An estimated 200 Townsville residents joined thousands of protestors across Australia and internationally, making their voices heard in the ongoing fight against the forced closure of remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.  

By Sophie Dillon

The Call to Action Protest is a response to the announcement of WA Premier Colin Barnett that more than a hundred Aboriginal communities in the state faced imminent closure.

Townsville protest took place on May 1 at 08:15am outside Stockland Shopping Centre with protestors blocking the Nathan St and Ross River Road intersection for 15 minutes.

James Cook University lecturer Maxwell Lenoy, one of the organisers of the Townsville Call to Action Protest says he is against the Government’s decision.

“Governments should not have the freedom to force communities to close without consent and without a valid reason,” Lenoy says.

The Federal Government is backing Premier Barnett’s announcement and sees the closure as a cost-saving measure for the state’s struggling economy.

Lenoy says the Western Australia government has been doing the closure in secret.

“They [government] are forcing communities to be evacuated by hiring security firms to come in and move people out without any consent and without any forward plan in place to help those members when they then are moved to another regional city.

“The national and international call to action will make it clear to the Government that the community, Indigenous and all Australians, are aware that this is happening and that they will not stand for it,” Lenoy says.

The proposed closure plans attracted widespread condemnation particularly as they followed Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s comments that taxpayer’s shouldn’t be expected to fund the “lifestyle choices” of Aboriginal people who live on their homelands.

JCU Indigenous Support Officer Florence Onus says she fears that if the proposed policy succeeds in Western Australia and South Australia, then the same can happen elsewhere, including Queensland.

“We’re marching because the Western Australia government announced that they’re going to close 150 Aboriginal remote communities, “ Florence says.

A similar policy is being considered in South Australia, she says.

“The Federal Government supports this so we’re very concerned here in Townsville that that’s going to set a precedent for every state and territory.”

The main organizer of the Call to Action protest Meyalah Blackman agrees with Onus and is concerned that the forced removal will reach Queensland remote communities.

“It’s a ripple effect; the buck doesn’t just stop at the removal of Western Australian communities. It’ll affect everybody in the long run,” Blackman says.

One of the many Non-Indigenous Australians who joined in the Townville Call to Action, Josh Denman, felt that it was important to show support for the cause.

“It’s all well and good for me to sit at home and say that the forced closure of these communities is a bad thing, but it’s another thing to come out and make a stand and actually do something about it,” he says.

An Indigenous Australian from Palm Island, Whanjullah joined the protest to stand together with the local, national and international community.

“The reason why we’ve all come out here is to stand in solidarity with the people right across the world about the forced closures of our communities, ” Whanjullah says.

The protests have been covered by social media, running in conjunction with a digital campaign that emboldens people to join in the fight by declaring their support under the hashtag #SOSBlakAustralia.

Many well known names have thrown their support behind the Call to Action campaign including Hugh Jackman, The Veronicas, and Hilltop Hoods. Academics such as Victoria Grieves, Craig Moritz and Sandy Toussaint have also added their voice to the conversation.

#sosblakaustralia #NOconsent #lifestylechoice #ingetjetadoras

A photo posted by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) on Mar 19, 2015 at 6:35am PDT

For further information about the Townsville Call to Action, visit their page.

James Cook University archaeology students visited Laos on a research trip to study the Plain of Jars, with funding from the New Colombo Plan.

By Nick Palmisano

Eight JCU College of Arts, Society and Education (CASE) archaeology students returned from a research trip to the Plain of Jars, an ancient site in Laos, with funding from the New Colombo Plan covering their travel costs.

Six of the eight students received grants from the New Colombo mobility grant to assist them with travel and research expenses.

The New Colombo Plan is an initiative from the Liberal Government, an evolution of Labour’s AsiaBound program, which was designed to provide opportunities for Australian tertiary students to visit South East Asia for study and research experience.

The NCP opens up scholarship options for both long and short term exchanges, including mobility grants designed for research trips like the Laos project.

Archaeology major Hollie Gill received $3000 to fund her journey to Laos which was essential for her to take part in the project.

“The grant covered all of my flights as well as some extra costs like part of my accommodation, says Hollie.

