2026,WE’REREADYFORYOU
Anotefromtheeditor
Dearest Gentle Reader,
Just like season 4 of Bridgerton, we are so back From the launch of a whole new editorial team to the release of UniGuide, times here at the Togatus office have been crazy since our last Fortnightly.
If this is the first Togatus Fortnightly you're picking up, hi, don’t worry, it won’t be your last Every fortnight you can expect see a new one of these around Hobart, Sandy Bay, and Launceston If you have an opinion, a story you want told, or even a piece of art you want seen, send it through to us Or, if you’re a part of a sports team, club, or society at the university and want to encourage more connection, flick us an email and let’s work together Togatus is run by students, for students We’re here to help tell your story, and we’re here for all things student culture at the university But for now, let’s get reading
Yours truly,
Ineka Leffler,Togatus Editor-in-Chief
Tog’sNoticeBoard
Want to pack more into your Google Calendar this year? Here’s a few events you can add:
ENGI LANEWAY RETURNS
Friday, 13 March, 6pm - 11 pm
UTAS Sandy Bay Engineering Laneway
Defs one of the most memorable nights of the year Make your memories, have your fun, and listen to live music. Tickets can be found on the Rubric App.
UTAS screening of ‘Love Letter to the Unseen;’ Friday 13 March, 6-7:30pm th Studio Theatre (University Centre), UTAS Sandy Bay
The Environment Society and Environment
Tasmania are doing a screening of ‘Love Letter to the Unseen’ Check out their instagram (@tas uni enviro society) to find out more information
‘GROUNDED’ CAFE OPENING SOON
Opening April 2026
Hobart CBD
The cafe is a social enterprise run by TUSA as part of the student food security program
Follow:
@grounded socialenterprise to stay up to date!!
Follow @tusa.org.au on Instagram for a more detailed weekly schedule!!
WHYHAVE WOMENFLOCKED TOHEATED RIVALRY?
Since its release in November of 2025, CraveoriginalseriesHeatedRivalry–based on the Game Changers novels by Rachel Reid–haswormeditswayintomanyhearts andminds mineincluded Butwhat’swith the audience being overwhelmingly comprisedofwomen?Whytheloveforgay media?Whythisshow,andwhynow?
Heated Rivalry is advertised as a queer show, so the lack of focus on heterosexual relationships surprised no-one The show has left no room for women to be romantically mischaracterised and stereotyped, and, while the show itself doesn’t pass the Bechdel test, audiences have been left satisfied at how female characters have been presented and explored TakeRoseLandry–playedbySophie Nélisse, Rose is used as a plot point to aid Shane’s gay awakening, and to be a support personforShaneashecomestotermswithhis identity Despite being used only to further the story, Rose is an extremely likable character, whoplaysintozerooffensivestereotypes;sheis outgoing, kind, caring, and bonds with Shane over hockey while steering clear of the “I’m not like other girls” trap so many female characters fallinto
I think we all know why Heated Rivalry initially became popular:the crazy amount of eroticism it contains.The sheer volume of sex scenes in the show shocked audiences, with people all over social media expressing how taken aback theywere Womenwerequicktolabelthescen-
es as what they were: hot Unlike heterosexual pornography or media, which tends to objectify women and be made for the male gaze, the show's sex scenes were centered around mutual pleasure;women are finding themselves using gay media like Heated Rivalry as escapism, able to finally see more than one person enjoying themselves on screen
This is also being explored through Shane and Ilya’s secret love affair; women are struggling to find their own identity and are grappling with their autonomy worldwide, but being able to see that struggle played out and resolved over six well-written episodes is freeing, and they’re enjoying living vicariously.
