De Minimis
Official Newspaper of the Students of Melbourne Law School, Established 1948, Revived 2012 Volume 3, Issue 6
www.mudeminimis.com
THE GSAS OFFICE IS SITUATED AT THE 1888 BUILDING ON MAIN CAMPUS. PHOTO: DE MINIMIS
2 FEATURES
2013 Brett Memorial Lecture
BRIAN STEVENSON, PICTURED ABOVE, KEPT ATTENDEES HEARTS AND MINDS ENGAGED. PHOTO: DE MINIMIS
greatest opposite to poverty isnt wealth, as traditionally conceived, but that the true opposite of poverty is justice. The main thesis of Stevensons speech was that a new approach is needed. Particularly, he considers that for existing injustices to be challenged, proximity, hope and a willingness to experience discomfort are required. By proximity, Stevenson refers to getting close to persons who have been disadvantaged, as it is in relation to problems that we understanding things we cannot otherwise understand in the alternative state of disassociation. Hope is needed, as when we allow ourselves to be hopeless about what we can do, we allow the key ingredient that perpetuates inequality. Finally, we require a willingness to step beyond comfort zones, as making ourselves uncomfortable about the curtea, and even that they screw up. The food options are limited, and overpriced. They also tend to noticeably recycle the previous days stale food, which they generously overheat to compensate for its lack of freshness. Its only redeeming feature is that it is eight entire steps from the entrance of the building, so if youre physically incapable of walking more than 300 metres from a textbook, this will be your best option. Otherwise, in the immortal words of Nancy Reagan, just say no. SCORE: 1/5 coffee beans.
rent state of society is what most readily causes us to improve society. Filling his talk with anecdotes both amusing and heart-wrenching, including references to Rosa Parks, a clients endless desire for milkshakes, and the change of an initially hard-hearted white male prison officer, Stevenson ended his talk to an enthusiastic, extended round of applause that may have seemed more aptly placed at the end of a music concert rather than the completion of a speech delivered in a university lecture theatre. Yet talking to gushing MLS students and alumni after the talk, youd be forgiven for thinking Bryan Stevenson was a rockstar. The overwhelming response was that Stevensons speech was endlessly inspiring - and for good reason. For those who were unable to attend the talk, a video recording of the event will soon be posted on the MLS website. De Minimis Staff
Editor Dean R. P. Edwards Online Manager Mika Tsoi Layout Editor Mika Tsoi Staff Nick Baum, Reegan GraysonMorison, Emma Henderson, Thomas Ho, Haram Kwon, Andrew Michaelson, Anna Nodrum, Melissa Peach, Doug Porteous, Tessa Sidnam, Jess Sykes, Christine Todd, Jessica Williams, Annie Zheng Online at http://mudeminimis.com
Christine Todd
Porta Via Just Outside MLS. While conveniently located at the base of the building, the coffee at this caf makes International Roast instant coffee look good. Their coffee is frequently burnt, oily and bitter, with the latter two a telling sign that their workstation is not cleaned with care. On several occasions I have requested soy only to be given full cream milk. The coffee here is bad enough you will willingly convert to
FEATURES 3
Comment
enon, and whilst there is a strong culture of respect for magistrates, barristers and judges alike are prone to engaging in shouting matches across the bench until someone yells Tais-toi! [ed.Shut up! in English] Finally, a key difference is that the French seem, historically, to have a much better record in terms of the feminisation of the judiciary, with most three-judge trials comprising two females to one male. The Coffee Hour was a fantastic experience to learn from a man of much experience and eminent approachability. I encourage all students to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in an informal conversation with our Judge-in-Residence on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon 3 pm.
MLS students can book individually or in groups of no more than seven, by signing up outside Room 950. The half-hour sessions are in the Malcolm Fraser room on Level 9. Sessions can be scheduled between 18 April and 18 May 2013. More information is available about Judge-in-Residence Bongiorno at http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/staff/ Bernard_Bongiorno.
big muscles in your shoulder to move the rest of your arm, instead of the small ones in your hand to move your pen. Heres a link that explains everything: <http://www.paperpenalia.com/ handwriting.html>. It might improve your handwriting as well. Thats also good for placing no barriers in the way of getting marks. If you start practicing now, youll have adjusted by the time exams roll around.
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Pixelated Justice
QUIZ
1. On the weekend, Black Caviars record rose to how many races undefeated? 2. What do the internal angles of a triangle add up to? 3. Which candy has the advertising slogan taste the rainbow? 4. Which is the fastest (flying) bird in the world? 5. Athos, Porthos and Aramis make up which famous trio (from literature)? 6. Name the cocktail from its ingredients: gin, sugar, lemon juice, soda water. 7. In which city would you find The Forbidden City? 8. What is the dogs name in the TV show Family Guy? 9. What was former Prime Minister Malcolm Frasers wifes name? 10. Where is The Gabba (stadium) situated? Answers below. This weeks quiz compiled by Anna Nodrum.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, 16 April & Thursday, 18 April Building Your Professional Profile, run by MLS Careers Office, 1 pm on 16/4, 3 pm on 18/4, Room G29. Tuesday, 16 April Foundations of the Australian Legal System, lecture by Natalie Wieland from the MLS Academic Skills Centre, Room 605. Registration required, online at <www.eventbrite.com.au/ event/6183136929>, by 15 April. Thursday, 18 April Film Screening: Tales of the Night Fairies, held by the Asian Law Centre, 3 pm, Room 920. Light refreshments served. Registration required, online at <http://tinyurl. com/cvn6q49>. Thursday, 18 April Market driven freedom of speech media between democracy and market, lecture by Prof. EvaMaria Svensson, 5.30 pm, Room 920. Registration required, online at <http://tinyurl.com/c92tjfp>.
Peter Botros
Agony Aunt
QUIZ ANSWERS. 1. 25 2. 180 degrees 3. Skittles 4. Peregrine Falcon 5. The Three Musketeers 6. Tom Collins 7. Beijing 8. Brian 9. Tammy 10. Woolongabba, Brisbane