“Gaining experience in the field is an essential part of any degree, especially archaeology, and would not have been financially possible for me without this grant.”

Hollie hopes that the Laos project brings more awareness about the situation in Laos, and encourages discussion around its leftover explosives.

“I think archaeological work at the Plain of Jars will assist in developing and promoting tourism within the area, especially if it is eventually declared a World Heritage Site, says Hollie.

“This will hopefully bring funding for more extensive clearing of the UXO for the communities, as well as assisting the rehabilitation programs in place.”

ARTEFACT: Lan Xang Smoking Pipe found at the Plain of Jars

Plain of Jars Site

The Plain of Jars is a grassy plateau in central Laos’ Xieng Khouang province, surrounded by mountains, creating a bowl like valley that was once home to a Bronze Age culture.

This civilization is assumed to be responsible for the creation of hundreds of stone jars of various sizes, some only three feet high, with the larger ones measuring ten feet. Archaeologists don’t yet know their true purpose or origin but there are many theories.

JCU archaeology professor and research trip organizer, Dr Nigel Chang, offers one of the more accepted explanations.

“The jars may have something to do with people burying their dead, or filling them up with crematory remains.

“The problem is the jars were discovered a long time ago by international scientists, and they’ve been known about in the country for a lot longer.

“Most of the jars have been heavily looted and are now missing a lot of artefacts, so they’re a bit of a mystery to work out what they’re for, and we don’t know who the people who made them were,” he said.

During the Vietnam War, the US military dropped more than two million tons of bombs on Laos. Today it is estimated that there are 80 million unexploded bombs still remaining in the country.

Unexploded Ordinance Teams accompanied Nigel, his students, and other researchers, clearing areas of explosives before archaeological work could begin. The process is painstaking, as Nigel says.

“Every area we work has to be cleared one way or another, by people who know what they’re doing so we don’t find unexploded bombs when we’re excavating. We do a lot of traditional surveys, walking across the land very precisely, very carefully, and that becomes much harder to do,” says Nigel.

Exchange student Julia Dunn held a poetry slam last Thursday night in a James Cook University first. 

By Jemma Boisen

The Uni Club created history last Thursday night by holding a poetry slam, organised by American exchange student Julia Dunn.

THIS SICK BEAT: Event Organiser Julie Dunn slam-dunks her poetry reading CREDIT: Luke Brooks

Julia, an environmental education major, said that poetry is something that she and her friends really enjoy at home in the United States.

“It’s been great sharing something that shows my identity and giving back to the university.”

“I hope to organize more slams before I go back home, hopefully once a month,” Miss Dunn said.

The poetry slam featured nine poets who had four to five poems written, and was hosted by JCU student and comedian from the Comedy Generation, Laurie Page.

One of the first applicants, 17 year old Chloe Dow, said the night was a major success.

“I was really happy that I made it into the second round…I feel more confident in my writing and oral skills now because of the poetry slam,” Chloe said.

The poetry slam progressed through four elimination rounds resulting in a winner, Olivia Lee Mei Lin.

Olivia, a Malaysian exchange student, experienced competitive poetry writing for the first time.

“I saw the poetry slam flyer and my friends suggested I do it.”

“This was the first time I wrote something serious,” Olivia said.

Julia received many applicants for the slam but had to turn some away due to popularity.

WORDSMITH: The Poetry Slam crowd enjoying the rhymes CREDIT: Luke Brooks

Julia hopes the next slam is bigger and better with a more vocal audience.

“Back home in New York the audience yells out and participates more with the poet,” said Julia.

To join the next poetry slam at JCU, contact Julia Dunn or look out for a new flyer posted around campus.

By Domanii Cameron

The Queensland State Government has failed to give James Cook University any reason as to why an Indigenous Representative was not appointed to the University’s Council.

It is the first time in almost 20 years that there has been an absence of indigenous representation on the Council.

JCU Council Secretary Michael Kern says it is a very disappointing matter.

“We were given no reason as to why someone wasn’t appointed,” Kern says.

“On this occasion, the government actually didn’t support our nominations, which is quite unusual.

“The two previous governments did support the recommendations.

“We have a pretty gold star process on how we choose [a candidate].

