The Student

SURVIVAL
GUIDE
IN BRISBANE 2017

Brought to you by 

 Contents
Brisbane, my second home!
02 All about Brisbane
06 Welcome to The University of
Queensland
16 About UQMSA 08
38
17 About MASCA Queensland

Getting Started
19 Checklist
24 It's Time to Pack !

Get Set, Fly!

27 Brisbane Transportation 07
07
29 Setting Down in Brisbane 02
32 Tuition Fee Payment
34 Jalan-Jalan!
Contacts
41 Who should I contact in
Brisbane?
08
Appendix
47 St Lucia and Surrounding
Suburbs
48 UQ Facilities Map
49 South East QLD Train 3737
Network Map

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Wave to my Second home!
Better known as ‘Brissy’ to everyone that resides here, Brisbane is the
capital of Queensland as well as the third most populous city in
Australia. Its metropolitan region extends along the Brisbane River, one
of Brisbane’s most iconic landmarks. Similar to the districts in Malaysia,
there are many geographical subdivisions in Brisbane, which are called
‘suburbs’. Among these are St. Lucia (where the University of
Queensland is located), Toowong, Indooroopilly, West End and many
more. 

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BRISBANE
BRISBANE
CULTURE
CULTURE
A lthough English is the universal language here, Brisbane
is a multicultural city just like Malaysia. About 30% of all

A
Brisbane residents were born overseas. The largest
contributors to this number are from the United Kingdom,
New Zealand, India, China, South Africa and Malaysia.
            lthough English is the universal language here, Brisbane is a
Malaysians
multicultural happen to be
city just one
like of the largest
Malaysia. minorities
About 30% in
of all Brisbane
Brisbane
residents consisting
were born of approximately
overseas. 10,000
The largest residents
contributors to this
numberpredominantly
residing are from the United Kingdom,
in the New Zealand,
metropolitan area. India, China,
South Africa and Malaysia. Malaysians happen to be one of the
largest minorities in Brisbane consisting of approximately 10,000
residents residing predominantly in the metropolitan area. 

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The Landmarks

IN BRISBANE 

The Wheel of Brisbane

QUEENSLANDER
Q ueenslander is ambiguous- it
may refer to a person from
Queensland or, in this case, the
characteristic architecture style of
Queensland.
A Queenslander is constructed
using timber, usually with
vertical 'stumps' that make the
main living spaces off the
ground.

Such architecture style serves

It primarily used for residence,
to cool the building by means of
distinguishing Brisbane's suburbs
ventilation and also to protect
from other capital cities.
the building from termites and
other pests.

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The Wheel of Brisbane 
The wheel of Brisbane is a
transportable Ferris wheel erected
at the northern entrance to South
Bank Parklands, which is just
across the river from the Brisbane
City. It is about 60 meters tall with
42 air-conditioned capsules which
can accommodate up to 6 adults.
A ride offers you an awesome
360°view across the city.

Brisbane River
With a length of 344km, Brisbane
River is the longest river in the
Southeast Queensland. Situated
along the river are the many
metropolitan suburbs of Brisbane,
making it strategic to travel from
one suburb to another by ferry.
There are by far 16 bridges,
crossing the Brisbane River,
among which the more renowned
ones are Story Bridge, Goodwill
Bridge and Victoria Bridge.

Story Bridge 
The Story Bridge is a heritage
listed steel cantilever bridge,
which is the longest in Australia.
Connecting Fortitude Valley to
Kangaroo Point, it allows
passage for vehicles, bicycles
and pedestrians. It is named after
John Douglas Story, a prominent
public servant in Brisbane.

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05
 WELCOME TO 
THE UNIVERSITY
OF QUEENSLAND 

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 THE UNIVERSITY
OF QUEENSLAND

W ith its 105th anniversary drawing nigh,

the University of Queensland (UQ) is the oldest and
LARGEST university in Queensland. It is also the fifth
oldest university in Australia, hence being regarded as a
'Sandstone University'. UQ is one of the members of the
Australia's Group of Eight and Universities 21, which is
the leading global network of research universities for the
21st century.

