Web Designer(s)
Do you enjoy making websites that are simple, fun and great looking? The Promotions and Publications team is looking for people that have experience in website and IT development (coding and presentation) to be part of the Subcommittee for Convention 2013. The role will involve development of the awesome 2013 website, liaising with the management committee, as well as a number of other super secret but very exciting projects. If you think you are the person to make Gold Coast Convention look amazing to the world then send an application of 150 words or less topromotions@convention2013.amsa.org.au

Graphic Designer(s)
Do you find yourself doodling when you really should be studying and have experience with graphic design? If you do then you might be the perfect person for the role as assistant Graphic Designer for the Promotions and Publications Subcommittee. The role will involve working with the Subcommittee to create promotional material, branding and the public image of Convention 2013. You will work closely with the Publications Officer to output amazing graphical elements for the lead up and during the week of Convention. If you think you are the person to make Gold Coast Convention look graphically amazing then send an application of 150 words or less to publications@convention2013.amsa.org.au

Video Working Group
Every AMSA Convention has a promotional video that captures the enthusiasm of the next Convention. The Promotions team is currently looking for creative individuals that may have experience with video production and want to be part of the video working group for 2013. The role will involve working in a team to assist with the production of promotional videos for AMSA Convention 2013. If you think you are the person to make Gold Coast Convention look visually stimulating then send an application of 150 words or less to promotions@convention2013.amsa.org.au

Promotions Team
Do you find yourself overly excitable when it comes to hyping an event? The Promotions and Publications Subcommittee is currently looking for individuals to become a part of the promotions for Convention 2013. The role will involve working in a team which aims to think of different and exciting ideas for attracting the medical students of Australia and New Zealand to Convention. Creativity and thinking out of the box is a must! If you think you are the person to make Gold Coast Convention look, sound and fell incredible then send an application of 150 words or less to promotions@convention2013.amsa.org.au

There are very limited places for these workshops, so check out the attached information and apply fast!

GHC Information 1

GHC Information 2

Centre for Medicine and Oral Health

GH1 room 7.30 - 3.30pm-5:30pm
AGENDA

1. Apologies; welcome to new members
2. Business arising from previous minutes – 27 September 2011

• 2011 results
  • Everyone passed
  • In fact, some passed who would have needed a special exam without the boost they received from                 preparation/engagement
  • 2 from 2nd year
  • 8 from 1st year
  • Preparation and engagement has been reviewed and variability between tutor marking has been resolved.
• Timetabling: template and responsibilities
  • template instigated
  • provided syncing and priority improvementsal
  • so a clear responsibility for timetabling has been established
  • so far there has been no cases of students being at a lecture and the lecturer not showing up
• Google Docs
  • moved to this process
  • plan to  review how it is going
  • feedback provided that some groups have moved to using things like drop box instead
  • action item, obtain feedback from students and look at having a meeting with IT department as to options
• Case wraps
  • Now going to include questions from PBL groups on the discussion board
  • Discussion can go beyond just the case wrap by using the discussion board
• Y1
  • Orientation
    • Feedback sought
  • Indigenous Health and Medicine
    • Suggested more of a health focus for next session
• Y2
  • Reordered blocks
  • Neuro/Muscular, question as to whether can split?
  • Staff advised
  • Suggestion to split some of the larger cases into two smaller cases
  • Accords with similar feedback from PBL tutors

3. Updates from interim meetings

This body will no longer meet monthly and instead meet 2 more times this year. Instead, the student representatives will meet with Jeff monthly to discuss issues and involve other academic staff as necessary

4. Reports from academic and assessment leads

• D+P
  • 1st Year
    • Basic communication has been really goodRequest of more content for communication sessions will be actioned
  • 2nd Year
    • a-ok
• DLEPP
  • Nothing to add
• Assessment
  • Prof Ken Donald will be running focus groups on improving assessments
  • Marks will now only be released as percentages and ranks will be no longer posted
• DHC
  • No report
• DKHI
  • Nothing to add
• Anatomy
  • Nothing to add

