tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82960022011-12-15T13:56:40.918+11:00Views on the news, media, politics, Melbourne and meBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.comBlogger801100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1114943732953018682005-05-27T09:26:00.000+10:002005-05-27T09:48:45.380+10:00

Remember Pandagate? Rob Corr at Red Rag has a history here and here (starts at the bottom). Pandagate really took off with this Age article by Misha Schubert. Titled 'The Young Lib, the green T-shirt and the how-to-vote card...' it began:Young Liberals posed as "bogus Green campaign workers" on election day to trick Green supporters into voting Liberal, federal Labor MP Michael Danby has claimed.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1115240608203230762005-05-05T07:05:00.000+10:002005-05-05T07:03:40.400+10:00

Cr. Dean Sheriff writes:Where is Dean Sherriff, former Commercial Services Director? Right here. Still Alive. Just became aware of your website. Despite attempts to sabotage my business, attempted break ins at my home, being run off the road, death threats and 8 separate dirt sheets I am still around. Please forgive me for not posting my business and employment details but I have

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1115137079202858402005-05-04T02:12:00.000+10:002005-05-04T02:18:28.956+10:00

In a seriously lengthy reply to my question, Scott writes: Dear Brent, I have always been prepared to answer any questions that have been put to me. I have cooperated with the Union’s Auditors, the University’s Auditors, Union appointed lawyers – who conducted reviews of all contracts and finally the present Supreme Court examination. I have been the most scrutinized individual

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1115135290824037392005-05-04T01:42:00.000+10:002005-05-04T01:48:10.826+10:00

Andrew Landeryou last Friday, according to the Herald Sun: Mr Landeryou last Friday denied in court ever receiving the summons to attend the liquidator's examination. He told Justice Julie Dodds-Streeton he returned from overseas as soon as became aware of the arrest warrant. Andrew Landeryou on Tuesday, according to himself: Hi Brent, Long Time Reader, First Time Poster.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1115134620091340882005-05-04T01:31:00.000+10:002005-05-04T01:52:04.216+10:00

Rightyo.It's fantastic when you get home, check your email and see that there have been so many comments. And then you read them, and realise that there were several very similar anonymous comments within minutes of each other. And then you read this anonymous stuff:Brent is the worst kind of moraliser. He was responsible for a corrupt deal costing the union $40000. It was initiated irregularly.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1115027710974577252005-05-02T19:40:00.000+10:002005-05-02T20:02:24.256+10:00

I titled my first post on the Scott for Ibbott campaign 'Do these people have no shame?' Scott replied, saying that 'I have nothing to be ashamed of.'My question to Scott is, do you have any regrets? I mean, you might not feel ashamed of your actions in the whole dispute, but in retrospect, do you wish, for example, that you didn't agree to the Optima deal? Or after the deal was signed, do you

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1114947206859507172005-05-01T21:30:00.000+10:002005-05-01T21:33:26.860+10:00

-Scott CrawfordA reply when I have a bit more time. But I have to clear two things up:- I too am humbled to have Scott drop by.- I didn't attack his dog, just called him cute.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1114753393734765232005-04-29T15:39:00.000+10:002005-04-29T15:47:46.670+10:00

No-show businessman under arrestBy Jamie DuncanApril 29, 2005RUNAWAY businessman Andrew Landeryou has been arrested at Melbourne Airport.And here:Runaway businessman arrested at airportBy Jane BardonApril 29, 2005 - 12:10PMRunaway businessman Andrew Landeryou has been detained after flying into Melbourne this morning, the Victorian Department of Justice has confirmed.Mr Landeryou was intercepted

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1114691290627764252005-04-28T22:35:00.000+10:002005-04-28T22:34:20.090+10:00

An anonymous commenter has pointed out another new site for us all:www.scottcrawford.com.auScott Crawford for Ibbott Ward (Banyule City Council)This has all the hallmarks of Darren Ray's ill-fated run in the last Banyule City Council elections. Lots of talk of in-fighting, division, etc. and then motherhood statements about how to "fix" it:FinanceWe need a financially responsible Council, which

