Disclaimer
Synapses is a Port Macquarie Writers Guild student magazine and the opinions
expressed within are not necessarily those of the editor, staff or student
members. Association by person or companies with “Synapses” does not
necessarily reflect the religious, political, sexual, or racial beliefs of those parties.
The Writers Guild and Synapses members do not accept responsibility for any
omission, errors, misconceptions or the views and opinions contained in any
article accepted for publication. The right to edit or reject any articles submitted
remains with the editing body.
Yvette Coulon
Jessica Day
Thomas Lake
David Matters
Helen Doohan
Serana Hillin
Cover:
International placement experience
Essential opening hours
Contact list
Cashman Report
Photos
Sports Report
Healthy relationships– headspace
Reviews
Blackboard
Recipe
Puzzles
4
13
13
6
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
Want to submit something to Synapses?
It could be a picture, a story, an article about relevant-to-student-
life topic (money, studying, food, sleep, drinking too much, food)…
whatever you want to read about and see published! Email your
contributions to [email protected]
Deadlines for May issue: 20 April
3 - Synapses April 2015
Hello… And welcome to the second issue of Synapses! I hope everyone has been enjoying their first few
weeks of uni! I mean what’s not to enjoy? Hours of lectures, assignments, fat $$$ text books where
you have to google every second word so that you even know what is being said… yeah it’s great.
Really feeling confident in my decision to undertake a university degree right now. I know you all are
as well!
It’s getting pretty crowded here at our little makeshift campus, but it’s exciting to see proper tertiary
education become available in our little old town!
With so many new students we can really get the ball rolling in clubs and recreational activities! I get
so jealous when I see wagga is having glow stick parties.
Congratulations to our new SRC members who were announced on Friday! I have no idea who you
are because I chose to sit at home on Friday night (I had a great time too by the way) instead of
going to the census party, but CONGRATS! We will have an exclusive interview with our new council
members next issue asking all the important questions so stay tuned…
Happy Chocolate day for next weekend!
Yvette xxo gossip girl.
Poll results: when will the new port
campus be open for business?
60% of people think that the campus will be
ready just before semester 1 2016. A modest
hesitant opinion on their current goal to be
functional in October. I’m still of the opinion
that it won’t be ready until I leave which will be
end of 2026, and 26% of people agree with
me!
Free 2-for1 movie vouchers!
Send in the title of the movie
that sums up your life.
Email entries:
by 16th April.
Got a cover worthy photo?
Want to be featured on a prestigious
magazine?
Email your photos to
(must be your own photo and preferably not a
hairy man with a bullet belt)
Phwaaar!
4 - Synapses April 2015
This experience is rated F for freaking amazing
– where's my passport
Studying paramedics at Charles Sturt
University (CSU) in Port Macquarie has
provided me with a world of opportunity to
learn and develop skills both here in Australia
and abroad. In 2014, in my second year of
studies I was fortunate enough to be selected
to travel to Thailand for work experience
through CSU's global education program.
I was part of a group of twelve students and
two lecturers - mainly a mix from CSU's Port
Macquarie and Bathurst campuses. Our first
meeting as a group was at Sydney's airport
departure lounge before boarding our plane -
destination Bangkok.
After leaving a chilly Sydney, it was a shock to
the system to arrive in the heavy heat of
Bangkok. Bangkok airport is a bustling
terminal filled with people of varied
nationalities as it is used by many airlines as a
stopover to other destinations including the
Middle East and Europe. Keeping everyone
together was our wonderful lecturers Tania and
Nua. Tania was a seasoned traveller and
provided me with a steady supply of travel
sickness tablets, and Nua hailed from Bangkok
and so was able to speak the language to
quickly organise transport to our hotel.
Tired and sore we straggled onto minivans
taking us to our hotel and sat back happy we
had arrived in Thailand. If we thought we were
going to enjoy a leisurely drive, we were
horribly mistaken. Thais like to drive - fast.
