iWitnessIHD

InternationalHouseDarwin

iWitnessIssue 50 20 May 2014

Welcome

FeaturesMeet our new staff 3

Free dry season events 4-5

Employment opportunity 6

Spotlight 6 HD Dry Season Soccer Cup 8

RegularsUp to Date 7

Notices 9

Event Calendar 10

CoverIHD residents and iGrow members attending Go Karting on Saturday, 10 May 2014.

IHD ReceptionOffice Hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm

Residents Leaders: Ph. 8946 6591

iWitness Resident Input:If you would like to include anything in the next issue of iWitness please email nicole.ryan@cdu.edu.au

W: cdu.edu.au/ihdFB: facebook.com/EventsIHD

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Hi all

I would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome IHDs newest team members, Penny Biddle and Kim Webster. It’s fantastic to have both Penny and Kim on board and look forward to working with them over the coming years!

If you see them around please take time to welcome them to the IHD community, although I believe many of you have already met both Penny and Kim at the latest Coffee and Cake.

Not only has there been a change in staff but in case you haven’t noticed, there’s been a change in weather too. The dry season is here which means there are heaps of things to do around Darwin for FREE! Be sure to make the most of the dry season, there’s always something on for everyone to enjoy!

Best of luck for your last two weeks of classes! Be sure to make the most of these two weeks, study hard in revision week, pop in for some smoothies, and then go to your exams and excel! I know you can do it!

Good luck

Dean PreddyManagerInternational House Darwin

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Penny BiddleCoordinator Resident Services

What is your background?I come from Adelaide where I studied at the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia. I have also studied as an international student at the National University of Singapore where I gained my MBA.

During my career I have worked in universities in Student Recruitment, Marketing and Admissions. I have even worked at IHD before(!!) (2008-2010), having taken a job here while travelling around Australia. While in Darwin I completed study towards my Master of Career Development degree.

After leaving Darwin I travelled more in Queensland and New South Wales and ended

up working as the Head of Earle Page College which is a residential College at University of New England in Armidale.

I left that job to return to Darwin (its way too cold down there!!) and to IHD, which I had enjoyed working at.

What does your position do?The CRS is responsible for developing a positive customer experience for IHD residents. This is through leadership of the team that manage your bookings, activities/events, communications and pastoral support.

I hope that we can build a friendly, caring and vibrant community at IHD where there are lots of opportunities to engage with people from other cultures, to learn about yourself, to gain new skills/experience, and to live and study in harmony.

I look forward to meeting you all at future events or around the campus and invite you to come and speak with me if you need assistance.

Kim WebsterProgram Officer

What is your background?I’m originally from the USA, where I was born in Boston. I grew up in Cincinnati and later graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a degree in Cultural Communication. I studied abroad in

London while a student, and moved back to London to work as a social organiser at an ESL college.

After that, I taught ESL outside of Boston, and, for the last six years, I taught ESL in Sydney. I love meeting international students and sharing cultures!

Who’s in your family?My parents and one brother still live in Cincinnati; my other brother is married and lives in Grand Rapids with his wife. I’m engaged to Garry, and we’re really excited to be getting married this August!

What are your hobbies?In my free time, I love reading, writing, playing 500, going to the beach, anything theatrical, travelling and catching up with friends. I’ve recently finished reading the Wheel of Time series (all 14 books!).

What does your position do?As Program Officer, I get to organise events and fun! I’m here to build community at IHD and implement the iGrow program.

I’m also looking after the Resident Leaders and Tutors. I’m thrilled to be here and can’t wait to meet all of you – please come say hello!

Meet our new staffDuring the past few weeks IHD has welcomed two new staff members. We asked them to introduce themselves and explain what they do:

Free dry season events!Live on FridaysMusic in the CourtyardThe very popular Friday afternoon music sessions in the Brown’s Mart Courtyard are back!

Featuring live, local and visiting musicians each week!

The May and June line-up features:MAY 16 - WARD HANCOCK & ABBEY ROSEMAY 23 - MARK HILTONMAY 30 - PAUL BRANDIS

Date: Every Friday during the dry seasonTime: 5pm – 7pm

JUNE 6 - CAITLIN HARNETT (NSW)JUNE 13 - TRACEY BUNNJUNE 20 - POLE TOP RESCUE

Location: Brown’s Mart CourtyardEntry: Free

Sundays Live at the LagoonEnjoy free local music on the Darwin Waterfront lawns each Sunday from 12pm to 4pm.Pack a picnic or enjoy offerings from local retailers as you sit and unwind to the sounds of a different musician each week.