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1114687901729432462005-04-28T21:15:00.000+10:002005-04-28T21:31:41.736+10:00

Landeryou 'forged' signatureBy Leonie WoodApril 28, 2005 A close relative of runaway businessman Andrew Landeryou has told a court that he believed Mr Landeryou, without his permission, made him a director of two companies and that his signature on a letter to corporate regulators was forged. Mathew Mason, who is married to Mr Landeryou's sister, said he discovered he was on the companies'

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1114605943439556172005-04-27T23:32:00.000+10:002005-04-27T23:30:41.033+10:00

If you've enjoyed the MUSU Files, you'll probably enjoy the State of the Union DVD.This documentary was written and produced by amateur filmmaker Gary Newman. It documents the 2003 annual MUSU elections, which it described as the 'bloodiest election in the history of student politics.' It goes for just over an hour, and shows the lengths to which the Labor Club/Liberal Club/Student Alliance/Go

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1114499422603278342005-04-26T17:06:00.000+10:002005-04-26T17:10:22.603+10:00

www.musulies.comThe inside story, authored by former President, Darren Ray.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1114414920007101452005-04-25T21:42:00.000+10:002005-04-25T21:34:38.993+10:00

The Rocks in Sydney. An SMS tip-off from a mate informs me that there is an expose on Andy, Ben and Darren in The Age. We head into the first newsagency we can find, thinking there is little chance of finding a copy of Melbourne's broadsheet in this tiny shop. To our surprise, there are several copies, and a front page story. On page 5, there is this story, and a graphic titled Andrew Landeryou:

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1114165541239487562005-04-22T20:13:00.000+10:002005-04-22T20:25:41.240+10:00

This post comes to you via the pathetically slow Bigpond terminals at Melbourne Airport, with our Qantas flight delayed by 30 minutes or so. ATC is with me, and is already well on his way to being tired and emotional (one beer already).My apologies for the lack of posts in the past month or so. There hasn't been too much happening on the MUSU front until this week, and I've been busy with uni and

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1113849726608625122005-04-19T07:34:00.000+10:002005-04-19T04:42:06.610+10:00

According to today's Herald Sun, Kimberley Kitching is or was a 'civic star'. Perhaps that's because she has broken her silence, and spoken exclusively to the Hun's Fiona Hudson:Ms Kitching revealed yesterday she had filed for voluntary bankruptcy ahead of a scheduled court appearance today over the debt to Mr Lew. She now stands to lose her heritage-listed Parkville mansion -- a wedding present

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1111492929269236002005-03-22T21:22:00.000+11:002005-03-22T23:05:35.673+11:00

Verry interesting story in Business section of The Age today, by Leonie Wood:Gloves off as tycoon Lew does battle with the Landeryou clanA bitter stoush between retail tycoon Solomon Lew and Melbourne's high-profile Landeryou clan has intensified, with Mr Lew suing Andrew Landeryou and his wife - former Melbourne city councillor Kimberley Kitching- for more than $3 million.Mr Lew has also taken

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1111400378471422172005-03-21T21:01:00.000+11:002005-03-21T21:19:39.090+11:00

From the Sunday Age's Spy column:The grass roots grow ever more complexLucy Beaumont THE plot thickens out Bundoora way. Spy last week detailed the Banyule Council debate about use of the mayoral vehicle that put the ABC's local government satire Grass Roots to shame. Now comes the bogus newsletter purportedly from Banyule councillor Dean Sherriff. "They've tried to copy the design of my

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1111071989573714342005-03-18T00:38:00.000+11:002005-03-18T02:06:29.576+11:00

According to AlexAndrew Landeryou has been located by the Australian government. Apprently he's in Russia, where apparently his father has some business dealings. Who'd have thought?I wonder if this means we'll see Andy any time soon...

