Issuu

6:30pm Wednesday, 14th October

President Candidates

Patrick Dowzer

I am applying for the role of RMCSA President, as I am passionate about this college, and want to help restore the strong sense of community within RMC, something which has been lost somewhat due to the restrictions. Prior experience as an Exec member is beneficial, and I hope to offer guidance next year.

Next year will be a challenging year. Financially, we are likely to record low revenues; however, we won’t have the financial luxury of the lockdowns. With the disrupted year we have had, we will also be working with a blank canvas of sorts. I really want to foster creativity amongst the Exec and challenge the status quo. I want every event in the calendar to be questioned and then subsequently improved.

In my role as treasurer, I have sought to make processes simpler and more efficient. This a legacy I’d like to further fulfil for the wider Exec, aiming to make the exec a more efficiently run team.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I ate a scorpion over the summer and its crunchiness reminded me of KFC.

Emma Ure

Being President allows you to serve the college community, be a voice for residents and help improve life at RMC.

If elected, I hope to continue the work of the executive and support them in creating events for residents. This includes always being open to feedback, advice and ideas as to how college can continue to be a community where everyone feels valued and safe. I plan to be a spokesperson for residents, communicating with staff to foster community and inclusive living at college. We all have ideas that we would like to see put into action (even small event ideas like movies or games night) that I plan on working with the Executive and residents to contribute a diverse array of events for residents to feel at home.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you? I like to eat a meat pie with a spoon - take the top off and eat that first and then eat the meat, then the pastry.

Sufi Rana

Ya boi just tested positive for running for president because I want to continue to foster the college spirit and work hard to make staying at RMC an enjoyable experience for all residents!

I’m sure you’ve seen my posters plastered on walls all around RMC; I have a series of new ideas to introduce, such as the “buddy system” and the “resident wellbeing framework” designed to nurture and increase community engagement all around RMC.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I guess an interesting fact about me would be that I remember every episode of Tom and Jerry broadcasted on air XD; I had a lot of time on my hands when I was a wee boy.

Sean Ringrose

I’m applying for the position of RMCSA President for 2021. I’m doing so because I love helping people, running events and generally making someone’s day just a bit better. I also have a passion for organisation, public speaking and leading others, and President seemed like the perfect fit. I feel that even though I’ve only been here a year, I’ve gained so much from RMC already, and wanted to give that back, as well as do the same for next year’s residents.

If I’m fortunate enough to be elected, my primary goal is to be a voice for the RMC community. The President has a unique job where they can take the concerns, passions and ideas of residents and present them to staff in order to really address them, not just talk about them. Put simply, I want to implement the ideas you guys have, and make RMC the best place possible. I believe that leaders should be elected to serve the people they lead, and that’s what I aim to do.

I’m not short of ideas myself though and here are just a few:

- More events and greater support for international students - Since many residents can’t return home at the moment, my goal is to bring home to them.

- More seminars and workshops on all things from mental health, cultural awareness and study skills to general life skills - as well as anything you guys want to learn more about.

- Community service and social justice initiatives. With so many able-bodied residents, we have the potential to make a huge impact in the wider community.

- Revitalising and utilising the courtyard space behind E block (so much potential!)

- Exec run food stalls - think toasties, ice-cream and more (depending on Covid-19).

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Above all though, I want RMC to be a place you love. Somewhere you can’t wait to return to, and somewhere you’re sad to leave.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

Last year I made a working app that provides easy to read legal information to young people. It provides up to date, understandable and relevant info all in one place. It covers all sorts of topics from interacting with police to relationships and drugs and alcohol. It even has a section on domestic violence, with escape buttons and support systems in place. It sucked to make, but was really rewarding once it was finished.

Vice President Candidates

Tees Tuturu

I am applying to be Vice President because through block wars, public speaking and merch I can use my social skills to encourage comradery, excitement and confidence within the RMC community.

If elected, I want to strengthen block community and RMC pride by allowing us to see and appreciate each others strengths and weakness, and when necessary, doing it in stylish clothing.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I carry my comb everywhere I go and I bite my lip before taking pictures.

Samuel Keenan

I am applying to be the 2021 Vice President as I want to lead and work towards making every resident’s year as best it can be.

