Otago University Students Association assistant events
manager Sarah Comer and manager Vanessa Reddy are pumped
for two weeks of events for students. Photo by Peter
McIntosh.
Thousands of tertiary students have descended on
Dunedin, but before they get down to the important business of
study, they will focus on orientating themselves with their new
home. Luckily, Ori10 will keep them busy with gigs, shows,
information, freebies and all-round entertainment for the next
two weeks. Reporter Ellie Constantine delves back into the
student scene.
With about 20,000 students coming to the party, it had better
be a good one.
Luckily, planning for Ori10, this year's Otago University
Students Association Orientation, started in October.
Events manager Vanessa Reddy said the task of putting
together the package of activities and gigs to welcome
students to Dunedin was placed on the shoulders of four
enthusiastic people.
Planning started with a meeting to discuss what bands the
group wanted to perform and what other events could be put on
to entertain the masses.
"We really want to set a fun tone," Ms Reddy said.
Sarah Comer was charged with organising the highlights of
Orientation - the bands.
Securing bands often came down to which were in Dunedin, or
New Zealand, at the time and would be willing to add an extra
date to their tour.
Local bands were also favoured to "give them a chance to play
to a big audience", she said.
Fresh ideas for the first-year competition were thrown about,
with many old favourites making a repeat appearance on the
list of challenges to find an overall winner of a package of
prizes.
From there it came down to discussions with band managers,
technicians and security staff, and the hiring of volunteers
and assistants to ensure everything ran smoothly.
"It's a team effort, and it's hard work," Ms Reddy said.
While they were all "a little bit tired", they were excited
about what the fortnight of events would bring.
This year, bands included Health (of Los Angeles), Killer
Queenz (from Australia) and New Zealand favourites The Mint
Chicks, Smashproof and Midnight Youth.
While the always-entertaining hypnotist would again make an
appearance, the comedy show had been stepped up, with
media-loving Ben Hurley and Steve Wrigley in the line-up.
The first-year competition would include abseiling, box wars,
horizontal bungy and a karaoke dance item, all with a
Hawaiian theme.
After putting all the effort in to get the events off the
ground, the team rarely had a chance to fully appreciate the
talents on show as they were busy ensuring everyone was
having a safe and fun time.
However, Ms Comer simply loved "seeing all the people" and
getting to welcome them in.
ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
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