It is currently ranked in the top 50 universities worldwide

owing to its contributions to the nation and the globe.

Photo credit to Yong's Photography

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 THE UNIVERSITY OF
QUEENSLAND 
UQ ACHIEVEMENTS 2016
UQ ranked in the world's top 50
Ranked 51 in the QS World University    
Rankings
Ranked 52 in the US News Best Global
University Ranking 
Graduate Job Rate : 73 %

UQ QUICK FACTS 
Founded 
December 10, 1909
Commencement of Classes 
March 14, 1911
Motto 
Scientia ac Labore (Latin for 'by means
of knowledge and hard work) Photo credit to Yong's Photography
Area 
1,376 hectares 
Main Campuses
St Lucia, Ipswich, Gatton, Herston 
Total Students 
Undergraduate - about 37,030
Postgraduate - about 13,800
Top 3 International Sources Countries
China, Malaysia, Singapore 
Photo credit to Yong's Photography l     08
Meet the chancellor

Chancellor
Mr Peter Varghese AO

Vice Chancellor and President

Professor Peter Høj

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SERVICES & FACILITIES
STUDENT
CENTRE
Each UQ campus has a student centre
which provides a comprehensive range
of services to all students.

At the St. Lucia campus the student

centre is situated on Level One of the
J.D. Story building which is directly
behind Chancellor’s Place bus stop. It is
open from 8.30am to 5pm on weekdays.

UQ UNION
COMPLEX
Located at the St. Lucia campus, this
place is touted the hub of UQ student
life as it houses a plethora of facilities
including eateries, a bank, ATMs,
Student Services and so on.

Student Services operates from 8.30am

to 4.30pm on weekdays and caters to
students’ as well as the staff’s personal,
career, welfare, and learning issues. 

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LIBRARY
UQ has 15 libraries with up to 2
million volumes. 7 of them are
located in St. Lucia campus. 
There is ample study space for
certain libraries at the St. Lucia
campus.
The are also Group Rooms
available for online booking at
certain libraries in St. Lucia
campus. 

DENTAL CARE
There is also a dental clinic at
the UQ Union Complex aside
from the designated healthcare
L CARE
clinic mandatory at each UQ ORA
campus. UQ prioritizes students’
“well being besides academic
excellence”.

SECURITY
There is a 24-hour security on
all campuses. Below are the
emergency numbers: 
-  Extension 53333 (Internal) or
    +617 3365 3333 (External) 
-  General Enquiries   
    +617 3365 1234 
- Free call 1800 800 123 

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UQ

LANDMARKS

The Great Court

Situated in the heart of the St. Lucia campus
is the Great Court, surrounded by a cloister and
buildings constructed from sandstone, carved with
historical scenes, the names of great thinkers and
teachers, coats of arms, grotesques and carvings of
Australian flora and fauna.

The 2.5 hectare open space with a spacious

meadow is always a favoured place for students
and staff to sit or even lie leisurely for a respite.

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 THE

UQ LAKES
Apart from being one of the most iconic features,
this freshwater lake is also a home to a myriad
of aquatic lives, birds and land animals. Some
are native and some are new species that
originated beyond Australia.

Added to the beauty of the lake is a water

fountain in the middle, making it a sight to behold.

Photo credit to Yong's Photography

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Art Museum
UQ Art Museum was established 
in 1976, housing over 3,000 
artworks collected by UQ itself
since the 1940s. 
It is Queensland’s second largest
public art collections and is open fo
viewing from 10am to 4pm on
weekdays with zero entry cost.

It is located at Building 11, at the St

Lucia campus.

R.D Milns
Antiquity
Museum
This museum was established in
1963, when a Red-figure Attic
amphora was bought from London
auction-house to facilitate the UQ
program of Classics and Ancient
History.
The museum serves to support UQ
students and is also open to the
public with free admission from
9am to 5pm on weekdays.