5. Feedback from student representatives

• 2nd Year
  • Ambulance placements
    • Weekends are difficult for some students, any chance for change?Not much academic staff can do, lucky to even have these placements
  • Google Docs
    • Some people prefer to use dropbox
    • Jeff suggested holding a meeting with IT in the near future and for year representatives to seek student feedback
  • More Lectures
    • Feedback requesting a baseline on certain issues
    • Jeff mentioned to ask for a lecture on something and he can organize it
    • Qualified this by saying that case wrap is a good opportunity to follow up these issues
  • Student access to tutor notes from PBL
    • Emphatic ‘no’ from academic staff on this issue
    • PBL presentations are apparently a higher quality
  • Anatomy
    • Suggestion of upper limb/lower limb anatomy lecture before the anatomy lab
    • Acknowledged by academic staff that aim is to have the lecture before the lab
• 1st Year
  • feedback mostly provided at recent face to face session

6. Items to be discussed:

• Problem listing in PBLs
  • Tool to aid clinical reasoning in PBLs
  • Considering implementing at some point, further investigation needed
• Student-run clinical skills revisions (Adam Jackson)
  • Feedback provided from student representatives
  • Feedback will also be sought from Adam Jackson
• Rural and Remote Health and Medicine
  • Future symposium for 2nd year students
• 2013
  • More a consolidation year
  • The move to the new hospital will be a major focus
  • Improving PBL process is also a goal
  • Survey on assessment feedback

7. Other business

In order to make 2013 an incredible experience for all delegates, work needs to begin immediately. For this reason, the Academic Convenors would like to open applications to any students wishing to be a part of the Academic Subcommittee. You will be involved in the creation of the Academic program for Convention, including organising speakers, workshops, field trips and competitions. While the position comes with a significant workload, being a part of the Academic Subcommittee will be an exceptionally rewarding experience. As such, we are looking for applicants who are committed, enthusiastic and hard working to join our team.

This is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To apply, please outline (in approximately 250 words) why you are applying, what you will bring to the team, and any relevant experience you have.

Comparisons to demonic powers damned to the fires of eternal hell aside, I was extremely excited to secure Claire for this date; and with the witticisms and amusing anecdotes such an acquisition would bring. Upon lighting the beacon of truth and goodness in to guide our way through Australia Fair, our path through the infernal blackness was elucidated, leading to the sanctuary of VIP Coffee, conveniently adjacent to K-Mart. Quite remote from the hustle and bustle of the shopping centre, the cafe boasts seclusive booths and a pleasant view over the broadwater.

Approaching the counter, which was serviced by a very friendly gentleman esquire, Claire and I made the following orders:

Claire: • Banana Cake $3.95

• Strawberry Frappe $5.00

Elliot: • VIP Breakfast $11.90

•Chai Latte. $4.50

Although not the most expensive orders I have placed as a part of this cafe review series, the above amounts represented a fairly hefty sum. Upon analysis of my own order, it would be immediately obvious to my entire readership that the cost of said meal equated to approximately 25 packets of Mi Goreng, the universal student currency. Oh, how many world problems would be solved by the use of Mi Goreng as a means of legitimate payment…..

Naturally, Claire picked the most romantic locale in VIP Coffee for our forthcoming meal – one of the partly secluded booths that were hidden from prying eyes – and we certainly felt like very important people in this royal spot. Indeed, this appropriately titled cafe was a haven of luxury, where one could enjoy the comfort of spacious booths to shield them from passing paparazzi, or delight in the glorious views projecting onto the glistening and ethereal-like presence of the broadwater.

Our drinks were brought over to us promptly; even though the cafe was reasonably stocked with other patrons we received our beverages in an efficient manner befitting people, such as us, important enough to bask in the glory of secret booths. Appropriately following our drinks, and with minimal ceremony, our meals were brought to us on a silver platter.

Firstly to my ceremonious offerings, the layout of the royal meal was dapper and subtle in its beauty. The eggs were arranged into rectangles, complementing the neat assortment of the baked beans and bacon – and it must be related here that the bacon looked superb, you could see the tenderness! My lady even made a comment expressing astonishment at the grace of the pig-meat. However, to disrupt these pleasant relations, I was mildly offended and grossly indignant to observe two pieces of toasted, non-gluten free bread getting comfortable with the eggs – even though I had previously expressly asked for this wheat-ridden, singed disgrace to be withheld from poisoning my meal. Claire was incensed; I had to restrain her in order to prevent the escape of her unabated fury on a nearby family of three. Upon eventually meeting the gentle stroke of calmness, Countess McAllister gladly helped herself to my toast, which was much appreciated by yours truly. She dismayed to think that such a mistake could be made in this castle – she begged me to imagine what would have happened if  the toast was deadly, I would not have survived the contamination! She was right, over-cooked bread could kill a man, and it has done so before.

