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Sydney Students' Many Discounts

by Michael Spraggon

Australian business houses offer student discounts on a scale so grand that New Zealand students are inclined to be very jealous of their Australian counterparts. In this article New Zealand-born Michael Spraggon, at present studying at the University of New South Wales, shows just what is offered to students in Sydney.

In a city with two Universities (University of New South Wales and Sydney University) and a third on the way, over 22,000 student voices can make a forceful impression. But in such a delicate matter of £sd (or $c) protest has a contrary effect and argument is of no avail.

Negotiation and agreement (politically termed "peaceful settlement"), however, produce results, and the sweat and tears, toll and blood of Churchill's prose is watered down with happiness.

Here in this internationally famous city, profit making organisations and public companies, for their own and the students' benefit, have seen fit to offer "student discounts."

Each student at the University of New South Wales carries a 3½in by 1¾in plastic card which serves as an identification card (it bears the student's signature), credit card (it is embossed with name and address) and library card (each student is numbered). This is all that is needed.

The advantages of regular discount-attracted trade to Sydney businesses is undoubted where an above 22,000 population custom is assured. From the students' point of view the effect is helpfully significant. The bank balance is small but with just the flash of a smile and a Union Card, the gay life that is Sydney opens at your feet —for 20 per cent discount.

• • A bowling alley and squash courts, a car dealer and a retail store are but a few of the avenues of enjoyment which open for the student. In fact, let's list them just to see where we in New Zealand miss out.
• • Anthony Hordern Ltd., a retail department store with three city branches, grants a five per cent discount on most items for payment of accounts on due date—clothes, records, etc., are all included. A small branch of this store is operated in the Union Building at the University and it offers a five per cent cash discount. David Jones Ltd., another big Australian retailer, has a similar arrangement with Sydney University.
• • Kensington Bowl offers a game of ten-pin bowls for 4/- a game between 9am and 6pm when normal prices are 6/- per game— 33½ per cent discount.
• • The squash courts, adjacent to the University, offer free use of racquets and shoes—a saving of 4/6 per half hour.
• • Peter Lloyd Pty. Ltd.—a GMH Dealer—offers a discount on new and second-hand cars for University Students!
• • J. C. Williamson's Theatres Ltd. who own the main live show theatre and one of the better picture theatres in Sydney offer 33½ per cent and 25 per cent discounts (30/- seats at 20/- and 10/- seats at 7/6) for live shows; and 40 per cent and 25 per cent discounts (25/- seats at 15/- and 10/- seats at 7/6) for films. These discounts are for double tickets Monday to Thursday inclusive.
• • Three or lour petrol service stations adjacent to the University offer a 3d to 4d discount on every gallon of petrol, as well as a five per cent discount on servicing for students' cars—oil change and grease included.
• • Dymocks Bookshop, a large bookshop and stationer, offers a 10 per cent cash discount on all books purchased. This privilege does not extend to much-needed stationery, unfortunately.
• • Keith Britter Ltd. offers a 33½ per cent discount to male students for all shoes if they will participate in a market research survey which has been going now for about a year. All "participation" entails is completing a few postage prepaid questionnaires.
• • Airline discounts both in Australia—Ansett and TAA—and in the South Pacific region — Qantas and Air New Zealand — are offered to students travelling between home and University. The in-Australia discounts apply also to students under 19 years of age for other private travel.
• • Railways offer free travel to all full-time students for daily travel between home and the University. Discounts are also available for travel outside Sydney.
• • Bus concession passes ore available to full-time students for travel two hours before the first lecture and three hours after the last lecture each day. The limes of lectures are shown on the pass to the disagreement of all students.

These, then, are the advantages of being an Australian university student. The benefits accrue to the business, which is assured of constant University patronage, and to the students who look for the best deal available.

My aim is not, however, to convince you of the benefits of study in this thriving capital of New South Wales, but to offer you a challenge: If this can be done with success in Sydney, why not in Wellington?