Opus (magazine)
Encyclopedia
Opus is a student newspaper
published at the University of Newcastle
, Australia
by the Newcastle University Students' Association
(NUSA). Opus was founded in 1954 by then economics lecturer Cyril Renwick, at what was then the Newcastle University College of the University of New South Wales
, in the Newcastle
suburb of Callaghan
. Renwick proposed a student journal to promote student unity and expression. Teaming up with his secretary's husband, George Kirkby, the first edition of Opus was a four-page broadsheet newspaper replete with the refinement and formality of 1950s journalism.
The format and style of Opus has changed many times throughout its history. The 1970s the publications name was briefly changed to The Stockton Ferry. In a 1998 interview, the late emeritus Professor Godfrey Tanner
explained that
A special edition of the magazine, released in 2002, and edited by BA graduate Matthew Glenn Ward commemorated the life of Godfrey Tanner
, a prominent classics
professor at the university who had died that year.
Opus takes its name from the former Newcastle City motto, finis coronat opus which is Latin
for "completion crowns the work".
The implementation of voluntary student unionism
in 2006 had a significant impact on the viability of student newspapers across Australia, compulsory student union membership fees having been the major source of income for most. Opus has been able to continue publishing despite the new law.
Opus is edited by media officers elected by NUSA members to a one-year term. Opus is published quarterly as per the Newcastle University Students' Association's constitution.
Student newspaper
A student newspaper is a newspaper run by students of a university, high school, middle school, or other school. These papers traditionally cover local and, primarily, school or university news....
published at the University of Newcastle
University of Newcastle, Australia
The University of Newcastle is an Australian public university that was established in 1965. The University's main and largest campus is located in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle in New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
by the Newcastle University Students' Association
Newcastle University Students' Association
The Newcastle University Students' Association represents undergraduate students at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. The organisation is one of four student organisations at the university and focuses on advocacy, political representation and organising...
(NUSA). Opus was founded in 1954 by then economics lecturer Cyril Renwick, at what was then the Newcastle University College of the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, in the Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
suburb of Callaghan
Callaghan, New South Wales
Callaghan is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, located from Newcastle's central business district. It is the location of the main campus of the University of Newcastle, and is served by Warabrook station on CityRail's Hunter line. The suburb was named after Sir Bede Callaghan ,...
. Renwick proposed a student journal to promote student unity and expression. Teaming up with his secretary's husband, George Kirkby, the first edition of Opus was a four-page broadsheet newspaper replete with the refinement and formality of 1950s journalism.
The format and style of Opus has changed many times throughout its history. The 1970s the publications name was briefly changed to The Stockton Ferry. In a 1998 interview, the late emeritus Professor Godfrey Tanner
Godfrey Tanner
Ronald Godfrey Tanner was an Australian classicist, academic, university administrator and educator, teacher, sportsman and activist. For the greater part of his career he was associated with the University of Newcastle, NSW.-References:* - online copy of commemoration in Opus...
explained that
"[The Stockton Ferry was] the brainchild of James Beisers and his co-editor who were into drug reform. The idea being that readers would be encouraged to take short trips after reading its contents."
A special edition of the magazine, released in 2002, and edited by BA graduate Matthew Glenn Ward commemorated the life of Godfrey Tanner
Godfrey Tanner
Ronald Godfrey Tanner was an Australian classicist, academic, university administrator and educator, teacher, sportsman and activist. For the greater part of his career he was associated with the University of Newcastle, NSW.-References:* - online copy of commemoration in Opus...
, a prominent classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
professor at the university who had died that year.
Opus takes its name from the former Newcastle City motto, finis coronat opus which is Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for "completion crowns the work".
The implementation of voluntary student unionism
Voluntary student unionism
Voluntary student unionism is a policy, notable in Australia, under which membership of – and payment of membership fees to – university student organisations is voluntary....
in 2006 had a significant impact on the viability of student newspapers across Australia, compulsory student union membership fees having been the major source of income for most. Opus has been able to continue publishing despite the new law.
Opus is edited by media officers elected by NUSA members to a one-year term. Opus is published quarterly as per the Newcastle University Students' Association's constitution.