Tertangala
Encyclopedia
Tertangala is the magazine of the University of Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association (WUSA)
From time to time, the Tertangala has been known to use themes as a way to source content and spark interest amongst the student population. However, themes are not at all restrictive and content is accepted even if it does not conform to the set theme.
, making it older than the University of Wollongong
itself. Colloquially referred to as "The Tert" by students, the paper is usually edited by the elected Media Coordinator of WUSA. The Media Coordinator is elected by a popular vote open to all WUSA members.
Tertangala has a radical editorial tradition and many of its former editors have transitioned into active political and artistic life. Past editors and staff members have also gone on to write for other publications, such as Rolling Stone
, The Australian
and Vogue
.
Throughout the years, Tertangala has won multiple awards, including a merit award for cover design and an investigative journalism award for a feature article about the re-opening of a copper smelter in Port Kembla. Tertangala was also named one of the top five student publications in the country.
Tertangala editors and contributors have also been regularly involved as presenters and organisers of the This is Not Art festival.
Tertangala was originally printed by the Illawarra Mercury
.
All copies of Tertangala are archived by the University of Wollongong library, and many are available online.
was a campus of UNSW, and was chosen to correspond with then sister paper Thurunka, meaning 'message stick'. Some people suggest that the name was also chosen to parody the atmosphere of Wollongong's industrial city.
There has always been tension between Tertangala and its auspice the Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association, usually around issues of right to free press and free speech when reporting on WUSA actions. Robert Bruce Keanan Brown (aka b2) (Editor 1988-1990) resigned in an open letter in Tertangala citing the "bureaucratisation" of the magazine as his main reason for leaving. He stated that:
Tertangala has also been accused of being depraved, pornographic, obscene and offensive by residents and local media on more than one occasion. The first was following a Commem Week edition of the publication called Daily Moron in 1974. Locals took issue with the magazine's liberal use of the word 'fuck'.
During 2009, the WUSA Queer Collective produced the Sexuality and Gender edition of Tertangala, without the consent of the Tertangala Collective, believing they had a historically supreme right to do so. The edition received the most criticism of any edition in 2009, from both WUSA Council and the general student population. The council criticism was due to the Queer Collective using Tertangala Collective funds and for acting against the principles of Tertangala, by only accepting articles from a select group of people. Students complained they found the edition offensive. The Queer Collective later claimed they meant to cause offence.
The third issue of 2010 was also censored by President Chris Monnox, for attacking the LP|Australian Labor Party] and National Union of Students (Australia)
.
administration. In 1999, the magazine reported the student uproar that followed a University decision to invite conservative commentator Piers Ackerman to speak at a graduation ceremony.
in the 1960s, and he ran for the position of editor in 1966 but was unsucessful. He wrote to congratulate Tertangala on reaching 45 years in 2007.
Van Badham
edited the magazine in 1997. Van is now an award-winning Australian playwright.
Member for Cunningham Michael Organ
.
significantly reduced the capacity of WUSA to continue to fund the publication. Following a long campaign in 2007 by the students involved, the University of Wollongong guaranteed $24,000 funding a year until 2010 in an effort to support the publication.
The magazine also uses advertising to supplement its funding base. The editor of the Tertangala reserves the right to determine who can and cannot advertise in the paper.
(* = resigned or dismissed, ** = interim or acting)
Content
The magazine features student investigative and feature articles, news, artwork, opinion, film and music reviews, as well as interviews and editorials. Submissions from staff and students (including student association representatives) makes up the bulk of the magazines content, however submissions from other members of the community are also accepted.From time to time, the Tertangala has been known to use themes as a way to source content and spark interest amongst the student population. However, themes are not at all restrictive and content is accepted even if it does not conform to the set theme.
2010 Editions
2010 saw the Tertangala change format, printers and even add some long awaited color, from issue two onwards. The year did away with themes apart from the ever needed 'survival guide' and a special issue focusing on mental health and welfare, which was compiled with the help of the WUSA welfare collective.History
Tertangala has a 48 year history. It was first published in September 1962, when the school was still an external campus of the University of New South WalesUniversity of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, making it older than the University of Wollongong
University of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong is a public university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney...
itself. Colloquially referred to as "The Tert" by students, the paper is usually edited by the elected Media Coordinator of WUSA. The Media Coordinator is elected by a popular vote open to all WUSA members.