“It is very annoying.”

Mr Kern says, however,  JCU has no statutory obligations to have an indigenous representative in Council.

“The Council can still do its job.

“However it is just really important for us and the university to have an Indigenous person participating in decision making at the highest level.”

The Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Reference Group are working on developing a process that could help ensure that an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representative will be appointed in the future.

“So really now, the only avenue left for the university would be through its additional member and because of all the uncertainty that was going on in the lead up to the transitional hand over period, the Chancellor asked the Council to extend the appointment of the current additional member, Mr Ernie Landy through to the end of 2014,” Kern says.

“So potentially at the end of this process, and we now know who’s on the council.

“If there was no Indigenous representative and the Council thought that it was very important, they could well move to seek to appoint a new representative but it would require quite a deal of lobbying and support.

“I think we’re the second highest university with Indigenous enrolments.

“I think it’s a valid question to ask; why don’t we have a representative.”

Eddie Koiko Mabo Library at JCU. PHOTO CREDIT: Google Images

JCU is the only university in the Western Hemisphere who has a main library named after an indigenous member of the community.

Former advisor to the Vice Chancellor on Indigenous matters and current Adjunct Professor at JCU Gracelyn Smallwood says she is disappointed that not many people are investigating into the matter more.

“I think it’s very sad that there’s not too many people kicking up about it actually,” Smallwood says.

“I am extremely disappointed especially where there is such a major disparity between educational outcomes, between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians which is why there’s such a big promotion in government and non-government institutions about closing the gap.”

Smallwood says she is displeased regarding the current political climate.

“I would strongly advise the Council to ask why there isn’t an Indigenous representative.”

JCU Chancellor John Grey says he wasn’t impressed by the decision either.

“I think its very disappointing that we don’t have an Indigenous representative at the moment and that was the decision by the government,” Grey says.

“I’m not impressed by that especially considering our dedication towards reconciliation.”

Athletes from James Cook University are preparing to compete in men’s basketball, volleyball and mixed touch at the Northern University Games in July.

By Gabrielle Vacher

Students from JCU are spending five days of the mid-semester break contending against like-minded students from across the region in the Northern University Games on the Sunshine Coast.

The 35 JCU representatives will be competing in the men’s basketball, volleyball, and mixed touch with the anticipation of qualifying for the Australian University Games, to be held in Sydney from the 28^th September to the 3^rd October.

JCU Sport and Recreation Officer Renee Frizzell is in charge of the preparations for the Games.

“Northern University Games are quite different to the Australian University Games,” Renee says.

“The Northern, Southern and Eastern Games are regional and determine which universities will qualify for division 2 of the more popular sports at the Australian Games – netball, lawn bowls, tenpin bowling, mixed touch, men’s basketball, indoor volleyball, soccer, and hockey. The rest of division 2 is established by the teams that did well at the Australian Games the previous year.”

After placing third in division 2 at the Australian University Games grand final last year, the JCU mixed touch team automatically qualifies to compete in division 2 again in 2014.

“Despite the fact that we already qualify for the Australian Games, we’re sending a mixed touch team down with the aim of taking out the gold,” says Renee.

“Last year we lost in the Northern Games grand final against Griffith Gold Coast who along with the Queensland University of Technology will be our toughest competitors.

“Our team is stronger than last year – we have Betty Mareko who is an Australian touch representative and will be an outstanding addition.”

Although unsuccessful in 2013, Renee has high expectations for the JCU men’s basketball and volleyball team.

“We have so much new and competitive young sporting talent in the basketball team especially, I hope that the boys do well,” she says.

“Plus it really is fantastic to have a handful of athletes from Cairns competing in our volleyball team, unfortunately last year our representatives were from the Townsville campus only.”

The University Games have built an enormous reputation dubbed as one of the ‘best weeks’ of a student’s life, renowned for providing a friendly but competitive environment combining the perfect mix of athleticism, sportsmanship and opportunity to socialise with thousands of students from across Queensland and New South Wales.

Mixed touch team member Bri Rossato is thrilled to be competing in the Northern Games again.

“I went last year and had an amazing time,” Bri says.

