2003 Activities

Trivia Night 2003

On Wednesday, October 15, Golden Key held a Trivia Night at the Grandstand Bar (Bruce Williams Pavilion) to raise membership awareness of a major community service project - Ian Thorpe's Fountain for Youth. Although numbers were slightly lower than last year, obviously attributable to the number of assignments, exams and other trivia nights which were held during the week, around 25 members played with "gusto" for a range of fantastic prizes - an Adidas shirt and cap, signed by the "Thorpedo" himself, Bailey's six-packs, 3 copies of a book by Jeff McMullen, junkfood, more junkfood(!!!), and of course, a cash prize of $120.

Also included was a BBQ steak, sausage and salad dinner with drinks all round to prepare everybody for a test of useless knowledge in this magnificent institution of a university, prizing itself on its fantastic learning and research potential!

Thanks to the MC, Alex Mears, for looking and thinking up all those curly questions that none of us know the answer to (e.g. what is the world's first domesticated animal?) It comes as no surprise that there was also a taste-testing contest - "Take your pick. What did you just drink - gin, vodka or tequila?" And, please don't groan ... a contest for Australian Idol. Thank you also to Claire, Carmen and Bonnie, members of the exec who helped make the event run ever so smoothly.

And to all our members - come to Trivia Night next year!

Phoebe Poon
Newsletter Editor 2004

Sydney University Chapter 10-Year Celebration

On September 12th 2003, the Sydney University Chapter of Golden Key reached double figures, and on the 26th, a celebration of 10 year's worth of achievement was held at the Docks Hotel in Darling Harbour. As the many alumni members who attended will testify, we've reached a huge milestone.

The most valuable part of being an active member of Golden Key is being able to develop lasting friendships with exceptional people. As this is "just" the first 10 years, I look forward to seeing Golden Key continue to grow through individual endeavour and commitment. The society has barely scratched the surface of its potential impact on the University of Sydney and our wider community.

Thank you to everyone who helped contribute to making it a wonderful night. I wish all the best of luck to the President of 2003-2004, James Donald, and all the executive committee, who will continue to add to the achievements of our chapter of Golden Key.

Nicholas Rozario
President 2002 - 2003

Major Golden Key Events of 2003

On Tuesday, May 27 2003, the Sydney University Chapter of Golden Key held its largest and most important event on the calendar - the New Members Induction Ceremony. Traditionally, this ceremony has been held at the Great Hall on Main Campus. However, due to an increasing number of members and guests enthusiastic to share in the celebration of academic achievement, this year's ceremony was held at the Sydney Town Hall, a premier venue which proved to be an ideal setting for an evening attended by around 350 members and 700 guests.

Firstly, I wish to thank the executive committee and the Golden Key headquarters staff for their support in organising and running this excellent evening, and making it such an enjoyable experience for everyone. Thank you also to our guest speaker from the Exodus Foundation, Michael Crews, for providing us with an insight into the community service opportunities available for all our members.

Finally, may I congratulate and extend a warm welcome to this year's inducted members. The aim of Golden Key is not only to recognise the academic excellence of students across all courses, faculties and disciplines, but also to provide opportunities for growth through scholarships, career assistance, leadership and community service. As a fellow member, I hope that you will find the experience of networking within a global honour society to be challenging and rewarding.

Nicholas Rozario

Careers Evening - March 2003

• Date / Time: March 26th, 2003 at 6:30pm
• Venue: MacCallum and Cullen Rooms, Holme Building

The Careers Evening is a central event in the GK calendar, providing an excellent forum for students to receive first-hand contact with a range of professionals. The specialist professional panel included guests from the CSIRO, Aust. Council for the Arts, Sydney Morning Herald, Macquarie Bank Executive Director, University of Sydney Medicine Associate Professor, and a Supreme Court Justice of NSW. In addition to the "Professional Panel", and building on feedback from 2002's event, there was also a "CV Panel" and our warmest thanks goes to the HR staff from The CSIRO and ANZ Banking Group who kindly donated their time to this panel. Golden Key believes the evening was useful and engaging for the people who came, and this is evidenced by the number of people who attended - around 100!

Faculty of Arts Mentoring Program - Semester 1, 2003

Transition no longer needs to be a mind-boggling affair. The Arts Faculty has initiated a Mentorship Program for its first-year students. The diversity of the Arts Faculty offers a considerable freedom, however it often creates a sense of isolation in the vast jungle of the tertiary campus. The Program aims to bridge first-year students with their tertiary environment, including a Transition Workshop, which focuses on the issues related to and the resolution of possible difficulties that an Arts student may encounter. Peer Support Program follows the Transition Workshop, helping first-year students build peer connections. Golden Key proudly supports this worthwhile Program. For enquiries about the program and becoming an Arts Mentor please contact Coordinator, Nerida Jarky at
nerida.jarkey@asia.usyd.edu.au.

Trivia Night - October 2002

• Date / Time: October 22nd, 2002 at 6:30 pm
• Venue: Grandstand Bar, The University of Sydney Main Oval

Golden Key held a Trivia Night and barbecue on 22nd October 2002 to benefit Mukinge Hospital in Zambia. This event was part of the chapter’s ongoing community service concern with paediatric AIDS. Over forty people converged on the Grandstand Bar for a fun evening of trivia and games. Teams demonstrated their knowledge of, amongst other things, current affairs, science, and obscure flags and faces.

At the end of the night, an ironic victory went to the team called I can't believe we're not better who promptly made off with the wine prizes. Participants also showed off their skills in paper aeroplane making and blind-fold pictionary but relied on good luck for a game of heads or tails. Most importantly, we raised $300 for the hospital program preventing the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies. Thanks to everyone for taking part!

General Members Meeting - September 2002

• Date / Time: September 9th, 2002 at 4 pm
• Venue: Reading Room, Holme Building

General Members Meetings are held to inform members of the current and future activities of Golden Key at Sydney University. Additionally, these meetings are used to fill executive positions required by the chapter, and also to allow members a forum to voice their comments regarding Golden Key. After discussing the goals of the chapter this year including continued focus on community service initiatives and increasing member participation, the election of committee positions including activities officer, newsletter and yearbook editors was conducted. A general member meeting is anticipated in Semester 1, 2003 to discuss the direction of the chapter, and the changes in Golden Key internationally.

Annual General Meeting - May 2002

• Date / Time: May 29th, 2002 at 5 pm
• Venue: Isabel Fidler Room, Manning House