2014 USU CIDER REVIEW

First there was the landmark Queer Review. Then there was the Transparency Review. Now the Union Board of Directors brings you the Cider Review. On the 14^th August 2014, Alisha Aitken-Radburn and Kade Denton tried all of the ciders at Manning Bar. These were their live findings, no edits have been made:

Kade and Alisha on the ground conducting research

JS Orchard Crush - $6.80 Non-ACCESS (N/A) - $5.80 ACCESS (A)

Kade – With the first, timid mouthful Orchard Crush tastes very similar to how I imagine my personality will be when I reach 75 – dry and bitter. I really have nothing against Orchard Crush, I mean it’s a nice drink and all but it’s probably one for when you’re feeling happy and just don’t want to feel much happier.

Alisha – This is a hard one. As the first cider of the night, I sit here – nervous. I am nervous because I think this one may be my fave of the entire review. The first sip hits me like a friendly slap to face. It is tangy, tart and just that little bit sour all at the same time. The perfect beverage to drink listening to some Destiny's Child when you’re just a little bit rundown. 

5 Seeds - $6.10 N/A - $5.20 A

Kade – While having a scent that could only be described as “quite urine-y” - 5 Seeds definitely delivers in the taste department, with a sweet, smooth and ultimately non-offensive mouth of juice. If you’re in for a big night then this is probably one for the long haul.

Alisha – 5 Seeds is incredibly disappointing.* It would have been the drink of choice when I sneaked in underage to Greenwood had Vodka Raspberries not existed. I feel like I’m drinking one of those flavoured Pump waters and I’m definitely not here with the intent to be hydrated. It’s weak. It’s boring and I’m just not into it.

* In the interest of transparency – I ate some spicy buffalo wings in between the tasting of Orchard Crush and 5 Seeds.

Editor note: I do not accept responsibility for the comments below

Pipsqueak - $7.40 N/A - $6.30 A

Kade – Like a well endowed man and a huff of amyl, Pipsqueak Cider definitely hits the spot. It's fantastic. That’s really the only way to describe this cider. It’s sweet but not too sweet, a little fancy but not too fancy, and just rolls down your throat like an angel lightly sobbing into your mouth. I can’t recommend this drink enough. I love it. I’d even bath in it if bathing in enjoyable ciders were a socially acceptable act. 10/10.

Alisha – It’s good. It’s got way more body than 5 Seeds, while not being as super heavy as Orchard Crush. It’s close, but no cigar. I’m still preferencing Orchard Crush because it is very supportive, like a close friend – but alcohol. Pipsqueak is doing nothing to support me through the inadequacy I am feeling sitting on Manning Verandah next to an amalgamation of the Literary Society and Arts Review talking indepth about Opera Australia’s adaptation of Don Giovanni (apparently it was shit.)

Kirin Ume - $11 N/A - $9.30 A

Kade – I’m not quite sure where my pants went but something tells me that this Kirin drink removed them for me with its deliciously smooth tones. Kirin is nearly so smooth that I missed how the alcoholic punch is mysteriously absent and I probably couldn’t tell the difference between this cider and a watered down bottle of generic apple juice. I’m deeply unsure about what Umi is and why it’s been included in this drink, but I’m thankful that I can’t taste this apparent Japanese apricot. It’s probably (and by probably I mean definitely) not worth the $11 I just spent on this drink. Yes I was too drunk at the bar to remember to use my access card but whatever, don’t judge me.

Alisha – Okay Kade spelt Umi wrong it’s Ume pls. Before I tasted Kirin, like any good cider connoisseur I swirled and enjoyed it’s perfume.  The Japanese apricot smelt super delish.  Kirin has taken my cider experience to the nek level. You know how people talk about parties in mouths? Kirin is SUBSKI. Get amongst it.