“It’s quite similar to the Australian University Games, but with a more tight-knit group.

“It was such a great week, with decent competition and a decent bunch of people.”

For further information about the Northern University Games, visit: http://www.unisport.com.au/Pages/Home.aspx

JCU Robotics and Electronics Club had a trial run last Thursday before the Robot Race War on Friday 30th May.

By Sandra Haaland and Cornelia Koppang Henriksen

The electrical and electronic engineering students will fight with their self-built robots until the last one standing wins.

25 John Flynn College residents are fundraising to change the lives of thousands of young people living in extreme poverty.

By Gabrielle Vacher

James Cook University students fundraising for Oaktree’s Live Below the Line campaign have reached the final month of donations.

Along with thousands of Australian participants, 25 John Flynn College residents restricted themselves to eat only $2 worth of food a day between May 5^th and May 9^th to better understand and raise awareness for extreme poverty.

Although college students have little control over the meals prepared in the dining hall, Brenton Mayer and Rosie Mathews coordinated with the chefs to provide the 25 participants with five days of cheap nutrition.

“Brenton, myself and 28 others were keen to tackle the Live below the Line challenge in 2013, but we didn’t see how it would be feasible to prepare all of our meals on college with such a large group participating and such limited cooking facilities to share,” Rosie says.

“Our head chef Rob and the rest of the cooking staff were very supportive and helpful when we approached them about coordinating with us, and it was so successful last year that they were more than happy to take part take this year as well.”

Challenge: JCU students are endeavouring to ‘Live Below the Line.’

Rosie says the cooperation of the kitchen staff encouraged more students to participate.

“Knowing that the meals would be prepared for us definitely had a huge impact on the number of residents who decided to partake in the challenge,” she says.

“We students only had to organise the ingredients by pooling our money and then buying all of the food in bulk, which was split evenly between us.

“The cooks also asked us for meal ideas and the Live below the Line website provided some great recipes that we adapted, and even students from Flynn had some awesome ideas and improvements from last year.

“Most importantly, by collaborating with the kitchen staff we were able to raise so much more awareness on college as we were eating our meals at the same time and in the same place as everybody else – in the dining hall.

“We even had the chance to do some fundraising during lunch and dinner.”

Rosie believes it was the ‘simple things’ that made a difference during the five days of low-budget dieting.

“It was the cheap tea, cordial and jelly that provided something tastier to our otherwise bland menu – these were considered our ‘treats’ and the sugar hit definitely increased the moral of the group!”

“Apart from that we had ‘no brand’ bread, jam, and butter to share for the week, as well as some corn flakes for breakfast and rice, pasta and frozen vegetables for dinner,” Rosie says.

John Flynn College residents Sky Brunker and Emma Green struggled to find the energy for sport and physical activity throughout the five-day challenge.

“Receiving only carb-based foods for every meal affected me, as the change was so rapid and I was no longer receiving the essential vitamins and nutrients I needed,” Sky says.

“My immune system become quite vulnerable and I fell sick towards the end of the trial.

“The biggest problem was then how much the diet affected my ability to do physical activity – I would become instantly light-headed and if I continued I would become quite nauseous.”

“We really did eat so much white bread and rice!” says Emma.

“Overall it wasn’t as bad as I expected, particularly considering our college did it in a large group – it is easier having people to do it with you.

“I really missed fruit and vegetables though, and it was definitely a struggle to play sport.”

The Live below the Line movement is run by Oaktree, Australia’s largest youth-run organisation with over 150,000 members and funded almost entirely by public donations.

Since 2010 it has grown into a multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign that dedicates 90.1 per cent of all money raised to those living in poverty by providing scholarships, renovating schools and training teachers to offer quality education for thousands of young people in East Timor, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.

Rosie, Sky and Emma agree that the campaign is one of the best ways to raise awareness for extreme poverty.

“It was a massive eye opener for me to consider how many people live on less than this for a lot longer than five days,” Sky says.

“It is an amazing cause that is changing so many lives for the better and I would definitely encourage more people to participate.”

“Even though living on $2 of food a day is clearly not in any way close to simulating the lives of people living in extreme poverty, it does release a strong message,” Rosie says.

