Sydney Life

That’s right ladies and gentlemen, it’s only a couple of days until Union elections! How exciting. I’m sure for some of you, this means absolutely nothing. In fact, I guarantee the majority of uni students won’t VOTE (which is a huge shame in my opinion. It’s one of the few times in your life when you can be assured your vote actually counts), but I for ONE will be there, bright and early at the ballot box, casting my vote.

Why? Well, there are two reasons. Firstly, I belong to a certain politically affiliated group (who I will not mention, ensuring the continued neutrality of this blog cough cough ahem) and it behooves me, as a member, to vote for those who run with our support. Secondly, I am an election junkie.

That’s right, when it comes rolling around election time, I cannot help myself. Federal, state, local, or to do with the uni, I just can’t get enough of that political stuff. Whether it’s going to the polling station and demanding my parents vote in ways that I find politically satisfying, or having leaflets stuffed into my hand by earnest party affiliates, or watching the ABC election breakdown with Antony Green, it’s all good. In my family, we have an election night tradition (although, I have to say, it usually doesn’t cover local elections which are oh so pitiful). On the night of the results, we visit family friends a street over. Drinks and some light hearted discussion (nothing political yet) are generally followed by a nice meal, and then, at 7:00, as the results start to come in, we switch over to the ABC to watch how the nation voted. Usually, by 9:00 we’re pretty sure how it’s going to swing. Although there is never any discussion of how individual voters chose to vote, it’s always assumed the two families were unanimous in our choice of party. So, for the past four elections, these nights usually ended on a downer. That said, they’re always fun, and that’s part of the whole appeal of election days to me.

But this election will be different. For the first time, I’m allowed to vote in something that actually counts. For the first time, I will have the right to choose who has a significant impact over my life (particularly my life on campus). I’m so excited, I cannot contain my glee. Even the fact that I have two essays due in that week is not dampening my spirits. It’s gonna be great. But, fellow uni students (and those to be uni students), I implore you. Don’t just sit idly by and watch as others vote. Each year, the union and SRC elections get appallingly low turn outs (it makes you understand why voting is compulsory here, otherwise Australians just wouldn’t bother). But when voting is really low, it’s not representative. And with VSU, we need a union that is more representative than ever. We need a union that can truly work for our needs as students, and make sure that uni life doesn’t go down the drain next year. So, come on. Have your say. It will literally take you no more than five minutes. You can put aside that much, you know you want to. Go out there, vote, and make your voice heard! We’re counting on you!