Dircksey Vol 6 Edition 1

Covid recovery issue Covid recovery issue Covid recovery issue

your ECU

STUDENT MAGAZINE

JUNE 2020 HAVE WE VANQUISHED the Viral Super-villain?

INSIDE: Horoscopes, human interest, Iso quizz and other stuff

puny suffemr ans! hu

Contents Podcasting to fame Amber Wilkinson..............................................................pages 2-3 It says here Shaun Salmon..................................................................page 3 Bushfire re-growth Jess Emery.........................................................................pages 4-5 How my huskies saved my life Taylor Kingston................................................................pages 6-8 Doomsday prepping for beginners Jess Emery.........................................................................page 9 ECU Cars and Cruises Ekam Manku.....................................................................page 10 A year in the life of Enactus ECU Charlotte Robinson.........................................................pages 11-12 Fast and furious fashion Amber Wilkinson..............................................................pages 12-13 Travelling in North America Taylor Kingston................................................................pages 14-15 The hardest job you’ll ever love Amber Wilkinson..............................................................pages 16-17 A second year’s guide to ECU Josiah D. McMeekin.........................................................page 17 Your viral horoscope Galaxian Grace.................................................................pages 18-19 Reviews: Josiah D. McMeekin, Andrew Douglas, Grace Flynn.......................................................................pages 20-21 I don’t like war movies but...

Andrew Douglas..............................................................pages 22-23 What your iso style says about you Grace Flynn.......................................................................pages 24-25 The religious discrimination bill Grace Flynn.......................................................................pages 26-28 Faith, fact or fabrication?

Andrew Douglas..............................................................pages 28-29 Neo-Pentecostalism and the PM Shaun Salmon..................................................................pages 30-31 Me, myself and I: Self-care for students Elizabeth Harris................................................................page 31 Iso workout guide Amber Wilkinson..............................................................page 32

June 2020 Dircksey 1

Students-in-action department

Podcasting to fame It seems like everyone and their dog has a podcast now, and it’s showing. Podcasts are growing rapidly in popularity around Australia. On average, over 1.6 million Australians download podcasts four times a week.

In 2019 Spotify purchased one of the major podcasting production companies for over $200m US dollars.

The ABC OzPod survey 2019 found that 76% of people prefer listening to original podcasts over radio shows re-purposed as podcasts. Over 700,000 podcasts are currently available meaning the choice of content is endless.

Chris Erickson and Phoebe Moses are two ECU students who dived into the community and created their own podcast.

Are We Famous Yet started in 2019 and has recently completed its first season. Chris, a graphic design graduate who’s now working full time and Phoebe, in the final year of her teaching degree were school friends who joined forces to create the podcast to document their rise to stardom while pretending they’re already there.

I sat down with one half of the duo, Chris Erickson, to find out what it’s like to create a podcast.

The idea for Are We Famous Yet seemed to come around naturally due to their already solid friendship.

“It was very spur of the moment;

2 Dircksey June 2020

we get along so well. I think every millennial will have a halfdecent chat and then be like ‘we should start a podcast’ that’s basically how it happened,” Chris said.

The content centres around Chris and Phoebes’ rise to fame, pop culture and news.

“The overarching theme of the whole podcast is to check in every week on our rise to fame. We’re joking about being famous, real self-centred, vapid celebrity kind of stuff.”

The podcasting duo bring different skills to the production.

“Phoebe, as a teacher she’s a lot of organisation, content, planning the back-end.

She’s more trained in public speaking,” Chris said.

“For me, I’m proficient in the Adobe suite which we use for content, I’ll edit photos and the podcast. The technological expertise is what I took charge of,” Chris continued.

Listening to Are We Famous Yet it’s clear there is real chemistry between the duo which Chris said is something that came naturally.

“We don’t have to work for it.

It just kind of came about, I’m surprised that it works so well given we’ve not known each other that long.”

“Our sense of humour is eerily similar, a lot of our podcast is

improv-based, it’s nice to be able to say something stupid and have her bounce off it.”

Producing something for public consumption can be daunting.

The feedback Chris and Phoebe received, especially the hateful responses, came new to both of them.

Chris said that artists expect critical responses but getting feedback about your personality and humour was a lot harder to take.

“When doing art there’s a persona behind it but with a podcast, because we have audio and video episodes, this is how I sound, what I look like, what I’m interested in and putting yourself out there and hearing feedback when people say this is boring or wasn’t funny... It was tough to hear at first, overtime you get used to it,” Chris said.

Learning to shrug off hate is something he and Phoebe have both had to learn but they welcomed constructive criticism “Constructive criticism, all for it, someone coming up to you drunk at a party and just saying your podcast is shit, you’ve gotta learn to compartmentalise that,” Chris continued.

Are We Famous Yet has a characteristic approach, but its creators aren’t shy about branching out and pushing boundaries. Their video-special

Amber Wilkinson sheds some light on the popular and growing podcasting phenomena and talks to a pair of ECU students who are making their mark

episodes featuring dress-ups, new content and funny editing, have been some of their most popular.

“We’ve both agreed our favourite episode is one of our special episodes where we talked about conspiracy theories and scary unsolved stuff. I just wanted to play around with editing so it’s much more sound-heavy. There are sound effects that go along with stories as we tell them, there’s music, there are audio gags. I feel like that was our most polished episode.”

Are We Famous Yet wrapped up season one at the end of 2019 and everyone is eagerly waiting for season two.

“Yes we have planned for a season two. At the moment given what’s going on with COVID-19 and self-isolating, hopefully, once the world is kind of able to relax again we

will be able to get together. I think we’re both itching to get back into it. The longer we’re away from it the more we miss it.”

You can check out Are We Famous Yet through Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Keep up to date on season 2 on their Instagram: @arewefamousyetpod pics supplied by the Are We Famous Yet team

It Says Here

by SLS

It says here that the dole will snap back to pre-COVID levels ASAP

They don’t want people to get used to having enough money to live on

That’s it, they want to ensure a smooth transition process

Wow, why is the government acting so quickly?

...so its all about managing the expectations of the poor and needy?

From life-threatening virus to lifethreatening poverty? Makes sense June 2020 Dircksey 3

Hope for the future department

Bushfire re-growth Another hot summer has passed over Australia bringing with it some of the worst bushfires on record.

Uncontrolled fire tore through communities, farmland and natural reserves with estimates suggesting that 18.6 million hectares of land was burnt. In addition, approximately one billion animals were lost during Australia’s ‘black summer’ with some species being driven towards extinction.

damage or stress with new shoots sprouting from buds that otherwise lie dormant beneath the bark. Eucalypts in particular, are some of the most successful re-sprouters through this method.

Other species like the Banksia, shield away their seeds in fire-

Attenborough continued, “by releasing their seed only in the wake of a fire, the Banksias ensure that they will fall on wellcleaned, brightly-lit ground recently fertilised with ash and so they get the most favourable of starts in what is, even at best, an extremely harsh and demanding environment”.

However, in an amazing feat the natural Australian landscape has prevailed with life beginning to emerge from charred logs and blackened stumps as the slow process of recovery finally begins.

Early signs of recovery can be spotted across multiple native plant species thanks to their unique, ancient adaptations built up over the centuries as a response to naturally occurring fire events.

The Eucalypt, for example, is an incredibly fire-resistant species thanks to a little adaptation known as a lignotuber. A lignotuber is a woody swelling of the roots at ground level that helps to provide insulation for the stem of the plant and protects it against hungry herbivores and hot fires.

When a blaze occurs the protection of the tree’s vital systems ensures new sprouts can quickly emerge through a process known as epicormic growth. Epicormic growth only occurs in response to

4 Dircksey June 2020

proof pods. In 1995, David Attenborough explained the process in his book, The Private Life of Plants, “some Banksias will not shed their seeds unless there is a fire”. The seed pods of the Banksia are sealed off with tree sap in order to keep them secure. As a hot fire passes the sap melts away and once temperatures cool back down the pod will gradually open so that a gust of wind can carry the seed away or instead, await its fall to the forest floor.