If I am elected, I hope to improve the communication between residents and the kitchen as well as providing the president with advice and support throughout the year.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I’ve traveled to 46 different countries and stepping foot on every continent is on my bucket list.

Secretary Candidates

Anna Single

I am applying for the position of Secretary for 2021. I would love the opportunity to be on the Executive as Secretary because I love organisation, stationery and helping people’s voices and opinions be heard to change our college for the better.

If elected, I hope to allow other executive members to be heard and run meetings in a fun yet orderly fashion (cliche I know!). I would love to be a part of allowing our college community to change for the better, and work with other peers on the student executive committee to do this. As seen on The Office, someone in a position like Pam can be the underlying mediator for all departments and I think that I could do this well, constantly working away behind the scenes to help run events smoothly. I also hope to help choreograph a fabulous fresher dance!

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I do ballroom dancing, and have done so for 8 years. I compete in national competitions and am currently ranked 1st in NSW for Pro/Am New Vogue.

Courtney Gillan

I am applying for the position of Secretary. I really enjoy organising and ensuring everything is methodical. I am someone who is very routined and ordered, so I feel the secretary position suits my personality very well.

If I am voted in as Secretary, I want to ensure that all residents receive the best college experience they can. I will do this by supporting the other executive members, providing a diverse range of college events and facilitating communication between the executive and the RMCSA members.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I actually won a National writing competition when I was in year 5 for a piece I wrote about Sir Robert Gordon Menzies. I think it’s pretty cool that I now, 10 years later, live at Robert Menzies College.

Treasurer Candidate

Natasha Naiju

I am applying for the role of Treasurer as I am both curious and passionate about finance and risk management. Also, I feel my degree in Applied Finance would further complement this passion. As a part of the Cultural Committee this year, I not only gained an appreciation of the work that goes into event planning but also the reward of organising events. I had the opportunity to witness the power that events can have on our community, especially during hard times. Events unify us and bring RMC together – I want to help with this. Furthermore, I wish to attain female representation for international students so that they may cater towards a more inclusive community.

I hope to help Exec face the challenges posed by the post-COVID reality. There may be many difficulties next year but I will optimise the situation and provide a fun and inclusive year for the residents. In response to the risks posed by the pandemic, I will seek to transition to a cash-less payment policy for most events. Furthermore, I will bring new event ideas and initiatives to the Exec team. Treasurers in the past have had a few events, such as poker night; however, I wish to expand and build upon the role by offering a new perspective.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

It’s a bit weird but I’ve lived in over 20 different homes in my entire life, which was admittedly hard but ultimately rewarding as it provided me with exposure to different cultures and experiences, and has taught me that no matter how hard I try, I cannot fit all my clothes in a suitcase.

CCM Rep Candidate

Caleb Speer

I’m going for the CCM position on the Student Exec as I have a drive for creating and helping RMC to have a loving and caring network and Community!

I’m hoping to achieve exactly that! Creating a great connection between students forming a community where we can get along and enjoy some great events with great posters!!!

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I absolutely love Dogs! Living at RMC is the closest I’ve been to living without a dog my entire life!

(My name also can mean Dog...)

cultural Rep Candidates

Prudence Smyth

I’m campaigning for the role of Cultural Representative. If I was to be elected as RMC’s Cultural Representative, I’d strive to make sure all the different and varying voices of the resident body were heard and acknowledged when planning and running RMC events and college life. It is a priority of mine to be a listening ear to all kinds of people.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I enjoy coffee, singing and my last name is actually pronounced Smith not Smythe.

Tully Maurer

Hi, I’m Tully and I would love to be your Cultural Exec member for 2021!

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I represent one of the many groups we have at college. As we move towards further diversity and equity in college, it is important to make sure everyone’s voices are heard including our Indigenous, International and LGBTQIA+ students. I would love to put on events and opportunities such as; Holi, International Night, Formal Dinners and the LGBTea. See what I could do for you as Cultural Rep!