It is located at Building 9, Level 2.  

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 DIRECTIONS 
IN UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

I'M LOST IN
UQ !
Have no idea of the
whereabouts of the
buildings' mentioned?

SEARCH AND LOCATE ON 

CAMPUS WITH UQnav

Download the mobile apps 'UQnav',

which will certainly come in handy
during your first few weeks(or
months or even years) in UQ! 

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  THE UQ MALAYSIAN STUDENTS'ASSOCIATION
The University of Queensland Malaysian
Students’ Association is the official student
body for UQ Malaysian students, with
affiliations to the Malaysian Student Council of
Australia Queensland Division (MASCA
Queensland) as well as UQ Union. UQMSA is a
non-profit organisation run by Malaysian
students with our activities being based mainly
in the St. Lucia campus. However, students
from other UQ campuses, other universities,
and non-Malaysian students are welcomed to
join us. In fact, a small portion of our members
consist of students from countries such as
Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, and even
Mauritious! UQMSA primarily aims to unite its
members from diverse backgrounds by
promoting Malaysian culture through fun-filled
social and cultural activities.  In the meantime, check out the updates on
From welcoming barbeques to outdoor
excursions to Mamak Night when you get to fix
your craving for Malaysian authentic delicacies,
fun is on its way and homesickness goes away! 
UQMSA www.facebook.com/UQMSA
With 'Bringing You A Piece of Home' as out
motto, we have always been striving to
inject the sense of 'homeliness' into our
events. There are also intellectual programs
which provide our members with exposure
to internship and volunteering
opportunities as well as to skills required in
working life. 
We warmly welcome you all to gather in a
true Malaysian spirit and enjoy our wide
array of activities alongside the awesome
Malaysian food. 
Sign up with us on UQ Market Day                
 22nd
        February
               2017 
      during the Orientation
Week and heaps of fun will be awaiting you
throughout the year! Spot the Jalur
Gemilang to see where our booth is! 
our social media, and feel free to contact us
if you have any queries. In UQMSA, we don't
bite, we sayang ! 
UQMSA uniqmsa@gmail.com
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FEBRUARY, 2017 

MASCA QUEENSLAND

MASCA Queensland
MASCA stands for Malaysian Students' Council of Australia. It is a non-profit student
organization supported by the Malaysian Students Department of Australia (MSDA),
which cares for the Malaysian students' welfare in Australia.

 MASCA Queensland is one of the many MASCA state chapters all over Australia,
which are established in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania,
Western Australia, the Australia Capital Territory and Northern Territory. MASCA
Queensland is akin to the backbone supporting and unifying 5 affiliated Malaysian
students' organizations in this Sunshine State.
They comprise of UQMSA, QUT Mysa (Queensland University of Technology
Malaysian Students' Association),  BUMA  (Bond University Malaysian Association),
GUMA (Griffith University Malaysian Association), KUA (Kelab UMNO Australia),
PPMQ (Persatuan Pelajar Muslim Queensland) and HAKIM (Halaqah Kebajikan Islam
Mahasiswa Brisbane).

Check out more about MASCA Queensland on www.facebook.com/MASCA.Queensland.

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ARE YOU
READY?
LET'S GET STARTED !

#WITH UQMSA 

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 THE

CHECKLIST

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 THE

CHECKLIST

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 THE

CHECKLIST

2017

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 THE

CHECKLIST

2017

2017

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REACH
Get Set,
YOUR

and
PEAK Fly!

EXPLORAC
OUTDOOR GEAR

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 Brisbane
transportation

P ublic transportation here is provided by Translink, a division within the Department of

Transport and Main Roads.
There are 4 types of public transport: buses, trains, ferries (a.k.a City Cat) and trams (only at Gold
Coast).

You can travel by all these transport with one single

card, known as 'go card'.
Find out where to buy and how
to top up your go card at www.translink.com.au

What if I have forgotten my Go Card?

