Postkarte von...

This marks the introduction of a new section - known as "Postkarte von..." - which exhibits some of the excellent travel photography and impressions from UTS students who are undertaking their In-Country Study (ICS) in Germany and/or the German-speaking part of Switzerland*.

We're also hoping to show the other side of the equation, that is, members of deUTSch and our Stammtisch from a German-speaking country and would like to allow us insight into their impression of Australien. If you'd like to submit a photo or a tale, please contact one of the execs of deUTSch or leave a message on the blog.

Here we have Steffi Dietz's very fine photo of green Ampelmännle (or Ampelmännchen to the non-Swabian types). The photo was taken outside a café in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin at the end of winter - note the traces of snow under the cars. Isn't it herzzereißend schön? Steffi is currently undertaking her ICS at another wonderful place, albeit at the other end of the country, namely Konstanz.

* Yes, some of the Swiss do speak Hochtüütsch, allerdings mit nem Aktzenli.

The times, they are a-changin'

Es weht ein neuer Wind and things are changing in Germany: the Ruhrgebiet is presenting itself as the European cultural capital of 2010, Gladbach has put an end to Eintracht Frankfurt's winning streak, and Til Schweiger didn't cast all his children in his latest film.

The changes come hand in hand with a more comforting development, namely the enthusiastic new executive team for deUTSch. Please make welcome:

Lebenskünstlerin: Flora Suen

Back from Konstanz, Flora will endeavour to find decent German bread in this city and present the local cultural scene for those who are adept at rumflanieren.

Stammtischler: Daniel Miller

Back from Regensburg and with the perfect initials for the job (Deutschmark & a German drugstore chain!), DM will organise our weekly Stammtisch.

Geselliger Schmetterling: Sophie Hohnen

Back from Tübingen, Sophie is our resident expert on the Black Forest Bollenhut and will keep the ground close to her ear for German cultural events in Sydney.

Außenministerin: Asja Šimunović

Back from Tübingen, Asja will network with the German societies from the University of Sydney and UNSW for joint social events.

Navigationsoffizier: Nigel Moore

Back from Göttingen, Nigel will organise bushwalks in the incomparable natural surrounds of Sydney.

Hunter Valley Daytrip

The Hunter Valley region is situated between Gosford and Newcastle, and is blessed with soils and weather that every viticulturist could envy. deUTSch however, is more interested in the products of the region: namely the world class wines.

This trip will allow those keen to explore more of Australia's diverse geography, as well as pamper their palate with wine, local brews, cheese and chocolate.

We will be traveling by minibus to Hunter Valley, and the cost is inclusive of entry to wineries and sampling, but not lunch.

Date:Sunday, May 25, 2008Time:8:00am - 7:30pmLocation:Meet outside UTS LibraryStreet:cnr Quay St and Ultimo Road, Haymarket
Costs are as follows (please purchase tickets before 14th May):
$35 deUTSch members
$40 UTS students
$45 Other

Tickets for the trip can be purchased at Stammtisch, and also at the Union Desk (Level 3, Tower Building). We've invited FRESS (UTS French Society) and the UTS European Society along, so avoid any intercontinental kerfuffles and buy your tickets ASAP!

Events in April and May

Study? Assignments? What do you think we are, uni students?

That's right, forget about the uni work, because deUTSch is going to keep you busy for the next couple of months with a multitude of cultural experiences!


German Film Festival

This month we're exploring German culture in the form of films at the German Film Festival. Details of "Reclaim Your Brain", the film we're seeing tomorrow night are in a previous blog.

Meanwhile we're going to see another film called "And Along Came Tourists" next Thursday night. A blurb about this contemporary drama can be read here, and you can book tickets here. The film starts at 6:45pm, and Stammtisch will follow at the Imperial Hotel at 8:45pm.



Kiama Day Trip

For all those wanting to get out and experience New South Wales' natural beauty, this trip is perfect for you. Kiama is a lovely quaint town on the NSW south coast, with imposing black cliffs, white sandy beaches and a natural blowhole.

Here are the details:

Day: Saturday 3rd May
Time: Meet at 8:20am at the big clock in the intercity hall at Central Station
Catch the 8:40am train to Kiama (return tickets are $13.60 Concession and
$27.20 Adult)
In Kiama: Visit the blow hole, walk along the beaches, picnic lunch (buy there or
bring from home)
Return: Arrive back at Central by 8pm
RSVP: Please send us an email, utsstammtisch@yahoo.com.au, by Friday 2nd May

How Long 'Til Smoko?

Brett Nichols examines all things ‘Aussie’ and more in this comedy cabaret. From taxis to morning tea breaks, from Vegemite to porn. A witty mix of the clever and the lewd - Brett appeals to the yuppie and yobbo in all of us.

This is a must see for all Germans wanting to learn more about quintessential Australian culture!