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1110917408670100402005-03-16T07:55:00.000+11:002005-03-18T00:02:02.396+11:00

But gee, I wish I was...Update: Darren also testified on Wednesday, part of which I saw. Leonie Wood from The Age has a report on those proceedings here.A former president of the failed Melbourne University Student Union yesterday said it would have been "highly unusual" for its council or executive to check on companies it dealt with.Mr Ray also told the Victorian Supreme Court he was not

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1110544380515579792005-03-11T23:52:00.000+11:002005-03-12T00:05:14.606+11:00

- Gary Bigmore, QC to Darren Ray in the liquidation hearings at the Supreme Court of Victoria, this afternoon.The witty remark followed a series of questions from Mr Bigmore, to which the witness could not provide any recollection or anything much in specific. In fact, to a casual observer in court, one could have been forgiven for thinking that we were listening to the testimony of Carmen

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1110542021598846602005-03-11T22:41:00.000+11:002005-03-17T20:47:05.633+11:00

In a post last week, Alex asked the question:I wonder who Vassan Srinivasan is...?A commenter to the post filled in some of the picture: At 8:46 AM, Anonymous said… He is the last Liberal candidate for the state seat of Forest Hill and runs a company with Peter Vlahos called Universal Migration.See the linkhttp://www.universalmigration.com.au/ourTeam.htmlAnon Of course, Mr

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1110415183451810902005-03-10T11:39:00.000+11:002005-03-10T11:40:19.543+11:00

When I updated the blog the other day, I neglected to mention that Alex had unearthed the Deccan Herald article which interestingly linked some MUSU identities in their post-MUSU life.Yesterday, Louise Perry in Higher Education section of The Australian wrote a very succint 500 word summary of the MUSU court proceedings thus far. She also reported on last Friday's hearing where the court heard

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1109935670845681732005-03-05T15:05:00.000+11:002005-03-05T16:02:55.416+11:00

Where was I? :)In my break, I came across this mention of the MUSU saga in federal parliament by Sophie Panopoulos, the member for Indi in rural Victoria. Predictably, sophie.com.au attempted to link MUSU with VSU:This bill on the abolition of up-front student union fees is a way of making student unions accountable and responsive to their constituency—students. The only unions that should be

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1107336305000482982005-02-02T19:47:00.000+11:002005-02-02T20:35:12.140+11:00

I can't believe I haven't mentioned this before. From The Hindu, apparently India's national newspaper, in August last year: Towards a chequered career abroad The Career Guidance Cell of the Yadava College organised a programme on August 9 on `student progression to higher

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1107171471396231932005-01-31T23:07:00.000+11:002005-01-31T23:10:12.763+11:00

As Alex has already blogged, today's MUSUi liquidation hearing wasn't all that interesting - although I wouldn't go as far as to describe it as boring. There's heaps of little things that were interesting to me, as somebody who worked in the organisation, but wouldn't be that interesting to you. And lots of intriguing stories, which I think I can make sense of from the questions and answers in

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1107082952001442312005-01-30T22:02:00.000+11:002005-01-31T21:12:33.596+11:00

Came across this t-shirt the other day. Real Students was the ticket I ran with back in 2001 - with Darren, Pete, Tim, Alex et al. I think from memory we paid $10 each for the privelege of wearing these pieces of orange gold. Thankfully the writing on the back was small enough, so few students noticed, but you can see that the Real Students t-shirt designer had a case of the John Osborn's.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1106998838566363912005-01-29T22:40:00.000+11:002005-02-02T19:43:15.530+11:00

A minute before schedule, as the photo shows. More random thoughts and dodgy camera phone pics tomorrow. UPDATE: Make that Monday night UPDATE 2.0: Crikey I wrote a lot. I'll update when I've finished, whenever that may be.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1106986808512403012005-01-29T20:00:00.000+11:002005-01-29T19:43:33.593+11:00

I found a few old newspaper reports today when I cleaned up the house. It shows the lengths that process servers had to go to serve Andrew Landeryou with his order to appear before the Supreme Court MUSUi liquidation hearings (at which he has not yet appeared). Town hall's Supreme Court scare By Alison Dean Wednesday, December 1, 2004 The Melbourne Times Page 3 "Security guards ejected a

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1106629572818132972005-01-25T15:33:00.000+11:002005-01-25T17:16:21.916+11:00