The speed limit for the freeway was 80km but
we were going much faster. Surrounded by
Toyotas of every description (the car of choice
for Thais) our vans were weaving in and out of
the congested traffic, and after experiencing a
few near misses I thought my skills as a
paramedic student may actually be required or
I would need a paramedic myself.
After enduring a nail-biting journey of around
half an hour we finally pulled into the driveway
of our hotel. The chaos of traffic, horns, sirens
and people was immediately dulled as we
stepped into the coolness of the hotel lobby.
Uniformed staff warmly greeted us with chilled
refreshments and we were shown to
comfortable seats. Tania and Nua explained
the Itinerary for our stay in Bangkok, and then
we were able to retire to our rooms. The
Bangkok hotel provided comfortable and
attractive rooms and the bed was an especially
welcome relief after a long day travelling.
The next day was spent sight seeing in
Bangkok - it was a blur of people, temples,
gold, exotic food stalls, shops, trains, traffic,
and buildings. The highlight of the day was the
river cruise where we fed some fish that looked
as though they'd bite your arm off, watched
lizards almost as big as crocodiles slide into the
murky river, and spied a dead dog bobbing up
and down against a pontoon. The cruise also
allowed us to glimpse the old Bangkok, we saw
original Thai houses made out of carved wood,
floating markets, people fishing, and
mysterious walled gardens with small temples.
Evenings in Bangkok were spent visiting
various markets; exploring multi storied
shopping centres, being dazzled by bright
lights, navigating narrow footpaths, eating
spicy food, and squeezing into Tuk Tuks, which
hurtled down crowded streets.
The country was under military rule but there
was little evidence of this as we explored the
city other than noticing the occasional military
themed poster or advert on one of the city's
public video screens. Billboards both digital
and static dominated Bangkok's skyline - from
the gigantic - longer than several football fields
to the smaller personal screens on the footpath
- it was hard to believe the city of over 6
million people started life as a village on the
banks of a river.
A whirlwind few days of sightseeing tours and
enjoying the delights of local markets came to
an end as we donned our student uniforms and
experienced what is was like to be a paramedic
in Thailand's exciting and never predictable pre
hospital environment.
Next issue: Pre hospital adventures in
Thailand.
Need volunteer hours?
Become a
student leader & inspire school
students to go to uni!
Email Bron: [email protected]
6 - Synapses April 2015
Greetings student people!
Food! Glorious food, is on the agenda today, my
favourite topic.
How can I shave my spending on food so I
go out more often Mr Cashman??
Good question friend. The following page shows a
budget – don’t cringe – about food I buy from
Coles. This is only something to base your spend-
ing, I know how difficult it is to track your costs
and keep to a budget but this will give you a quick
idea of another man’s food list. This list includes
bulk goods – why would I need 1kg of rice for one
dish?? – because it’s hell cheaper than the small
packs.
Dude, why is your budget over $80 and
where’s lunch??
It’s not for just one week. Plan to spend, work to
save. All my dinners can be frozen for other
nights. Lunches are best to eat the leftovers from
the night before or microwave one of those frozen
dinners. Even the chance to chomp on the veg or
fruit if you roll that way.
So just buy from large shops like Coles and
Woolworths??
Hell no. Look out for other places, make lists – if
you’re a nerd – or just ask around. The big shops
use marketing and merchandise positioning tech-
niques to make you buy more, when it could be
much cheaper and better elsewhere, like the re-
ject store or the markets.
So buy cheap and live like an 1800’s pau-
per??
Yes. If you shave back your hairy-spending habit,
you will have more to spend socialising or on that
other habit you have.
I am strapped for cash man, give me some
money??
I can’t give you money, but CSU does provide $50
emergency grants see Clara in student central.
That’s all for this edition
from Ca$hman. If you have any questions, tips
or ideas for students in money, email to
I will respond in the next edition of Synapses.
