Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 40 No. 26. October 3 1977
Chocolate Fish
Chocolate Fish
1977 was not a vintage year in the quality of its SRC's. Nevertheless, there were the memorable moments—occasionally attendences hit the 300 mark. The main fault seemed to be in the coordination of student reps which after all, is the main function of SRC. Mark Sainsbury, SRC Coordinator for the first part of the year did absolutely nothing in this respect and then resigned after letting things slide even further.
Andy Moore-Jones was elected in his place and was faced with picking up the pieces. Unfortunately, Andy did not pay sufficient attention to the representative function of SRC. Student reps on faculties, Council and other Committees have not been co-ordinated and in some cases the student reps have acted incorrectly because of this
SRC should not only be a forum for motions to be brought forward on outside issues, but should be a discussion point for the things that are going on around varsity and this can only be possible when reporting back by reps is properly combined with the implementation of SRC policy.
As for Executive, this years performances have been a little above dismal. The hard workers have carried the weight of Executive word and received very little thanks. Lindy Cassidy has done a good job in keeping the Association's affairs together, and even managed to play a leading role in many of the political campaigns that have been going on.
Steve Underwood has kept the finances in order and helped in association administration in his steady and quiet way.
Kevin Swann resigned earlier in the year due to work and considerable financial difficulties (all donations can be sent c/o Studass Office). The Association has rarely missed a decent Secretary (some say for up to five years) which explains the lack of smoothness in its functioning.
Man's Vice President Neil Gray has contributed alot to organising events on campus, even if he did run an unsuccessful Presidential campaign for Rob Moore-Jones. In many ways Neil took the burden of much of the shit work expecially in social events.
All the others are a mixed bunch who, for v reasons which may not be their fault, have played only a limited role in keeping the machine running.
Sue Hanna and Andrew Dungan had the situation of taking over positions half-way through the year—those of Women VP and Cultural Affairs Officer. This has meant that the opportunity to initiate new ventures has been difficult. They have both performed well in these circumstances.
The last three members of Exec, have had mixed performances. Peter Gilkinson and Gerard Couper have been hard to find during the year, indicating either no work at all or well concealed work. Peter Thrush has been visible and, on many occasions, vocal but his work in the sport area (e.g. Easter Tournament) and in other areas (e.g. the Revue) has been accompanied with organisational mal-functions.
We hope fervently that the criticism we have dished out during the year has been fair and that the persons concerned have taken a positive attitude to the criticism.
What seems to have come out of the activities of the Exec, this year is the need for members to commit more of their time to the Association to enable them to organise things properly, and to take a wider view of what the Association is or might be rather than restrict themselves to mundane administrational tasks. Prospective Exec, members must be prepared to work hard and receive little thanks for it. Perhaps this explains the fall-off in competition for positions.
Don't let all this deter you from taking leading roles in the Association. VUWSA needs as many keen young men and women as possible.
—David Murray.