June 2010

fusion
central international newsletter / march 2010

Neil
Message from the MD
Welcome to Central Institute of Technology.
I am very pleased and honoured that you
have chosen Central as your place of study.
We acknowledge and respect the tremendous
sacrifice that you and your families have
made for you to come here. We aim to provide
you with excellence in teaching and learning,
to allow you to increase your knowledge and
skills and help you achieve your goals.
As International students, you bring
something unique to the Institute’s
community which is a diverse mix of people
from varying backgrounds and cultures. This
helps create a vibrant environment and great
opportunities to learn from one another.
It is a privilege to have you here. I wish you
every success in your studies and hope you
truly enjoy your experience at Central.
Neil Fernandes
Managing Director
Would you like to see your story published
in our next newsletter? Have you had an
interesting, rewarding or funny experience
whilst living in Perth or when studying at
Central? Please send it in to joanne.cabot@
central.wa.edu.au and include your full
name, country of origin and current or previous
course title.
Dear international students,
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to Central’s international student newsletter
-‘Fusion’. The newsletter will be distributed electronically to your personal email accounts and
posted on Central’s international web page on a quarterly basis.
We would also like to invite current and former students to join Central’s newly established
Alumni community. Being part of Central’s alumni will keep you up to date on academic
matters, scholarships, social and special events, networking and sporting activities.
Central has students from many countries studying here in Perth, but we also host vocational
courses to over 2,500 people throughout China, Hong Kong, Mauritius and Kuwait.
We encourage you all to contribute a story about your study experience or perhaps new
friendships you have made whilst undertaking a Central Institute of Technology course. If you
have any ideas for our newsletter or alumni we would like to hear about them. Again, welcome to
Central and I wish you all a successful journey in your studies with us.
Jan Tekely
International Business Operations
Jan
The cover photo of our
first edition includes
students from Russia,
Brazil, Columbia, Japan,
Malaysia, Mexico,
Switzerland, Taiwan,
Egypt, Chile and China.
Dawoud Walid
Memo Cardoza
Naoki Murat
Chung-Ming Chuang
Gretha Andrade
Seong Hye Choi
Mario Gomez Prieto
Antony Randika
Jayasekera
Franziska Merz
Michaela Weber
Ana Paula Araujo
Antonio Nildo Da Silva
Arianne Pelaez Agredo
Caetitia Farah Conan
Noor Mohamed Sheikh
Natsuko Yamada
Sugiyono Sugiyono
Bui Thuy
Juan Barbia
Douglas Martins Araujo
Fabriana Santos Neu
Eduardo Villero
Diana Florez
Chen Wilson
Max Lai
Silantyev Alexander

Back row from left - Natalie, Heather, Marian,
David, Courtney, Jason.
Front row from left - Sharon, Jan, Joanne,
Veronica, Yolanda.
International Centre – Key positions onshore and offshore:
David Wittber
Heather Colwell
Veronica Lee
Marian Bishopp
Gail Turner
Sharon Gardner
Mike Ross
Courtney Wellington
Yolanda Ure’ Huynh
Natalie Love
Jan Tekely
Jason Wang
Maureen Mathwin
International Centre Manager
ELICOS Manager
International Student Advisor
Art Portfolio
Applied Design
Media
International Student Advisor
Financial Services
Tourism, Events & Languages
Engineering (Mechanical, Oil & Gas & Civil)
Electrotechnology
International Student Advisor
Community & Children Services
Sport & Education
Health & Lifestyle
International Student Advisor
Business & Management
Building & Design
Science, Resources and Environment
International Student Advisor
ELICOS
ELICOS Student Support Officer
International Student Support Officer
Trainee
Director , International Business Operations
International Projects and Contracts Manager
International Support Officer
Message from David
Wittber, the International
Central Manager
Mainstream Courses and
Updates for 2010
Central is implementing many new and
updated accredited courses in 2010 resulting
from the introduction of new training
packages and consultation with industry.
Some courses have been revised to reflect
current industry practice and others have
been significantly restructured to best suit
the requirements of industry, students and
the labour market.