I’ve delegated the task of rating to Patrick Morrow (President of SUDS, Expert on Stonefruit) and he rates Kirin a 4.3/5

Kirin Mandarin - $11 N/A - $9.30 A

Kade – At first sniff the Mandarin version of the very smooth Kirin has distinct fragrances of a vodka cruiser. The taste of vodka is an exciting prospect after so much cider. Turns out it wasn’t vodka.

Alisha – I don’t like it. What are you doing a mandarin and a cider what are you doing maehelkjas;\

The end result

If you would like to take part in the process of this review, please contact Kade and Alisha via email - k.denton@usu.edu.au / a.aitken-radburn@usu.edu.au

The University of Sydney Union encourages the responsible consumption of alcohol.

THE CLOSURE OF WOM*N ONLY SERVICES

In recent weeks, the Board has been contemplating the values we will hold throughout our 2014-2015 term. Given the constitutional commitment of the USU to welfare, particular attention was paid to valuing justice, safety and inclusivity. These principles, amongst others, will guide our decision-making to ensure the relevance of the Union in an increasingly diverse community.

It is in this context that we consider the recent NSW Government’s ‘Going Home, Staying Home’ reforms, which may come to jeopardise the safety of wom*n-identifying members of the USU community. We do not purport to be your source of information on policy and politics – but when our community is threatened, we hope to give them a voice.

In March, tender packages for homelessness services were released for inner Sydney, with only $1.1 million specified for wom*n experiencing domestic and family violence. The overall reduction of $6 million for Sydney, with the view to redistributing it across the State, leaves no specific funding for services catering to wom*n who are ‘homeless or at risk of homelessness, who have experienced childhood sexual assault, abuse or neglect, mental health and/or drug and alcohol issues, or for women leaving custody’, SOS Women’s Services reports. For wom*n fleeing domestic violence, discrimination or hardship, these services are of vital assistance.

Photo credit: Student's for Wom*n's Only Services

Sussan, a current student, notes that ‘without those wom*n-only services, I would probably be homeless, not in uni and probably starving’. She also attributes her success in her HSC year to the care and support of the wom*n in her Erskineville refuge. ‘They taught us how to budget, and now I have my own household… They always, always encouraged me to study, they helped me apply for scholarships – they got me into Sydney Uni.’

Summer, having received support from both mixed and wom*n’s-only refuges, compares her experiences and notes that in the latter, the wom*n receiving help knew ‘what they were worth’ and ‘what the possibilities could be’ in situations of pregnancy, violence, mental illness and substance abuse.

‘[They] taught me to always believe in the ability to make choices for you, and that’s what these refuges are about – that they can make their own choices and ones that fit for them. That’s the long-term goal.’

For the shelters that do remain open, many will be altered in nature and composition. Elsie’s, the first wom*n’s-only refuge and established by University of Sydney students, is being subsumed by St Vincent de Paul and will no longer be able to guarantee that all service providers are wom*n. Sussan commented that all-female support was of crucial importance ‘because all the males in my life had let me down’.

Like Elsie’s, many shelters across Sydney will be put under the control and administration of religious institutions such as Mission Australia. For those who flee homes of a particular religion, ‘it is threatening if the only place of potential safety is preaching the same message as their parents’, says Summer.

The planned shift of these services away from inner Sydney may also prove demotivating, isolating and alienating. The movement away from high-quality physical and mental health services, transport hubs, good schools and universities ‘will make their wom*n who struggle to find inspiration ten times harder’, says Summer. ‘It perpetuates the cycle. It’s all about the location’.

‘For us to open up about these things is so difficult.’

Students for Wom*n’s Only Services (SWOS), a group of students fighting against the reforms at the University, are encouraging students ‘to be at the forefront of the wom*n’s refuge movement by fighting for their independence’.

For more information on the reforms and how to assist the campaign against them, contact SWOS at https://www.facebook.com/swossydney?fref=ts, SOS Women’s Services at http://www.soswomensservices.com, or Kate Bullen (USU Wom*n's Portfolio Holder) k.bullen@usu.edu.au. 