Date: Every Sunday during the dry seasonTime: 12pm – 4pmLocation: Darwin WaterfrontEntry: Free

Darwin Symphony OrchestraFREE Concert & Fireworks

The Darwin Symphony Orchestra and the Darwin Waterfront Corporation bring you an evening of Opera joined by Australia’s Opera superstars: Rosario La Spina, Nicole Car, Jacqueline Dark and Andrew Jones.

Pack a picnic and enjoy the Darwin Waterfront’s tropical surrounds whilst listening to the passionate sounds of Puccini, Rossini, Mozart, Saint-Saens, Delibes and Bizet’s blockbuster Carmen.

The night will conclude with a finale of fireworks; what a perfect way to spend the night!

Date: 24 May 2014Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pmLocation: Darwin WaterfrontEntry: Free

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Darwin Waterfront Harmony Soiree 2014Celebrate the Territory’s thriving and successful multicultural community by joining the picnic atmosphere at the Darwin Waterfront!

There will be live entertainment, delicious food and a spectacular fireworks display! Those who went last year will tell you that the floating lantern flotilla was a real highlight.

Harmony Day is a chance for us all to celebrate the cultural diversity which represents who we are as Territorians, and is central to our wonderful Territory lifestyle.

Harmony Day celebrations provide all Territorians with an opportunity to reflect on our common values of community participation, inclusion, respect anda sense of belonging for all.

Date: 31 May 2014Time: 4pm until lateLocation: Darwin WaterfrontEntry: Free

Greek GlentiThe Greek Glenti is a fun and vibrant festival where the Greek community shares their culture, food, wine, dance and music with locals and visitors.

The Glenti consists of local and interstate entertainment and acts! Eat Greek food until your heart’s content, listen to Greek music, see traditional dancing and be enlightened by the Greek culture!

IHD will be running a shuttle to this event on 7 June. Keep an eye on the IHD Facebook page and the IHD website for shuttle times closer to the date.

Date: 7 and 8 June 2014Time: 10am until lateLocation: Bicentennial Park, Darwin CityEntry: Free

More free events!

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IHD employment opportunityAre you ready for it??

Exciting change is on the horizon at IHD and you have the opportunity to be part of it!

We’re looking for more RLs to be part of a fresh, new, dynamic and innovative team.

Are there changes you want made? New ideas you’re longing to share? Awesome activities you can organise? Sports you can kick into action?

If so, we’d love you on board to help us inspire and invigorate the community at IHD. We want you to come make a difference. Shape the heart and soul of IHD. Show leadership and creativity through your engagement with different cultures and people. Take it to not just the next level, but the highest level possible.

Further information and the Position Description are available on the IHD website and in the IHD office, but hurry, applications close Friday, 30 May.

Any questions? Penny or Kim would love to chat.

Change is coming – will you be part of it??

SpotlightIHD Resident

IHD Resident Laura Wright has been spotted in the NT News for all the right reasons!

Laura is a nursing student from Tennant Creek and has taken part in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370.

Laura was part of a team of four Northern Territory Emergency Services volunteers who travelled to Perth to help out.

It’s great to see IHD residents doing positive things within the community.

If you or someone you know within IHD is doing something

you thing the world should know about, email the IHD Communications Coordinator!

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Up to dateMurder Mystery Night ‘The Last Gasp’Written by Zoe Bilston

On Sunday, 13 April 2014 the Earl of Coddingham hosted a party in the Multicultural room. It was attended by many guests including her Majesty the Queen.

The Earl sadly and suddenly passed away early in the evening leaving everyone in attendance as a suspect. The guests began investigating the crime with the help of Inspector Crane and P.C Coppit.

There was a lot of bribing and sneaking around, but as the night came to a close there could only be one murderer.

And it was……………… If you can’t answer this question then you weren’t there and you missed out!

Go-KartingWritten by Zoe Bilston

On 25 May 2014, a group of IHD residents and iGrow members journeyed to Hidden Valley to battle it out on the Go-Karting track. After we were dressed appropriately with our helmets etc., we were assigned go-karts and it began.

The first race everyone was just getting use to their karts, so there were a few slow ones on the tack with everyone just weaving in and out trying to avoid hitting one another.