Similarly, the Acacia species more commonly known as the Golden Wattle, stores its hard, soil-coated seeds beneath the ground as they await a fire in order to trigger the end of their dormancy. As rains fall the fire-ravaged landscapes soon become locations for the massgermination of species such as the Golden Wattle that sprout all over the ashy ground.

Western Australian Wildflower specialist and strategic horticulturalist, Sue Dempster

Jess Emery investigates the aftermath of the recent black summer bushfires and finds that the natural world is slowly recovering

explained, “Our Western Australian plants are very adaptable and clever due to years of growth in our ancient soils. They have created a diverse root system to tolerate heat, rainfall and other invasive species.”

“Naturally, WA wildflowers know how to work together with the soil, birds and work naturally to include mycorrhizal fungi, a nutrient that helps plants increase the absorption of minerals like phosphorus.”

“Once a fire has passed, a reaction occurs with those elements to ignite new growth proving the powerful resilience our native wildflowers withhold.

This allows them to grow from seed, suckers, root stem or branch at anytime of the year,” said Dempster.

All of this new plant regeneration is also helping to bring back a home for the struggling animal populations that suffered during the fire season.

Australia’s number of Koalas is estimated to have dropped by 10,000. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature that figure represents a third of the total New South Wales population.

This reduction in numbers means koalas could potentially face extinction over the coming years if not provided with longterm support.

Yet, as our landscape recovers, crucial habitat like the Eucalypt trees are gradually growing back helping, once again, to provide a stable food source

Photos: Robert Kerton on June 10, 2009 Epicormic regrowth from bark of a Eucalyptus, four months after Black Saturday bushfires, Strathewen, Victoria. © Creative Commons. https://www.scienceimage.csiro.au/image/10646/

eucalypt-regrowth-after-black-saturday-bushfires/%20https://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/3.0/

and home for the fragile koala community. In an encouraging move, only a month after fires subsided, some rescued and injured koalas were being released back into bushland.

Kanagra-Boyd National Park in New South Wales welcomed back four adult koalas and one brand new joey. Another nine animals were released in the Blue Mountains.

Australia experienced a devastating black summer with many losing lives, property and years of memories. In times of darkness it is understandable that we get caught up in the destructive impacts and widespread loss. We also need to spend time appreciating the spectacular adaptability of our unique flora and fauna.

As the remaining koala population gradually crawls back out amongst the sprouting Eucalypts, its important for us to step back and watch the natural re-growth, re-birth and support our ecosystem provides to all those that forage its land.

June 2020 Dircksey 5

Please note: Some readers may find elements of this story disturbing

Angel (Moo)

Charlie Borealis (CB)

Jack

Tzar

Willow

How my huskies saved my life

6 Dircksey June 2020

2017 was the worst year of my life, and I’ve had a lot of terrible years. My Huskies saved my life because without them I’m pretty sure I would’ve killed myself.

Let’s start at the very beginning.

We got Tzar as a puppy in 2002 and he was the best first dog you could ask for. Eight years later we rescued Angel who we dubbed ‘Moo’ because she ate like a cow. The dogs were my best friends and they got me through the first half of 2017.

That year was already the worst, three hours in. I was on a Contiki tour and had been physically assaulted. At the time it didn’t affect me, but the more time went on, the more it did. I was dealing with bad depression and struggling with anger-induced bulimia. I quit uni halfway through the first semester.

I was starting to feel better but about a week after Tzar’s fifteenth birthday, he suddenly got sick and we had to let him go. That night I called Lifeline; I didn’t want to bother my parents. Then while I was trying to sleep, without realising it, I was scratching my hand, badly. The scratching became a recurring theme and something I kept hidden from my parents for a while.

Tzar had been with me for threequarters of my life. It’s hard to let that go. After Tzar died Moo needed a friend so we rescued Charlie from Husky Rescue

WA. I gave Charlie the second name of Borealis because my sister had arranged for a puppy and named her Aurora. The name just fit. Husky Rescue WA (HRWA) is a great organisation and I have volunteered with them ever since we rescued Charlie Borealis.

CB, as Charlie Borealis came to be known, loved Angel and I could tell that getting him had been the best decision.

Still, I felt guilty, like we were replacing Tzar. I decided that Tzar wouldn’t want Angel to be alone; he was sweet like that.

Six weeks after Tzar died, we had to let Angel go as well. She had been dealing with bad arthritis, and we knew it was time. Since CB was a little codependent we knew he needed a sister so we rescued Willow, also from HRWA. During this time my angerinduced vomiting started up again, my scratching continued, and I ended up needing surgery on, how do I put this? My lady area. Also around this time I had been misdiagnosed with bipolar and was accidentally overdosing on my medication.

My current psychiatrist says I was taking eight times the amount I should’ve been taking. The accidental overdosing caused constant lethargy, dizziness and double vision. I couldn’t keep any food down, so there was no need to self-induce.

I thought I was going crazy. I thought I deserved it. I guess

Taylor Kingston tells the harrowing but ultimately uplifting story of how her dogs helped her through a traumatic period of her life

because of everything I had purposely done to myself.

Before I realised that I was overdosing I started to consider taking my life. You have no idea how much it hurts me to write this down. It wasn’t always a straightforward idea.

The furthest I ever got with a plan was thinking that I may as well use my medication since I already had so much. I thought I was never going to be well again. I thought it was going to kill me. But somewhere along the way, I decided not to. I saw my beautiful dogs and I appreciated them and loved them so much, I honestly thought it wouldn’t be fair to them. And to my family, of course.

Tzar and Angel never came inside the house; they were always outside dogs. But CB demanded to sleep on the bed and on the couch and be treated as the king he knew he was. The dogs definitely could tell how bad I was feeling.

One night I had even gotten some blunt scissors and started slicing the very edge of my wrist.

No blood. To me that meant I didn’t really want to do it.

In January 2018 I got a tattoo for all my past, present, and future doggos. An hour after I got home, I passed out due to low blood pressure. I hit my face on a step, hard. I resented the tattoo. But after really thinking about it and CB and Willow comforting me, I realised that

Taylor Kingston and Charlie Borealis (CB)

Continues over June 2020 Dircksey 7

How My Huskies Saved My Life even though the tattoo has a sad meaning and a terrible aftermath, it was worth it.

Flash forward to October 2018: I’m not overdosing anymore, I’m getting on the right medications and doses, my bulimia and scratching has very much subsided and I’m on an amazing trip to the U.S. with my Dad. Then CB died. He developed a problem with his kidney.

The day Mum decided to call the vet, to help her say goodbye to CB, he decided to go around to his favourite hole that he had dug for himself and went to the forever-sleep. I still have a video of me saying goodbye to him before the trip. He’s happy. And it pains me to watch it.

You never know the last time is going to be the last time.

During the rest of my trip, the scratching and vomiting started coming back; my fun coping mechanism.

Willow was so distraught at home that Mum rescued another boy, Jack. He is the goofiest, silliest, jumping Jack you’ve ever seen. He literally does the worm in mid-air when he jumps. When I got home, I felt guilty about him, but that wasn’t his fault. He’d had a bad home and deserved love, and I was determined to give it to him. He continued to save me.

I was, and still am, seeing a psychologist as well as my psychiatrist, and while I do still struggle, more than I’d like to

Continued

admit, they help me just as much as my dogs do. Whenever I’m upset, I snuggle up to the dogs. All I have to do is look at them. Sometimes I cry because they’re so cute. Without them, I might be in an institution, I might be dead. All I know for certain is that I’m here and they are the reason.

If you need assistance with issues like those raised in Taylor’s article you might want to contact Lifeline.

Lifeline Crisis Hotline: 13 11 14 Husky Rescue WA can be contacted via https://w w w.facebook . com/huskyrescuewa/ huskyrescuewa@gmail. com All pics by Taylor Kingston

Above: Taylor’s current canine companions, Jack and Willow and, right; Taylor’s tattoo that honours her past, present and future dogs

8 Dircksey June 2020

Doomsday Prepping for Beginners With the advent of COVID-19 civilisation has teetered a little. Jess Emery investigates some radical solutions to our existential difficulties It’s easy to poke fun at a doomsday prepper with their bunker full of pickles carefully guarded by men with loaded rifles. As COVID-19 unleashed its force across the world, toilet paper shortages quickly became apparent in Australia and society frantically grabbed at what it could. In the meantime our once crazy preppers calmly sat pretty amongst their assorted supply of hand sanitisers.