If you are experiencing abuse or hardship, the University’s Counselling and Psychological Services can be contacted on (02) 8627 8433. Alternatively, the Board are always available to put you in contact with the relevant resources and service providers.

LIV RONAN

BOARD DIRECTOR

INTRODUCING YOUR 2014 - 2015 QUEER PORTFOLIO HOLDER

Hello glorious membership, 

I’m Liam Carrigan, the Queer Portfolio Holder for the 2014-2015 Board. 

It’s my responsibility to ensure that the interests, welfare and needs of every queer student on campus are considered by our organization in every decision we make. That means no matter what shade of the rainbow you identify with or where you fall on the gender spectrum I’m here to champion you and that’s a privilege I really cherish.

University for queer students is an intimidating experience.  Even though it’s a common perception that Universities are progressive havens for students in contrast to the battleground that high school often is, there are still regular reports of queerphobic violence and language on campus. Discrimination and misinformation is still rife, which often proves socially isolating for many students at what is a time to test boundaries, experiment and discover one’s identity. These barriers are even more pronounced for ethno-cultural students, rural students, wom*n identifying students and trans students. Whatever your background or identity the USU is committed to providing a safe and inclusive community on campus.    

I personally understand the immensely positive impact the incredible diversity, spirit and colour the queer community on campus can have on a students time here. For the first time in my life aspects of my identity I had taught to be ashamed of were celebrated and accepted by the friends I made and experiences I had within the union. I spent my first year on campus as part of the SHADES executive; easily the best society on campus. SHADES host social events for queer people and every party they have held has had a special place in my heart. Also being a cast member of the 2013 Queer Revue and its tour to Melbourne was easily the most challenging and enriching thing I did in my first year if you exclude the fact I had to perform in my underwear on roller-skates.

I’m not going to lie: I’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill. After years of inactivity the Queer Portfolio experienced a renaissance under the leadership of my predecessor, Robby Magyar. Just some of his achievements include providing funding for ten delegates to Queer Collaborations, advocating for and instating the first gender-neutral bathroom in a union building. With Robby I will fight to ensure that there is at least one gender-neutral bathroom in every union building. Most impressively, Robby undertook a comprehensive, landmark Queer Review that provided extensive recommendations and worthy insights for our communities place within the Union.

My vision for the portfolio includes consultation with the Queer Collective, which meet every Monday at 1pm in the Queer Space, to ensure I’m being held to account by my community. Make sure you come along if you identify as queer. The collective have also started an autonomous non-cis males group, Queerkats, who meet every Thursday at 1pm. I’m also intending to advocate for the mandatory inclusion of Queer officers in all faculty societies, taking action on the recommendations of the Queer Review and looking into issues of autonomy and queer representation within the Union. I’m also going to be running a campaign with the Wom*n’s Portfolio Holder, Kate Bullen, based on critiquing discriminatory or offensive language within the University community. Finally I’d love to look into providing more comprehensive orientation for new queer students to ensure everyone when feels welcome and supported as soon as they step onto campus.

Finally it couldn’t be a better time to be queer on campus. Thanks to the incredible hard work of our Queer Events Coordinators Alex Daly and Eloise Layard this week is awash with rainbows as we celebrate Pride Festival. There are some incredible events lined up: the upcoming 2014 queer revue ‘The Dykemare before Christmas’ will be providing us with a sneak preview, Crafternoons and consent workshops abound and we will be capping it off with SHADES ‘Back to School Party’. Check at the full program at: http://usu.edu.au/Bars-Events/Festivals/Pride-Festival.aspx

We are already a two days in – getting lightly hit by a bus unfortunately delayed the writing of this blog post! 

No matter who you are or who you love your USU supports you, so come celebrate!

I’ll see you at the next SHADES party,

Liam Carrigan

Queer Portfolio Holder – Board Director