You will have to buy a paper ticket on the bus/ ferry/
train or tram station, which is almost twice the
concession price. So always remember to bring your
go card along with you!

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 ticket fare

TICKETING
& FARE 
Brisbane region is divided into 23 zones, which radiate out in
concentric rings from the centre of Brisbane. These zones are used to
determine the travel fare for passengers. 
To learn more about calculating the fare of travel, visit
 https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares-and-
zones/current-fares. 

You can travel for FREE transport within an hour after you touch on
the card (known as 'Continuation'). You can enjoy half price transport
for the rest of the week (Monday is considered the first day of the
week) after using your go card for 8 times (8 journey) in that week!
FREE buses and ferries that operate around the city during weekdays :

City Loop : http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-

transport/buses/city-centre-free-loops
City Hopper :  http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-
transport/public-transport/citycat-ferry-services/cityhopper 

Translink provides a very useful journey planner to help you figure out
the various possible ways to reach your destination. 
Go to http://jp.translink.com.au/travelinformation/journey-planner

Alternatively, you can use google maps for a slightly more convenient
way of planning the journey!

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FEB, 2017 

SETTLING DOWN IN
BRISBANE 
1 GET YOUR
STUDENT CARD
It is advisable to get your student card as soon as
possible since you need your student ID for most other
applications as well as to apply for concession fares for
your GO Card! If you do plan on getting your student
ID done early in the Orientation week, it is advised to
go in the morning as queues can get pretty long!

Venue : Prentice Centre (Building 42), St. Lucia              

               Campus 
Opening hours : 8am to 5pm weekdays
Documents needed : Passport , COE 

2
Full time UQ students are entitled to concession rates
BUY YOUR
which are half the price of adult tickets all around
CONCESSION GO Queensland. A convenient place to purchase an
CARD adult GO card would be at the UQ Newsagent on
campus.

Make sure you remember to register your GO card

online and apply for tertiary concession fares to make
sure your credit is secure even if you lose your GO
card.

3 OPEN A BANK
ACCOUNT
Commonwealth Bank and ANZ bank are preferred
options because both banks have branches at the St.
Lucia campus, making it easier to sort out any possible
problems. Both banks also have a plethora of ATMs
available all over Brisbane City making them
convenient choices. 

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4 GET A MOBILE
SIM CARD
 Getting your mobile number early is definitely important. It
allows you to contact your family to assure them your safety
as well as the ability to use mobile data that helps with
accessing your bank account through your bank app, not to
mention using google maps to avoid getting lost!

Pro Tip: Survey the available options and ask for

recommendations from seniors before making a choice!
Also, if you’re going to be in uni very often, choose a plan
that doesn’t have too much data! You will end up saving a
lot! Just make sure you have enough to find your way home
or access your bank account.

Most of the common carriers are shown on the left (Telstra,

Virgin, Optus, TPG, Vodafone) so check them out!

5 SET UP HOME
INTERNET
Internet arguably the most important thing for a university
student. Aside from Facebook and Youtube, most lecture
notes, recordings, tutorials and other information is posted
online which makes it extremely important. If your
accommodation does not already provide internet, you will
have to set up your own. Don’t worry, it’s fairly simple!
Optus and TPG are the recommended options for St. Lucia
for their better coverage and competitive prices
respectively.

6 ORDER YOUR
OSHC
An Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) card provides
you with the basic cover for medical and hospital care costs
in Australia throughout the valid duration of your student
WORLDCARE visa. To find out more and to order your card online, please
CARD go to https://www.oshcallianzassistance.com.au/. The card
will be sent to your address in Brisbane for your
convenience. 

