Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The FIRST GoKey Alliance event!
That's right, after years of seeing the shining example of the VicAlliance down in Melbourne, the NSW chapters have finally founded the 'GoKey' Alliance. With the combined efforts of Macquarie, USYD, UTS, UWS and University of Wollongong, 'GoKey' threw out their first social event, Pool n Fool night.
Knowing that it was held on April 1st, 2010, many of you could deduce that we held a pool competition on April Fool's and you would be correct! Advanced players competed for the crowning title whilst beginner players were encouraged to battle out games. at whatever their own pace.
Members throughout NSW, both alumni and current eagerly attended, and even some Melbournians and good friends of members came along to have fun. Free drinks and food were dispensed generously, and one ping pong table in the corner had many a ferocious game played on by waiting pool competitors.
After Mr J. Dawes from Wollongong took away the title, trophy and winning prizes in a close and highly exciting competition, the event was not over with conversation amongst new friends firing up and the arcade machines providing much amusement to those electronically challenged. Even after being shooed out by the Menzies bar staff due to closing time, many of the attendees could not stop the fun and searched for a nearby bar to continue chatting away.
To those who could not attend, not to fear! The event was such an outstanding success, the 'GoKey' Alliance want to host it regularly. In fact the next Pool n (insert rhyming description of day since it's not April Fool's anymore) night will be on the 14th May, 2010. Same time, same place. Be there!
Next Pool n (Fool) night:
Date: Friday, 14th May, 2010
Time: 6pm-late
Location: Sporters Bar, Menzies Hotel, opposite Wynyard Station
Knowing that it was held on April 1st, 2010, many of you could deduce that we held a pool competition on April Fool's and you would be correct! Advanced players competed for the crowning title whilst beginner players were encouraged to battle out games. at whatever their own pace.
Members throughout NSW, both alumni and current eagerly attended, and even some Melbournians and good friends of members came along to have fun. Free drinks and food were dispensed generously, and one ping pong table in the corner had many a ferocious game played on by waiting pool competitors.
After Mr J. Dawes from Wollongong took away the title, trophy and winning prizes in a close and highly exciting competition, the event was not over with conversation amongst new friends firing up and the arcade machines providing much amusement to those electronically challenged. Even after being shooed out by the Menzies bar staff due to closing time, many of the attendees could not stop the fun and searched for a nearby bar to continue chatting away.
To those who could not attend, not to fear! The event was such an outstanding success, the 'GoKey' Alliance want to host it regularly. In fact the next Pool n (insert rhyming description of day since it's not April Fool's anymore) night will be on the 14th May, 2010. Same time, same place. Be there!
Next Pool n (Fool) night:
Date: Friday, 14th May, 2010
Time: 6pm-late
Location: Sporters Bar, Menzies Hotel, opposite Wynyard Station
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Recap 'Facebook & You: How social networking sites are impacting on your life'
Last week Golden Key organised a public discussion on social networking sites, such as facebook, and their ability to impact on our lives. We all gathered in the Atrium to hear three university lectures talk about their research, experiences and thoughts on the topic.
We heard from Sherman Young, the Associate Dean of Learning & Teaching with the Faculty of Arts, about how facebook in blurring the lines between public and private communication and between mass communication and direct communication.
John Selby, a lecturer in business law, spoke about how social networking sites are making it easier to communicate and find out information about others. He examined how the legal framework, cultural norms and architecture (software design) are able to address the new problems that this is creating without reducing the benefits.
Our last speaker was Jennifer Peck, a lecturer in linguistics. She spoke about how social networking sites are offering an opportunity for personal growth and development. Jennifer also examined the the claims that social networking sites and texting are lowering English standards.
It was an enlightening afternoon that shed light on some of the issues around something we all use but rarely take the time to thing about.
Aaron Silvestro
Events Coordinator 2009-2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Volunteer for Relay For Life: Help your Community and your Career!
You are a university student. Take a moment to think about why you get out of bed to go to lectures and tutorials, and why you burn the midnight oil on occasions to get that big assignment done and handed in... Sure, some of you might say to get good grades, but ultimately you do it so that you can eventually secure a good job in order to become financially secure in a fast paced and competitive world.
But did you know that the number of people graduating from university in Australia is now higher than ever? This means that there are more qualified people than ever before, which translates into increased competition when it becomes time to enter the world of work and secure your dream job. Now more than ever, it is vital to set yourself apart and stand out from the crowd.