Our engineering portfolio has introduced new
courses in Computer Systems, Electronics
and Communications and continues to offer
updated courses in Civil and Mechanical
Engineering and Oil & Gas from Certificate IV
through to Advanced Diploma Level.
Our well renowned Art and Design school is
offering revised courses in Design
and Decoration.
Information Technology options now include
Interactive Digital Media and Interactive
Games Development, as well as revised
courses in traditional areas such as
networking, programming and website
development.
Most media courses have been revised
including Music, Photo-imaging, and Screen
and Media, with many streams/pathways to
choose from.
Community Services and Financial Services
are proving to be increasingly popular
in 2010, and many other areas such as
Engineering, Information Technology,
Media and Graphics continue to grow with
increased demand.
Many of Central’s courses have been subject
to change and more information is available
on our website or through direct enquiry with
the International Centre on +61 8 94271873.
June Ives
International Admin Assistant
Joanne Cabot
Stella Bu
International Project Officer
International Senior Research Officer (Hangzhou)
fusion / central international newsletter / 3

Restaurant Review
- The Pavilion, Joondalup
By Vo Dang Trinh (English for Hospitality student, 2009)
I cannot forget the day my
classmates and I had lunch at
the Pavilion restaurant. It was the
first time I had a gorgeous meal
in an interesting restaurant.
We took a train to Joondalup and spent another
15 minutes walking to the destination.
At first I was struck by its appearance – it was
located in the middle of a forest! There was
a harmony between the modern architecture
and the wilderness. We entered the restaurant
and sat down. The dining room was very
comfortable: simple decorations, elegant and
warm. The kitchen, the bar and the tables were
invisibly connected - you can enjoy your meal
at your seat while looking at all the wait staff
and chefs in the kitchen. Suddenly a young,
beautiful woman approached me and smiled.
Softly, she poured water into my glass.
Then I realised that there were only waitresses
in this restaurant – all with beautiful
smiles, graceful movements and a professional
manner.
I took a glance through the menu – the dishes
were well described, logical and cheap as well.
Did I mention that this restaurant specialises
in modern Australian cuisine? You can find
famous dishes like beef wellington, and salad
with crushed avocado. I ordered the salad as
an entrée, the beef as the main course and a
sweet dessert: chocolate tart with ice-cream.
To my surprise my entrée arrived very quickly,
despite the fact that there were 40 of us in
the restaurant. It was an unforgettable meal
- crushed avocado served on a bed of lettuce,
decorated with three slices of grapefruit. The
mixture of sour grapefruit, avocado and salad
exploded in my mouth.
My empty dish and all of the dirty spoons and
forks were quickly removed and replaced with
clean utensils. I didn’t wait long to find the
beef wellington in front of me - minced beef
wrapped with pastry and served with sauce.
The presentation left a deep impression - and
the taste was equally worthy. Finally there
was dessert, and another special experience.
And all of this for $22.50!
When I finished I took a leisurely walk to the
balcony and enjoyed the sea breeze.
If you have a chance take someone with you
to the Pavilion restaurant – you will not be
disappointed.
Hi my name is Stella Bu and I am the International Senior Research
Officer for Central. I am based in Hangzhou Peoples Republic of
China. I have been working with Central on a full-time basis for the
last 5 years. My job is to work with the Director assisting her in
research, negotiations and growing Central’s business in China.

Offshore
Student Story
Betty from Zhejiang
Financial College
How time flies! It has been three years
since I came to Zhejiang Financial College.
In the past three years many things have
happened. I have learnt about financial
planning in finance and investment in
cooperative studies with my college
and Central.
Three years is not too long in a person’s life,
but the three years I lived at my college has
changed me a lot. I learnt about life and
study. For example, I had previously never
left home for a long time by myself. How to
deal with my roommates and classmates was
difficult for me to work out when I first came
to the college. But after three years, I get on
well with them, which was not easy for me at
first. Fortunately I made a lot of good friends,
such as Carol, Lynn, Emily, and Joy. They
helped me when I felt sad. I also learnt about
financial plans both from the Chinese and
Central courses. I know the differences in this
industry between China and Australia, which
is useful for my future working life. What’s
more, we have some excellent teachers both
from China and Australia, including Ruth,
Aileen, Graeme, Mary, Selva. They taught us
very clearly about financial plans.
