After a long summer, RMC finally came After a long summer, RMC finally came back to life with one of the most back to life with one of the most anticipated events of the semester: anticipated events of the semester: Welcome Sunday And no, it’s not just Welcome Sunday. And no, it’s not just about the unlimited ice cream (though, let’s about the unlimited ice cream (though, let’s be honest, that’s a big plus). It’s about the be honest, that’s a big plus). It’s about the start of something new, the chance to start of something new, the chance to reconnect, meet new people, and kick off reconnect, meet new people, and kick off another year together. another year together
As always, the EXEC team put their hearts
As always, the EXEC team put their hearts into making this event special, and you into making this event special, and you could feel it. This semester’s theme, myths could feel it. This semester’s theme, myths and legends, added a fun twist, making and legends, added a fun twist, making campus feel a little more magical. But campus feel a little more magical But what really stood out was the energy,RMC what really stood out was the energy,RMC was buzzing again, full of movement, was buzzing again, full of movement, laughter, and that mix of excitement and laughter, and that mix of excitement and nerves that always comes with a fresh nerves that always comes with a fresh start. start.
Everywhere you looked, you could see Everywhere you looked, you could see orange and purple shirts, marking the orange and purple shirts, marking the return of familiar faces and the arrival of return of familiar faces and the arrival of freshers, the newest members of the freshers, the newest members of the RMC community. They’ll be the ones filling RMC community. They’ll be the ones filling the hallways, sharing inside jokes, and the hallways, sharing inside jokes, and making this place their own. making this place their own
Welcome Sunday wasn’t just about Welcome Sunday wasn’t just about celebrating the first day back, it was the celebrating the first day back, it was the start of Welcome Week, a whole lineup of start of Welcome Week, a whole lineup of events designed to help everyone settle in, events designed to help everyone settle in, make connections, and enjoy the ride. make connections, and enjoy the ride. Because at the end of the day, RMC isn’t Because at the end of the day, RMC isn’t just about classes and deadlines; it’s just about classes and deadlines; it’s about the people, the moments, and the about the people, the moments, and the little things that make this place feel like little things that make this place feel like home. home.
COMMENCEMENT DINNER
BY ADRIANA
The Commencement Dinner wasn’t just our first formal dinner of the year, it was the perfect way to wrap up Welcome Week and kick off the new academic year. It was a night full of inspiration, achievements, and moments that reminded us why RMC is more than just a place to live, it’s a community.
Master Peter took us on a visual journey to Antarctica with stunning photos from his expedition. But beyond the breathtaking scenery, his real message hit home. He talked about the challenges we face as university students and shared some solid advice on how to tackle them head-on. It was a great reminder that success isn’t just about academics, it’s about resilience, mindset, and taking on challenges with confidence.
Sam then took the stage to celebrate last year’s incredible academic achievements and shared strategies to keep pushing our standards even higher. Our community is full of hardworking and talented students, and that was especially clear during the awards ceremony Residents with GPAs of 80 and above were recognized, with a special shout-out to those who earned High Distinctions Scholarships were also awarded, showing RMC’s strong commitment to supporting academic excellence
One of the most touching moments of the night came from Professor Dolan, a proud RMC resident for over seven years. With a mix of humor and nostalgia, he shared stories of enjoying more than 1,000 meals in the dining hall, holding the undefeated darts champion title for three years, and, most importantly, meeting his beloved wife, Carol. His legacy lives on through the Carol Dolan Scholarship, which was awarded this year to Liam, who accepted it with heartfelt gratitude.
Of course, no RMC event is complete without amazing food, and our kitchen team did not disappoint. A huge thank you to them for making sure our first formal dinner of the year was nothing short of spectacular!
And what’s a celebration without music? Our talented residents put on incredible performances, adding even more magic to the night. Then, to close things off, we all came together for this year’s dance-off, a routine that brought us closer throughout the past week and, once again, showed the incredible spirit of our community. With that, we officially said goodbye to Welcome Week and hello to the year ahead. If this night was any indication, it’s going to be an amazing one.
DANCE DANCE (FOR) CONNECTION
BY JOSEPHINE WIBOWO
THE UNEXPECTED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND DANCING
At RMC, we have a tradition of kicking off the semester with the muchawaited and endearingly embarrassing dance-off. This is the event where last year’s freshers and the new freshers unite and compete against each other while intensely farming aura from everyone else’s awe. In the words of the honorable Danuki:
“Freshers were very excited No one showed more college spirit than Noah Our ears still ring Shut Up and Dance competed against the classic Uptown Funk, with last year’s returners really showing how it’s done 2023’s returners brought the house down with Levitating, while the judges (including our beloved and esteemed Jono) decided on the winners.”
Magnificent Unfortunately, I was not present to witness such a grand aura, so instead, I’ve decided to cope by writing this article
A recent psychology study, easily remembered by my sheep brain, suggested that humans who move in a coordinated way together may experience an enhanced sense of connection (Soesanto, 2022). Who would have thought? Birds of a feather bop together It truly resonated with me how one could essentially place humans in an optimal setting to achieve the highest possible friendship levels It occurred to me then that such conditions were loosely satisfied in RMC’s danceoff.