My name is Andrew Lewy. I am in my final year at Macquarie, studying Business Administration and Psychology. A couple of years ago, as the Golden Key Events Coordinator, I introduced Relay For Life, a Cancer Council overnight fund raising event, to the Macquarie University campus. With my co-chair Mel Ramsay, we recruited a large committee of Macquarie University student volunteers, and worked tirelessly with them for 8 months bringing together this large event. It was such a success that we repeated it last year, and overall more than 1000 people have participated and $100,000 has been raised.
I however only realised the value of this experience from a career perspective when I was sitting in the interview room for a marketing internship with Procter & Gamble, the world's largest consumer goods company and the holy grail of marketing internships. Much of the interview revolved around my charity work with the Cancer Council and Relay For Life, because my work as chairman of this large charity event showcased the above-mentioned qualities of leadership, initiative and strength of character. When you're in the interview room, the bigger the backlog of experience that demonstrates the skills and characteristics that the interviewers are looking for the better.
I beat over 1500 people from all around Australia to secure the internship. I recently returned from this amazing experience having learned a great deal about the marketing industry and working in a large global organization. If I receive an offer I will be one of the few final year students secure in the knowledge they have a graduate position lined up when they finish university.
I am sharing my story with you because having chaired the Macquarie University Relay For Life for two years, Mel and I are ready to pass on the baton. We want to see the legacy that we and our awesome organising committees have created live on, so we are looking for enterprising students from Macquarie University to take on the challenge of becoming the next chairpeople and committee members for the 2010 Relay for Life.
If you feel like you are up for the challenge and are passionate about doing something amazing and giving back to your community, please contact me at adlewy@gmail.com .
Regards,
Monday, March 15, 2010
Charity BBQ Recap
We held our first fundraising event for 2010 on March 9 - an all-day sausage sizzle! We raised about $700 for Ian Thorpe's 'Fountain For Youth', which works towards raising literacy levels amongst Aboriginal children in remote communities around Australia. It is a brilliant initiative, and one that Golden Key is very proud to support, so thank you to everyone who came and supported us by buying a sausage and helping us do our bit for Fountain For Youth!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Welcome back!
Welcome back to a new semester. We hope everyone had a safe and happy break, and are ready for a new term of study!
If you're wondering what's been happening with Golden Key, and what we've got prepared for the semester ahead, check our our latest newsletters for reviews and updates for past and future events:
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Ready for the Real World?
Paul Slezak, a prominent figure in the advertising and recruiting industry around the world, gave a wonderful career workshop about how to make yourself stand out in today's competitive market. The seminar room for this workshop was incredibly packed, by Golden Key members and general students and even university staff and all eagerly listened to Paul's wise words about how to promote yourself through the tools available to you.
This was one of the last events Golden Key Macquarie hosted for the year 2009, held on 3rd November during lunchtime. Catering was provided by U@MQ and all the food was polished off before the seminar had even begun! As the crowd settled down, Paul chatted easily among the guests and once his talk was on the way, the room fell silent as they listened to Paul's expert advice.
All who attended took notes on Paul's presentation and some even stayed behind to ask questions to the guest speaker. We hope that the workshop helped every person who listened in and maybe make the task of finding a job in today's world just a bit easier!
This was one of the last events Golden Key Macquarie hosted for the year 2009, held on 3rd November during lunchtime. Catering was provided by U@MQ and all the food was polished off before the seminar had even begun! As the crowd settled down, Paul chatted easily among the guests and once his talk was on the way, the room fell silent as they listened to Paul's expert advice.
All who attended took notes on Paul's presentation and some even stayed behind to ask questions to the guest speaker. We hope that the workshop helped every person who listened in and maybe make the task of finding a job in today's world just a bit easier!
Speednetworking/Trivia
After months of orchestrating logistics and fiddling with the details, Golden Key Macquarie were about to hold their first Speednetworking night that would presumably end up in creating teams for the answering of academia-themed trivia. So during the lead up hours on Thursday, October 22, the executive of Golden Key Macquarie were seen rushing madly around to change the desks into a networking layout, creating a jovial ambience, laying out the free pizza and snacks and basically having a great time. But the night had yet to begin.