“The World Bank estimates that extreme poverty may be eliminated by 2030, so if Oaktree can spread awareness and trigger some much needed action then this is certainly a worthwhile cause!”

Support the Oaktree Live below the Line campaign by making a donation to your fellow University peers at: https://www.livebelowtheline.com.au/ – donations close Friday 30^th June.

Sport at James Cook University becomes as intense as the study workload as the end of semester nears.

By Gabrielle Vacher.

Fisher Shield:

Water Polo held on Sunday 30^th March was the third Fisher Shield sporting final of 2014.

University Hall dominated in both matches, defeating Saint Paul’s College in the women’s competition and George Roberts Hall in the men’s.

“Uni Hall may have taken out the guy’s and the girl’s competition, but we did do a lot of training to get there,” says member of the female water polo team, Charley Bond.

“Sanders was an excellent coach for the guys and co-coach with Emily Dearling for the girls.

“The girls versed Saint Paul’s in the finals and it was very tough, but we really pulled it together in the second half.

“Both the guys and the girls were also the minor premiers of the carnival, and we never finished a game over the weekend with less than 12 goals to our team.

“Everyone played so well, and thankfully there were no injuries this year!”

Upon the introduction of Fisher Shield Cricket in 2014, the George Roberts Hall females and University Hall males were titled the first ever cricket champions after defeating the St Marks females and George Roberts Hall men at the finals on Sunday 25^th May.

Captain of the winning female cricket team Imagion Brauer says she is thrilled with the outcome of the match.

“We were going into the final undefeated so we were feeling pretty confident, but we knew that the game against St Marks was going to be a tight match,” says Imagion.

“We batted first and ended up putting 63 runs onto the score board for St Marks to chase, with Talia batting so well she had to retire – she really stepped up when some of our first batters got out quickly.

“When we went into field Steph Clay and Katii Batty took some early and crucial wickets and Sarah Bensted also bowled two girls out.

“In the end we bowled the entire Marks team out before they ran out of overs, so it was a pretty convincing win.

“I’d say Katii Batty was our most valuable player, but every single one of the girls was absolutely incredible considering I was the only one who had played some cricket before the comp.”

Semester 1 Fisher Shield finished with a bang at the Rugby Finals on Friday 30^th May.

JCU Sport and Recreation Officer and organiser of sporting events Renee Frizzell says the crowds are always entertaining.

“With four different colleges competing I knew that the finals were going to draw an enormous, animated crowd,” says Renee.

The Uni Hall males defeated St Marks 23-7, while the St Paul’s females dominated 17-5 in their match against John Flynn College.

Interfaculty Sport:

The Interfaculty Touch finals held on Thursday April 3^rd determined that the Law, Business & Creative Arts females exhibited the most sporting prowess on the touch field, while the Engineering Science males celebrated their touch football talent after their triumphant match.

Semester 1 Interfaculty Sport then culminated after the soccer finals on Friday 23^rd May, awarding the Public Health, Tropical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sciences females and the Arts, Education and Social Sciences males the winning titles.

Social Sport:

Social touch football, netball and soccer ended on Monday 26^th May, while the social volleyball finals held on Thursday 29^th May closed all social sport for semester 1.

Modern-day Lent has prompted even non-religious individuals to make lifestyle changes and achieve personal goals during the 40 day fasting period.

By Gabrielle Vacher

This Thursday 16^th April will mark the close of Lent 2014*, a religious observance traditionally practiced by Christians who recognise and reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

For many, however, Lent serves as an incentive to transform and improve their life over the 40-day period.

Sacrifice: Giving up chocolate for Lent, a 40 day preparation for Easter.
Image by: http://www.mslimalicious.com/2012/05/weight-in-disaster-must-quit-chocolate.html

Vet student Emily Pucciarmati has decided to give up fast food for the benefit of her health, and her bank account.

“I hated the way fast food made me feel, and I always regretted eating it,” Emily says.

“It really is too easy to buy, especially when you’re surrounded by Uni students who want to do those sneaky late night takeaway runs!

“Surprisingly, I haven’t found it difficult at all, and I haven’t cheated once.