Ceradwen Cole SVF Rep Candidates

“Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

- The Lorax -

I am applying for SVF representative to help create an eco-conscious environment at RMC which will hopefully translate beyond college. I have lots of fundraising events already in mind to raise money for various charities (tba) and am open to any suggestions. However, in reality we are all broke uni students and we can’t be as generous as we wish, so I will also be running various awareness based projects in 2021 in order to address this. I hope to make a valuable contribution to the RMC community by continuing Bec’s amazing work and extending it in my own unique way.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I was born in Tasmania and grew up in a family of eco-conscious vegans so technically .... being your SVF Rep is in my blood.

Theresa Walsh

I am applying for the role of the SVF Executive representative for 2021. I would love to be SVF as I am very passionate about volunteering to improve the lives of others, saving and improving the environment we live in and fund-raising to support the communities around us that help us to have the best life possible.

I hope to raise awareness around the topics relating to SVF and highlight that each small thing we do makes a difference if we all stand together as one. As an RMC community, we are only a small part of the world, but as we are a diverse community we can start here and spread awareness and promote action all around the globe.

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

An interesting fact about me is that I was born in South Africa and moved to Brisbane when I was very young.

Social Rep Candidates

Lisa Noja

I’m running for Social! I’m running because I want to get more involved with the RMC community. I’d love the opportunity to work closely with my peers to organise fun events for everyone!

What is a fun/interesting fact about you? Fun fact about me is that I know how to speak some Spanish. That being said, ¡vota por mí!

Ursula Ronan

I’m applying for Social Rep because I love planning events and talking to people. I aim to make RMC more inclusive and fun for everyone through listening to the people and planning fun events. So make the sassy choice and vote for me!

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I attend four Christmases every year: I have a huge family, so I know how to throw an event.

Ziggy's Birthday

College sweetheart Ziggy was a very special boy as plenty of keen RMC residents turned up for his birthday! Some tasty human food and lots of doggy friends set the scene for a great afternoon party.

Farmer wants a bush bash

Spring Festival

Mona Vale Beach

As you might have noticed, it’s getting hotter. So if you’re looking for a quick respite from the Sydney heat, Mona Vale beach is worth a shot! It’s a straight drive from College to the beach, following the A3 for approximately 30 minutes until you reach a gem of the Northern Beaches. Usually not as busy as some of the surrounding beaches, Mona Vale is a great place to catch some rays, get your tan on, and snag a great deal on some awesome fish and chips. Nice sand and an easy to reach location aside, the beach can be windy at times, so make sure to pick the perfect day for your beachside adventure. There are always people heading out to beaches at RMC, so make sure you keep an ear and an eye out for convoys - there is always someone around to take you!

For a quick walk down to the beach, make sure to yoink some parking near the golf course!

Make sure to check out Mona Vale Seafood for some reasonably priced grub after a pleasant day on the dunes. Hop across the road to the field to catch the last of the sun with some food in hand.

Keeping up with RMC

Tenet - Reviewed by Carlos

The praises and criticisms surrounding Tenet, Christopher Nolan’s latest film, are ones that I felt would become more apparent after the release of Dunkirk. While I still stand by my opinion that it is a great film on a purely technical level (sharp cinematography, courtesy of Hoyte Van Hoytema, a riveting and nerve-wrenching score from Hans Zimmer that induces fathomless tension, and great performances from the ensemble cast), the film can be seen as a somewhat didactic exercise in meticulous craftsmanship and complex non-linear storytelling to showcase the events, but lacking the intimacy present in Nolan’s more character-focused stories such as Inception, The Prestige, and Memento. While I believe that the universal feeling of dread felt by everyone on screen comes across successfully, I tend to agree with these criticisms, even if the technique on display can compensate for it considerably. Another reason also comes down to my assertion that Nolan’s strengths are not only from in his filmmaking, but from his ability to create characters with the type of nuance and complexity that rewards emotional investment.

In a certain way, these thoughts can be copied verbatim when talking about my opinions on Tenet. While I believe that some of the criticisms have been improved in the case of some characters that have unique struggles, and the quality of Nolan’s cinematic technique has stayed as high as ever, there can be a sense of distance one feels from this film on an emotional level similar to Dunkirk. While it is slightly better than Dunkirk, making it a great film, it falls short of becoming one of his best.