Budget April 2015
group item cost size notes Breakfast:
porridge Quick Oats $ 1.45 500g Add milk stir and put in microwave for
3 mins. Instant porridge milk $ 2.00 litre
Brown sugar $ 1.69 500g
total $ 5.14 can last one week
Dinners:
Spaghetti Bol. Minces $ 3.50 500g pasta $ 1.00 packet
sauce $ 1.70 big jar Baguletto brand
total $ 6.20 Freeze left overs in containers. Other
dinners
Ravioli (no oven) sauce $ 1.70 big jar Baguletto brand
ravioli range $ 3.70 for 2 Cook in boiling water from kettle and
stir until soft. Add with sauce total $ 5.40 for two
Casserole Cheap meat $ 5.00 500g casserole, chuck or other cheap meat
tomato paste $ 1.30 large jar
Once opened, screw on lid and leave
upside down in fridge. Airtight, lasts 3x
longer.
crushed tomatoes $ 1.20 tin Italian ones have herbs and spices carrots $ 1.00 1kg potatoes unwashed $ 2.98 1kg
frozen peas $ 2.00 1kg
total $ 13.48
Cook in slow cooker 5-8hrs or on oven
tray cover with aluminium and cook
same time on medium.
Stir Fry chicken breast $ 4.50 500g from the deli
sauce $ 2.08 packed Lee Kum Kee range is my fav.
Frozen veg $ 3.08 1kg
rice $ 3.39 1kg
Total $ 13.05 freeze left overs
chopped sausages $ 7.00 pack of 22 Use 4-6 each cook. Freeze the rest
sauce $ 2.08 packed Lee Kum Kee range is my fav.
Frozen veg $ 3.08 1kg
rice $ 3.39 1kg
Total $ 15.55 freeze left overs
Hawaiian Pizza pizza bases $ 3.00 2 pack Coles brand, look out for lavish bread
and English muffins (mini pizzas). pineapple pieces $ 1.20 medium tin ham $ 10.00 500g from deli
grated cheese $ 6.50 700g
tomato paste $ 1.30 large jar
Once opened, screw on lid and leave
upside down in fridge. Airtight, lasts 3x
longer. Total $ 22.00 make approx. 3
Deserts Pudding instant pudding $ 1.45 packet Cottee's brand add milk. Feed 2.
pancakes Pancake mix $ 1.75 one bottle Add water. Makes approx. 4-6 pan-
cakes
Big food shop $ 84.02 breakfast, 5 dinners and 2 deserts
10 - Synapses April 2015
CSU sporting committee aims to provide each student with many opportunities in the sporting world.
We offer many sports and activities, each week to give students a break from the hectic life of
university. Currently the sporting committee are trying to put teams together for the Eastern Uni
games in Wagga Wagga, they will be held on the 5th till the 9th of July. If you are interested please
feel free to contact the sporting committee through their Facebook page or email address;
[email protected]. Please look below for upcoming events;
Event Time Date Description
Social Sports 3:30 pm Every
Tuesday
afternoon
These sports are played against other students, as a muck around. All
is welcome and different sports are played each week. This event is
held behind Grant Street/ behind the uni.
Yoga TBA Will be held at uni of an afternoon by a qualified instructor. Max of 20
people.
Boot Camp TBA Held by a personal trainer that will improved your fitness at a cheap-
er rate than a gym.
Self Defence
Classes
4:00-
6:00pm
Monday
nights
Room 117, here you will be taught all about self-defence by a quali-
fied instructor.
Inter Uni
Games
2:30pm Wednesday
25th March
Help at CSU Port Macquarie, Play Ultimate Frisbee, Touch & Soccer
against UoN & Moore's College
Paramedic’s
verse the
World
4:00pm Every
Month
The rivalry game of soccer is played behind the uni. It’s a great game
that allows bragging rights, meeting people and most importantly
some fun. Watch out around uni for posters of when it will be held.
