RSAA's First StromlOympics
Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue68 1–30 November 2025
When Stars Compete: The First StromlOlympics
Under the sweltering December sun, Mount Stromlo saw some 40-odd members of its community come together on the 5th of December for the first-ever StromlOlympics. This multi-game event—featuring Pictionary, Taboo, tug-of-war, frisbee, dodgeball, and a mystery challenge—was conceived to bring the Stromlo community together in a day of light-hearted competition. Forty-two participants were divided into six teams, ensuring a lively mix of students and non-students.
Activities began on Friday after the BBQ, under the cool shade of the CSO tree. In Pictionary, Stromlo-ites showcased their artistic talents—or revealed their absolute lack thereof. Few things teach you what a koala truly looks like until you try drawing one in under a minute. The two astro-themed Taboo rounds left many contestants tongue-tied, though creativity thrived: proto-stars became “baby stars,” and constellations were explained as “decorations in the sky.”
While some teams excelled in the creative games, others claimed major victories in the physical ones. Tug-of-war ignited roaring enthusiasm from all sides. Several theories were proposed—such as one side of the slope offering an unfair advantage—though these speculations were later dismissed through enthusiastic empirical testing. If any bias existed, it was in the frisbees used for the target game: two of the four clearly curved, one to the left and the other to the right in identical wind conditions. Despite many courageous and near-successful attempts, only one team managed to hit the bullseye by perhaps correctly estimating and compensating for the frisbee’s peculiar nature.
Dodgeball proved the most physically demanding event, leaving participants perspiring as they twisted, jumped, and contorted themselves to avoid the incoming barrage of soft balls. The penultimate game, the mystery event, was actually the “mystery thing race.” Early in the day, each team had selected an object—limes, baubles, or M&Ms. Two teammates then attempted to balance their chosen “mystery thing” on a spoon held between their teeth while racing across the tennis court. As predicted, limes were the most stable, while five M&Ms were nearly impossible to keep in place. The unused M&Ms were enjoyed by the resting participants.
StromlOlympics was a success thanks to the hard work of the PostDoc Pirates (Amit, Giada, Giacomo, Karlie, Sajay, ChongChong, and yours truly) and the help of wonderful student volunteers. Sophie designed the adorable stickers, while Purvi and Maja crafted superb flyers. Pranay and James organised Taboo and helped keep a score table. The MSO Social Club generously sponsored the awards (to be presented at the Christmas party), as well as the stickers, snacks, and equipment purchased just for StromlOlympics.
Hopefully, StromlOlympics becomes a regular event in MSO’s calendar!
Aditi Vijayan
Image: The PostDoc Pirates (Credit: Chuhan)