In order to explain, I should start where the film succeeds the most prominently, which is the aptitude of the filmmaking. Christopher Nolan has gained a reputation for fusing accessibility of blockbusters and the philosophical ambitions of more impenetrable art films, and this is no exception. Starting with Nolan’s direction, it is almost flawless in how it is constructed. It is directed with focus and precision, with no scene feeling inessential or anodyne. Hoyte van Hoytema’s cinematography is once again sharp and crisp, with a slightly stronger contrast of darkness and sunlight, almost being an ominous symbol for the unpredictability of the protagonist’s journey. Both of the previous aspects are supported by the superb editing, in terms of shot-to-shot and scene-to-scene transitions, as each portion of the film flows organically and avoids feeling choppy or haphazardly thrown together. Like his previous works, Nolan mostly utilises practical effects and minimal CGI, allowing for a much more immersive and thrilling experience for the audience.

The score, done by Ludwig Goransson, is very memorable and quite inventive, especially in terms of using backmasked sections in different parts of a piece to fit with the film’s plot of time manipulation. The electronic elements can make one recall Inception’s score, but the synth tones used in these have a rougher texture, allowing for a more visceral watching experience overall. Lastly, the performances by the entire cast are stellar, with those of John David Washington as our unnamed protagonist, Robert Pattinson as Neil, and Elizabeth Debicki as Kat being standouts.

In terms of technical flaws, they come in some of the sound mixing. This has been an issue with Nolan’s films for several years, as the dialogue can sometimes be drowned out by the clashing sounds like the score and other elements within the film. This happens several times during Tenet, but can get particularly distracting during complex exposition scenes, especially when characters are explaining the science behind the film’s concepts of time. Due to this, it is no surprise that audiences criticize the film for being confusing.

In terms of the story, it is similar to Dunkirk in how the focus seems to be more on the spectacle, with the more complex aspects being in how the concept of time is manipulated. I consider this film to be a Christopher Nolan film stripped down to its filmmaking essentials, which can prove a compelling, if emotionally distant watch. While the performances ensure that my interest is kept consistently, most of these characters are not completely fleshed out. With the exception of Elizabeth Debicki’s character, most character development can seem non-existent or in heavy subtext from the dialogue. This method is usually one I greatly admire; implying more ideas with less words or understated dialogue allows an attentive audience to pick up on the emotional gravitas of the scene. However, the majority of Tenet’s dialogue is focused on the mission at hand, barely leaving time to understand the motivations of these characters. While that was part of the point, I would not be surprised if some audiences make similar criticisms.

Overall, this is a great film just by the sheer technical ingenuity alone, with great performances, sharp cinematography, engaging direction, and ambitious concepts. While I would consider this film somewhat mid-tier compared to Nolan’s more character-driven films like Inception, Memento, and The Prestige, that only shows that he has set such a high standard for other mainstream filmmakers to follow. It’s still in theaters now, so I would highly recommend watching it as soon as possible.

Wiretap

*Youbi checking online age-calculator*

Youbi: Oh I’m 23?? I just told my sister I was 24.

Vishmie: When I was in the UK ....

Natasha N: Did you sniff knowledge?

Bea: Can I say bogan or is that racist?

Caleb: I don’t know I’m just a country white boy.

*long pause *

Anna: Me too, but I’m a girl!

Tiffa: I could listen to WAP all day.

Emily: Is that a wiretap?

Annaliese: I am the wiretap!

Tom: iLearn is the best show.

Jono: 4 episodes a week!

Tom: 6 if you’re lucky!

Lucy Wilson: Talking about the Sydney harbour tunnel did they scuba dive to make it?

Theresa: Are you getting a tattoo?

Greta: Quite possibly very yes.

Long: I look like Kim Jong Un.

Lisa: My worst fear...men.

Torchi: I want to swim in the Pacific Ocean.

Ceradwen: I don’t even know where the Pacific Ocean is.

John P *about a shoey*: Why would you do that... that’s just gross.

*Theresa speaking Japanese, Lisa speaking Spanish and Pru speaking French*

Anna S: I can speak bogan.

Overheard a funny conversation? Said something that can be taken way out of context? Send them in to The Voice’s Facebook page to be featured in the next edition!