Although you may not be a doomsday convert you’ll definitely want to avoid running out of toilet paper. So here it is, the ultimate doomsday preppers guide.

According to experienced preppers, “it’s simple: depending on what happens, you’ll either stay in your home, leave your home or be away

from home.” In order to survive doomsday, you will therefore need to prepare for each of these scenarios.

Scenario 1: Staying home For those who think that two weeks at home is a perfect time to catch up on some missed movies, think again. A real doomsday prepper needs to be ready to sustain themselves for a minimum of two weeks. This means no internet, no driving and certainly no UberEats.

You will need sufficient food supplies, comprehensive medical equipment and of course, some form of activity so you don’t drive everyone in your bunker, bonkers.

Scenario 2: Leaving home Think back to that time you planned to run away from home because Mum said you’d already watched too much Saturday Disney. Try to remember the virtual supplies list you wrote out, maybe just remove that Buzz Lightyear action figure.

To leave home well-supplied you ‘ll need an ample rucksack, a travel-size medical kit, high -caloric meals that are light to

carry (think muesli bars and energy drinks), a wilderness tool including a pocket knife and sun protection to combat the scorching Australian sun.

Scenario 3: Away from home Things can get wild when doomsday arrives, so prepare to be taken away unexpectedly.

This is where your every day carry, known amongst preppers as EDC, is crucial. As a prepper, it’s vital that you always carry as many essential items as possible. Women still have the upper hand in this scenario as their handbags are naturally filled with various dirty napkins, old food crumbs and blister pads, much more useful than a pocketful of coins.

Prepping can seem overwhelming, but it’s about managing a situation so that you face as little disruption as possible. Ensure your emergency guide is foolproof and your supplies are set because doomsday doesn’t wait for you to be ready.

Pic, Prepping, by Arby Reed on March 1, 2020 © Creative Commons https://www.flickr.com/photos/19779889@N00/49606014997/in/ photolist-2izvN1D-8LuX5q-MDEduQ-G7Z5jb-QDSzf4-9qk46b-2ehA3z2-jj99n-2hf9tmU-2dHxXcX-2g4BGhx-6WwPHw-bwMhdL-kcuHGs-DtPu9G-4uV4aK-23NPk8H-85wtJMDGYsiV-2fKB8Xa-deZVTF-25UUPes-75aFzY-Ccmtc1-2iskUK8-HqE6iV-J41Vx2-jQZEov-jQYHsv-E623rp-CN3nQm-S8wM5S-sdqB6V-EskwDz-ivxeo5-ob8uNC-WtWPUE-dnDBjqPwv8Ec-VJcHxh-HaaGah-jR1YdY-jQYyVR-jR23vf-jR23cE-cnM1gm-jQYRXg-XrmWuA-jR2oRA-fLZVnz

June 2020 Dircksey 9

ECU club dept.

ECU Cars and Cruises

Ekam Manku gives us the lowdown on what ECU’s automotive aficionados are up to

A car club means different things to different people. For the enthusiasts, it provides a sense of belonging in a world where you stand out. While many are dumbfounded by the idea of spending more on a car than it was purchased for, we do it for the love of the game.

ECU Cars & Cruises is a club founded on the principle ’by all, for all.’ As a new student who loved cars I was looking forward to exploring this more widely at ECU, only to find out that there were no opportunities available to do so.

Having waited a year and familiarised myself with the university, I decided to take the initiative and create a car club.

Unfortunately I did’nt know many people at the time and so the club started out slowly.

After a semester of trying to jump-start the club into life, five individuals stepped forward to help me with it. Almost immediately, the club gained traction and we held our first car display at the university to get some exposure. Soon after we held our first ‘meet, greet and cruise’, which had an astounding turnout from a diverse range of people and cars. This showed us the support the car community provides to those with a shared passion.

The aforementioned car show was able to attract a bucket load of attention. There were pictures and videos taken, and quite a few people interacted with us, mostly to talk about

10 Dircksey June 2020

Pic by Paul Harnett, Left to right: ECU Car & Cruises committee members; Ashleigh Parr, Ekam Manku, Max Partridge, Ryan Courtie. Jordan Turrel and Stevo Vincent (not pictured) are also committee members

electric cars. This got me thinking ten years ahead to when our beloved high (and low) displacement internal combustion engines (ICEs) will be phased out for smaller, hybrid (or completely electric) powertrains. This transition has already been completed in the ‘pinnacle of motorsport’, Formula 1. Gone are the days of howling V12’s and screaming V10’s. Not even the monstrous V8’s could save Formula 1 from the 1.6l hybrid V6’s.

Mercedes’ recent models started with a naturally aspirated (NA) 6.2l V8, and then moved to a twin-turbo 4.0l V8 setup. The next model will be a turbo-hybrid 2.0l four-pot. Undoubtedly, a mass hybrid/electric transition for road going vehicles will rid the world of unnecessary carbonemissions yet I cannot help but feel slightly saddened that the true soul of each car will cease to exist in the near future.

This change is not just happening in purebred racing.

Mercedes-AMG, a manufacturer known to produce some of the best sounding and performing V8’s globally, has recently announced its plans to downsize and hybridise their powertrains. This is a drastic change from a manufacturer that created the first petrolpowered automobile.

Pic Ekam Manku

ECU club dept.

Charlotte Robinson charts the downs and ups of her involvement with Enactus ECU

A year in the life of Enactus ECU Joining my first student club, Enactus ECU, bumped up my resume and enabled me to go on an exciting trip to Sydney but I learnt that the highs come with the lows.

Enactus ECU is a small part of the international social enterprise Enactus which operates in 37 countries and in 1,710 universities globally.

Enactus ECU is a student club associated with the School of Business and Law. The club functions as a social enterprise and devises and hosts entrepreneurial projects that contribute to the community, such as BeSafe and NetUni. The idea behind the BeSafe project was to spread safety awareness to international students about the dangers of Australian beaches. The NetUni project used facilities at Perth libraries to run classes about technology and social media for elderly people.

At the beginning of 2019 many club members graduated and left the club. Stephanie Fyfe, the current president of Enactus ECU, was one of the few people who were left. Stephanie and other new members of the club were responsible for making BeSafe more than just a concept and into a viable project that could be financed. In terms of the NetUni project, Enactus ECU had to address the issue that libraries were no longer available to the project as a government-owned program was using the same facilities.

Enactus ECU selfie: (Left to right) Bhavishya Gowthaman, Rachael Tannahill, Stephanie Fyfe, Ralph Carlos and Charlotte Robinson.

“We didn’t know what we were doing and we didn’t know how the club worked with the Guild, like what crossed over and how we access funds… just simple things. That information would just make it so much easier to run the club,” said Stephanie.

I asked Stephanie why she kept the meetings going even after people failed to show up and the direction of the projects was unclear.

“So when the team was young and struggled I just kept my vision on the future and what the team might look like in the future if we just kept trying.

Because I think now we are in a really good position.”

She mentioned one of the volunteering activities Enactus ECU was involved with other than the two projects; pulling weeds out of local beaches.

“I think even though at times I hated getting up at whatever time to go down to the beach and pull out weeds from the sand dunes that I was making a good example and that would mean that those people who were passionate enough would follow. And those were the people that ended up coming to Nationals and ended up at almost every event like yourself, because I think it takes just one person to show it’s not as hard as it looks maybe.”

Continues over June 2020 Dircksey 11

ECU club dept.

A year in the life of Enactus ECU The Nationals Stephanie mentioned is a yearly event where Enactus projects from various universities in Australia compete. Projects are presented to a panel of judges in the form of a slide-show.

In 2019 Enactus ECU presented the BeSafe and NetUni projects at the Sydney Sofitel Hotel on the 3rd and 4th of July. Enactus ECU reached the semi-finals of the competition.

Former Enactus ECU president Chaminda Ranasinghe mentored the club before and during its success at the Nationals in 2019.

“…in the past two years it looks like the team is moving forward with the lessons learned.

Enactus is not just a student club. It operates like a business organisation to create wealth, to empower people. So, like any organisation, Enactus requires good leadership to allow students to take ownership of what they do,” said Chaminda.

“This was evident from the progress of last year… I believe the team can improve their presence in society and return to win the national championship once again.”

In early January of 2020, Chaminda celebrated a going away gathering at the

Inglewood Hotel. After living in Australia for 13 years his visa was about to expire and the following Monday he caught a plane to his home country, Sri Lanka.

Chaminda invited former work colleagues, roommates and current and past Enactus members to the celebration.

Enactus president Stephanie, BeSafe project manager Rachael Tannahill and I, the Enactus Publications manager, showed up to wish him well.

We raised our glasses both to Chaminda and to the struggles and successes we had shared together through our involvement in Enactus ECU.

Fast & Furious Fashion How can we make sustainable fashion choices?

Amber Wilkinson looks at the ethics of the clothes we wear Over the years fashion has become a major outlet for selfexpression. It tells people about us, what we stand for, what we’re interested in and impacts how they see us.

The ever-growing value of clothing in our lives has resulted in a higher demand for more options sooner.

But this desire for fashion to come quickly can be damaging to the environment, animals and those who manufacture it.

12 Dircksey June 2020

WHAT IS FAST FASHION? The term used to describe this branch of fashion is known as fast fashion: inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.

On average fast fashion brands are producing 52 ‘microseasons’ each year, so a new mini-season each week rather than the traditional four seasons we’d seen previously.

This rapid increase in the volume of clothing requires

Continued

quick production and turnaround time thus resulting in fast fashion.

MAKING FASHION ETHICAL Ethical/Sustainable fashion is growing in popularity.

The clothing typically replicates high fashion trends quickly but at lower quality.

Taking account of ethics in fashion requires a focus on working conditions, fair-trade, sustainable production and impacts on the environment and animals.

Fast fashion is normally very inexpensive to produce due to low labor costs. It’s typically produced in other countries where workers are paid very little for working long hours in environments that are often unsafe.

This movement has seen a wave of changes being made to how we interact with clothing and brands.

of clothes then maybe online thrifting is for you.

Outlets such as Depop and ebay allow you to shop second hand from the comfort of your own home.

Shop for ethical brands: Perth is spoilt for choice when it comes to ethical brands.

Local brands such as Remi Lane Designs, Ilka and Green Embassy are all brands making new clothing that is ethical and sustainable.

The mass churning out of clothing also means it’s not built to last. As we get bored of old trends and clothing starts to fall apart, we dispose of it to buy the latest thing.

There is a whole breed of brands who are making moves to ensure their clothing is being made from sustainable materials that will last longer by using timeless styles that don’t age as quickly.

Make an effort to research brands and gain knowledge about their values and actions.

This sort of information can make it easier to choose which brands to spend money with.

The increase in turnover results in increased clothing waste. The average Australian disposes of 23kg of clothing each year and our nation’s fashion industry now has a value of over $28.5 billion.

These brands are also putting emphasis on paying workers fairly, ensuring safe conditions in manufacturing workplaces and limiting environmental impacts.

Give your current wardrobe new life: Sometimes one of the best ways to change up your wardrobe is to look at what you already have.

HOW TO MAKE ETHICAL CLOTHING CHOICES: If you want to make some changes to the way you consume fashion so you have less of a damaging impact there are a wide range of options.

Trying pieces in new combinations or simply changing the crop of a shirt or the length of a skirt or turning a dress into a skirt-and-top set is a fun DIY project and an awesome way to breathe new life into your clothing.

Over 60% of fabrics currently used for clothing are made from fossil fuels. Clothing of this sort is damaging to the environment.

When the clothing is being washed chemicals and dyes can seep into the water supply damaging marine life and people in the area.

As we become more aware of the impact our choices have on the environment more people are making a conscious effort to choose sustainable options.

Shop second-hand: Rather than buying new clothing try purchasing secondhand. This helps reduce the amount of clothing waste produced and can increase the life of items. Your local OpShop is full of great finds but if you aren’t into spending a day rummaging through piles

It’s also a great way to learn a new skill, lengthen the life of your clothing and change things up while being sustainable.

June 2020 Dircksey 13

Hope for the future department

Travelling In North America

For the party-goer Las Vegas, Nevada

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Along with dozens of casinos, there’s countless restaurants and things to do.

Museums, zoos, theme parks inside hotels, concerts and performances. You’ll never be bored in Viva Las Vegas. But remember, the legal drinking and gambling age in the United States is 21.

Drink and gamble responsibly!

For the history buff Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Love history? Gettysburg is the right place for you! Visit the town where the Civil War’s most famous battle took place, way back in 1863. Discover the place where President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address.

Along with the history, waiting for you are numerous cafes and ice cream parlours, little shops, and tours that take you through the famous area. It’s not to be missed!

14 Dircksey June 2020

For the kid at heart Orlando, Florida

Rollercoasters, waterslides, interactive tours, Orlando is for the kids, and the kids at heart!

Of course DisneyWorld is an obvious choice, as it should be, but don’t forget about Universal Studios and Harry Potter World.

In HP World, you can take the Hogwarts Express, choose your wand, change muggle money to wizard money and so much more! Universal Studios has rides that take you to new highs and lows, literally. There’s also Gatorland, where you can see hundreds of alligators and even sit on one’s back! At Gatorland there are also turtles, raccoons, birds, owls, and big cats. If you want a smaller theme park, Fun Spot America is just the place for you! And don’t forget about SeaWorld. Whatever you find exhilarating and enjoyable, you’ll find it in this Florida city!

For the animal lover Banff, Alberta

Banff has got something for every animal lover. There are wildlife tours that take you around the town and into the mountains where it’s not unusual to see bears, wolves, elk, and other native wildlife.

During winter you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the picturesque snow-covered scenery. And of course there are dog sledding tours which are an amazing experience! The Calgary Zoo is only a 90 minute bus-ride away.

What makes this zoo unique is the giant section that houses many native Canadian species.

Animal lovers will definitely find something to do in beautiful Banff!

All pics taken or supplied by Taylor Kingston

Taylor Kingston evaluates the best cities for all kinds of students. Obviously no one is going anywhere for a while but we can dream

bring containers so you can refill using the water fountains at the entrance. Go exploring, enjoy the nature, climb through rocks, take in that majestic view.

All can be done in beautiful Moab, Utah!

For the photographer Monument Valley, Arizona

An amazing work of natural beauty, Monument Valley is truly a photographer’s dream.

Enter the park in Navajo County where the Native Americans have their own laws and time zone. Visit The View Hotel for amazing photo opportunities, take Navajo guided tours that stop in numerous places for that amazing shot, or take a horseback ride through the bottom of this majestic wonder, for that extra, personal photo.

For the explorer and nature lover Moab, Utah

For the museum lover Washington, D.C.

For the traveller on a budget Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

So many places in North America are so expensive, but Philadelphia in Pennsylvania is a city that is great for the traveller on a budget while still having a lot to do. First, visit the Rocky Steps, located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Rocky Balboa trained. Then walk over to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall where the Declaration Of Independence was signed in 1776. This charming city has something for everyone.

Do you enjoy museums?

Then look no further than Washington D.C. as the Smithsonian is a combination of 20 museums, most of which are in the National Mall, a landscape park containing museums spanning over 3km!

Here you’ll find museums on air and space, American history, natural history, AfricanAmerican history, the American Indian, American as well as African art, and even a postal museum! But wait, there’s more! You can also visit the National Zoological Park and visit giant pandas! As well as the many museums, you can visit the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Capital Building, the National Archives, and much more. D.C. is definitely worth a visit!

Moab has amazing views. As well as the many hikes through this amazing place, there is the trek up to the Delicate Arch. It’s spectacular but a long journey up hill. In summer it can often get to 45 degrees, so if you take this journey make sure to bring a lot of water! The park you enter to go to the Delicate Arch does not sell water, so make sure to

June 2020 Dircksey 15

Hope for the future department

The hardest job you’ll ever love From phrases like “This one time at band camp” and movies like The Parent Trap, the idea of American summer camp had always been present in my childhood.