Sports Trivia
Night
TBA 30th of April A great way to get to know the sporting committee, sign up for mem-
berships and have some fun. $5 for a ticket and location will be an-
nounced ASAP
Relay for life Starts at
2pm Sat
and End
10am
Sunday
16th & 17th
of May
An amazing night to support and remember those who have been
touched by cancer. This fun filled event is held at stuarts park in port
Macquarie. More info will be posted around uni ASAP
Eastern Uni
Games
5th to 9th
July
Unigames are held at wagga wagga, it is a fun and great opportunity
for Port Macquarie CSU to get known.
Black Box Pizza
I’ve only had one pizza from this fine pizza
shop. It wasn’t a supreme, didn’t have onion or
mushrooms. No this pizza was dripping in
chocolate brownies, chocolate, toffee sauce
and caramel ice cream. And it was fucking
amazing. I think I consumed the entire week of
the standard adult diet in kj’s in one sitting. No
regrets.
I ordered a chocolate caramel take away so I
could demolish this beast in the privacy of my
own lounge room while watching a sappy mov-
ie in my underwear. It took me two hours to
eat 4 slices. I felt sick, but it was the kind of
sickness where you don’t stop even though
your stomach feels like it is about to rupture
because whatever you are eating is just so
damn amazing. The caramel ice cream is of the
Ben and Jerry’s variety. I definitely recommend
you smother it all over the top like you would
spread Nutella over a sandwich. Thick. Maybe
even spread some Nutella over it as well! You
can never have too much Nutella in your life.
I purchased this gift from Pizza heaven in Janu-
ary and have not eaten another pizza since-
because nothing could compare (…And I still
maybe a feel a bit woozy at the thought).
Black Box pizza is in Short Street, opposite
Centrelink and is open 11am-9pm Sunday to
Thursday, and 11am to 10pm Friday and Sat-
urday. I’ve heard their ordinary pizzas are
good too.
Jupiter Ascending
Running time: Too long (2hr 7min)
Jupiter Ascending is listed in the "space opera"
genre of movies. This isn’t necessarily im-
portant I just feel it needs to be said.
We join Meg from Family Guy (Mila Kunis) as a
girl named, Jupiter. A young woman who de-
spite having flawless skin and a banging body,
is single. She lives her life as a modern Cinder-
ella, (or as I believe they are commonly re-
ferred to, Maids.) alongside her mother and
family. She spends her whole life sighing and
wishing that something was different, that she
was wealthier. And things do kind of suck for
her, up until the point where she is almost
killed by a bunch of grey aliens and is miracu-
lously saved by what can only be referred to as
a dog-man.
Dog - man turns out to be called Caine and is
played by "omg he used to be a stripper!"
Channing Tatum. Basically from this point in
the movie, shit gets real.
Outer Space happens. Incestuous families
make an appearance. Lots of gold wall color-
ings and opulence dazzle and amaze. Breath
taking costumes are worn for about 5 minutes
at a time. Somehow amongst all of this Jupiter
becomes the official owner of earth (because
apparently that can happen) and fights her
urge to not partake in some kind of not really
but kind of bestiality relationship with her Dog
boy slave. The whole movie has what I would
call "Twilight" undertones. The scenery and al-
iens encountered are AWESOME and I think a
much better story could have happened with
just those guys, not Miss- I-want-everything-
where’s-my-earth.
I would recommend this as a date movie, be-
cause there are fight scenes and guns and
space and stuff, whilst still having romantic
"Aww look at their LOVE!" moments. Also there
is a pretty cool scene with bumble bees.
3/5 Stars! (Because Space)
Watched an awesome? (or not so awesome)
movie lately? Eaten an amazing meal? Read
the most epic novel that you feel would
benefit man kind and bring about world peace
if everyone read it? Or maybe it was all so
damn terrible it would be a public disservice
not to tell inform everyone?