Tertangala has a radical editorial tradition and many of its former editors have transitioned into active political and artistic life. Past editors and staff members have also gone on to write for other publications, such as Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, The Australian
The Australian
The Australian is a broadsheet newspaper published in Australia from Monday to Saturday each week since 14 July 1964. The editor in chief is Chris Mitchell, the editor is Clive Mathieson and the 'editor-at-large' is Paul Kelly....
and Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
.
Throughout the years, Tertangala has won multiple awards, including a merit award for cover design and an investigative journalism award for a feature article about the re-opening of a copper smelter in Port Kembla. Tertangala was also named one of the top five student publications in the country.
Tertangala editors and contributors have also been regularly involved as presenters and organisers of the This is Not Art festival.
Tertangala was originally printed by the Illawarra Mercury
Illawarra Mercury
The Illawarra Mercury is the only daily newspaper in Wollongong, the third largest city in the State of New South Wales, Australia. It has been published since 1855, making it one of Australia's oldest newspapers...
.
All copies of Tertangala are archived by the University of Wollongong library, and many are available online.
The Name
The name Tertangala is said to mean "smoke signals". The name originates from the time when the University of WollongongUniversity of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong is a public university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney...
was a campus of UNSW, and was chosen to correspond with then sister paper Thurunka, meaning 'message stick'. Some people suggest that the name was also chosen to parody the atmosphere of Wollongong's industrial city.
The First Edition
The first edition was a four-page newspaper put together for the Wollongong University College Students' Union and featured a number of satirical and journalistic articles. It also included advertisements for Lance's (a David Jones' store) Maloufs Men's Wear and Rural Bank (which opened on campus for "two hours every pay day").Controversies
A constitutional provision in the Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association constitution, designed to check the Media Coordinator's editorial power, provides the right of veto over the content of the paper by the President of WUSA. The right of editorial control versus the censorial privilege of the WUSA President has ofttimes been a source of controversy and tension on the University of Wollongong campus. In early 2004, then-Editor Anneliese Constable fought the then-President Michael Szafraniec for the right to publish reports critical of his administration of WUSA.There has always been tension between Tertangala and its auspice the Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association, usually around issues of right to free press and free speech when reporting on WUSA actions. Robert Bruce Keanan Brown (aka b2) (Editor 1988-1990) resigned in an open letter in Tertangala citing the "bureaucratisation" of the magazine as his main reason for leaving. He stated that:
"Tertangala is the property of the Students, NOT of the SRC... it cannot be made to serve the purposes of the political junketeers that infest the SRC."
Tertangala has also been accused of being depraved, pornographic, obscene and offensive by residents and local media on more than one occasion. The first was following a Commem Week edition of the publication called Daily Moron in 1974. Locals took issue with the magazine's liberal use of the word 'fuck'.
During 2009, the WUSA Queer Collective produced the Sexuality and Gender edition of Tertangala, without the consent of the Tertangala Collective, believing they had a historically supreme right to do so. The edition received the most criticism of any edition in 2009, from both WUSA Council and the general student population. The council criticism was due to the Queer Collective using Tertangala Collective funds and for acting against the principles of Tertangala, by only accepting articles from a select group of people. Students complained they found the edition offensive. The Queer Collective later claimed they meant to cause offence.
The third issue of 2010 was also censored by President Chris Monnox, for attacking the LP|Australian Labor Party] and National Union of Students (Australia)
NUS
NUS may refer to:* Nu Skin Enterprises* Neglected and Underutilized Species, or Neglected and Underutilized Crops* National Union of Students * National Union of Students * National Union of Students...
.
Student journalism
Not all controversies have been created by Tertangala, and the magazine has a well-documented history of recording controversial decisions of University of WollongongUniversity of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong is a public university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney...
administration. In 1999, the magazine reported the student uproar that followed a University decision to invite conservative commentator Piers Ackerman to speak at a graduation ceremony.