Growing up the thought of summer camp fascinated me.

It was like nothing we had here in Australia and the thought of spending childhood summers surrounded by friends enjoying endless activities seemed like heaven.

But, alas, growing up on the other side of the world, the closest I got to a summer camp was once-a-year sleepaway camps with school.

When the idea that it was possible to work at a US summer camp for three months came up I jumped at it without a doubt in my mind.

Everyone is always looking for fun new ways to travel and to earn money.

Working at a summer camp in the USA not only allowed me to make money but also allowed me to travel post-camp around the country.

HOW TO DO IT: There are a bunch of agencies that promote hiring camp counsellors. I chose to go through Camp Counsellors USA (CCUSA).

After paying some fees, interviewing with a CCUSA representative and filling out

16 Dircksey June 2020

what felt like endless forms I was in.

with will be home for up to four months.

The process aims to assess if you are suitable for camp life and what skills you can bring to a camp.

Being thrown straight into early starts and late nights of orientation week while battling jet lag is a rite of passage as an international counsellor.

These camps are looking for outgoing people who can teach some kind of skill so it’s important to showcase yourself and what you can do on applications, no matter what skill level you have.

The next task came of being hired by a camp. There are multiple ways this can happen.

You could reach out to a camp yourself or wait for one to see your agency profile and reach out.

Some agencies also fund job fairs where you can meet camp directors in person. Sometimes people are offered a job on the spot. Once you’re accepted into the program you are pretty much guaranteed a job, which is a huge bonus.

Once hired it’s time to get a visa, book flights and head off!

WHAT WAS IT ACTUALLY LIKE? Before leaving for camp I was told numerous times it would be ‘the hardest job you’ll ever love,’ but I didn’t expect this to be true.

Rocking up to a huge camp in the middle of nowhere in a new country is scary. It’s even scarier to realise that place and the bundle of people you rock up

At my camp, you were assigned a living space with two or three other counsellors and up to 13 kids. You live within same four walls as your campers, share a bathroom and eat meals together.

Essentially you become a parent or older sibling to these kids as well as teaching each day for hours at a time.

You are pretty much working 24 hours a day with minimal days off. Its a battle to balance work, seeing new friends and keeping in touch with home.

Some kids will test your patience while you run on a lack of sleep but it’s all about being able to focus and push through to provide the best experience for your young charges.

You also meet the most inspiring kids who are so talented, kind and outgoing, who come to camp year after year and thrive.

It feels amazing to contribute to the lives of the kids and ensure they have a happy summer.

The environment of summer camp is also unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Everyone is positive and happy, constantly

Photo-montage Shaun Salmon, Map designed by Freepik

Camp counsellor confessions from Amber Wilkinson

encouraging each other to do their best. Thanks to camp I have made some lifelong friends.

SHOULD YOU DO IT? Being a camp counsellor was a major learning experience for me and led to personal growth.

I found it instilled a great sense of independence and strengthened my ability as a leader. It’s a challenging job but also one that is very rewarding

if you throw your heart and soul into it.

Also, camp counselling looks great on a resume and everyone comments about it at interviews which is a bonus!

Summer camp isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great way to get out of your comfortzone, try something new and even surprise yourself.

If you’re looking for a great new way to earn some money (pay as a camp counsellor isn’t great but it’s something) while traveling and learning a lot about yourself then go for it and you’ll have the summer of your life.

A second year’s guide to ECU

Pand

emic

upda

Josiah D. McMeekin offers some useful tips for that difficult second year Hello! If you’re new to ECU, welcome, so glad you could join us from wherever you’re coming from. High School, TAFE, workplace, retirement or travel. To those of you who have been at ECU for a while, welcome to you too.

Navigating university life can be a tricky thing, even without an apocalypse. I, as a humble second year, have decided to take it upon myself to try and provide a couple of tips and tricks that have helped me survive this branch of tertiary education.

Once the apocalypse struck I quickly realised that this article would need some revisions for our post-pandemic world.

Mind you, I am a second year, so maybe take what I say with a healthy portion of salt and figure out what works for you.

The student hub on any of the three campuses is probably your most vital tool. The hubs are working on reduced hours so check before you turn-up.

An early morning visit may eliminate waiting around.

Joondalup health services are open, and counselling services are available at Joondalup and Mount Lawley. Counselling may not be for everyone, but why not give it a try, there is nothing shameful about saying: “I need help”.

We now live in a world that operates ‘from home’, so Blackboard is your friend. The best way to get to know it, is to spend time on it. Collaborate classrooms can be tricky. Just remember, there is a help bar on the side, that will let you test and set up microphone and video if it’s not working. If

that fails, you can try and restart the whole program or use the Blackboard’s contact IT option.

I hope this helps you, intrepid university-goers.

Take everything I say with a pinch of salt, try things out yourself and stay well.

The Guild Student Assist Officers (GSAs) provide advocacy, support and referral services. https://ecuguild.org.au/studentassist/ Online support with the Library https://intranet.ecu.edu.au/ student/news/overview/2020/04/ virtual-peer-support-for-onlinelearning-veeps https://www.ecu.edu.au/centres/ library-services/services-andfacilities/library-workshops

Social distancing rules are under constant review so information about operational hours and in-person appointments may have changed by the time of publishing June 2020 Dircksey 17

te !

Your viral horoscope

Aries

Gemini

Leo

Taurus

Cancer

Virgo

The coming month brings great opportunities for you to invest in yourself. Do you have a project you’ve been thinking about starting? This is the perfect time to knuckle down and get your creative juices flowing. Remember, you have all the time in the world now.

Luck is on your side when it comes to professional pursuits. You may be working from home now, but your hard work will soon be rewarded.

You may be tempted to make drastic changes in your life during this time, but whatever you do, leave your hair alone.

18 Dircksey June 2020

Your unpredictability can sometimes put a strain on your relationships, but all this free time makes for a great opportunity to reconnect with loved ones. Get started on a puzzle or sign up for an online craft class. Learning to handstitch your own cotton face mask is all the rage right now.

It’s a moody time at the moment, but when is it not a moody time for you, Cancer?

Try to keep the lines of communication between you and those you live with open and honest. Remember, you can’t really escape them right now. Make use of your surge of productivity and get stuff done.

Everything around you might be chaotic, but your Zen approach will keep you calm and on track to achieve your personal and professional goals. You will benefit from your intuition at this time, so listen to yourself, Leo. Don’t forget to take care of yourself.

A self-care day will be needed.

You spend a little too much time over-analysing, Virgo.

Instead of scrutinising your every decision, get your body moving and focus on wellbeing. Any issues related to your usually blunt communication style will have to be resolved this month.

Even if it is over FaceTime.

What do the stars tell us about how we cope with life in isolation?

Galaxian Grace reveals what lies ahead for us under the sign of COVID

Libra

Sagittarius

Isolation has been a time of self-indulgence for you, but you’re now ready to take a break from TikTok and be productive. Make the most of this motivation and spruce up your workspace with plants, fun stationery and framed photos of your colleagues to replicate your office environment.

Aquarius

Usually you are indecisive, but now is a great time to make important and final decisions.

You will thrive professionally and get in touch with your creative side. Try not to fall into petty arguments, even if your house-mate thinks the tomato sauce belongs in the fridge (which it definitely does, by the way).

Scorpio

Capricorn

Pisces

Emotions are heightened right now for you, and so conflict may follow. Try to leave serious issues out of discussion and invest time in reflection or learning something new to keep your mind busy. You could study conversational Finnish, entomology or both at the same time.

It’s time to play the waiting game. You can’t force success.

Your hard work will pay off eventually. In the meantime, let loose and spend time doing something you enjoy, like meticulously colour-coding your wardrobe and planning your post-quarantine work schedule to the minute.

Have you been putting off important jobs? It might be time to finally de-clutter your space, organise your paperwork or go through your emails. You may feel on edge, so make sure you take time out for yourself. Put on your favourite outfit for that welldeserved night in. Again.

While being restricted to your home will present its challenges, creating a safe, cosy space is the key to making your day-to-day life more enjoyable. It would be wise to keep a journal. Set goals during this time, like refraining from posting sad, indie quotes to your Instagram stories.