If you're a Melbournian, you've probably sat on a train at some stage, and stared at signs that look something like Agent Fare Evader's Metropolitan Train Map*. If you're like me (which is possibly not the case) then you've wondered whether it's possible to visit all of those stations in one day. The answer, in theory at least, is yes**. Using only trains, a few buses and my feet, I plan this

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1105014829421553472005-01-18T23:33:00.000+11:002005-01-18T23:22:11.250+11:00

G'day there. I know that you have been waiting a while (13 days in fact), so here it is, the final holiday post. ATC and I stayed part of our holiday in Balmain. On the way to the shops early one morning (I needed the break from ATC's snoring) I came across this poster: When I got back to the place we were staying at, the conversation went something like this: Brent: What was the name of

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1105591131618478132005-01-13T15:07:00.000+11:002005-01-18T22:31:22.880+11:00

As I said the other day, I'm working full-time at the moment. In the irony of ironies, that job is with the Melbourne University Student Union Summer School. I'm currently the Programme Administrative Manager, overlooking Team Admin, dealing with changes to students timetables, queries, photocopying, barbecues and the like. The Summer School was previously overseen by the second-last Education

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1105442664659365342005-01-11T22:20:00.000+11:002005-01-11T22:24:24.660+11:00

Apologies if you've been waiting on an update on the MUSU files or (ahem) the final post from my holidays. Currently very busy, trying to combine full-time work with part-time work for a couple of weeks. It's OK thus far, but not many other things are getting a look in. I've got several more things to say on the MUSU stuff, so keep looking back if that's what you're interested in.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1105010973315742782005-01-06T22:08:00.000+11:002005-01-06T22:52:33.106+11:00

Now that today's serious post is complete, here's some further holiday snaps of me, in various big locations in Sydney and near the Hume: Brent at the big bridge, and a biggish boat On said boat, with the big opera house In front of Sydney's least favoured public transort option, the Monorail. And on one of the world's most famous beaches, Bondi The next few posts might require a

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1105005541126428322005-01-06T20:34:00.000+11:002005-01-06T20:59:01.126+11:00

I haven't written about the tsunami. I really don't know what to make of it all. The huge loss of life, the trauma that the survivors must be feeling, and the annihilation of villages. I don't have anything really to add on the subject that hasn't been said in the media or the blogosphere. I've been away from home for the past week or so, which means my media has been limited to the very good

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1104582475570088722005-01-01T23:17:00.000+11:002005-01-01T23:43:40.866+11:00

Actually, it's more like the life-sized Bradman, as I was a similar height to the bust of the Don, when we visited the very impressive Bradman Museum in Bowral. What do two Victorians do when they visit the Oval where the world's greatest ever cricketer learnt the game? They kick the footy, of course.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1104575410225749742005-01-01T22:30:00.000+11:002005-01-01T22:27:24.010+11:00

Brent: I think I'll go for a swim, Anonymous Travelling Companion. Have you seen the sunscreen? ATC: It's in the boot of the car. Brent: Do you know where the keys are then? ATC: They're on the bench. I think I'll have a snooze while you're swimming. I find the keys, close the motel door and open the boot, nonchalently resting the keys on a bag in the boot. I then close said boot, keys still

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1104484923715483692004-12-31T20:22:00.000+11:002004-12-31T20:28:12.830+11:00

As suggested yesterday, Brent at the Big Merino, Goulburn. More big holiday pics to come.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1104479604149698962004-12-31T18:41:00.000+11:002004-12-31T18:53:24.150+11:00

In today's Crikey, there was this: "The Turkish connection extends to Global Tertiary Solutions, the company set up to run the student elections at Melbourne University. In the company search the current director is a Turk from the same town in Turkey as MLC Hamdi Eren. The GTS head office is at Robina on the Gold Coast, home to Bond Uni where Landeryou did his law degree after being turfed as

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1104443655596556032004-12-31T08:44:00.000+11:002004-12-31T08:54:15.596+11:00

