Lot's Wife Edition 4 2016

OFFICE BEARER REPORTS
WELFARE
QUEER
Hi everyone and welcome back!! I hope everyone had as fantastic a semester and break as we have!
Hopefully some of you made it to our semester one events: Trivia Night in week 2, weekly morning tea,
queer beers and movie screenings throughout semester, our wonderful Queer Week in week 5 with tons of
workshops and events, including our Comics & Cartoons themed Queer Ball, our IDAHoBiT stall with the
Ally Network, and our super chill SWOTVAC “ignore your responsibilities” event. During break we’ve had the
huge Marriage Equality rally, and our annual Queer Collaborations conference over in Perth.
But don’t worry if you missed out, we’ve got lots planned for you this semester as well, with more
Morning Teas and Queers Beers & Movie. Screenings for you, an evening event in Wholefoods in week 2 (you
should check out our facebook page MSA Queer for details), our 2nd Queer Week in Week 6 (check out our
page & timetable closer to the date), as well as probably little impromptu events throughout the month to
keep an eye out for! Hope to see you!
All is going well in the Welfare Department. Book Fair sales have finally all been processes (apologies for the
delay), Free Food Monday’s is stronger than ever although number have been marginally less over the past few
weeks
Last Tuesday Tim met with Jane Dancey who has been hired by the University to conduct research into the
nutritional value of all the food outlets on Campus. Lowen Sist advised her to speak with the Welfare Department
in relation to the work we do with FFM. She was very impressed by the initiative and has offered her support and
help to create meals within the ethos of the service. Furthermore, her and the Masters students she co-ordinates
have offered to also assist in the creation of a student cook book (which we have been planning to do) that will be
released for the beginning of next semester.
We have also begun working on a campaign to get Centrelink representatives on Campus on a regular basis in
order to offer advice and support on Univeristy Student specific areas. Contact has been made with Janet White,
Senior Adviser to the Pro-Vice- Chancellor, who has been very supportive and helpful with the campaign.
If you like the sound of this and would like to send through a statement of support to aid in the strength of the
movement please feel free to send a letter through to one of our emails.
Other than that the Survival Centre remains fairly well stocked, we have included some sanitary items and
food in there which has been taken very quickly so we hope that these things are helping the students in need.
Peace and Love from T&B.
ACTIVITIES
MSA Activities is getting ready for an exciting semester two! After the great success of AXP and semester
one, the Activities department is ready to bring you a bunch of new events! Week 8 will be completely dedicated
to events and providing the best social student experience. Grab your lederhosen and wench outfits for
Oktoberfest! Jam out with Monash’s best DJs and student bands at the brand new student band competition!
And of course, we will be delivering AXP II to help settle those exams blues!
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Over the break there were some really important rallies. We brought contingents of monash students to
World Refugee Day on June 18 and to the rally for marriage equality on June 25. On top of that, we took
a stand against open neo-nazis marching through the streets of Melbourne, trying to celebrate the racist
Australian flag.
This report was written before the federal election. We sure hope you’re reading this is a Liberal-Partyfree
future, but even if Turnbull is kicked out,we still have a fight on our hands. Both major parties have
announced serious cuts to higher education, both commit to offshore mandatory detention for refugees,
and tighter ‘national security’ (aka demonising Muslims). If you want to be part of the fight back against the
government, if you want to find out more about radical left wing politics, drop by one of our stalls outside
the campus centre. Our department will also be hosting regular political meetings, lectures, and forums on a
range of topics so don’t forget to check the notice boards around campus.
WOMEN’S
Hello everyone! We would like to welcome new students and those that are returning to us this semester.
Its semester two and we’re really excited for a busy and fun semester ahead! We will be continuing with our
weekly discussion groups in the women’s room, so keep a watch on our Facebook page for the day and time.
During Week 3 we will have a week dedicated to women in higher education, including our own screening of
‘The Hunting Ground’ documentary. We will also be continuing working the University, Residential services
and other relevant groups in our endeavour to develop and improve the existing consent campaign.
INDIGENOUS
The Indigenous department of the MSA has worked hard this semester in running events and engaging
with Indigenous and non-Indigenous students across Monash. We have successfully run barbeques, social
events and other initiatives that have helped foster a sense of community for Indigenous students across
campus. With MSA Indigenous Week having being in week 11, we have been able to showcase the importance
of Indigenous culture and engage students in the wider community. This has been the first year where MSA
Indigenous Week has been extended to include Monash University Halls of Residence. As a whole, this semester
has been fruitful in allowing our department to grow and further engage with students in a productive
way.
Lot’s Wife | 17