Send us your reviews at:
13 - Synapses April 2015
Is being blonde a pre-requisite for being a blonde paramedic student?
- Nonparamedic
Stop parking in the seniors parking at Munster street assholes. Green P plates? Use
your young well perfused legs and walk. - popsicle vigilante
Why does the coffee shop have to close early!! My lecture starts at 3pm, I need
something to get me through the mid afternoon slump! Instant coffee from commons
just won’t do. -coffee, pronto
I should be studying… but I am having a firefly marathon instead. How has this show
existed so long without me knowing?! -Mal’s bitch
That blonde babe paramedic student who studies in the student commons most
Wednesday mornings. I see you ;) -gotthehots
CONTACT LIST
When you're down and troubled, and you need
a helping hand, and nothing, nothing is going
right… Maybe singing songs James Taylor
songs from 1971 won’t help. But if you are a
first year and you have a port Macquarie
related question about your course these kind
souls have volunteer to try and answer them! *No guarantees on reliability or helpfulness of answers.
Paramedic Contact:
Krystal: [email protected]
Justice Contact
Ashleigh: [email protected]
Jarred bendeich:
Medical Radiation Science contact
Yvette: [email protected]
Social Work:
Karen: [email protected]
Pscychology
Andrew: [email protected]
No one from your course volunteered to
answer your questions? How mean of them!
Email [email protected] and we will
hunt someone down. Just for you.
If you got a really hard question email student
central [email protected]
Essential Opening hours
Learning Commons Grant Street: Mon-Fri- 7am
-9:30pm, Sat- 7am-1:30pm
KFC: 10am-10pm EVERYDAY!
Coles CBD: 6am—10pm EVERDAY!
Coles Lake Innes Village and Lighthouse Beach:
Mon-Sun 7am- 10pm
Woolworths Settlement City: Monday to Friday-
7am -10pm, Saturday-Sunday- 7am- 9pm
Red Rooster Gordon Street: 10am to 10pm
EVERYDAY!
Charlies Takeaway, Lake Innes Complex: Mon-
Fri - 7.30 am- 7pm, Sat: 9am - 7:30 pm, Sun:
11 am - 6:30 pm
Coles Express Gordon St: 6am-10pm everyday!
Your Discount Chemist, 119 Horton street: Mon
-Fri- 8am - 7pm, Sat- 8:30-6pm, Sun- 9:30-
6pm.
Mcdonalds Settlement City- Always!
Officeworks, 20 Short St: Mon-Fri- 8am - 7pm,
Sat-Sun- 9am-5pm.
Dan Murphy’s Crn Gordon and Horton Street:
Mon-Sat– 9am—9pm, Sun– 10am—7pm
Zucchini Slice
This recipe is cheap, easy and lasts for days in
the fridge. And it has bacon! Originally from
taste.com.au Ingredients
5 eggs
1 cup of self raising flour
375 grams of zucchini (about 2 medium ones)
1 large onion
200gs of rindless chopped bacon
1 cup of grated cheeeeeese
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
Method:
Preheat oven to 170°C . Grease a lasagne dish.
Put flour and eggs into a bowl and beat
unmercifully so it isn’t too clumpy.
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix together.
Pour into your prepared dish.
Bake for 30-45 minutes until cooked through.
15 - Synapses April 2015
Confucious Say…..
Fallen Phrase is a classic
puzzle game of jumbled letters.
Can you put the fallen tiles
back in the proper spaces?
Try to fill in the missing numbers.
The missing numbers are integers between
1 and 18.
The numbers in each row add up to totals
to the right.
The numbers in each column add up to the
totals along the bottom.
The diagonal lines also add up the totals to
the right.
Number Block!
Because you don’t have enough confusing things to do!
Do you spend Saturday nights
creating your own sodoku squares?
Send them to us so everyone can
join in the fun!
Send us your puzzles at: