On Dit: Then and Now
The student voice lives on strong and proud through Australia’s third oldest student publication On Dit.
Pronounced on-dee, On Dit roughly translates to ‘they say.' Since replacing its precursor, the Varsity Ragge, as a two-page broadsheet in 1932, On Dit has expanded to become the primary vehicle for the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ’s student voice.
As the third-oldest student publication in Australia, the magazine boasts an impressive calibre of past editors and contributors, including Clementine Ford, Annabel Crabb and Julia Gillard.
Other alumni to etch their name in On Dit history are Nonee Walsh and Imogen Hindson. The former, a Bachelor of Arts alumna, and the latter, a passionate media and law student. We take a look at their time editing On Dit.
Imogen Hindson
Current Editor
Bachelor of Laws (2020), Bachelor of Media (2021)
I first became involved in On Dit in 2018 following the violent passing of Eurydice Dixon in Melbourne. I was frustrated by the long- spouted mentality that women are to blame for their abuse, and so I wrote A Monster Didn’t Kill Eurydice, Our Culture Did.
I thought it was important for young students – especially young women – to consider the reality that is gendered violence in our country, and was attracted to On Dit because I saw the value in reaching a predominantly student-based readership.
That story was the match that sparked a flame and I became more and more involved with On Dit. I continued to contribute and eventually guest edited the annual women’s edition, Elle Dit, later in the year. Now, I co-edit the magazine alongside Samantha Bedford, Emily Savage and Maxim Buckley.
I don’t think a typical week exists for us at On Dit home base as we’re always trying our best to bring something new to the table, but you can usually find us sitting in the Howling Owl café or in our basement office musing ideas over a cup of coffee or tea.
One of the things we’ve been focused on is recapturing the political and social discourse of On Dit’s legacy. During the 70s, there were major student-driven protests around gay rights, the Vietnam War and women’s rights, but sadly I think we’ve gradually lost that passion. We’re really trying to ensure students’ voices are heard, especially when we have such active voices advocating for student unionism and protesting the government’s ineffective stance on climate change.
"Editing the magazine has helped me realise that we as students have a way of thinking that is novel and fresh."Imogen Hindson
Students have historically been a very vocal body and it’s essential they have the place to express their opinions about what is happening within their University, as well as to vocalise their thoughts, feelings and concerns surrounding state, national and global affairs.
This expression is all part of the student experience and is fundamental in creatin