Despite the fact that I'm on holidays and wasn't going to keep up with the MUSU things, the word 'Landeryou' featured prominently in yesterday's Crikey email, so I couldn't resist. Here's the relevant bits from the subscriber only email. Apologies to Crikey for the full cut and paste job - make sure you visit them and subscribe to get their email everyday. 7. Landeryou and friends There

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1104442287149075312004-12-31T08:31:00.000+11:002004-12-31T08:40:08.870+11:00

Brent with the Dog on the Tuckerbox at Gundagai yesterday. A photo of Brent with the big sheep, as mentioned yesterday, should be up tomorrow.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1104358514468489082004-12-30T09:12:00.000+11:002004-12-30T09:15:14.466+11:00

I'm going away from today, so that means there probably won't be any more posts til next week. Although there could be. And/or pictures of me near a big sheep. Happy New Year.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1103688501940825672004-12-23T01:30:00.000+11:002004-12-26T12:35:08.340+11:00

If you haven't already, check out this piece from the Weekend Australian. It's a very useful profile of Andrew Landeryou and some of his associates. Further information about Nick Church was alleged in the Victorian Parliament in 2002 - see here for details (it begins on page 61 of the book, or page 35 of the Acrobat document). Now, onto today's post and, specifically, the matter of carpet

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1103693588331017942004-12-22T16:33:00.000+11:002004-12-22T17:02:04.963+11:00

You're looking at a card sent by Darren Ray to a friend of mine from MUSU for Christmas in 2002. This front cover is a photo of the Sails, the large structure that protects Union House's North Court from the elements. This interestingly enough, was an initiative of Darren's Labor Unity Presidential predecessor (amongst other things) Ben Cass in 2000. I guess in itself there is nothing unusual

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1103442408629250782004-12-19T18:46:00.000+11:002004-12-19T19:11:00.423+11:00

Following on from last week's post, this time an insurance company is telling us why Santa is so merry (click on Santa to see why).

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1103078379884518572004-12-15T13:39:00.000+11:002004-12-15T13:50:16.030+11:00

The National Australia Bank, Healesville, showing the "true" meaning of Christmas. Well, the true meaning of Christmas for a corporation that describes a $3b+ profit as "poor and unacceptable". Brent's tip: Join a credit union.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1102940369746501572004-12-13T23:19:00.000+11:002004-12-13T23:26:20.886+11:00

Don't you just love automated google ads? In case you missed it, this was in Saturday's Age: Labor Party apparatchik Andrew Landeryou and his wife, Kimberley Kitching, had a bad day in court yesterday.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1102652681190908212004-12-10T15:06:00.000+11:002004-12-10T15:26:38.473+11:00

Firstly, good to see the MUSU saga is going multi-media, with Martin Daly and The Age returning to the story after a lengthy absence: Investigators have uncovered a paper trail leading to a Chinese bank where $1 million from an allegedly suspect deal involving the former Melbourne University Student Union was parked. The money came from a deal involving student leaders and Labor Party

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1102475384449234302004-12-08T23:41:00.000+11:002005-06-09T12:17:43.120+10:00

I would encourage you to take a look at Liam Hogan's Cut Price Commentariat, and in particular this part of his NOLS memoir (for the uninitiated, NOLS is the National Organisation of Labor Students, or the more moderate left Labor group in student politics). He writes: Meetings are one thing, elections another.When people meet they do not make any real commitment to acting together or

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1101894842615520922004-12-01T20:53:00.000+11:002004-12-01T21:06:41.440+11:00

My sincerest apologies for taking so long to get to the next couple of bits. The entirety of the saga should all be wrapped up during next week.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1101112791574178072004-11-23T16:26:00.000+11:002004-11-23T16:31:49.313+11:00

To recap - I've just left Real Students, but are continuing in my role as House and Services Officer, meaning my office is next door to Darren Ray's. Pete Marczenko has been renominated as Acting General Secretary til the September elections. Some time after Pete's reappointment, we were told that Pete was to be replaced by Tim Lisle-Williams. I can't remember the exact reason for Pete's

