By Rowey Worner Butcher
It’s been a big year.
While we at Observer attempt to capture all that concerns you in your time at the ANU, things slip through the cracks, stories are forgotten, and you’re trying to remember if it was last semester or last year that you did micro 2.
That’s why we’ve created this handy month-by-month recap of all the major moments of the year, both at ANU and around the nation.
We’ve tried to select those events that represent the zeitgeist of an average ANU student, picking those stories that resonated close to home, and more broadly around the nation.
As always, thanks for reading, and we at Observer will see you in 2025.
January
Genevieve Bell is appointed as Brian Schmidt’s successor to the Vice-Chancellor role at ANU. She is the first woman to hold the position. Best of luck, Gen!
February
ANU is found to have the lowest proportion of low socio-economic status students of any university in the country, according to 2022 Higher Education Statistics. Just in time for that to sink in, the academic year begins on February 19th.
March
ANU creates an additional application process to limit access to the student pantry only to students able to demonstrate food insecurity. In the UK, Matilda’s legend Sam Kerr is charged with “racially aggravated harassment” after allegedly calling a police officer a “stupid white cop”.
April
IAC delivers its biggest event of the year, with Burgmann College winning this year’s BNO. ANU’s pro-Palestine encampment sets up on Kambri lawns, and on April 15th, Bruce Lerhmann loses his defamation case against Network Ten. Chappel Roan releases “Good Luck, Babe!”.
May
The federal budget is announced, helping students in limiting indexation on HECs loans. A cap on the number of international students at GO8 universities is announced by the federal government. The ANUSA AGM is held and gains notoriety nationally, with instances of alleged anti-semitism which are investigated by the ANU. ANU issues an ultimatum to the pro-Palestine tent encampment to relocate from Kambri lawns. The encampment then moves to the Chancellery lawns.
June
Winter holidays begin and everyone you know leaves for either Europe or Japan. ANU is ranked 30th in the QS World University rankings. Peter Dutton proposes seven nuclear power sites across five states as an election promise for the upcoming 2025 election. Julian Assange is released after nearly seven years spent at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, and 50 weeks in maximum security prison. Charli xcx releases brat.
July
Everyone you know returns from Europe and Japan. The Australian Government raises international student visa prices from $710 to $1600. The ANU admits 2,290 current and former casual staff were underpaid an estimated $2 million dollars over the course of 11 years. Power is cut off from the pro-Palestine encampment, and in Paris, the 2024 Olympics begin.
August
The ANU BIPOC Department releases its 2023 racism report as a documentary format for the first time, recommending five changes in line with the Anti-Racism Taskforce. ANU announces changes to graduation dates, which are generally received poorly. College’s SRs are replaced by CSOs. The pro-Palestine tent encampment disbands after five months.
September
Spring descends on the ANU campus and so does the ANUSA election season. Unigames are held on the ANU campus, where ANU won the John White Spirit Trophy, for its “outstanding efforts of participating”. ANU increases parking fee rates, doubling the price of many permits, to prices “consistent with those imposed by the ACT Government”. Pesto the penguin gains notoriety for his massive size.
October
ANU announces it is now $200 million dollars in deficit, exceeding its projected $60 million. Former leader of the ACT Liberal Party Elizabeth Lee flips off a reporter at a press conference, for which she later apologises. The ACT Labor Party is reelected for its 7th consecutive term.
November
Genevieve Bell allegedly asks staff to forgo a 2.5% pay rise in December. Donald Trump wins the US election. Results from exams are posted. The United Workers Union announces 1,500 workers will strike in four Woolworths distribution centres across NSW and Victoria. Parliament passes a law banning those aged under 16 from using social media.
December
The NTEU propose a “no-confidence” vote in Genevieve Bell if she is to remain in the position of Vice-Chancellor into 2025. An ANU spokesperson assures Observer that Genevieve Bell “continues to have the full support of the council”. University of Canberra’s interim Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker resigns from his role, citing “lost confidence” in the university council. In an email to staff and students, ANU announces that as of the beginning of 2025, the ANU Medical Clinic will no longer have any GPs, due to retirement. A spokesperson from the ANU has assured Observer that they are currently recruiting for new doctors to join the team.
As always, more to come.
Graphics by Shé Chani
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