I think everything in my college life will be a
great memory in life forever.
Sisi SONG (Betty)
Zhejiang Financial College China
Useful websites:
http://www.wavisitorcentre.com/en/default.htm
http://www.cityofperth.wa.gov.au/web/Visiting/Activities/Self-Guided-Walks/
http://www.rtrfm.com.au/northbridgehistory (Podcasts and audio tours)
http://www.whatson.com.au/
Pathways to
university
Central has articulation arrangements in
place with Curtin University, the University of
Western Australia (UWA), Murdoch University
and Edith Cowan University (ECU). Under
these arrangements, graduates from Central’s
Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs
are eligible for entry into a university’s
undergraduate degrees. Graduates will also
be eligible for advanced standing in these
degrees. Advanced Standing means that
students receive credits for the work they
have completed at Central and are able
to reduce their study load and/or the
amount of time it takes to complete their
university degree.
To find out the articulation
arrangements for the course
you are enrolling in, contact the
Manager Education Pathways
Support on 9427 1220. Further
details can also be found on
our website.
Budi – budding
photographer
The cover image was taken by an
international student - Budi Wahyono.
Budi intends to study Photo Imaging at
Central once he has completed his ELICOS
course. He arrived in Perth on 30th January,
2010, with the goal to become a professional
photographer. Budi’s favourite types of
photography are landscape, still life,
interior, architectural/building photography
and human interest. He loves advertising
and ultimately would like to become a
professional advertising photographer. Once
Budi completes his Photo Imaging course he
plans to get a job in Australia and then set up
his own business in Indonesia.
fusion / central international newsletter / 5

Looking for information
on your local area?
Would you like to know more about your suburb and surrounding areas – the nearest library, community
groups, sporting facilities and bicycle maps? – then look no more!
Western Australia is divided into 142 Local Government Areas. These are subdivided into 3 classifications:
• City (mostly urban centres and some larger regional areas)
• Town (inner urban and three medium sized rural centres)
• Shire (mostly rural or outer suburban areas)
Below is a list of the main local governments in and surrounding Perth. You’ll find all your need to know plus
additional links to activities and community events on their websites.
Bassendean, Town of
Council of Bassendean.
http://www.bassendean.wa.gov.au/
Melville, City of
Melville City Council.
http://www.melville.wa.gov.au/
Bayswater, City of
Belmont, City of
Cambridge, Town of
Canning, City of
Claremont, Town of
Cockburn, City of
Cottesloe, Town of
East Fremantle, Town of
East Metropolitan Regional Council
Fremantle, City of
Gosnells, City of
Joondalup, City of
Kalamunda, Shire of
Kwinana, Town of
Mandurah, City of
Bayswater Council.
http://www.bayswater.wa.gov.au/
Belmont Council
http://www.belmont.wa.gov.au/
Cambridge council.
http://www.cambridge.wa.gov.au/
Canning council.
http://www.canning.wa.gov.au/
Claremont council.
http://www.claremont.wa.gov.au/
Cockburn council.
http://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/
Cottesloe council.
http://www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au/
East Fremantle Council.
http://www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.
au/
Council for the East Metro Region.
http://www.emrc.org.au/
Fremantle Council.
http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/
Gosnells Council.
http://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/
Joondalup City Council.
http://www.joondalup.wa.gov.au/
Kalamunda Shire Council.
http://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/
Kwinana Council.
http://www.kwinana.wa.gov.au/
Mandurah Council.
http://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/
Mosman Park, Town of
Nedlands, City of
Peppermint Grove, Shire of
Perth, City of
Rockingham, City of
Serpentine - Jarrahdale, Shire of
South Metropolitan Regional
Council
South Perth, City of
Stirling, City of
Subiaco, City of
Swan, City of
Victoria Park, Town of
Vincent, Town of
Wanneroo, City of
Mosman Park Council.
http://www.townofmosmanpark.
wa.gov.au/
Nedlands City Council.
http://www.nedlands.wa.gov.au/
Peppermint Grove Council.
http://www.peppermintgrove.
wa.gov.au/
Perth City Council.
http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/
Rockingham City Council.
http://www.rockingham.wa.gov.au/
Serpentine - Jarrahdale Shire
Council.
http://www.sjshire.wa.gov.au/
South Metro Regional Council.
http://www.smrc.com.au/
South Perth City Council.
http://www.southperth.wa.gov.au/
Stirling City Council.
http://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/
Subiaco Council.
http://www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/
Swan City Council.
http://www.cityofswan.com/
Victorial Park Council.
http://www.vicpark.wa.gov.au/
Town of Vincent Council.
http://www.vincent.wa.gov.au/
Wanneroo Council.
http://www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/

Top 10 tips for new students to Perth:
1. ‘Live’ English – speak it as much as
possible and join your local library to
borrow books, magazines and DVDs
in English.
2. Learn about other cultures through mixing
with people in and out of class – your
English will improve faster and you’ll make
new and interesting friends this way.
3. Go to the beach – Perth and all the south
coast of WA have some of the best beaches
in Australia; enjoy them safely. Remember
- your sunnies (sunglasses), hat and
suncream (sunscreen) particularly in
Spring and Summer.
4. Go out with friends – it is cheaper, more fun
and safer to join a group of friends rather
than go out at night alone.
5. Try to learn the local laws and customs
as quickly as possible – this helps you to
assimilate safely and easily into WA’s way
of life.
6. Remember – people drive on the opposite
side of the road in Australia (compared to
many other countries) – please be careful
when crossing the road.
7. Don’t be shy – people are friendly in Perth
and many are happy to assist you when
asked politely.
8. Use the back of your Shop-A-Dockets – lots
of discounts can be found for food/drinks
and activities on the back of your
shopping receipts.
9. Find out where the nearest grocery store
for your favourite ingredients from home
is located. There are many ethnic stores in
Perth that sell imported food products.
10. Ride your bike – save money and get fit
by riding a bike. Plenty of second- hand
shops, newspapers and bike shops sell
bikes – local councils can give you maps
for bike pathways throughout Perth.
Thank you to Monica and Ronny’s ELICOS
Summer school class, 2010, for contributing
to our top 10 tips.
Don’t be shy – people are friendly in Perth
and many are happy to assist you when
asked politely.
Aussie section
Top Aussie Eats
If you haven’t yet, try these top Aussie treats:
Vegemite (great on hot toast with butter!)
Lamingtons (sponge cake, covered with chocolate and coconut)
Tim Tams (Australia’s favourite chocolate biscuit)
Meat pie with sauce
Damper (Bush-style bread)
Anzac Biscuits (a delicious and easy to make treat; originally sent
overseas to ANZAC soldiers in WW1)
Bundaberg Ginger Beer (not actually beer; excellent on a hot
summers day!)
Pavlova (a sweet dessert with meringue, cream and fruit)
Surf and Turf (fresh prawns, juicy steak, beer sauce and fries)
For more ideas go to: http://www.world-food-and-wine.com/surfturf-australia.html;
http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/national_icons.
html;http://aussierecipes.com/
Favourite Aussie Songs:
I Still Call Australia Home (Peter Allen)
Downunder (Men at Work)
Waltzing Matilda
True Blue (John Williamson)
Great Southern Land (Icehouse)
Working Class Man (Jimmy Barnes)
Like Wow Wipeout (Hoodoo Gurus)
It’s a long way to the top (AC/DC)
Treaty (Yothu Yindi)
For more information go to: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/
magazines-20-best-songs-poll-results/story-0-1111117520298;
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=521355; http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APRA_Top_30_Australian_songs
fusion / central international newsletter / 7

SLIM
Student Lifestyle
International Magazine
A teacher’s dream class is one that is made
up of students who are bright, talented,
enthusiastic, open to challenges but also
confident to present their own views and
ideas. In semester two of 2009 I had the good
fortune to teach such a group of students.
These young and gifted people were in my
writing module of their Advanced Diploma of
Mass Communication. They came from as
far away as Canada, Sweden, France, Kenya,
Réunion Island, Mauritius, Pakistan and
Taiwan. Two of our class members were local.
At the start of the semester we embarked on
a journey that culminated in a magazine of
which we are immensely proud. The class was
motivated to do a quality glossy magazine
that would showcase their abilities.
Articles were written, edited and re-written.
Many, many emails were exchanged;
photographs were taken and money for
printing was collected through a very
successful fundraising event which was
planned and organised entirely by the
students themselves. This event was the
high point of the project for me as a teacher. I
felt exhilarated watching my students being
responsible and committed to making this
day laid-back, fun and ultimately such a
triumph.
It has been a challenging but an incredibly
valuable experience because we all learnt
a lot about the different tasks, duties and
responsibilities inherent in such a project.
Learning new things and becoming more
confident is what this project was all about.
The class gave that extra bit of themselves
in their writing, in the fundraising, in their
patience with me and the editorial team, in
not allowing their egos to get the better of
them, and finally in allowing themselves to
learn new skills.
SLIM, Student Lifestyle International
Magazine, demonstrates what can be
achieved when a group of gifted, passionate
and hard-working young people put their
heads together in order to realise a
common goal.
Neli Micunovic
SLIMStudent lifestyle international magazine
Paper Mache
The Future of Print Journalism
Island Hopping
Making it in a New Place
Seven Deadly Sins
A Photographic Essay
Priscilla Bracks
What’s under your Skin?
LIFESTYLE
Fashion, and You- Emma Viera
photos courtesy of Mathilde Koenig
La mode! Beauty, clothes, make-up, style, trends… don’t you just love it? Haven’t you also been
drawn to those gorgeous, stunning, well-groomed girls and guys in expensive and beautifully
photographed fashion magazines?
It’s a world that many of us want to emulate, spending money on sense is still important for me”, says the French model.
outfits and accessories in order to be like those models. Fashion is In France, or in Australia, fashion is also a way of expressing your
an industry. Paris is the heart but nowadays there are fashion hubs personality through clothes or make-up. “I think the way someone
everywhere. Even Perth has its fashionable elements, though it is dresses can define their personality. For instance, thanks to the way
hardly known for its hauté couture.
they put together their clothes, we can see if a person attaches
importance to the fashion world”, Mathilde adds.
Coming from France, I was under the impression that dress sense
is lacking here. Perth is an isolated city after all. So, I was very It is true. I was surprised that in Perth the good taste of clothes is
surprised when I heard that there was going to be a fashion festival not as important as in France. Here in Perth, you can dress yourself
happening. The famous, annual Perth Fashion Festival!
with your own style and you won’t be judged, whereas the contrary
I realised that fashion is everywhere and is completely part of is true in France.
our culture. Society cannot avoid it because it has become
democratized. Nowadays fashion is within everyone’s financial In France, the fashion trade is daily present, in fact unavoidable.
capabilities.
Fashion companies aim to attract the public’s interest by creating
Although everyone has their own opinion of what fashion is, for publicity across magazines, newspapers and web sites. “For me,
some it is completely an addiction. This is the case with Mathilde, a fashion is an art form”, she says. “It’s all about aesthetics, that is
young French model who lives in France.
to say, colour, trends, textures, form and make-up. I love drawing
my inspiration from magazines and then create my own style.
“Fashion is really important for me. I think the way of dressing or Magazines greatly influence my choices! I love reading Vogue,
making up represents a real aesthetic. Moreover, fashion exhibits on Glamour, Elle and Marie Claire; they keep me up to date with what
the surface what we can feel inwardly”, declares Mathilde.
are the new trends”.