The banana cake was nothing special, Claire enunciated to me, and she further stated that the baking of this item could easily be achieved by her – which made me consider foregoing any more cafe reviews in order to conduct similar assessments of Claire’ culinary skills. From my perspective, the banana cake was also tiny – I could quite easily swallow it whole! Claire further dismayed at the humbleness of her frappe, describing its unambitious and plain countenance, which in my opinion was not an appropriate drink for a lady of Claire’s qualities.

It further disappointed me that my meal and drink were both very scrumptious – as her humble squire, it would have been a delight to feast on a sub-standard morsel in order for Claire to enjoy the delights VIP Coffee had to offer. However, this was not the case, and I buried my face in eggs, bacon and beans, whilst Claire painfully looked on with tears of anguish sliding slowly down her face. My meal was certainly as good as it looked, with the food providing a very comforting embrace, and filled me with delightful sustenance that put me in pleasing comfort. The chai latte was an excellent royal escort to the main serenade; providing dashes of sweet and flirtatious pleasure betwixt the rampant consumption of the main cuisine.

Yet another place I have found in the haunting midst of Australia Fair where delight can be had at a semi-reasonable price! I have renewed faith in humanity. I would recommend this eatery for a nicer locale to take that special someone, if nothing better is around…. and for some reason you are conducting a date in Australia Fair. Although, if this is true, you probably won’t be together for much longer, and VIP Coffee also offers a nice setting for independent soul-searching/crying.

DISCLAIMER: This ‘Cafe Review Series’ are designed to introduce local cafes to Griffith medical students in a light-hearted and entertaining manner. The stories are based around the truth (in that I at least attended these establishments!), though I never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Murmur Issue One 2012

For those who are not familiar with the history of the on-going roadwork’s in the area, which both delights and fascinates your average Southportian, the hard-working and dapper construction workers have for the last few months enthralled the entrance to Mason’s. Such a constructive-calamity rendered Mason’s practically hidden from the outside world, and as a result has struggled for business of late, besides the occasional fluoro-orange-clad buffoon; who exposes a generous eye-full of bum crack, which, no matter how many times you cross yourself and pray for deliverance, burns a morbid imprint on to your retinas for the rest of the day.

But to crack on with the review. Now fully operating and more exposed to the glistening streets of uptown Southport than a builder’s backside on Friday afternoon’s fourth smoko, Mason’s restored my confidence in humanity. This subtle diner tickled my nostalgia for a sweetly tucked-away Melbourne cafe that lurks in the shroud of the city, waiting to welcome the desperate cafe-conquistador. Such was the atmosphere of the establishment. Decorated with post-cards thrown on the walls, and adorned by gig advertisements throughout the store, Mason’s offered an alternative and funky treat to this diner. With old-time telephones, weighers and coffee-machines littered around the store, the seemingly careless arrangement of the coffee-house combined in harmony to weave an inviting tune; complemented by displays of European and new-age art, this eclectic orgy of visual delight was enough to get this author’s cafe-related awe elevated to heights never experienced on the GC.

Along with my mother (Kym) and sister (Ayla), we positioned ourselves at an inside table at the back of Mason’s, next to a window spying the magnificence of the Southport Towers, akin to the glory of Isengard and Barad-dur. From this ethereal opening to the outside world a delightful breeze cooled us down as we escaped the Gold Coast sun (the star, not AFL team). Following a look at the menu, a very friendly lady greeted us to take our orders in a perfectly timed manner (table service!) – And I would like to take this moment to alert the reader to the new category of ‘Service’ in this edition as a testament to the excellence received here; and partly due to a massive oversight on the original rating system thanks to your humble fabulist. Orders placed were:

Ayla: • Chips. $5.50

• Iced Coffee. $4.20

Elliot: • Caesar Salad with Chicken minus croutons. $13.00

•Chai smoothie. $5.00

Kym: • Bottle of Orange Juice. $3.50

• Elliot’s company. Priceless

We now had time to cast our critical eyes over the rich tapestry of our environment, which has been previously described. Mason’s also offered self-service water stations that were very much appreciated by the guests in the tepid heat. Whilst in this interlude awaiting our meals, we took the time to engage in discourse on various social and political issues, as is the fashion. I offered the majority of the intellectual cuisine, discussing influential topics such as The Wall Street and the state of various arguments in other parts of the world, designed to entertain all, which seemed to be met with general delight by my fellow cafe-goers. Indeed, my debonair style of conversing along with the weight of the issues deliberated upon enthralled my sister so much that she lost her concentration – her gaze being transferred upon one of the fine paintings offered by Mason’s for a good 20 minutes; and my mother, weighed by the sophistication of the discourse, had to distract herself by reading the exquisite magazine on offer in the cafeteria. Unfortunately, with great sadness to my family, the conversation was not allowed to flourish, as our waiter brought our drinks over, shortly followed by our meals in well-rehearsed timing.

Turning the reviewer’s attention to the culinary delight awaiting us, both the drinks and meals were certainly of generous size – and they had to be, due to their respective prices. As illustrated above, and though the prices were not expensive by any means, they weren’t cheap – though I’d invite the reader to take this assessment with a pinch of salt, as I cringe at paying over $3.00 for a bottle of wine….. what of it? But I digress once more, and I can report that the beverages were enjoyed by all – the OJ was as ordered, the iced coffee was served with a generous topping of cream, and the chai smoothie was huge and offered a unique flavour. Actually, to expand on the smoothie, it wasn’t actually as good as hoped. Though I like chai tea, I found the smoothie creation slightly bland and lacking in alluring taste.

However, I was mightily pleased with the cuisine. The bowl of chips was massive, and tasted great when stolen from my sister – served with a dash of crime. Further, the chicken Caesar salad was sublime and filled me with comfort and satisfaction, as well as chicken and lettuce. It really did taste very nice, and was one of the better leafy meal varieties I have had the pleasure to chow down on – even taking into account the fact it was served with no egg! This outrageous scandal was dissipated by the fine taste of the offering, and subdued my desire to violently throw our table at the family quietly supping close by. Putting my shirt back on that I ripped off in my blood lust, I greedily satisfied my burning hunger, and was very happy with the overall experience at Mason’s – even though letting the waiters known I was reviewing the establishment did not result in a discount.

DISCLAIMER: This ‘Cafe Review Series’ are designed to introduce local cafes to Griffith medical students in a light-hearted and entertaining manner. The stories are based around the truth (in that I at least attended these establishments!), though I never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

First Year Representative

• Nidhi Krishnan – Application
  
• Mikaela Seymour – Application
• Warren Fayers – Application
• Tommy Brennan – Application
• Siobhan Fitzpatrick – Application

Representatives who have been elected unopposed:

Second Year Representative: Eriko Yamashita

Third Year Representatives: Jonathan Davies and Stefanie Tran

Fourth Year Representatives: Justine Cain and Icchya Shrestha

Voting will be held at the next open meeting at 5pm this Wednesday 15th February, on Level 5 GH1.
All are welcome! Those who cannot attend are able to vote by proxy. Thanks for your time!

Kind regards,

Stefanie Tran
Advocacy Officer

The AGH Committee is currently seeking a Vice Chair and a Campaigns Officer.Additionally, the AGH Committee is seeking National Project Coordinators for ‘Red Party’ and ‘Crossing Borders for Health’.

For more information, or to apply for a position, please read the document below.

AGH Midterm Elections Application Package

As you no doubt recall from my previous review, I was enjoying the sophisticated musings of Jen ‘Superstar’ McAuliffe (previous GUMS Academic Representative) whilst on our spicy and tantalising date. Having departed from the ever thrifty Ohhh Japanese Bento, we went on the hunt for some ice-cream.

Despite strolling around the greater Southport shopping district for a significant length of time, we found absolutely no ice cream. Not even a suggestion of gourmet ice-cream, gelato or any related frozen treats. What kind of infernal place doesn’t have multitudes of chilled delight available for the ravenous public? I mean, we live in Queensland for pity’s sake – it’s hot here. It’s not necessary to have four festering and repugnant kebab shops on the main drag that offers hot and sticky morsels of derogatory and heinous servings that have the same taste consistency as steamed leather covered in fat. Surely a refreshing ice-cream parlour would take priority over these cess-pits of loathsome wraps that cover strips of meat that have been rotting in the open air? Disgraceful.