It wasn’t until the second race that things got intense as we were joined by two members of the Darwin Go-Karting Association (who were training and wanted us to help them). I’m not sure how much help we really were as the second race was when we had to get a few residents rescued as they spun out or ended off the track.

All up the day was a success and I can’t wait to do it again next semester!

PaintballWritten by Katharina Dittmer

On 3 May 2014, 22 fellow residents took the bus to the United Paintball complex out in Freds Pass Reserve. Upon arrival the sky was already grey and full of clouds and the owner warned us that there was a big storm coming and we would probably get wet.

The referees starting signal also signaled the rain to start. Coincidentally, the last drop of rain fell when the last bullet got fired. It was a muddy affair, much to the delight of the residents who enjoyed rolling around in it.

The view was limited as the visor fogged up or was full of rain drops, and the biodegradable bullets got stuck together in the gun and blogged the pipes. Apart from these small problems the residents had an afternoon full of fun and laughter and could blow off some steam and get a break from the stressful study life.

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The first soccer event for the dry season went well with more than 70 people attending.

JFF United played The Blues in the first game and it was a good challenge on the long narrow field. However after a draw of nil points all, it went to a penalty shoot-out with JFF United coming out on top!

Timor played Brace Yourself and lost with two goals in favour of Brace Yourself. The last game was between Lebos and All Stars. All Stars won with three points at penalties and this is how the scoreboard looked:

Scoreboard

Due to exams being just around the corner, the knockout rounds and finals will be played this coming Sunday!

Teams with one point from the previous round will play a quick knockout, with the winner automatically playing another winning team. The final will be a showdown between the mystery winner and either Brace Yourself or All Stars.

Knockouts and Finals

Due to not having lights at the current venue (all venues with lights were either broken or not available to be booked), it is imperative that all teams turn up on time! Failure to turn up with a full team on time may disqualify you from the tournament.

Don’t forget IHD will be hosting a BBQ for all players and spectators in Sitzler Court once the winner of the finals has been announced!

Good luck to all teams!

IHD Dry Season Soccer CupWritten by Trever Chibweza

Round 1 (18/05/14)First Game

JFF UNITED vs THE BLUES

Points 1 0Second Game

TIMOR vs BRACE YOURSELF

Points 1 2Third Game

LEBOS vs ALL STARS

Points 1 3

Round 2 (25/05/14)First Game

TIMOR vs LEBOS

KnockoutSecond Game

1st game knockout winner

vs JFF UNITED

KnockoutThird Game

BRACE YOURSELF

vs All STARS

KnockoutFinals 2nd game

knockout winner

vs 3rd game knockout winner

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NOTICES

Pets not allowed at IHD

Pets (except fish in a small aquarium) are not allowed at IHD for health reasons.

Please also do not feed the feral cats that frequent IHD as they cause harm to native wildlife, including birds, frill-necked lizards and green tree frogs.

Do not attempt to touch the feral cats as they are not tame.

Please report feral cat problems to IHD Reception.

Multicultural Room Air conditioner being replaced

IHD has arranged for the air conditioner in the Multicultural Room to be replaced.

The removal and installation of the new air conditioning unit is expected to take a few weeks. During this time there will be no air conditioner in the room.

Newly renovated common areas

The new common areas are expected to open within the next couple of weeks. IHD hopes to receive the occupancy permit soon, once received we will be able to open the areas to all residents and their guests.

IHD will notify everyone via email and Facebook once the areas are open to use.

Residents are reminded that the facilities at IHD are communal. This means that every resident shares responsibility for cleanliness and creating a pleasant living environment.

If you use a communal area you are expected to clean up after yourself. • Dispose of all waste appropriately and

leave communal areas as you found them

• Scrape down barbeques and clean thoroughly after use

• Wipe down kitchen surfaces after use (ants and other pests can quickly become a problem in the tropics when food is left out)

• Wipe out microwaves after use • Never place any type of metal in

microwaves

• • • Do not leave out of date items in

refrigerators and freezers. • Do not leave personal items

e.g. shampoos in communal bathrooms • Clean lint filters in clothes dryers after

use • Place all rubbish in the appropriate bins

provided.

Adult attitudes towards cleanliness are expected at all times.

Failure to maintain proper hygiene standards will incur a cleaning fee if Housing Services are required to up after you!

Clean up after yourself

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Event Calendar