For Mathilde, the fashion world has no secrets. More than
important, it puts some fantasy and beauty into her life and As I mentioned earlier, we have access to great clothes at
transforms her need to dress into a simple pleasure. Is it the French reasonable prices thanks to famous brands such as H&M, Zara,
education that transforms French girls and guys into fashionable Pimkie and Bershka.
people and creates a materialist world?
Paris is renowned for being the centre of fashion trends with icon
“In France, the way of dressing has always been fundamental. brands like Chanel, Christian Dior, Hermes, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Louis
Contrary to Australia where the uniform is compulsory at school, Vuitton, Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent. Most of these
in France the students can dress any way they like. So, we can easily brands have stores in Paris on Avenue Montaigne, Rue du Faubourg
follow the fashion industry and the way of dressing can quickly Saint-Honoré, Les Champs-Elysées Avenue and Place Vendome.
categorize you. I have grown up in this universe; that’s why dress Don’t these words make you dream? In France, it’s not a dream: it’s
14
15
a reality. It is the contemporary way of life of French people and
if you come to Paris, you will have the opportunity to meet them
doing their daily shopping. For Mathilde it is not a dream: it is her
way of life. Although she knows that Paris is the fashion heart of
the world, she wishes one day to visit other capitals also famous for
their fashion trade.
“New York, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and
Sydney’s market areas are host to excellent designers and
manufacturers! I’d love to have a chance one day to go to
Amsterdam. This country attracts me a lot and it has the biggest
fashion centre in the world with more than 400 showrooms and
more than 900 national and international labels”, declares with
hope the pretty blonde model. “However, I know it is Paris that
represents more the fashion world. In fact, Paris and fashion have
become synonymous. Paris has the world’s top haute couture
designers with Chanel, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent”.
“Don’t you prefer to support more essential and important values
in life”, I ask? “Fashion is more important in your life that you could
imagine!” “We do not have to deny that the fashion world can
be superficial and materialist. Nevertheless, fashion is paramount
because it has at once psychological and social implications on
society. Without a doubt, fashion permits to a group of individuals
to identify themselves thanks to common likings”, Mathilde responds.
In fact, it brings some creativity, some colours, some passion and
imagination. Can you imagine a life without fashion? It wouldn’t be
very interesting! Like Mathilde says “Fashion is a sort of aesthetic
game. It is a creation coming from a fashion designer’s imagination.
Without the fashion world, getting dressed all our life would be so
monotonous!”
The fashion world is a dreamlike universe with Paris as its heart. As
we have seen for Mathilde, as it is for every French girl, fashion is a
religion.
What about you? Have you ever been out of Perth? If your answer
to the second question is no, then your exposure to international
fashion is limited. Come to France where the fashion world is not
a dream and you will have the opportunity to discover the modern
and fashionable way of life of French people!
On vous attend!
Pride
Orgeuil
Stolz
Orgullo
Orgulho
18

Central’s offshore teaching locations:
Over 78 nationalities study at Central, including students from:
Kuwait Mauritius China
India
Germany
Ireland
Macau
Brazil
Korea
Israel
Malawi
Mauritius
Nepal
Italy
Maldives
Malaysia
Colombia
Macedonia
Malta
Vietnam
Pakistan
Netherlands
Mexico
Zambia
Thailand
Seychelles
Namibia
France
Switzerland
Slovakia
New Caledonia
Japan
Sri Lanka
Bahrain
Nicaragua
Reunion Island
United Kingdom
Belgium
Oman
Indonesia
Poland
Brunei
Papua New Guinea
China
Taiwan
Iran
Qatar
Kenya
Ghana
Spain
Russia
Zimbabwe
Hungary
Sweden
Scotland
Myanmar
Nigeria
United States of America
Turkey
Hong Kong
Bangladesh
Denmark
Uganda
Philippines
Botswana
East Timor
Ukraine
South Africa
Canada
Finland
United Arab Emirates
England
Czech Republic
Greece
Uruguay
Singapore
El Salvador
Guatemala
Venezuela
fusion / central international newsletter / 9