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1100657525878947132004-11-17T13:04:00.000+11:002004-11-17T13:12:05.876+11:00

According to dictionary.com: Mel·bourne 1. A city of southeast Australia southwest of Canberra. Settled in 1835, it was the seat of the Australian federal government from 1901 to 1927. The Summer Olympics were held here in 1956. Population: 3,189,200. Meanwhile: Syd·ney A city of southeast Australia on an inlet of the Tasman Sea. The largest city in Australia, it is the country's chief port

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1100604403754646362004-11-16T22:26:00.000+11:002004-11-16T22:26:43.753+11:00

Update 1a: Check out this story on Crikey regarding the Melbourne City Council elections. It appears that Cr Kimberley Kitching is "bankrolling" the tilt of three tickets, including the one mentioned in this post. Update 1b: A rumour confirmed by two independent sources is good enough for me: It was the intention of Darren Ray to appoint Cr Kimberley Kitching to the Electoral Tribunal of MUSU

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1100321006319867682004-11-14T21:22:00.000+11:002004-11-15T20:46:54.776+11:00

The elections were over, and Real Students and their feeder tickets had won 14 of the 17 Student Council positions, as this document shows (note also, I was "elected" with the highest vote of any officebearer!). From memory, the three independent members of Student Council were Robert Spotswood, Patrick White and Emma Rush (the latter resigned her position before she ever came to a meeting).

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1100316797043068942004-11-13T15:02:00.000+11:002004-11-14T21:31:56.296+11:00

Part 1: IQ & Real In this post, I indicated that I would have some documentary evidence to show that Real Students met at the offices of IQ corporation, 153 Sturt Street, before the 2001 elections. Here is the campaign material from the 2001 elections: A close up of the photo can be seen here. Note the background contains a piece of public art and a traffic light. Apologies for the quality of

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1100066050219237992004-11-10T16:47:00.000+11:002004-11-10T17:01:03.643+11:00

In my earlier piece lambasting the lame new Melbourne 2006 mascot, I neglected to mention Fatso, the Unofficial Mascot of the Sydney 2000 Olympics: Give me the Fat Arsed Wombat over a Cockatoo any day...

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099910039251956602004-11-08T22:50:00.000+11:002004-11-08T23:05:06.966+11:00

I heard on the radio today that the cost of staging the 2006 Commonwealth Games is going to top the $1b mark. Part of that cost is to develop a new pool at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, to stage the swimming events. There is little wrong with the current pool. I know this, because I spent the last five Friday evenings competing in it, as part of Swimming Victoria's Spring Interclub

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099801166343524942004-11-07T15:00:00.000+11:002004-11-07T17:32:36.123+11:00

Firstly, dissension in the ranks of the Libs. For example, Andrew Bolt's lovechild Miranda (not literally of course!) on the topic: Is abortion an Australian tragedy? No. Not comparitively. Not compared to the tragedy of the life of a woman who has fallen pregnant by accident, been forced to have the child and suffered a mental breakdown. Having a baby is an enormous responsibility, and a

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099567813095440102004-11-05T13:45:00.000+11:002004-11-15T00:14:53.056+11:00

According to MUSUi's constitution, the annual elections have to be held two weeks before the September holidays. The regulations of the Union circa 2001 outlined a process for the appointment of a Returning Officer: 204 (3) For the annual elections: (a) The General Secretary must advertise the position of Returning Officer on the Student Union notice-board, in "Student Union's daily news-sheet",

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099473066856983662004-11-03T20:05:00.000+11:002004-11-07T19:56:49.020+11:00

Firstly, thanks for your emails of support over the past 18 hours or so. Surprisingly, these have come from both sides of politics - it's quite obvious to me that many student representatives want to rule a line under MUSUi and start afresh. It'd also be fair to say that many are just thankful for the goss. I'll be posting an update on the site tomorrow. I've been going through some of my MUSUi

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099378234304378962004-11-02T23:59:00.000+11:002004-11-16T19:34:05.653+11:00