And when the night did start, the mingling occurred, the music played and once trivia teams were created, tables were filled and pens were at the ready. The questions were fired by the two hosts of the night and novelty rounds were interjected as a fun break between the harder questions. The novelty rounds were a big hit (as the questions were much easier!) and many points were allocated to each team, with the team aptly named 'Yeah!' winning in a very close tallied race.
Each member of the winning team was given free movie passes and the other participants were awarded goodie bags just for attending. Throughout the night, a raffle for a luggage set was held and at the end of the night, one lucky winner walked away with the prize.
And as new friends waved goodbye and exchanged contact details, the executive still working tirelessly began to clean up and breathe a sigh of relief for another successful Golden Key event.
And when the night did start, the mingling occurred, the music played and once trivia teams were created, tables were filled and pens were at the ready. The questions were fired by the two hosts of the night and novelty rounds were interjected as a fun break between the harder questions. The novelty rounds were a big hit (as the questions were much easier!) and many points were allocated to each team, with the team aptly named 'Yeah!' winning in a very close tallied race.
Each member of the winning team was given free movie passes and the other participants were awarded goodie bags just for attending. Throughout the night, a raffle for a luggage set was held and at the end of the night, one lucky winner walked away with the prize.
And as new friends waved goodbye and exchanged contact details, the executive still working tirelessly began to clean up and breathe a sigh of relief for another successful Golden Key event.
Galston Gardens
Yes, an unimaginable morning for many a university student but at 7am 16th October, Golden Key volunteers were seen bleary eyed and entering the Galston club, ready to serve with a ready smile.
Galston Gardens is a charity event, raising money for various charities in the local community. Every year Golden Key participates to serve tea and scones lathered with cream and jam to patrons whilst getting the Golden Key name out there.
This year the rush was on during 9am-10am, whilst early tea and coffee drinkers poured into the club, Golden Key volunteers quickly worked to serve promptly, setting up dishes, taking drink orders, cleaning up and, after the pace slowed, snuck a scone or two for energy's sake. The adrenalin of this transient waiting-upon was admittedly very fun and all the while knowing money was being raised for charities.
Golden Key will receive a portion of the donations and this will be donated to Schoolwise, a literacy charity that Golden Key have been supporting for years.
Galston Gardens is a charity event, raising money for various charities in the local community. Every year Golden Key participates to serve tea and scones lathered with cream and jam to patrons whilst getting the Golden Key name out there.
This year the rush was on during 9am-10am, whilst early tea and coffee drinkers poured into the club, Golden Key volunteers quickly worked to serve promptly, setting up dishes, taking drink orders, cleaning up and, after the pace slowed, snuck a scone or two for energy's sake. The adrenalin of this transient waiting-upon was admittedly very fun and all the while knowing money was being raised for charities.
Golden Key will receive a portion of the donations and this will be donated to Schoolwise, a literacy charity that Golden Key have been supporting for years.
Monday, September 28, 2009
RELAY!
One of Cancer Council’s largest fundraisers, Relay for Life at North Ryde took place over two days, 26th - 27th September. Golden Key Macquarie created a team to take turns walking around the oval continuously, throughout the two days. As Saturday afternoon came closer, Golden Key’s campsite gradually came into full view whilst the tents were being built and signs and banners were proudly displayed. After the opening ceremony for Relay, cancer survivors and their carers started the first lap around the oval and after their finish, everyone joined in. The Relay had begun.
The Golden Key Macquarie team battled the strong winds when stepping around the oval, especially during the early hours of the morning where it came near impossible to continue without freezing. However as the sun rose for Sunday morning, more faces emerged on the field to once again start the laps until one of the last laps, Fight Back took place. Everyone grabbed a flag for Relay and marched around the oval once, remembering why they were there and walking for a good cause.
As the nineteen hours of walking came to a close, a shouted countdown from the participants rang across the field and finally, the laps ceased to an end. The closing ceremony brought everything into perspective as inspiring speeches from survivors and prominent figures from the community were spoken on stage. The total number of fundraised dollars was calculated, which amounted to more than approximately $35, 000 altogether! A more than respectable amount! From sponsors, friends and family, Golden Key raised more than $565 for Relay for Life.
Tents were dismantled, friends waved goodbye and one last look around their home for a day and a night allowed everyone to move back to their real homes for a day of well deserved sleep.
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