ happen. From rushing to Coles before it closes at midnight, to needing that extra coffee to make Uni deadlines, or somewhere to grab a last-minute outfit. This place will become your safety blanket and you will spend a big chunk of your time here guaranteed.

Also around Christmas, it is the legendary residence of the Christmas elephant, definitely something to look out for.

Dunmore Lang College and the Macquarie Village These are the two other campus living areas you will hear a great lot about. Throughout the year, Menzies will compete in many friendly sporting competitions with these two colleges, which we pride ourselves on winning.

On Thursday night, you will witness the first taste of the Dunmore/Menzies Rivalry. Beware they are the noisy college.

Strike Bowling You might not think that a bowling alley would be a place where 18+ university students would enjoy their Tuesday nights. But that’s where you’re wrong.

From $10 unlimited bowling, laser tag and karaoke to $4 drinks, everyone has had a wild night at Strike.

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Ranch During O-week, you will become familiar with this place - two trips and we bet you will be doubting why your fellow residents hang out here.

But what’s not to like about the Ranch? Canadian Club off the tap, outdoor seating area, theme nights, and most importantly it’s only up the road! Remember to be there before 10pm or you must pay an entry fee! When in doubt ranch it out!

Ubar Ubar is the cute Uni Bar overlooking the lake. Whether you want to grab a quick beverage before or after lectures, it’s a relaxing venue that’s open weekdays and occasionally has themed nights on Thursdays. First one this year is Summer Haze!

The Gym Yes, the gym. It is that place that is a workout in itself just to get there, which you will witness on Tour de Mac in O-Week. However, the gym is an important extra that Menzies provides for you to keep fit and healthy, and to burn off the extra calories you gained at the pub the night before.

Take advantage of it! Sign up on Tour de Mac or later on when you’ve settled into the swing of college life. Membership is part of the RMC fees and is free for residents.

You might not think it, but the gym could be a great place to hang out with newly found friends, and can become part of your weekly routine, or a ‘thing’ that you do with certain people.

It has a lot to offer other than just workouts. It has various classes such as yoga, body attack, and Zumba.

It’s got basketball courts, and swimming pools. As well as weekly social sporting events for the just turn up kind of person.

More information can be found on this helpful website: https://goo.gl/SMQDh7

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the Wiretap Some of you might know it by the old name ‘Overheards’, this section is dedicated to all the weird and funny conversations, statements, questions etc. that you happen to hear around RMC, UNI or out and about.

To go with the new name this year, we might also be featuring pictures or posts that you hashtag #RMCwiretap.

So be sure to send us anything and everything on our Facebook page.

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Upcoming Events Sunday 19/02

Welcome lunch Meet the Neighbours Intro to Ranch

Monday 20/02

New Members Meeting Vice Chancellors “Welcome to Living on Campus�

Pool party Opening Ceremony

Tuesday 21/02

Scav Hunt Coffee Crawl or Pub Crawl

Wednesday 22/02

Tour de Mac Ranch or Movie Night

Thursday 23/02

Picnic and Games in the Park with DLC ABC party at Ubar

Friday 24/02

Harbour Cruise

Saturday 25/02

Block Wars Speed Dating

Sunday 26/02

Closing Ceremony

These are only a few of the events happening this week, for the full list, details and times check the RMCSA O-week guide and the RMC app.

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Share your voice with everyone!

Are you a creative soul and want to contribute to The Voice? Great!

Send through your work as a message on our Facebook page, or submit it anonymously by slipping it under the doors of either B206 or B116, or drop it in the ‘the voice’ box in the common room.

Any kind of contribution is accepted. Drawings, Articles, Poems, Stories, etc.

RMCVOICE /thevoiceofrmc issuu.com/thermcvoice

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