Throughout my lamentations and pious calls for help from the All Mighty, Jen kept a positive attitude and suggested we simply go for a coffee and cake. Things then suddenly took a turn for the worse. Within seconds, with my senses escaping me, we found ourselves in…… Australia Fair. The blood-curdling cries of children escaping the vulgarity of their parents pierced my ears as I wretched back in horror at this new hell. Drunks from the night before stumbled around the shopping mart in a state of ruthless and demonic rage, threatening the very fibres of human dignity. A sixteen year old mother of three vomiting in Cotton On; I am not ever going back… not ever. However, though I was in a mortal struggle between good and evil, Jen valiantly lead me through the flames and anguish of human despair to a Mecca in Hell.

Cafe Moccachino’s is perhaps the only tolerable cafe in Australia Fair, if you are willing to trek through the plague of human excrement that populates the shopping centre. The cafe is located in the ever-busy food court, but thankfully it is not too crowded in this very modern, very chic and well decorated establishment. The aesthetic of Cafe Moccachino’s certainly paints a strict contrast to the despair that accompanies most stores in the backwater of Southport, which certainly makes it very inviting.

Although all of the secluded booths available in the cafe were taken when we arrived for the continuation of our romantic escapade, we took a table that had very appealing views out onto the Broadwater. With the sky clearing from an earlier downpour of rain, the scene inside Cafe Moccachino’s was almost idyllic – if it weren’t for the cries and idiotic laughter that was easily heard from the riff-raff in the Australia Fair Food Court. Prior to taking our seats, I had regained my honour from the previous review and provided the funds to pay for our dishes at this establishment, which were:

Jen: • Flourless Orange Cake $5.50

• Chai Latte (small) $3.80

Elliot: • Flourless Orange Cake. $5.50

•Affogato. $4.00

Though a bit pricey, these expenses for the above items are sadly quite standard in the more ‘upmarket’ cafes, and is painful compared to the inexpensive luxuries I have experienced throughout this review series. As you may have noticed, my yearning for ice-cream had not left me, evidenced by my order of an Affogato (or those who don’t know: Coffee & Ice-cream).

The service was very timely, and the waiter, who was exceedingly polite and careful, handed our cake and coffee to us at the same time to allow each to complement the other. The flourless orange cake was very soft and delicate with a perfect amount of moisture, and it seemed to slide liquid smooth down my oropharynx. The flavours of the cake were bursting from the flourless sponge of deliciousness, and not only were it a fantastic serve, the orange delight left my bowels feeling utterly filled. As expected, the Affogato also pleased in its simplicity of taste and ceremony, after I had expertly drenched the reasonable serve of ice cream with the fairly pleasant coffee. This innovative mixture by yours truly not only satisfied my yearning for frozen milk, but the hit of the coffee to such a ‘caffeine-Cadbury’ as myself was enough to set my nerves in over-drive.

Throughout our delectable conversation, which was even more brilliant and informative than our former, I was able to abstain from twitching and shaking too much from the effects of the caffeine, so as to not embarrass myself in front of such excellent company.  Though I did relate my troubles to Jen, communicating that for me, consuming coffee carries an oddly similar feeling to drinking too much alcohol – both of these beverages leave me feeling disorientated, giddy, fidgety and way too excited for good social company. Despite these oddities, we utterly devoured our mutual discourse with delight as we contemplated serious issues, modified the principles of communism to make it an unencumbered and perfect philosophical ideology, whilst also discovering the key to world peace.

In conclusion, I found Cafe Moccachino’s to be an enjoyable experience – despite the trek through the horrors of Australia Fair and the constant bitter reminders of the hell-hole you are in whilst at the cafe. I would recommend the venue for casual meet-ups and business dealings, but would not entirely suggest it for a date place.

DISCLAIMER: This ‘Cafe Review Series’ are designed to introduce local cafes to Griffith medical students in a light-hearted and entertaining manner. The stories are based around the truth (in that I at least attended these establishments!), though I never let the truth get in the way of a good story.