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7
There are three main supermarkets in Brisbane that can also
SHOPPING FOR
be found all around Australia. Coles and Woolworths are the
GROCERIES & largest supermarkets around and can provide almost all types
HOUSEHOLD of provisions required. Aldi is a bit like Mydin, a little smaller
but also has lots of options
UTENSILS

The first two can be found in more locations, such as Toowong,

Brisbane CBD, Indooroopilly, West End and Sunnybank. There
might also be small grocery stores nearby residence in certain
suburbs. An example is the St. Lucia Supermarket which also
sells some Asian groceries.

                                        Kmart and Target sell products ranging    

                                         from clothes, to household utensils and    
                                        appliances, to blankets and pillows, and    
                                        all for affordable prices. 

If you wish to look for Asian groceries, there are several Asian
supermarkets around Brisbane CBD such as Formosa, Koz and
Hanaro. However, Chinatowns in Brisbane-Sunnybank and
Fortitude Valley certainly provide more options. Some
examples are Yuen's Market (at both Sunnybank and Fortitude
Valley), Welcome Fresh Food Supermarket (Sunnybank),
Garboro Asian Supermarket (Fortitude Valley) and Burlington
Supermarket (Fortitude Valley),

Friendly tips for Muslim friends

You can get HALAL food from Yuen's Market and HALAL meat
from Ismail's Butcher at Fortitude Valley. Nando's here are
selling Halal meat too. 
For more guidelines on seeking Halal food in Brisbane, please
refer to http://www.halalfoodbrisbane.com/?
content=groceries

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HOW SHOULD I PAY
MY TUITION FEE? 

11/03/2017 (Friday)

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TIME TO 
JALAN-JALAN !
WHERE TO GO ?

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 BRISBANE 
CENTRAL
BUSINESS
DISTRICT (CBD)

C
            ommonly referred to as ‘The City’, Brisbane’s very own CBD is nothing short of
being one of the best shopping destinations is the country. With over 1000 shops,
dozens of unique restaurants, a bustling nightlife, and beautiful colourful city lights
make it an all-round experience for all to behold. With a dense number of buildings
stretching along the river, The City never ceases to amaze with a completely different
outlook from each new vantage point. Within it, there are a few parks such as the
Roma Street Parklands, the City Botanic Garden and Wickham Park.
To complete the metropolitan experience, The City can get a little crowded towards
the weekends as well as during festive seasons, with events at King George Square or
during RIverfire. With a balanced blend of nature, art, culture, modern buildings, and
heritage sites, The City, by itself, has a strong personality that makes it unique.

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 Brisbane 

Mount
coot-tha

T
Photo credit to Yong's Photography

M ount Coot-tha, located 6km to

the west of Brisbane CBD, is 287
meters above sea level, therefore
the highest peak in Brisbane.
Due to its high altitiude, it is a
favoured place for Brisbane
lookout, where you can enjoy
a panoramic view of Brisbane
city.

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 LONE PINE KOALA SANCTUARY

IN BRISBANE

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Photo credit : Ee Lynn Foo

IN BRISBANE 

Australian wildlife 
Wish to have a close look of the Australian wildlife? Then this
is where you should go! Lone Pine was found in 1927 and is
the world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary. It is located
in the suburb of Fig Tree Pocket. Besides koalas, you will also
be able to see kangaroos, platypus, other mammals as well
as a myriad of birds and reptiles. 
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 STRADBROKE ISLAND

Photos credit to Shao Guang Chan

THE STORY OF STRADDIE

Stradbroke Island, better known as ‘Straddie’, is the second largest sand island in the
world and is located one hour away from Brisbane. The island is famous for its scenic
headlands, kilometres of rolling surf, and white sandy beaches. It is the ideal getaway

ENQUIRE TODAY
for families, couples, or day trippers. 

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BYRON BAY Photo Credit : Shao Guang Chan

GOLD COAST
Being the second most populous city in the state and the sixth most populous city in
the country, Gold Coast is a coastal city on the east coast of Australia. Its surfing
beaches, canal and waterway systems, theme park, night life , and rain-forest
hinterland make it a fascinating attraction for tourists. There are many beaches along
the coast, including Surfer Paradise, Mermaid Beach, Rainbow Bay, Main Beach and so
on.
Besides visiting beaches for the breathtaking view, you will also come across shops
and skyscrapers just beside the beaches. A must go place for shopaholics is Harbour
Town, the first and largest brand direct outlet shopping centre in Australia.  

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Surfer Paradise
 Sunshine
Coast 
Glasshouse Mountain
A 2 hour drive to the North of Gold Coast will
lead you to Sunshine Coast, also known as
the ‘little brother’ to Gold Coast. It’s an urban
area with a more laid back lifestyle that's
seemingly appropriate for this beach town.
Sunny Coast’s pristine beaches and nature
trails are it’s main highlights. A couple of
interesting places include Noosa, Coolum,
Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, and Glasshouse
mountain. 

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 EMERGENCY
HELP! CONTACTS 
Emergencies

If you encounter any emergencies such as a crime in

progress, life threatening events or if you suspect any
offenders in the area, call the emergency number '000'. This
is the common emergency number for police, ambulance and
fire brigade.

If the cases are LESS URGENT such as willful property damage, stealing
offences, break and enters, stolen vehicles and lost property, call Policelink
on 131 444.

WWW.GLOBALENTERPRISESOLUTIONS.NET l      41
 PROUD SPONSORS
OF UQMSA
If you are a member of UQMSA, our membership card will serve as a guide on the
well-known eateries as well as services around Brisbane, with mostly come with
an amazing DISCOUNT !
S P O N S O R S

AMBCQ AUG CPA Australia

Thai Nakonlanna Contact SG Dapur Dahlia

D I A M O N D

Fitness First Link Transfer Nyonya Kitchen

Australian Sunset Safaris

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 PROUD SPONSORS
OF UQMSA
S P O N S O R S

Jackpot Dining Mama Malaya Miko's Bento

P L A T I N U M

Roti Place Satay Ria Six Degrees

Riverlife

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 PROUD SPONSORS
OF UQMSA
S P O N S O R S

San Churros Sukachi Tourist House

G O L D

Curry Connection Kushi Q

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 PROUD SPONSORS
OF UQMSA
Brisbane CBD Calamvale  
AJ Vietnamese Noodle House The Kitchen Inn 
 Archives Fine Books
Bullbar
Fortitude Valley 
S P O N S O R S

Formosa Asian Market

 Funny Funny
Balti Indian Restaurant
 Gelatissimo
Cheung’s Cakes & Cafes
 Hanwoori
Enjoy Inn
Kadoya Japanese Restaurant
 McWhirters Farmers Markets
Korilla BBQ
Shah Café
 Little Singapore Uptown
 Superbowl Chinese Restaurant
 Madtongsan II
 Tea Master Vegetarian Cafe 
 Passiontree
Satay Club Noodle House
S I L V E R

Shabu House
Milton 
Indooroopilly Spin the Spoon

Laksa Hut 
Panaroma Cafe 
St Lucia
UFM Asian Groceries Chez Teresa

Kelvin Grove Toowong

Burger Urge Two Wong Asian

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 PROUD SPONSORS
OF UQMSA
Sunnybank West End 
8 Chicken & Beer Smashing Berries
Boom Boom Korean Restaurant
Café Mi
S P O N S O R S

Formosa Asian Market

Home Town Woolloongabba
Landmark Restaurant
Little Singapore Sunnybank Kopitiam Street Food Bar
Mobi Café
Mr. Bap
October Hair Salon 
Sho Sho Desserts
Southside Bistro 
Sri Mahkota
S I L V E R

Surabing
Welcome Fresh Food Supermarket

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Appendix 1
SCULPTURE & ART

Map of St. Lucia and 

Surrounding Suburbs

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 WE HOPE TO
SEE YOU SOON!
FEB 2017

| LOVE FROM UQMSA |

Photo credits: Yong Hooi Goh (Yong's Photography)

Shao Guang Chan (Chan SG)
Ee Lynn Foo l      50