So, it’s safe to say Heated Rivalry’s audience, while extremely diverse, has been and will continue to be primarily made up of women Its blatant eroticism and well-written female characters make it a stand-out in current age media, and reality. Here’s hoping season two can do the same
ABLINDFOLD HALF-TORN
AReflectionfroman InternationalStudent
“Cursed be those who willingly forsake their sight”
That’s the motto I live by these days It’s simple enough to understand: if you have knowledge and awareness, then endeavour to use it to help others Apathy and stagnation are signs of those who are willfully ignorant Traits of the “blind”, so to speak
I dislike working with people like that
But back in my country far away from Tassie, I know a lot of people in that mire Most of them are content with having a normal life. We eat, sleep, drink and sleep again Admittedly it felt
nice Wouldn’t you agree? To live life without having to worry about the change beyond our borders How lovely
Well, even if that change appears on our shores it gets drowned out by pointless chants and flagwaving Virtue signalling They rally because of vibes and then disappear when an actual call for help is needed No follow up, nothing
I can’t blame them entirely The government of my homeland is rather religious on the state level, especially in the north All their rhetoric and politics just serve to create this surface level activism that wholly depends on spiritual identity People get mad, then go back to work
Repeat
It’s quite embarrassing when you consider the fact that my homeland is renowned for its “harmonious”and “multicultural”populace.
For better or for worse, I broke out of that mould when I entered a local college back there I’d say it felt like two stages:
1. Recognise the existence and uniqueness of the people around you Expand your horizons and read more things.
That part was easy I think just by default being around that many people helped me see perspectives I previously ignored The existence of a queer community in my country, for instance We were always taught that they were deviant - hell, we even have conversion therapy practices They are people just like us It was wrong I also saw how destructive religion can be when it gets muddled with politics. I didn’t want to be judged based on some archaic law of a group I am not a part of I guess a good number of friends I had back home feel the same too
So that’s how bad the situation was and is There were people that listened and listened without question Some even advocated for the division of our people because it was their “religious duty” to do so And there were those that lived on trend after fleeting trend to keep them busy each day.These people are about m-
y age Not some old foggy or clueless children, no They were college students like me Welleducated people that rationalised this thinking.
I’m happy that I left
2. Use that knowledge to reach your hand to other people
I don’t have much to say yet, for my life as a student here has just begun
But I am grateful that the air here is different To see all those things that were considered illegal back at home (a queer community, Aboriginal rights, etc.) be present as equal I’m happy As an ally, it feels good to see everyone welcome here
Now there’s a tug in my heart. Being here means that someday, I want to give back and help other people as well Even a small change is better than none
When can I do that?Will I be brave enough to do that?
Because it would suck if I lost my sight as well.
O-WEEKATTHECOLLEGES
ThePresident’srecaps
Traditionally, O-Week is known as one of the biggest, most unforgettable, and most chaotic weeks in a firstyear university student’s life
Taking place in the week before classes start, it’s a time when students get to know their cohort, celebrate ( a lot), and truly mark the beginning of the new chapter that is university life But campus culture has undoubtedly shifted over the past few decades Many students don’t have the privilege of moving out of home or prioritising their social lives, and an increasing number are studying online, away from social events and opportunities
But, for those lucky enough to live at one of the residential colleges at the University, this year’s O-Week festivities are definitely earning a spot in the photo albums Here’s a recap from their respective Presidents:
Christ College
At Christ College, we take O-Week seriously – from drunken shenanigans where many street signs allegedly found their new home, to the bravery of those who wake up early to watch the sunrise over Kunanyi Throughout it all, we dabble in the sports of capture the flag, who can eat the most chillis, and who can buy our treasurer the most shots
We build camaraderie, make new memories, and, of course, become part of stories you most definitely cannot tell your parents. Yet it is in the chaos of the late nights, the dusty mornings, and the copious amounts of free snags that you feel oddly satisfied, because you know that amongst it all you've made some lifelong friends – people who you otherwise might have never met, and that’s the best part
Sincerely,
Willem DeWit - Christ College President
John Fisher College
O-Week at John Fisher started off with a bang as we all rallied up at 5:00 AM to drive up Kunanyi to catch the sunrise It was cold, but so worth it The week then seemed to pass us by in a blur of events and bonding. We concluded the festivities of the week with our annual Boat Cruise - a sunset cruise along the Derwent We danced for three hours, got off the boat and danc-
ed some more. By the end of the week, many bonds were formed and a community was strengthened I can’t wait to see how our community progresses in the future!