Notable Contributors
Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki used to write for Tertangala while studying at the University of WollongongUniversity of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong is a public university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney...
in the 1960s, and he ran for the position of editor in 1966 but was unsucessful. He wrote to congratulate Tertangala on reaching 45 years in 2007.
Van Badham
Van Badham
Van Badham is an Australian writer. A playwright and novelist, she writes dramas and comedies.-Early life:Van Badham was born Vanessa Badham in Sydney in 1978 . Her mother and father worked in the New South Wales gaming and track industry, with her father eventually working for the registered club...
edited the magazine in 1997. Van is now an award-winning Australian playwright.
Quoted in Federal Parliament
Tertangala was quoted in federal parliament, in a speech made by former Australian GreensAustralian Greens
The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which...
Member for Cunningham Michael Organ
Michael Organ
Michael Keith Organ is an Australian politician. He was an Australian Greens member of the Australian House of Representatives between 2002 and 2004, representing the Division of Cunningham, New South Wales...
.
Funding
Throughout its history, Tertangala was funded by WUSA through membership fees collected from students. The introduction of voluntary student unionismVoluntary student unionism
Voluntary student unionism is a policy, notable in Australia, under which membership of – and payment of membership fees to – university student organisations is voluntary....
significantly reduced the capacity of WUSA to continue to fund the publication. Following a long campaign in 2007 by the students involved, the University of Wollongong guaranteed $24,000 funding a year until 2010 in an effort to support the publication.
The magazine also uses advertising to supplement its funding base. The editor of the Tertangala reserves the right to determine who can and cannot advertise in the paper.
Past editors
- 1962 P. D. Scweinsberg
- 1963 Unknown
- 1964 Kieth Plastow
- 1965 Unknown
- 1966 Dick Jongsma
- 1967 Sue Brown
- 1968 K. W. Baxter
- 1969 Steward Martin
- 1970 Tom Murphy
- 1971 Doug Jenkins
- 1972 Margaret Edmonds; David Lear
- 1973 Richard Ross
- 1974 Jac Smit
- 1975 Penny Griffiths
- 1976 Unknown
- 1977 Martin Stanley*; James Black
- 1978 Unknown
- 1979 James Sanders*; Dan Sullivan; James Hartley
- 1980 James Hartley
- 1981 Pat Marsh*
- 1982 Jim Whitehead
- 1983 Jim Whitehead
- 1984 Michael Brcic
- 1985 Michael Brcic*; C. Buecher
- 1986 Sasheena Jagessar*; Andra Mendis*; Megan Slinning*
- 1987 David Brown
- 1988 R.B.K Brown
- 1989 R.B.K Brown
- 1990 R.B.K Brown*; Denise Knight
- 1991 Dean Mellor*; Lily Hamdan; Simon Steinfurth
- 1992 Timothy Phelan
- 1993 Jason Dickie*, Craig Wallace*, Kathryn Goldie
- 1994 Kathryn Goldie
- 1995 Damien Cahill
- 1996 Ronika Joukhador
- 1997 Van BadhamVan BadhamVan Badham is an Australian writer. A playwright and novelist, she writes dramas and comedies.-Early life:Van Badham was born Vanessa Badham in Sydney in 1978 . Her mother and father worked in the New South Wales gaming and track industry, with her father eventually working for the registered club...
- 1998 Stu Hatter
- 1999 Stella Chambers*, Ben Langford
- 2000 James Beach
- 2001 Ariane Lewis
- 2002 Dan Morgan
- 2003 Siobhan Christian
- 2004 Anneliese Constable
- 2005 Kristen Kalkman
- 2006 Grant Coleman* (Jan-Aug); Beth Patchett* (Aug); Adam Knobel (Aug-Dec)
- 2007 Adam Knobel
- 2008 Allison Jeffares
- 2009 Tim Rouen
- 2010 Charly Lindsay
- 2011 Charly Lindsay
(* = resigned or dismissed, ** = interim or acting)