Illustrations by Shaun Salmon

June 2020 Dircksey 19

Reviews Noughts and Crosses

by Malorie Blackman, Random House Noughts + Crosses BBC TV serial Noughts and Crosses is the first in a series of five novels and three novellas by Malorie Blackman. Published in 2001, the book is set in a dystopian version of the 21st century

where there is virtually no equality between races, and laws for anti-discrimination are practically non-existent. There are two main races. Crosses have darker skin, which we would call black. The crosses hold the majority of the power, wealth and have access to better education and health.

Noughts have lighter skin, we would call these people white.

Noughts are poorer, tending to work as manual labourers or as servants.

20 Dircksey June 2020

The book follows Persephone “Sephy”, a Cross, and Callum, a Nought. Sephy’s father is Kamal Hadley, a powerful politician who later becomes the prime minister. The two major characters were childhood friends; Callum’s mother used to work for Sephy’s mother. The novel follows Sephy and Callum as their rediscovered friendship turns into romance.

Callum is accepted into a prestigious school that has just started to admit topperforming Noughts. The pair’s romance and Callum’s life at the school is set against a backdrop of civil unrest, racism, resistance movements and familial conflict.

Noughts and Crosses is a fascinating story which starts off in high school, but reaches far further and has a shocking twist. The novel has well developed central characters,

tackles fascinating themes that examine biases, prejudices and tendencies that readers themselves may share.

Blackman’s book is an excellent read, its popularity leading to a BBC television adaptation, starring Masala Baduza and Jack Rowan as Sephy and Callum.

The TV version was released in March of this year. The show’s production values are utterly amazing. The sets, costumes, special and visual effects are a visual feast. The supporting cast is just as brilliant as the lead characters. For fans of the book, the show is largely true to Blackman’s novel. The primary differences between the book and TV versions are connected with a decision to make the central characters older: The school Callum attends is now a prestigious military school and Sephy has a boyfriend who serves as a rival for Callum.

Since the book was written in the early noughties the creators of the TV version have made the understandable decision to update the technology.

Changes made to adapt the novel for a contemporary TV audience were given the green light by Blackman, who was heavily involved in the production process. The show is not without minor flaws but these do little to detract from its brilliance whether you think of it as an adaptation or a standalone TV production.

Josiah D. McMeekin

The reviews in this edition of Dircksey are mostly COVID lockdown-sensitive, so no current cinema, theatre or exhibition reviews. Our advice: Rug up with a good book or go on a streaming binge... this is the golden age of television after all

Face It By Debbie Harry Harper Collins Publishing

This detailed autobiography of former Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry moves in chronological order through the major stages of her life: being a love-child at the end of WWII, her adoption into a loving family and growing up in a sleepy hollow.

The book describes Harry’s move to New York in the late sixties and details her part in the formative punk scene and the subsequent wild ride of international fame as the lead singer of Blondie.

One learns something of the alternative art and music scene in New York during the late sixties and early seventies. Of course, there’s the usual spiel about drugs, sex and rock ‘n roll and tales of Harry’s connections to celebrities of the time such as Andy Warhol, David Bowie,

John Waters, Divine and others.

The book is not all celebrity gossip it also dips into some personal revelations. Harry talks about her efforts to reestablish contact with her birth family and the life-threatening illness that nearly killed her long-time partner and Blondie co-founder Chris Stein. There are also tales of the financial rip-offs by careless and ruthless agents and music executives.

Harry also describes her experiences in movie-making.

Her efforts as an actor are probably not as well known as her musical journey so this material helps flesh out the eventful life of an unusual singer and artist.

Face It is full of illustrations, much of it fan art; drawings and paintings fans have made of her and then given to her.

This material is interesting but perhaps there could have been more photographs from Harry’s personal archive. Another criticism of the book is that there is no index at the back to ease a reader’s search through Harry’s past.

Face It is over three-hundred and fifty pages long but never gets boring or repetitive. The book is an easy read, especially for a fan of Blondie and is recommended, as much for those who lived though the late seventies and early eighties as for those who enjoy Harry’s unique musical legacy.

Illustrations, tone dropouts by Shaun Salmon

Blondie’s output has been given a variety of labels over the years, punk, disco, rap, new wave... the category doesn’t matter all that much since, as Debbie explains, the band allowed themselves to experiment and evolve. Face It is an entertaining record of a music pioneer.

Three. Two. One.

By Lennon Stella Insanity Records

With quarantine forcing us into our homes and introspection, Lennon Stella’s debut album Three. Two. One. is the perfect soundtrack to slow down and reflect to.

As a singer-songwriter, Lennon uses her soft and angelic voice to create hypnotic songs that explore her relationships with those around her and herself.

With heartbreak anthems like Save Us and Much Too Much, Lennon confidently and honestly expresses her inner revelations using beautiful harmonies and layering. Three.

Two. One. is an insightful collection of dreamy-pop songs that solidify Lennon’s style and are very much worth listening to.

Grace Flynn

June 2020 Dircksey 21

Extended review

I don’t like war movies but...

When I was a child perhaps my least favourite film genre was the war movie. For the most part the plots tended to be rather melodramatic and very predictable. There was always lots of violence and macho heroics. Despite all the death and destruction the hero always made it to the end, even if his mates, brothers, comrades or best friend didn’t.

offer more realistic portrayals of the horror and brutality of military conflict. Platoon (1986) on the Vietnam war, is a case in point.

So far this year, there have been two more such films that deal with war more realistically. The first, 1917, centres on a day in the life of an ordinary soldier tasked with an extraordinary

full-scale war. The film depicts the horrors of trench warfare with disturbing realism: bodies decomposing in mounds of earth, corpses floating in streams, emaciated pack horses as well as plump rats scuttling through underground tunnels.

The soldiers are ordinary men thrown together in inhuman conditions and subject to

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0 License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.

Scene on board USS Yorktown, shortly after she was hit by three Japanese bombs on 4 June 1942. Taken by Photographer 2nd Class, William G. Roy

No matter how many bullets or bombs whizzed past, the hero always lived to tell the tale.

During actual wartime, movies about the conflict were not merely entertainment but also functioned as propaganda to keep up morale on the home front.

Yet not all war films are the same.

In recent decades there have been a number of films that

22 Dircksey June 2020

assignment on the western front during the First World War. The second, Midway, depicts events in the south Pacific following the bombing of Pearl Harbour, that brought the US into World War Two. 1917 is a graphically realistic film which unfolds over a period of twenty-four hours in beautiful countryside now scarred by the death and destruction of

barbaric acts. The senselessness of the killing pervades the entire movie. The audience’s knowledge of history only enhances a sense of fatalism about this ‘war to end all wars’.

Only two decades would pass before the world would face a worse conflict that would kill millions more. The audience already knows that the suffering and sacrifices we witness in the film will be largely pointless.

Andrew Douglas looks at two recent war movies, Midway and 1917, and examines how contemporary cinema approaches the subject of global conflict

The stark realism of the setting, the young actors who portray innocence corrupted by insane violence, all these elements leave us with an intimate portrait of horror in a world where accepted human values have been turned upside down and life has become disturbingly expendable.

The second of these realistic war films, Midway, deals with the conflict in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Midway regularly moves from the American to the Japanese combatants and their commanders. As with the previous world war, the soldiers, sailors and airmen are the pawns of a much bigger game played by politicians and generals. These ordinary guys are thrown together into a very extraordinary, dangerous situation.

Unlike 1917, in Midway we see more of the senior military figures and politicians who plan and direct battles from a distance.

The death and destruction caused by the Second World War vastly exceeded that of the previous world war. Midway portrays heroics and examples of bravery but these acts are set against scenes of violence and often immense destruction.

Highlighting the savagery of war are the suicidal acts of kamikaze pilots and the captains who insist on dying on their scuttled ships. One scene,

depicting the murder of a US sailor, is particularly disturbing.

Apart from deliberate acts of violence there are also the deaths resulting from accidents, errors of judgement or mechanical failure. These meaningless deaths cannot be treated as mere statistics because we are shown the families and the lives of those lost before the war. This film does not glorify war but depicts actual events and people who are brave, frightened, stressed and often pushed to the limit of human endurance.

