Troy Fuller reflects on his enjoyable time at Curtin, writing and editing for Grok, the work that the Guild did for students, topical issues during the period, and how his experiences on campus contributed to his perspective and career development.
When were you a student at Curtin and what did you study?
I was there from ‘89 to ‘92 and I did a Bachelor of Arts. My Major was Creative Writing and my Minor was Journalism.
So what was Curtin like in the nineties? Tell us a little about your time there as a student?
It was a really enjoyable time, Curtin was a creative place and I really enjoyed the atmosphere on campus. I spent a lot of time there because I was always either between classes or, if I had time, I was up in the office doing Grok things.
How did you start writing for Grok?
Well look I had read Grok while I was at Curtin, and the Editor at the time was in my class for journalism, I think. We ended up chatting and I asked how I could apply and that's how I got it.
How would you describe your experience as a Subeditor at Grok—did you get the role straight away?
I think I did a few articles in the beginning of the year and there was an opportunity, an opening, and I applied for the role. I was really glad to have the chance, for me it was a wonderful opportunity. The only memory I have was this feeling—of being very grown up and responsible, in doing reporting and talking to the staff members and the executives and so on. I just remember feeling that this was a really responsible job.
What were some of the things you covered at the time?
At the time there were quite a few building projects around the campus, so that was very topical. I think the year that I started at Curtin was the first year they started the HEX repayments, so that was also very topical for people.
I’m trying to think—because it was a long time ago—but I think we did a whole lot of health-related topics, things like health lifestyle, exercise. We also enjoyed a variety of concerts, music reviews, we did restaurant reviews—sort of lifestyle things like that as well, which was really great.
Do you remember much of the Student Guild and covering Guild related topics like the elections, or a popular one today—parking?
I absolutely do remember the Guild because we worked very closely with them. I don't remember parking in particular, but I know there were lots of good things that the Guild did and we reported on a lot of things as they happened. In some ways, for me, Grok was a lifestyle because we spent so long doing articles and things like that and we were always around each other. The people became very close, we became very close to the people we worked with. I remember one of the Editors, Serine, she would just work hour, after hour, after hour on getting the paper out and it would finally get released and we would all look at it, be proud and then go ahead and get some sleep. But [Serine] and some of the others would start all over again; it was an incredible amount of work.
How would you say your studies and time at Curtin have contributed to your career and who you are as a person today?
I think it helped me to communicate and to think about different audiences. I think it also helped me to consider different learning styles. I really took in what I learned at Curtin, and as well as that I've done other studies, I've worked in government-type roles and I've also taught at Curtin.
When was that? What did you teach?
Well, up until last year I've been teaching at Curtin, in the business schools. I was teaching Human Resource Management. I started roughly in 2011 so about six or seven years at least. So, you know, I've had a great connection with Curtin for a lot of years.
How do you think Curtin has changed between when you were a student and now?
I think students now are really busy and often doing a lot of work outside of uni, as well as studying and having a job. Also, just the rise of technology made things different, the way we do things and communicate. I still think Curtin has a wonderful atmosphere and a good constructive university.