Today's piece was originally going to be on the elections themselves, but I've instead decided to concentrate on something that happended between being s/elected as a candidate and the elections themselves. Before the elections, the Real Students group had a weekend meeting at the headquarters of IQ Corporation at 153 Sturt St, Southbank. At the time, I didn't know what IQ actually did - they

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099356784689165432004-11-02T11:40:00.000+11:002004-11-07T17:48:43.816+11:00

In case you're worried that I have "an agenda to push" (unlike anything you've ever read on a blog) check out http://www.alexlew.blogspot.com Note also that Miranda was unaware that her fellow Farrago editor for nigh on 12 months, Jake Anson, was a former member of the Dems.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099303060646580252004-11-01T23:30:00.000+11:002004-11-07T17:37:00.296+11:00

I don't intend the following to be particularly vindictive. People who know me know that I'm not usually that way inclined. The sole purpose of these entries is to put my side of the story regarding what happened to MUSUi. Bubble O Bill in hand, we begin. Darren Ray and I both attended Greensborough Secondary College (GSC) between 1993 and 1998. The first thing you should know about GSC was

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099300278241115602004-11-01T20:10:00.000+11:002004-11-02T12:00:57.290+11:00

Seeing as Farrago editor Miranda has been visiting, I thought I might as well have a crack at her favourite columnist, Andrew Bolt. Yesterday in the Sunday Herald Sun, Andy had a go at the Bracks government for proposing to include a statement in the Victorian Constitution that, according to Bolt: "recognises that Victoria's Aboriginal people were the original custodians of the land . . . (and)

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099296470890417672004-11-01T19:49:00.000+11:002004-11-02T11:58:08.430+11:00

Before I begin this evening, I'd like to share with you something that was brought to my attention earlier today - the website of the company that Darren Ray set up - or its official title - the B V Sachsen Group (Australia) Proprietry Limited website. As the Supreme Court heard last Thursday, B V Sachsen provided "consulting services" to MUSUi in Orientation Week 2003, by

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1099213190729848152004-10-31T20:21:00.000+11:002004-11-02T12:01:54.176+11:00

G'day all Yes, I'm alive. In fact, I spent a very enjoyable day last Thursday in the Supreme Court of Victoria, Court No. 3. I was there to listen to the examination of Darren Kenneth Ray and Benjamin Cass, Presidents of the Melbourne University Student Union Inc. in 2002 and 2000 respectively. The Australian reported some of their interesting testimony here. The hearing was orchestrated by the

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1097218897533280852004-10-09T09:53:00.000+10:002004-11-02T00:51:27.536+11:00

If you've been wondering why the Greens have been prospering in recent times, check out this link. In my seat of Jaga Jaga, I'll be voting in the following order tomorrow: 1. Cate HAYWARD Australian Democrats As a former member of this party, I'll be voting for the Dems tomorrow. Sure, they probably won't win any seats, and has largely lost the trust of the electorate following the

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095772169421466282004-09-22T15:52:00.000+10:002004-09-21T23:15:47.810+10:00

The Baby: Firstly, congratulations are in order for my sister, Lisa and her husband, Robert on the birth of their first daughter, Emily Paige at the Bays Hospital, Mornington yesterday around 1.30pm. Unfortunately I can't upload a pic as yet. I am now also an Uncle for the first time, so yay for me! Two Men: Latham and Howard of course! Secondly, what the hell is going on with the polls?

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095603301660252112004-09-20T17:06:00.000+10:002004-09-20T00:16:13.613+10:00

Further to my earlier post on Family First. No word on my email (I wasn't expecting one really) but the party is quite happy to preference all Democrats Senate candidates, including the gay Brian Greig and bisexual Jess Healy, so maybe they're not as picky as I first thought. Having said that, it is quite unusual for the Dems to be putting a party such as Family First anywhere far from other

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095407768249438652004-09-18T11:00:00.000+10:002004-09-17T17:59:53.036+10:00

Honey Bacon with late husband Jim Former First Lady of Tasmania Candy Broad Victorian Minister for Local Government, Housing Woody Inman Liberal Candidate for Jagajaga, 2004 Federal Election