Unlike 1917, Midway covers specific historical events and individuals. While 1917 highlights the pointless slaughter that resulted when European empires clash, Midway depicts a horrific conflict which was necessary to conquer an aggressive and savage empire.

Neither 1917 nor Midway glorify war but portray historical events at a time of unbelievable violence and cruelty during periods of the twentieth century when the laws of civilisation were subverted.

Films like 1917 and Midway are necessary to remind us of our not-too-distant history when autocratic, militaristic regimes terrorised their own populations before spreading further afield. Successive generations need to be reminded of the savagery major wars unleash.

Global military conflict is not glorious but catastrophic, something reinforced by graphic, historically accurate war movies.

In Australia we all know about the Anzacs who personify a lingering memorial to the sacrifices made during the First World War. Since this war ended more than a century ago none of its veterans survive nor does anyone with contemporary experience of it. The Second World War ended seventy-five years ago so survivors are few.

Therefore most of us have never experienced global conflicts and perhaps as a result have a limited understanding of how they come about.

Picture, at right; Australian troops walk along a duckboard track through the remains of Chateau Wood, Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), 29 October 1917 Š Imperial War Museum

June 2020 Dircksey 23

DIRCKSEY COVID QUIZZ

What your iso style says about you With social distancing rules forcing everyone to stay inside, many of us have encountered an unprecedented problem: what do we do with all of this free time?

In an attempt to avoid going stir-crazy, many have picked up a hobby, indulged in the endless entertainment of streaming or have tried to cling onto a normal routine.

Answer the following questions to find out what your ‘iso’ style says about you.

1. On any given iso day, you wake up at: a) 11am, sometimes 12pm. Who knows, you wake up when your body is ready. b) Whatever time you finish lucid dreaming c) 7am sharp so you can make the most of the day d) When the sun rises 2. You use the following apps the most: a) TikTok, Reddit, Uber Eats b) Pinterest, VSCO, Instagram c) Calendar, LinkedIn, Duolingo d) Headspace, Co-Star, Audible

24 Dircksey June 2020

3. Your go-to iso meal is: a) Whatever frozen meal is left in your freezer.

Or a home-delivered kebab from your local if you feel like spicing things up. b) A quinoa and winter vegetable salad with a dalgona coffee you spent two painstaking hours making c) A well-balanced, nutritious meal that you prepared on mealprep Monday

continue to worry about your tertiary education experience d) Say your audio isn’t working so that you can listen occasionally as you complete your sun salutation yoga sequence 5. During your restricted exercise time outside, you: a) Don’t bother going outside since you’re too busy watching conspiracy videos on YouTube

d) Whatever the meal is, it’s guaranteed to be organic, gluten-free, vegan and, in your opinion, absolutely delicious.

b) Go for a leisurely stroll, climb some trees and write existential poetry

4. In a zoom uni tutorial, you typically:

d) Move according to the way your body feels.

Usually interpretive dance does the job.

a) Aren’t even aware that you’re supposed to be doing online classes since you were too busy watching Netflix crime documentaries b) Stay for half the tutorial, get bored, pretend to have a bad connection and leave the zoom meeting to finish your resin painting while listening to indie music c) Take notes, highlight the key points, constantly send questions in the chatroom and

c) Do a solid hour of high-intensity cardio

6. Your new-found iso hobby is: a) Animal-crossing and Club Penguin b) Crocheting, painting and printing aesthetic images for your mood board c) Marie Kondo-ing your entire existence d) Making your own kombucha and reading self-help books

Isolation has been tricky but... according to Grace Flynn multiplechoice quizzes can calm the troubled mind and reveal the inner you

Key

Mostly A’s: The Binger

While some of your friends may be learning a new instrument, gardening, or writing their first novel, you are content with dedicating your quarantine days to Netflix, gaming and, sometimes, genuinely nothing at all. Why? Because you don’t give in to peer pressure. You are as chill as they come, and so when people are looking for perspective in life or just good snacks and the best TV show recommendations, they come to you.

Your unfazed nature may be interpreted as pure laziness, but you’re a strategist, a thinker.

Why wash your clothes when no one is going to see you, or smell you for that matter?

There’s always method to your perceived madness.

Mostly B’s: The Creative Queen

people in and makes you the fun one in your friend group.

You have a playlist for every mood and know the most underground of underground indie bands, making you the go-to DJ for every houseparty. Your friends envy your whole aesthetic and so do all your thousands of Instagram followers.

You view every challenge as an opportunity, and iso is no different. If anything, more free time has given you the chance to figure out your tenyear career plan, colour-code your wardrobe and learn a third language. People look to you for guidance since you make success look so easy.

Although your short attention span means you’ve been handing all your assignments in late during iso, you are a pro at anything arts and crafts and being attuned with your emotions makes you a great listener and advice giver.

Mostly D’s: The SelfEnlightenment Guru

Sure, you might be left of centre, but when people want to figure out their full astrological birthchart, they just know that you’re the person to talk to.

Mostly C’s: The Workaholic

Even though you may be labelled ‘the boring one’, you get stuff done. Your determination and organisational skills earn you well-deserved grades and makes you the only friend that can be trusted with holiday plans and surprise birthday parties.

Even though you’re always away on some type of wellness retreat, your openness and nonjudgemental nature make you a great, reliable and kind friend.

You’re well-versed in alternative medicine, psychological theory and veganism and have a contagious go-with-the-flow attitude. While in iso, you waste no time delving deep into personal reflection and enrolling in online yoga classes.

Your body is a temple after all.

People might think you have your head stuck in the clouds, but your idealism is what draws

Illustrations by Shaun Salmon

June 2020 Dircksey 25

Prayers on fire

The religious discrimination bill The 9th of December 2017 is a historic day for Australians. It is the day that samesex marriage entered Australian legislation and our country finally achieved marriage equality. However, it is also an important date in the context of the highly controversial religious discrimination bill. With almost 40% of participants in the postal survey voting against marriage equality, the 9th of December 2017 also marks the day where our government’s attention suddenly shifted towards the rights of the religious.

Less than two weeks after same-sex marriage was legalised, then-prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, announced a review into religious freedom in Australia, largely in a bid to placate conservative members of the Coalition. Pages of the review, led by former Liberal MP, Philip Ruddock, were leaked to the media. The leaks included recommendations that religious schools be allowed to use discriminatory policies, for instance a no-tolerance approach to homosexuality.

Months passed and nothing eventuated until Scott Morrison

became PM after the infamous leadership spill. Morrison had made a pledge to protect religious freedom as part of his election campaign.

Despite plans to introduce the religious discrimination bill by the end of 2019 it was met with opposition, attracting 6,000 mostly critical submissions and being dubbed “friendless”

by Labor’s shadow minister for health. This criticism was really no surprise; in its original form, the bill would have allowed health practitioners to object to providing patients access to treatments such as abortion, purely based on their religious beliefs. The Morrison government was forced to return to the drawing board.

Fast forward to the present and we now have a second draft of the religious discrimination bill that is arguably less extreme than the first, but is still seen as problematic by academics, religious peak bodies and particularly by LGBTQ+ groups across the country.

But for now, the bill remains in limbo amid the chaos of the coronavirus pandemic. It won’t be voted on until March 2021, and so its potential to drastically change our lives looms almost silently above us as COVID-19 seems to consume our media and our minds.

But for Lisa Annese, CEO of the Diversity Council of Australia (DCA), the bill certainly hasn’t been forgotten. Rather, the bill

remains a significant and very possible threat to much of the Council’s hard work in creating inclusivity in the workplace.

“If it’s passed in its current form it could potentially undermine progress that’s been made by a whole host of organisations and entities, including progress that’s been made under law,” Lisa explains, naming bills like the Sex Discrimination Act and the Workplace Gender Equality Act. If passed, the bill would allow an employer to tell a gay employee that they are a sinner. It would allow a sales assistance to tell a transgender customer that they are unnatural and wrong in the eyes of God. In essence, it would allow discrimination in the workplace so long as such ideas are genuinely held and founded in someone’s religious faith; requirements that Lisa believes set a pretty low bar. “…it would put employers in an impossible situation where they’re trying to uphold a code of conduct and at the same time are being lawfully undermined.”