“It takes 21 days to make a habit and the Lent period has made a non-fast food diet achievable for me! I’m pretty proud of myself.”

Emma Barbagallo, a Speech Pathology student and resident at George Roberts College, has chosen to walk to class instead of driving.

“It seemed like a good idea to do a bit of walking for exercise,” Emma says.

“I have cheated on days where I’ve had to see clients at Uni, although only because I’ve had a lot of things to take with me. Plus, it’s been difficult when I’m running late, or if it’s raining.

“I would really like to try to maintain the habit even after Lent finishes next week, although sometimes it really is easier to drive.”

Engineering student Caitlin Aguirre is sacrificing chocolate over the 40-day period.

“There is no Christian reason behind my decision. I just want to challenge myself,” Caitlin says.

Duchesne College in Brisbane intend to benefit others through their combined choice to give up ice-cream.

“My entire college has stopped eating ice cream,” Genevieve says.

“Admittedly, it’s killing me! But the money we save will be donated to a charity, so it is for a good cause.”

Catholic School Student Gabriella Dal Santo has an alternative outlook toward Lent.

“I tried giving up cake, which then led to giving up only chocolate cake, which even then I blew under the stress of school exams!” Gabriella says.

“To me, it’s the thought that counts. Even failing to fully replicate the hardship Jesus Christ faced during the 40 days he spent in the desert is still a way to recognise the pain and suffering he faced.”

Regardless of whether an individual practices Lent for religious reasons or for the shear benefit of improving their life, the 40-day fasting period clearly helps us to become more spiritually mindful with the bonus of eliminating a couple of bad habits at the same time.

*Following the liturgical abbreviations of the Second Vatican Council in the Roman Catholic Church, Lent, in the Catholic Church, is now taken to end on Maundy Thursday rather than Easter Eve, and hence lasts 38 days excluding Sundays, or 44 days in total.

by Leilani Waters

Massage Therapy is a beneficial form of relaxation that is often overlooked despite it’s proven benefits to both physical and mental health.

Photo Credit: Tara Angkor Hotel

Physiotherapy students are participating in a Thursday afternoon massage clinic available to staff, students and the public to broaden their skills and provide relaxation for anyone.

The clinic organizer Ms Sue Barrs says the clinic is not only about providing physiotherapy students with experience in real life situations, but also an option for people to come and relax.

“The clinic was really related to the needs of JCU staff and also to help scaffolding, learning, and to help students be able to apply and consolidate their skills,” the organizer says.

“It’s more of a relaxation massage than a remedial one.

“You definitely get a psychological benefit because it can be relaxing itself and depending on if the performance of the massage is nice and slow and rhythmical it lulls you into that relaxed state, and you can leave with a clearer mind really,” she says.

Constant use of computers and other IT items such as iPads or laptops can lead to a lot of tension and muscle pain.

Ms Barrs says that these pains are common among students and many others.

“Because of the electronic age, everyone is on laptops and iPads and you can’t have an ideal set up with a desktop,” she says.

“You’ll find [students] are probably sprawled on their beds learning, or curled up in a chair which doesn’t necessarily lend itself to posture.

“I think most of [the problems] tend to be due to stress and ergonomics, incorrect position of things at a desk.

“We see a lot of neck, shoulders, and upper back tenseness coming in to be treated alongside other things as well,” Ms Barr says.

Libby Hackwood, a massage therapist of twelve years, says that most of the clients she sees suffer pains due to excessive work on computers.

“I do a lot of remedial work and a common problem I see are sore shoulders and necks because of constant computer work,” Libby says.

A lot of research points to the many benefits of massage beyond being physically stimulating; including, boosting the immune system, reducing anxiety, and even helping ease headaches.

“When your body feels better then of course it will make your brain feel better,” Libby says.

“Depending on the pain or how it’s assessed some people should really have themselves seen to once a week.”

“Nobody has a regular massage because unfortunately, it’s the cost.

“People don’t necessarily perceive it as something worthy of spending that kind of money on, which is a shame because it’s one of the best ways of looking after yourself.”

James Cook University offers its own massage clinic to staff and students for as little as $10 for staff and $5 for students.

To find out more or book an appointment, contact JCU Health on, 4759 6300.