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Hand holding a homemade cardboard sign painted with Aboriginal flag and text saying Sovereignty Never Ceded

Statement on First Nations Voice to Parliament

The Australian Government has planned a referendum for October 2023 on whether to update the Australian Constitution to include an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

Amy Davidson, Matthew Compton and Lindsay McCabe have written a comprehensive statement that discusses the racist sections of the Constitution, with the aim of demystifying it, so that people can make more informed decisions in the upcoming referendum.

Read the full statement.

SUPRA recognises the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. There are many differing views regarding the Voice to Parliament across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

SUPRA also recognises the importance of self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. All societies, clubs, faculties and schools have a responsibility to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are given meaningful opportunities to take part in the conversations that affect them – ‘No conversations about us without us’.

Whatever your views on the powers and details of the Uluru Statement and the Voice to Parliament, we at SUPRA encourage students to make informed decisions and to respect the diverse views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities. Let’s have these conversations safely.

SUPRA is proud to support all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff, no matter how they vote in the upcoming referendum.

Sillhouette of someone making a heart shape with their hands under a rainbow flag in a crowd

Mardi Gras is over but WorldPride 2023 continues!

There are plenty of events happening. The official program is here.

USU's World Pride Party is happening at Manning tonight, Wednesday 1 March, 6pm.
If parties aren’t your thing, check out the huge array of free art and history exhibitions. While some continue through March, many end this weekend.
The Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference runs 1–3 March. In-person tickets are sold out, but you can watch online for free. Check out the program.

Multiple smiling people holding purple banner, signs and ballons. Banner says: Staff working conditions are student learning conditions.

Usyd staff strike Thursday 9 March

University staff will be on strike on 9 March.

SUPRA offices will also be closed on this day. We will respond to all student enquiries on the following day.

Black text on yellow background. Text reads: BlakOut

BlakOut launch party

Friday 3 March
5–7pm
Courtyard Restaurant and Bar

SUPRA invites you to the launch of the first issue of BlakOut: An Anthology of First Nations Students’ Scholarship, a journal created by the SUPRA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network. A peer-reviewed and multidisciplinary publication, BlakOut showcases the work of 5 First Nations students from the University of Sydney.

Tickets are free, but registration is essential. Register here.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags on red black and yellow swirled background. Red text says: A History of Blaktivism in Australia1938-2008

You Can Go Now: A History of Blaktivism in Australia 1938–2008

Tuesday 14 March 2023
6pm (Sydney time)
Zoom

Join SUPRA for our live lecture webinar ‘You Can Go Now: A History of Blaktivism in Australia 1938–2008’.

Delivered by Wiradjuri Wailwan activist and student Ethan Floyd, the lecture will explore Aboriginal resistance and protest throughout the 20th century.

Register for the webinar.

Fun Fact

Did you know that ladybugs aren’t bugs? They’re beetles. While the term ‘bug’ is often used generically for lots of insects, ‘true bugs’ are from the order Hemiptera (or even the smaller suborder Heteroptera) and don’t include other insects like beetles, ants and butterflies. Bugs have piercing mouthparts, membranous (or semi-hardened) wings, and don’t go through metamorphosis – the juveniles look like small versions of the adults.

Other things to know about

Friday 3 March is the last day to add a unit of study.
If you need to change to a different course in semester 1, this is your last chance to do it.

Tickets for week 3 free fitness classes are avaialble now!
Tickets are released on Wednesdays at 9am for classes the following week, so get your free tickets for week 3 classes! There are still spots available for some of this week's classes too.

Wicked Research in Climate Change and HDR Welcome 2023
3pm, Tuesday 14 March
Prof Emma Johnston, DVC(Research), will lead a multi-disciplinary discussion with leaders from industry, academia and Usyd's HDR community.
This will be followed by the welcome event for HDRs for 2023, with free drinks and canapes. Find out more and register for the event.

Demystifying disability
Learn more about studying with a disability and about the Inclusion and Disability Service (IDS) by completing the Demystifying Disability module on Canvas, and find out how to register with IDS.

SUPRA acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as the traditional owners of the land we work and study on.

Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association
Students working for students

Level 2, Holme Building (A09)
Science Rd, Camperdown Campus
University of Sydney NSW 2006

Contact us

Operating hours
9am – 5pm

Due to COVID-19 SUPRA staff and council are working from home, but we can still help you. Contact us for help.
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