Details:

Date: Thursday 8th May
Time: Meet at Railway Square at 6:30pm (optional)
7:30pm at the Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Road
Tickets: Please buy your own from here

Stammtisch will be held after the performance at 9:30pm, at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, 148 Enmmore Road Enmore.

Stammtisch at Bells Hotel



On Thursday 15th May, we'll be breaking free of the Clare and adventuring out to Woolloomooloo to take in the atmosphere of Bells Hotel. Before Stammtisch, we'll be having dinner at the famous Harry's Cafe de Wheels (I recommend the Tiger Pie).

Here's a review of the Bells from the Sydney Morning Herald:

It's as if the Bells was picked up by a cyclone, Wizard Of Oz style, from a quiet town and dropped here. It seems the only explanation for a family-run, honest, flagstone-floored pub with cheap drinks and no pretensions next to the CBD.

It's preferred by navy boys from the nearby base, too, which is good news for a girl who loves a uniform. While other local bars desperately woo the area's upwardly mobile newcomers, the Bells keeps its regulars loyal with warm service.

Gotta love those Navy boys!

Details:

Date: Thursday 15th May
Time: 7:00pm meet at Town Hall (optional)
7:30pm dinner at Harry's Cafe de Wheels
8:30pm Stammtisch at Bells Hotel, 1 Bourke Street Woolloomooloo



Stay tuned for more deUTSch events, and don't forget, Lernen ist kein Heavy Metal.

A Trivial Tale: FRESS vs. deUTSch Trivia Night

Ist es möglich, die Dentüchtigkeit eines Students durch einer geringen Menge Alkohol verbessern zu können? Na klar, es wurde schon mehrmals erwiesen – Studenten denken viel besser unter Zuhilfenahme von einem Bierchen oder zwei! Man soll aber nicht mit einem leeren Bauch anfangen, sonst verschwimmt alles ganz doll nach kurzer Zeit!

So war es letzten Donnerstag beim deUTSch gegen FRESS Triviaabend im schicken Loft Bar. Fragen über historische Ereignisse, kulturelle Veranstaltungen, geographische Orte und vieles Mehr aus Australien, Deutschland und Frankreich wurden die ganze Nacht gestellt.

Obwohl die Mehrheit der Mannschaften aus Studenten, die einander vorher nicht kannte bestand, wurden viele neue Freundschaften (oder mindestens Bekanntschaften) begründet. Braucht man noch einen anderen Grund, stolz wie Oskar zu sein? Ja wohl! deUTSch siegte über FRESS!

Der Spielstand steht jetzt bei 1:1 und wir freuen uns auf das nächste Spiel!

Upcoming Events

We've just elected a new executive and we're not wasting any time organising events! April is going to be a busy month, so let's just have a look at the next couple of weeks:

Tomorrow we're heading home to the Clare for our weekly Stammtisch. We'll be there from 7:30pm.

Next Thursday 17th April sees the first of our two German Film Festival excursions.

We will be meeting at 7:30 at Railway Square and commuting to the Imperial Hotel (252 Oxford Street, Paddington) for a short Stammtisch, before heading to the Chauvel Cinemas to see Reclaim Your Brain.

Reclaim Your Brain



Moritz Bleibtreu (from just about every German movie, including Run Lola Run) returns to star in this satire, which deals with Bleibtreu's experiences as a brash TV producer whose life-altering experience transforms him into a crusader against the stupidity of many TV programs, their producers and the audiences’ passive responses to those shows.

Sounds quite poignant!

Please buy your own tickets to this event. They can be bought online at: http://www.goethe.de/ins/au/lp/prj/ff08/boo/syd/enindex.htm. We recommend you buy tickets in advance to avoid any disappointment.

Welcome your new masters!

...well not masters as such, but at the AGM last week, we voted on our new executive team. So please make welcome the new committee...

President: Grant Quick. Grant returns for his second year at the top of the deUTSch tree.
Vice President: Fabian Watson. Fabian steps up to the plate for the first time.
Secretary: Rhiannon O'Donoghue and Luke Parr. The two old timers timeshare this year.
Social Officer: Tara Donnelly. Tara, organiser extraodinaire returns from a year in Germany equipped with heaps of great social ideas
Social Officer: Ksenia Belova. Ksenia also returns from ICS in Germany, and along with Tara has been sampling the German nightlife. She's now ready to turn it on for deUTSch this year.
Publicity Officer: Flora Suen. Young and exuberant, Flora joins the team this year before heading to Germany next year on ICS.
Publicity officer: Melanie Speet. Old and jaded, Mel was elected for her marketing genius, honed through 4 months of full time work (both the jadedness and the genius).

Congratulations all, get set for a big year!

You may have noticed we're without a Treasurer at the moment. Anyone who feels they'd like to take on the role, just email us at utsstammtisch@yahoo.com.au.