SHIVAWEEK
Aretrospectiveonlossandreligion
There’s a photograph in my parents’ house of my grandma holding me. It was taken nearly twenty-seven years ago, in the first days of my life I often pause at that picture and feel a pang of sadness that I can’t remember those early moments with her That’s one of the quiet griefs of being a grandchild we begin to lose the oldest members of our village before we’ve fully known them Their love for us was boundless, deeper than words could express, and yet our own memories of them are often too few
When we sat shiva back in March, I found myself returning again and again to that photograph the very first image of the two of us. I wondered how well we really knew each other, and I searched for her in myself. Do I carry her eyebrows, her chin, the smile lines by her eyes? Sometimes I don’t know. But once I began looking for Grandma, I started seeing her everywhere.
I see her in the love that flows so naturally from my mum, and in the easy laughter of my aunties I see her in the warmth of my parents’ home, in the care and devotion of our extended family We felt her presence in March, when her community gathered to celebrate her life I feel her in synagogue, when the melodies of prayer fill the room I feel her most on the High Holy Days, when tradition binds us across generations And I feel her now, as I look at my own life through the lens of hers
In Jewish tradition, during shiva the mirrors in the house are covered
EllaRoboinson-Clarke
We turn away from our own reflection so that mourning becomes less about the self and moreabout the person we’ve lost
For me, that ritual has been its own lesson I’ve stopped searching for Grandma in my face and started searching for her in my heart That’s where her legacy lives in the stories we tell, in the love that carries forward, and in the faith and traditions that keep us connected across generations.
5YEARSINA5
MINUTESURVEY
BethHanley
As I near the end of my 5 years at UTAS I can’t help but put my time here into numbers....
Not the numbers UTAS wants me to put into a Student Experience form they keep relentlessly emailing me about, however It’s the numbers of weeks I have remaining, how many lectures I have left to sit through, the hours of exams I am yet to endure
These numbers flow through my mind as I try to process what the last years have been and quiver at the prospect of having a big girl job once I graduate. I also have often thought of what the statistics are of students that report of liking their time at uni...
The University of Melbourne conducted research on this in 2014 and found that 80% of participants were enjoying their degrees
I thought this to be quite high and can’t imagine these numbers were the same during COVID or even now
Because I also can’t help but think of the number of times I’ve cried, the panic attacks I’ve tried to breath through, the friends I’ve made (and the ones I’ve lost), the mountain of HECS debt outstanding, the RedBull cans I have consumed, girl dinners that concerned my mother, and the countless times my laptop has died right in the middle of a lecture and I’ve awkwardly had to get up and scramble for a powerpoint at the chagrin of the speaker. Ultimately, these are many moments that make me laugh and many more that make me cringe. To quote an old friend “univesity is the highest of highs (whether illicit or natural) and the lowest of lows.” I think he was absolutely right in that because in 5 years I have been through more heartbrake, triumph, exhaustion, joy, depression, and overall growth than I can ever remember having been through before
Reflecting on this, however, I don’t really think I could conceptualise my experience into a survey bit vague as to whether I enjoyed my time or not
I did though enjoy my time that is I got a bit smarter, lifelong friends, a new found love for noise-cancelling headphones, an impressive collection of tuna flavors that could survive any apocalypse, and a spectacular talent for turning last-minute panic into borderline brilliance
Would I do it all again? Probably just maybe with a better ability to spot red flags, a bit more confidence, and fewer tequilla shots (actually scratch that last one).
What are the chances of me recommending UTAS to a friend? Somewhat likely.
FACULTY BOOK REVIEW
Prof. Kristyn Harman
The Hare With Amber Eyes uses the conceit of 264 tiny carvings fashioned from wood or ivory to explore in astonishing breadth and depth the history over several generations of author Edmund de Waal’s family. As he traces the journey of these netsuke (carvings) from Odessa, through Paris and Vienna to Tokyo, de Waal uncovers complexities in his family tree that have been wrought through substantial material wealth accrued and lost, and the significant impacts of war and exile
I found The Hare With Amber Eyes captivating as it reminded me of the enduring nature of art, particularly objects such as netsuke, contrasted with the ephemeral nature of family history within the wider context of global history It also spoke to the ways in which we conceptualise and make meaning around our own personal, familial, and national identities, and provided ample scope to reflect deeply on these interwoven elements of life
THAT TIME
Luke Patitsas
If it wasn’t for that time, I’d be there
You can wallow in loops, you can change in cycles.
Each moment is immediate, each meeting irreparable.
Things that speak, whisper, thoughts will often scream.
Pity pries, pride punishes, punishment is pious
The idea is divine, the execution, lacking
This feeling could be fleeting, that feature, fortunate
When I think about it all, I forget
Because of that then, I am here
JOIN THE ROTARY REVOLUTION!
The Rotary Satellite Club of Sandy Bay, Battery Point is seeking individuals like you.
Wanting to help others, come together to make a difference in our community and the world? We are a new and energetic Club offering a unique opportunity to connect, learn and serve By joining, you can take on projects you are passionate about
Why Join Rotary?
You’ll have the opportunity to serve your community
Develop public speaking skills and vocational skills
Develop personal ethics
Attend social events
What DoWe Do?
We are involved in multiple community challenges and projects, mentoring youth, food insecurity, supporting local charities & environmental causes
Currently our Club, with the assistance ofTUSA and Hutchins students, are cooking meals and addressing food insecurity among UTAS students. This is part of the Food Hub Initiative.
Also our Club, in collaboration with the Rotary Interact Club at Hutchins, initiated a Bushcare project at Edith Ave Reserve and Tree Planting Day, to name just a few opportunities We are committed to participating activities to promote sustainability in our local community
Volunteers may be time poor but they are heart-strong
This is what others had to say about their experience in Rotary: Club member, Chloe McCann says: “The benefits of these RotaryYouth programs can’t really be overstated in just how much they change lives here and elsewhere”
Are you are interested in making an impact in our local community and beyond ?
We’re actively seeking engaged and community minded members to join our growing club
We invite you to experience the supportive nature of Rotary firsthand Contact us (below), volunteer for a project, or simply come and chat with us
We’d love to welcome you to our community service focused Rotary Satellite Club of Sandy Bay, Battery Point. Together, we can make a difference.
Contact Us : Charles Cook, President Rotary Satellite Club of Sandy Bay, Battery Point.
email:Charles.cook@outlook.com.au mobile:0419544181.
*This is an unpaid advertisement.
LAW BALL: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER... MAYBE
A hungover UTAS student
On the balmy (NOT) evening of the 23 of August nearly 250 people attended the annual Law Ball. Some say the event of the year and the best open bar one could hope for I agree but would add: WARNING slippery dance floor and questionable control of the aux chord Held at the Glen Albyn Estate the theme was Grand Budapest Hotel and boy did the venue deliver on the decor Decked with extravagant chandeliers and sparkling jewels the attendees were bathed in warm light and the well wishes of the Dean of the law school, Mr Gino Dal Pont Despite being ‘law ball’ each year is attended by university students from many disciplines and a few past students who just can’t seem to let go of their golden years in the halls of UTAS. This ultimately makes the evening one full of meeting new people and drunkenly asking for a whole bunch of people’s instagram handles in the bathroom lines.
As always, TULS pulled off an exceptional affair and while there were certainly too many mimosas consumed and multiple tackies in the bathroom and on the bus (not necessarily planned) the evening passed by blissfully Congratulations to the award winners of the night and any graduates facing their last few months of agony
‘make
Loving the artwork? Maude is a local UTAS artist and has a stall at the Salamanca markets every Saturday if you wanted to pop by and pick up some incredible pieces From post cards and some seriously slaying stickers to A3 prints, she’s got it all!
She also does commissions and can be contactable via her instagram page here:
@maddcrusart
WE WENT TO A JOURNO CONFERENCE!
Ineka, Kelsey, & Imogen
This August, the Togatus team had the incredible opportunity to travel to Sydney for the 2025 Student Journalism Conference, hosted by Honi Soit, the student magazine of the University of Sydney (USYD) We joined 19 other superstar student publications who had journeyed from across Australia, and even as far as the Philippines, to take part in this inspiring event
Directed by Imogen Sabey, the conference brought together Australia’s top journalists, writers, and artists from across the country, to tackle topics like reporting on genocide, the dangers of reporting high-profile figures, and how student journalism can be run more effectively
One of the stand-out sessions was Kate McClymont
As an investigative journalist, Kate talked about everything from reporting on government fraud, to gang leaders on speed dial, and witness protection Kate showed us all the sheer power of investigative journalism, and the impact one good journalist can have on a nation.
On an equally imperative note, the conference brought together the editors, writers, and designers from student newspapers across the country. Dinners and pubs provided us with the perfect opportunity to discuss all things student journalism, and how Togatus can be more efficient and effective Rest assured, the linkedins and instagrams were well and truly out and about
Beyond workshops, networking, surviving Sydney’s temperamental weather, and the joys of pretending to be a USYD student (sorry, UTAS), the conference was an opportunity for selfexpression, laughter, and the fostering of friendships Everyone was eager to meet the faces behind each iconic publication, gush over each other’s incredible newspapers and magazines, and
discuss (or rant about) all things design, budget, and questionable office spaces student journalism conference!
From social events and trivia nights at snazzy bars, to tasting some of Sydney’s best Thai food, strolling along sun-drenched beaches that put Sandy Bay to shame, and questioning why Yochi does not exist in Tassie (?!), we immersed ourselves in Sydney’s rich culture. One that is vibrant, invigorating, and diverse. It was the perfect midsemester escape, to open our eyes to student life outside of Tassie and see the incredible impact that student media has had
The conference was a testament to the power of students caring about the world around them and the people in it Moreso, it highlighted the value of putting yourself out there, giving new things a go, and having fun along the way Sharing your voice and perspective can take you to exciting places – and who knows maybe you’ll end up at the 2026 conference
Watch all our DITLs from the conference on Tog’s tiktok! @togatus_
