Vol. XXI No. 18 Lock Haven State College Tuesday Nov. 14,1978 Poet Speaks of Myths,Customs A CONCERNED STUDENT casts a vote during yesterday's SCC elections. Story appears on same page. fPHOTO by Paul A n t r a m ] A^New Slate Voted In by SUSi^i SHELLY The Student Cooperative Council will be headed by a brand-new administration in January. In yesterday's election, the Progressive slate won in a landslide victory over the Experienced slate. No one who ran on the Progressive slate has previously served on the Executive Committee. David Lepley, a senior, defeated Robbin Dick, sophomore, 418-89 for SCC Presedent. Jeff Bomboy received 404 votes against opponent Diana Hummel's 103 in the race for first vicepresident. Chariotte "Chariy" Young will replace second vicepresident Colin Weaver. She beat him 408-97. Ron • Beaver will assume the duties of treasurer following his 403-102 victory over Devan Harbaugh. Sherry Schanzenbach recieved 399 votes for Corresponding secretrary, overcoming opponent Clair Weaver 399-101. Finally, Carol Harr defeated Cheryl Derr 386-115 for the position of Recording Secretary. President-elect Lepley, after learning the election results, said, "I'm just very grateful to everyone who supported us and went out ..;id worked for us and voteii for u s . " He said that, although he will graduate in May, he foresees no problems in the transition of Jeff Bomboy from first vice-president to president. "Jeff and I have the same goals and same objectives, "Lepley said. "We're going to work hard together next semester to avoid any problems next year." by SUSAN SHEUY The aboriginal creation myth, pollution, reincarnation and marriage customs were just a few of the topics discussed by Australia's best-selling poet, Kath Walker, during her visit to Lock Haven State last Thursday. The poet lectured and answered questions in several classes Thursday, and presented a program that evening in Sloan Auditorium. A movie was shown, and Walker read selections from her poetry. The 58 year-old is more than a poet. She is a dedicated worker for civil rights and preserving remaining aspects of the aboriginal culture. She lives simply on an island in Australia called Stradbroke. Her home has become a kind of learning center for children who wish to leam the aboriginal myths and way of life. Walker relayed some of those myths to students, faculty and visitors during her visft to LHS. She talked about the myth of the Rainbow Serpent, the creature which is the aboriginal "Mother of Life!' According to legend, the Rainbow Serpent came onto the earth from, underground and crawled around, forming valleys and pits. Then frogs emerged from underground, with their stomachs full of water. The serpent made them laugh and thev spit out ail the water, filling the valleys tc form rivers and lakes. Other animals and plants appeared and the Rainbow Serpent made laws and gave all creatures a position. A great respect for nature among aboriginal people stems from the Rainbow Serpent myth. Walker believes that man must live in harmony with nature if he is to survive. She talked about the problem of pollution and said, "When a creature dirties the nest too much, he must move on!' She said it is frightening for her to see what Americans have done to their country, and added, "and now they're going to space!' Aboriginals believe in reincarnation, according to Walker who said they are not judged by their lives She spoke of aboriginal law and said the tribes are ruled by elders. She feels it is dangerous, she said, to give too much power to too few people. Aboriginal groups are governed not by majority vote, said Walker, but unanimous vote. She stressed the importance of old people in the society. A very honorable title among aboriginals, she said, is "Old One!' She spoke of the white men who came to Australia and forced most of i h e aboriginals to give uo their way ot life for the white's way. Although she has vety deep feelings about the loss of aboriginal culture; and works very hard to preserve whatremains. Walker said she feels no hate for the white man. "I can't hatei' she said, "hate is not oart of my VOCMraiaiy: T^iust feel frustrated, 1 just feel confused." A poem Walker wrote to her people conceming the white man appears in today's "Poetry Comer" on oace two. K A T H WALKER Australian poet and civil rights worker, presented a program last Thursday in Sloan Auditorium.[PHOTO by Mike Baylor] Social Work Majors Attempt Many Projects MAi«rv UAVIS ..AIT,., NANCY The Social Work Majors are on the go again this year. Since 1970, Social Work Majors and others who wanted to adopt the role of friendly visitor and advocate, have been making life happy for the institutionalized elderly by providing them with many activities. Students visit elderly people between 10-30 hours weekly. This semester there are approximately 25 students who visit two or more elderly people at Susque-View, a home for the elderly lockated in Lock Haven. These students are assigned to specific residents to develop new relationships. This program is used as an opportunity to sensitize community, college, and Lock Haven area to the needs of institutionalized elderly. Mrs. Lynch, founder of this program stated, "We (social work- .ers) r c ^ see « ^ «ourselves , . , « ! „ « « «ash