Though I am uncertain, I am seduced by controversy I’m not trying to imply that RMC is using evidence-based best practices (inspired by science, no less) to help you make as many friends as possible But feel free to think about it, in the unique chance it might amuse you
In Soesanto’s (2022) study, participants in a silent disco (where everyone had headphones on) either listened to the same music or danced to their own music. During the silent disco, head movements among participants were measured under the variable “social motor coordination” (SMC), defined as the collective coordination of movement among people within a social setting
As I have generously implied from the beginning of this article, the study found evidence that, within the “same music” group, both SMC and participant-rated rapport increased, leading to a greater sense of connectedness with others. By dancing to the same music and perceiving coordination, this condition enhanced participants’ feelings of connection while also reducing negative social emotions The study’s discussion ends with a beautiful takeaway message:
“Musical group activities bring people together, even among strangers.”
BY MAZ
Events Events
Book Club
Get hyped for the RMC book club starting soon! Relax with a novel, friends, and snacksinS-Conferenceonthe26th.
Welcome to The Cozy Corner! The home of promotional material for art events at RMC, media reviews, resident submitted art, and Maz’s Mixtape! Remember to leave your feedback for the next volume with the Voice team. All suggestions arewelcome!
Contents
Events & Maz’s Mixtape
Keep on the lookout for upcoming arts-n-craft Easter events!
Welcome to the second volume of Maz’s Welcome to the second volume of Maz’s Welcome to the second volume of Maz’s Mixtape for 2025! The place where I Mixtape for 2025! The place where I Mixtape for 2025! The place where I review all things musical at RMC. Tune in review all things musical at RMC. Tune in review all things musical at RMC. Tune in to hear recommendations from your to hear recommendations from your to hear recommendations from your fellow residents and I, as we connect over fellow residents and I, as we connect over fellow residents and I, as we connect over shared (and differing) music tastes! shared (and differing) music tastes! shared (and differing) music tastes!
PLAYLISTS PLAYLISTS KARAOKE NIGHT
“I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys
“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from Monty Python
“Mamma Mia” by ABBA
“Fabulous” from High School Musical 2
“Story of My Life” by One Direction
“What Is This Feeling?” from Wicked
“Poker Face” by Lady Gaga
“Your Man” by Josh Turner
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
“Tequila” by The Champs
“What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
“You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift
“Sad Cat Song”
“360” by Charli xcx
“My Love Mine All Mine” by Mitski “Country Road” by John Denver
“Havana” by Camila Cabello ft You
“Love Story” by Taylor Swift
“The One That Got Away” by Katy “Am I Wrong” by Nico & Vinz
“Night Changes” by One Direction
“1985” by Bowling for Soup
“R d Wi S ” b Ch
FREDDY’S DROP
Original New Zealander dub that sets themselves apart through distinctive instrumentation and genre experimentation, while keeping the smooth beat going all night!
Fav. Song: Hope for a Generation EP
Highlights: Trombone player frequently throwing it back (dancing) + cycling through an endless roster of instruments (e g theremin (look it up), harmonica, trombone, + a tuba)!
By Maz
3 TRIVIA NIGHT
BY NATALIA
As part of O-Week events, Trivia Night put residents to the test with questions on sports, pop culture, and even some fun facts about the executive team. It started off easy with sports, covering rugby, the World Cup, cricket, and the Olympics like “Which Australian city hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics?” (spoiler: Sydney).
Then came the real challenge guessing the committee member based on their RMC experience The pop culture round was a throwback to icons like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, who were remembered for working late nights because, well, they’re singers and had multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits last year
3
Next up: Aussie slang. We had to decipher phrases using emojis, like “Maccas run ” and “We’re not here to f**k spiders.” Then came a tricky true-or-false round, where we had to question everything we thought we knew about general culture and trust our instincts. The last ones standing were called to the front for a final showdown, getting eliminated with every wrong answer. In the end, one winner proudly claimed the prize—a well-earned piece of candy.
To wrap up the night, the winning teams were announced (congrats!), celebrating their victory with full-on excitement. And just for fun, at the very end, people jumped up to guess the songs playing some residents even nailed it in the first second
Trivia Night was the perfect way to wind down the last days of Welcome Week a fun, laid-back chance to challenge ourselves, share some laughs, and get to know each other a little better.
Taking place around the local area, the night scavenger hunt included a visit to Macquarie Shopping Center, where residents were challenged to a shopping spree at Kmart. They had to buy a water bottle and even a yoga ball within a limited amount of time. Other missions included activities around the university campus some wild ones, such as touching the water fountain at the parklands, and some funny ones, like kissing Joe, the very handsome statue, or imitating other statues while taking pictures. D A Y & N
RMC Welcome-Week started with a fun night and a day scavenger hunt, in which residents were divided into colour-coded teams and had to complete a set of missions as fast as possible
Other challenges included a Maccas run, where participants had to eat a hamburger as fast as possible, and dance activities. Back at the college, there was an intense ice bucket challenge in which residents had to endure at least 30 seconds in an RMC bin filled with Titanic-cold water and ice, all while listening to a song or answering other residents' questions to distract themselves and earn as many points as possible. If you managed to survive 30 seconds, you earned 30 points for your team, and if you lasted a full minute, you scored 40 points.
The next day, during the day scavenger hunt, new and veteran residents had the unique opportunity to explore Sydney’s most iconic spots, such as Darling Harbour, and even stage a playful protest in the metro. Both events kicked off the new year with fun and excitement for returners and freshers alike, who captured their experiences in photos to remember these great moments.
