Empire Times

The life and times of Flinders

News, it is said, never sleeps and likewise the editors of Flinders’ on-campus student bugle, the Empire Times, are frequently short on shut-eye.

“You are never switched off from it. You think about it and dream about it. It takes more of a priority and more time than my study.” 2015 co-editor Jess Nicole said.

The student publication was launched in 1969 and, apart from a six-year hiatus, remains a tolerant, eclectic vehicle for student voices.

“I love the diversity of the magazine,” 2015 co-editor Laura Telford said.

The dedicated team do everything from researching, commissioning, editing, layout and even distribution of the magazine – although these days online profile of content on Facebook is becoming more widely read than the traditional hard copies dropped in bundles across campus.

“We use Facebook groups, clubs and societies to tap into stories. We just recently had some interest in dumpster diving – eating food thrown out by restaurants – and came up with some really interesting leads. It’s a great way to tap into the lives of people from so many different backgrounds across campus,” 2015 co-editor Simone Corletto said.

But perhaps the most rewarding part of the job is the significant impact the editors have on their readers’ and contributors’ lives.

“A lot of people write very personal things and people can feel very vulnerable. It’s flattering – you are often the first person they share something with and it’s really nice to be part of their journey to becoming published for the first time.”