Goolangullia Occupation Update
The Occupation of the Goolangullia building at the Bankstown campus is
now in to its 35th day. I hear that the record for the longest
occupation in Australia is 40 days, I wonder if we can reach this mark.
Firstly I would like to thank all the people who have sent letters of
support, money, food, people, and encouragement to this cause. It has
been insipiring for me to be so closely involved in such a campaign and
all the support gives all the people here extra drive to keep going. So
thank you.
So whats going on?
Actually a lot. We had our first and only meeting with upper managment
of UWS last Monday week. I was not there but, from the report backs it
went well, the University and students finally sat down and began to
talk about what has happened since August and get the issues out onto
the table. The meeting went for four hours and the plan was that the
University would prepare a response to the students, and the students
would prepare a statement saying that they had no connection to threats
towards a UWS management employee. Both these were done.
On Thursday the students held a rally for Aboriginal Education, it went
well except for the weather, but we relocated it to the bar and this
gave students a chance to relax and listen to the Aboriginal Community
members and Elders speaking about the dispute. It also gave us a chance
to hear fantastic Aboriginal musicians. This rally was so inspiring that
the speakers spoke for almost 3 hours and hardly anybody left, there was
pure respect and esteem for all the speakers and by the end of the
speakers there was not a dry eye in the room. Basically the students
were told by their Community and their Elders that this fight is not
only for them but for past, present and future Aboriginal students, this
fight is crucial and is something that they can not lose. To quote a
speaker on the day: -
"Usually when i have to tell a student that they have failed, I dont
tell them that they have failed because it is a negative word, i say to
them that they have not met the requirements and should keep going if
this is what they wish to do. In this dispute if we lose we fail, we
fail for Aboriginal students and the community."
Thursday night the response from the University came. Very bad response.
They did not change their opinons on any point and actually threatened
the occupiers by stating that if the occupation does not end they will
cancel (postpone) the next residential, planned for Wednesday the 17th
if the occupation does not end 10am Friday Morning.
The occupation did not end and the residential was not cancelled,
apparently the University Managment believed that classes got taught out
of Goolangullia, little did they know that Goolangullia provided support
and admiistration for students, the rooms that students get taught in
are normal everyday classes. You would think that the University
Management would have some knowledge about the centres they are trying
to merger.
Rather than go on the defensive the students wont on the offensive and
picketed the student centre and shut it down all Friday. This made the
University Management upset.
Also that Friday was the first lighting of the sacred fire, brought from
the tent Embassy
On Monday the students took their picket up to Frogmore House. (which we
now name Toad Hall) The picket at Toad Hall saw 10 of the occupying
students take their picket to the Vice Chancellor. They stayed to 11am
and then had a smoking ceremony, which was rudely interupted by a member
of the UWS management to pass on a formal communication.
Monday was a hectic day trying to get to students to make sure they
didnt come to Uni, join the picket and inform their friends etc. Around
12 that day the University Management did an OH&S check on Goolangullia.
We passed with flying colours, the only problems was no fire exit out
the back, poor disbled access, not enough fire extingishers and other
things which were all pre existing things that the University has failed
to address. So that backfired on them, actually on that the Management
have not shown us the OH&S report that they were promised they would.
Tuesday was the picket of the UWS Bankstown Campus and the shutting down
of the campus. On Tuesday I think there is usually about 2500 students
on campus. At the busiest part of the day (between 12-1) there was 15
cars in the carpark. Throughout the day car park one (which holds no
more then 150 cars) was not full. So this was a good, a small problem
with convincing the NTEU about not crossing the picket line but besides
a few s#*bs most members were supportive and did not show up. Thank you
to those who helped picket on the day (i wont mention people or
organisations who were on the picket because the management and some
NTEU members have been bothering known supporters).
Throughout the rest of that week up to last Friday the University have
tried to get the files from Goolangullia. To counter this we have a
picket and can no longer let any staff into Goolangullia. Security got
directed to get the files, but when they approached the picket they did
not cross. In response to the picket the Managment turned off the
phones. We said to the University by turning off the phones they are
creating an OH&S hazard because we cant ring out if there is a problem.
Their solution was to put a security guard to sit outside the Unit and
watch, he has a walkie talkie and will call for help in case of an
emergency. We then said that a lot of students will need to ring up
Goolangullia for enquiries and the like. In light of this the University
graciously turned the phone on at the front desk.
The next communication from the University again wanted us to be out of
the building by Monday or they are going to cut off the phone and power.
Today during a meeting with the President of the local land council
about mediation between the Uni and us over the issues the Uni finally
acted and shut off the power and phones. 5 minutes later after the
President rang up the Uni management to turn on the power and phones
they did. I know that their incompetance sounds like a comedy sketch but
its all true.
So thats where we are at the moment. The students here are looking at
the process of mediation to get a solution as a positive step.
Keep sending letters of support and come down for a chat and a cuppa,
you will find yourself be inspired by some of the strongest groups of
individuals you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. And if you
thought that it would be a good idea to send monetary donations across
now is the time to come forward.
Thanks again if you want you can the following people for more info: -
Syd Bourke 0415 193 065
Nicole Alexander 0425 247 545
John McGuire 0411 205 813
myself 0421 716 078
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/
Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop
Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink
Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