Sincerely yours,
Restina
Niniahazwe - John Fisher College President
Jane College
O-Week at Jane is less like a “week”and a lot more of a fever dream As President, I watch freshers jump headfirst into activities and take full advantage of all the free things: condoms, tote bags, noodles; it’s like they are preparing for war.
Everyone signs up for everything: clubs, sports, subcommittees at Jane After many “Where are you from?” and “What degrees are you studying?”, you know more information about someone you met five minutes prior than anyone else.You could say their favourite colour, to their childhood best friend’s dog’s baby’s trauma The halls are chaos throughout the week, mostly powered by Red Bull and espresso shots However, somewhere between the hour-to-hour schedule and zero sleep, strangers become your people And in all honesty, that sums up Jane pretty well: beautifully chaotic, proudly unhinged, and one big family
Yours truly, Scarlett Simmons - Jane College President
INCASEYOUMISSEDIT
Newsthatmadetheheadlines
The US and Israel Attack Iran
On the 28 of February Israel and the US launched air-strikes on Iran, killing civilians, as part of‘Operation Epic Fury’. th
PM Anthony Albanese calls GraceTame “Difficult”
During a one-word-description game the PM called GraceTame “Difficult” GraceTame is the 2021 Australian of theYear winner for her advocacy as a survivor of child sexual abuse The PM’s actions have sparked outrage, considering the systemic barriers women and survivors of child sexual assault continue to face in having their voices heard
High levels of lead contamination in dust around Hobart
The ABC has reported that there is significant lead pollution from Nyrstar’s Hobart Zinc factory, including places like Rose Bay and Bellerive
UNIGOSOUTHERN VIETNAM:AREFLECTION THREEWEEKSLATER
EllaVanderzwan
In late 2023 I went to my first open day for UTAS I knew what degree I wanted to do (which I have stuck with!) and I even knew what sort of classes I wanted to do.
What I really wanted to know about was UTAS’s new program, UniGO, which had been advertised at my college Much to my parent’s concern, I asked about a thousand questions about UniGO and what it involved instead of about the three-year-degree I was about to embark on
A few years later, that decision to talk about UniGO for thirty minutes paid off From January 10th to February 6th of 2026 I participated in UniGO: Southern Vietnam The experience had more than thirty students moving all around the country, going to places such as Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Soc Trang, Mui Ne, Cu Chi and Tay Ninh It was one of the best and most confusing, amazing and overwhelming experiences of my life and I would not trade it for anything The 2026 SouthernVietnam trip must have been cursed,
as our first week and a half was marred with sickness and hospital trips, and I was one of the unlucky souls who got sick Our group dealt with a last-minute itinerary change that altered the entirety of our final week in the country and had us travelling for nine hours on a bus (including some pre-departure singing and a chaotic game of eye spy)
Some of the highlights of the trip included Núi Bà Đen (BlackVirgin Mountain) and the beautiful temples, the À Ố Show at the Opera House of Saigon, the visit to the lovely beachside Mui Ne, seeing the mangrove forests, and interacting with all the students at Can Tho University andVan Lang University.
UniGO is one of the most fun things I will ever do at university I met amazing people, ate spectacular food and got to travel overseas Vietnam is an amazing place to travel, and I ask anyone who has elective space to consider going on the trip to one of the four amazing locations on offer Even with all the unexpected mishaps and confusion, the trip is amazing and you will likely never do anything like it again
Lots of love from the 2026 Togatus Editorial Team:
Ineka Leffler, Editor-in-Chief
Ella Vanderzwan ,Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Amalie Cox ,Creative Director
Anaya Shepherd ,Digital Editor
Jasmine Jones , Content & Copy Editor
Erin Coull ,Content & Copy Editor
Contact Togatus:
Email (and to submit articles): togatusmagazine@gmailcom Instagram: @togatus
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