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095396867282065382004-09-18T07:43:00.000+10:002004-09-17T15:35:22.520+10:00

As was noted in the last post, the Family First party is likely to do quite well in its first federal election, particularly in the Senate. I doubt that they'll win any seats, as the quota required (14.3%) is significantly greater than the quota which won them a seat in SA's upper house at their first election (8.3%). Despite that they've been getting some good media - with Melbourne's own

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095392341210393442004-09-18T06:44:00.000+10:002004-09-17T13:39:01.210+10:00

With all this talk of the surge in support for the Greens, the decline of the Democrats, the emergence of Family First (more later today) and the return of Pauline to the Senate race, it wouldn't be hard to overlook the Australian Progressive Alliance. You know, the APA. Meg Lees' party. Still not ringing any bells? Well, their website tells us that they'll be: Tough but fair – your voice in the

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095252510655033902004-09-16T15:42:00.000+10:002004-09-15T23:02:05.990+10:00

(If you don't get my attempt at very undergraduate humour, this might help)

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095211516394965342004-09-16T04:21:00.000+10:002004-09-15T11:31:20.296+10:00

The big writing says: Latham vows to strip $520 million in federal funds from private schools The Labor Party policy says: A Federal Labor Government will: ■ Re-distribute $520 million within the non-government sector to schools with the greatest need, including a $378 million boost for Catholic systemic schools.Details, shmetails... Little wonder then that 63% of Australians believe that

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095164619588297012004-09-15T15:23:00.000+10:002004-09-14T22:34:56.133+10:00

Timothy Hawkes, headmaster of The Kings School said today: There's no way that I'm going to argue that we need this money, I've got colleagues and friends in the state sector and other schools which are very poorly resourced and they desperately need more money. The conservative side of politics sees the issue in terms of their mantra of choice. Brendan Nelson on Sunday's Insiders:

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095122588009933882004-09-15T03:49:00.000+10:002004-09-14T11:03:10.906+10:00

It seems that this 3 day old blog is turning into Media Watch, given that today my sights are set on Rupert's baby The Australian, and its political editor Dennis Shanahan. On Saturday, Shanahan wrote that Both sides are reassessing their campaigns, the timing of security-related policy launches and scheduled advertising, after the Jakarta bombing abruptly switched the focus of the

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095118441611100042004-09-15T02:29:00.000+10:002004-09-14T09:42:53.926+10:00

It seems at this stage that all Australians working in Iraq are accounted for, meaning that the previous post is probably redundant.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095083478295365262004-09-14T16:45:00.000+10:002004-09-13T23:51:18.303+10:00

The French news agency AFP is reporting that two Australians have been taken hostage in Iraq. Unconfirmed at this stage, but if it is true, then Labor can probably kiss the election goodbye. Australians aren't likely to change governments at the behest of terrorists, as unfair as that is on Mark Latham's Opposition.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095082420140026982004-09-14T16:29:00.000+10:002004-09-13T23:33:40.140+10:00

According to Newspoll the polls are tied as 50/50 on two-party preferred terms, despite the Jakarta bombing. Makes the $2.75 that Centrebet's offering on Labor (in from $3 from memory) seem like good odds.

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1095081928269621462004-09-14T15:59:00.000+10:002004-09-14T10:47:10.233+10:00

I would have posted more on the "Great Debate" last night, but I had to go to bed early. You see, every Monday I work at the Melbourne Wholesale Markets. The most interesting thing about my job is that I start at 1am and finish at around 8-8.30am, which does throw your sleep patterns around a bit. It's especially hard when you have to go to uni from 9-12, which means having a very quick shower at

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8296002.post-1094982791511390972004-09-13T12:46:00.000+10:002004-09-14T10:46:22.250+10:00

Welcome to Brent's views on the world. Just watching the "Great Debate" on television. Methinks it was a masterstroke from the Howard camp to have five journalists rather than Uncle Ray, considering the first four questions have been from two different journalists, and all four have been on war, terrorism and the like - Howard's strengths (according to the population at large, not me!) Given

Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169931861074201238noreply@blogger.com0