Woroni: Edition 9, 2011

PAGE 1 11 AUGUST 2011

Vol.63 no. 9

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PIGS IN BLANKETS: John XIII PRANK GOES TOO FAR CAMERON M. KNOTT EDITOR

Federal Police attended an incident at John XXIII College on the morning of July 28 involving the placement of eight feral pig carcasses in residents’ rooms at the College and adjacent carpark. Two residents have been identified as participating in the prank and disciplinary action has been taken against them. The

AFP has not laid charges. According to College administration, “one resident brought the feral pig carcasses from his farming property.” Whether the pigs were killed for the purposes of committing the prank is unknown. The resident then drove the carcasses to college, where the second resident “put the pig carcasses on his mate’s cars and in his mates’ rooms while they were not there.” Four carcasses were placed on cars. Another four were placed in bedrooms. College administration cannot verify whether the victims’ rooms were unlocked or not at the time.

According to residents close to the incident, some of the rooms were unlocked at the time of the prank, and rooms that were locked were broken into by opening the door from the inside. The process of breaking into rooms has been known by many residents for a number of years, and has been used to pull pranks in the past. College administration has strict rules prohibiting unauthorised entry into another resident’s room, and against the possession of tools used to gain unauthorised access. The John XXIII community has a long tradition of light hearted practical jokes. The vast major-

ity of pranks are harmless and no complaint is made. The possibility that animals were killed and residents’ health endangered, has lead many to conclude that this prank went too far. ANU Security, College administration and the AFP attended the incident as soon as they were alerted. The carcasses were removed immediately, says College administration, and “no College property was damaged during the prank”. The College has condemned the prank as “inappropriate” and offered assurance that “all steps are taken to ensure the safety and well

being of our residents.” College administration did not comment on the nature of the disciplinary action being taken. Residents report that at least one of the pranksters has been expelled. In recent years John XXIII has worked to foster a culture of respect and compassion, with much success. Less alcoholic events are being held and rules respecting residents have been strengthened.

Love in a time of student politics It’s election season again and this year it’s even stranger than usual, as Sophie Turnbull reports.

SOPHIE TURNBULL Editor

Meet Fleur Hawes, the northern-bred pocket rocket vying for student politics glory when she runs for ANUSA President in the upcoming elections. Having spent the year as ANUSA Arts Rep, Hawes has been groomed by current ANUSA President, Leah Ginnivan, on how to steer an independent ticket through the students’ association’s doors. Although not a member of a political party, Hawes is a former casual staffer for Labor MP Bob McMullan.

She’s no stranger to a political campaign either, having been swept up in Gillard 2010 mania. Enter Ben Duggan, chairman of the ANU Union Board, steadfast Labor man and not insignificantly, long term beau of Hawes. Duggan’s political colours have been nailed firmly to the mast during his time working for Member for Eden Monaro, Mike Kelly. At a university level, he is a fixture mounted firmly to the ANU’s political architecture as a stalwart member of Labor Right. Year after year he gets behind a cause, throwing a garish t-shirt under his well-cut blazer and hassling Union Court traffic. He is one of the founders of the “Stimulate” brand, the ticket that has just successfully bagged two

OPINION

spots at the Union Board table and with it, control of the Board for the next year. In an unexpected move, Duggan has agreed to lend his Stimulate brand to a ticket running against Hawes. When Hawes’ ticket decided not to put candidates up for the National Union of Students (NUS) representative positions, Duggan couldn’t resist stepping in. “I think it’s important to have good representatives at the NUS conference” he told Woroni. What Duggan’s personal involvement will be remains unclear. However unconfirmed reports suggest that the Stimulate ANUSA ticket is also comprised of a sweep of general representative candidates, the theory being that

they will attract voters to the ballot box and increase the votes for the NUS race. Hawes isn’t convinced it’s a good idea. “Any ticket being convened purely on a political basis, for Labor Right in this instance, is something that students need to take into account when they vote. The Stimulate ticket is contesting general representative positions purely to get NUS delegates up. These people don’t care about ANU student issues and I think that’s wrong. “ So it’s Hawes’ sausage flippers against Duggan’s Stimulate mates, it’s as messy as cornflour glue, it’s trying love in a time of student politics.

Feature ATTACK OF THE ASIAN BEES P4

Culture HIPSTERS: KILLERS OF COOL P.8

PROCRASTINATION P. 19