What’s interesting about discussion around the bill is that while many religious groups believe it to be unnecessary and harmful, others say it doesn’t go far enough. But according to the DCA who conduct a labour market study on workplace inclusion every two years, there is little evidence to suggest religious freedom is under threat in Australian workplaces.

Continues overleaf 26 Dircksey June 2020

Grace Flynn examines the possible impact of the Morrison government’s upcoming religious discrimination bill

Illustration by Annie Lawrinson

June 2020 Dircksey 27

Prayers on fire

The discrimination bill explained “Our evidence reveals that people from religious majorities do not experience exclusion in workplaces, and that the people who do experience exclusion in workplaces on the basis of religion are from religious minorities,” Lisa tells me.

In other words, Christians are not experiencing any form of workplace discrimination in this country.

This flies against a lot of the rhetoric echoed by stories in the Murdoch media, where political correctness is often touted as out of control. Readers are told that people need to keep their noses out of Scott Morrison’s Pentecostal faith despite the fact that the proposed bill would make a person’s religion more pertinent than ever before.

Continued

While Lisa believes that the majority of religious people would not express problematic views, the threat of discrimination and offensive behaviour being legally protected remains. As Lisa says, “…we need laws to move us forwards, not backwards.”

Andrew Douglas considers the relationship between scientific and religious belief-systems

Faith, facts or fabrication?

Years ago, I was discussing with a friend my concerns that I had no proof that my Mama had not ceased to exist but was alive in another realm such as heaven. My friend replied that these were issues of faith and that faith was not necessarily based on observable facts.

Instead, faith, which forms the basis of all the world’s major religions, exists mostly outside of scientific methodology and relies on scripture and stories.

Basically, I was being told it was rather pointless for me to look for objective proof for whatever beliefs I held about any afterlife; faith was more about belief and less about what many might consider as concrete,

28 Dircksey June 2020

indisputable facts. In that sense, religion and science could be viewed as two entirely different spheres of human experience.

My doubts about my mother’s afterlife raised broader issues about religious beliefs in general. If there were scientific facts that proved the existence of souls, God, the afterlife and other phenomena, would we all accept them as fact as we do the laws of gravity? Incontrovertible proof would eliminate the need for conversion, proselytism and other forms of religious mission.

Proof would also obviate the need for the plethora of religions and the denominations within these religions; faith itself

would be adequate. If religion was provable would there be this diversity of doctrine? Is God so multifaceted that he or she promotes numerous, even contradictory, dogmas?

There are a handful of major world religions. Within these religions, such as Christianity, there are a variety of mainstream denominations and still more sects within each denomination.

There is such a glaring variety of beliefs, that some appear to be contradictory. In my view, this clearly implies that human agency rather than a divine one is involved.

I can’t help but notice a disparity between simple faith and the

Prayers on fire

social institutions of organised religion. If there is only one supreme being responsible for the entire universe how can we explain the multitude of sects and denominations even within one mainstream religion? Consider the diverse categories of Catholics, Anglicans Lutherans and Baptists within mainstream Christianity not to mention the more fundamentalist branches. How could one ever reconcile the beliefs of Quakers, Plymouth Brethren, Mormons, Pentecostals and Amish?

On the other hand, if a Supreme Being is so multifaceted and these diverse sects, cults and denominations are all manifestations of the same divine source, then they are all of equal legitimacy. This simple logic is not sufficient for the advocates of certain religious sects.

In this century we have seen disturbing examples of where such fanaticism can lead. In fact, the history of religion is riddled with conflict. The crusades were fought between Christians and Muslims, with both faiths believing God was on their side.

Centuries later, mainstream Christianity was split by the reformation. This schism led to violence between Catholics and Protestants.

While we live in a largely secular state and wars of religion are mainly history for us, I believe it is crucial that we remember that extreme religious views and the fanatics who espouse them pose a threat to our

individual liberties.

While religious freedom is crucial in our multicultural society, any religious group that seeks to restrict the freedom of others goes against democracy.

We live in a secular, multicultural society. Is there any room in such a society for a law that might empower religious extremists to discriminate against other denominations and non-believers? In 21st century Australia is there any place for legislation like the religious discrimination bill, that legalises faith-based discriminatory behaviour? Only time will tell.

Some more fundamental advocates maintain that they are following the correct path to salvation and will reap all the benefits divine grace can bestow on us lesser mortals.

Armed only with the dogmas of their particular doctrine they believe this gives them a special status within humanity; that they are superior to those who are not of their denomination.

Some go so far as to state that all other faiths and denominations are heretical, which reflects a clear intolerance of others and provides a forum for religious fanaticism.

Illustration by Shaun Salmon

June 2020 Dircksey 29

Prayers on fire

Neo-Pentecostalism and the PM In August 2018 Scott Morrison became prime minister. Since that time numerous articles in the press have attempted to uncover the nature of Morrison’s faith especially as it relates to the government’s policy agenda.

In recent months the coronavirus pandemic has dominated the news. Thankfully, in Australia deaths caused by the virus are becoming rarer by the day. Our thoughts now turn to the economic nosedive the pandemic is causing and to other issues buried during the lockdown.

Neo-Pentecostals, such as Morrison, are not entirely forthcoming about the details of their faith. It seems a good idea to examine our PM’s beliefsystem so that we are informed about how those beliefs might affect policy and attitudes to all sectors of the Australian community as we move into a post-viral world.

In March, as COVID-19 made its early impact on our lives, I spoke with Dr Mark Jennings, a prominent researcher on what is best termed Neo-Pentecostal Christianity. My goal in speaking with Dr Jennings was to build an accurate picture of what Morrison actually believes so that the relationship between his faith and policy agenda was clear.

Jennings is currently writing a book on how Neo-Pentecostal Christianity impacts LGBGTQI+

30 Dircksey June 2020

people and his findings on the subject are disturbing. Jennings points out that while individual Neo-Pentecostal churches vary in their beliefs, they tend towards a moral conservatism on LGBGTQI+ people and issues, believing that such individuals are “in need of healing.” The focus of infamous sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) has evolved over the years but even in its current form this practice represents an insidious attack on the human rights of the LGBGTQI+ community.

I also asked Jennings about Neo-Pentecostal beliefs on the end-times. These beliefs come from interpretation of the Book of Revelations. Jennings grew up in the Pentecostal faith and he said that while he now views these beliefs as “bizarre and risible”, as a child he viewed them as “very real and terrifying”. Essentially end-time beliefs centre on the idea of the rapture when faithful Christians will be suddenly taken up to heaven while the rest of us are left behind to suffer at the hands of the Anti-Christ.

Nowadays, the majority of Neo-Pentecostals still believe non hetero-normative sexual orientation is sinful and the American evangelical approach “welcoming not affirming” predominates.

According to Jennings this supposedly evolved approach still means that LGB people must be celibate to hold leadership positions in the church. Pastors with a more inclusive view on LGB people tend to keep silent to keep conservative congregations at bay.

Many Neo-Pentecostals still believe in various end-time scenarios. If such beliefs are hard to reconcile with scripture, they are even harder to reconcile with the attitudes of secular Australians. This discrepancy between NeoPentecostal beliefs and a secular approach leads me to the issue of the secretiveness of NeoPentecostals about aspects of their faith. Jennings argues that Neo-Pentecostal churches are “a lot more savvy these days” about how non-believers may view their beliefs and keep practices such as speaking in tongues “for insiders only” so as not to spook the uninitiated.

To Jennings the scriptural basis for Neo-Pentecostal beliefs about sexual orientation is contradictory and selective.

He points out that the biblical position (Mathew 19: 1–13) on divorced people, who are now accepted in Neo-Pentecostal churches, is “far stricter than anything contained therein on same-sex relations.”

Jennings characterises Horizon church, which Morrison attends, as a growth church. The focus of growth churches is expanding the size of their congregations and this provides some explanation for why they are selective about what aspects of their faith they reveal to

Shaun Salmon looks into the prime minister’s religious beliefs and their implications for Morrison’s post-COVID policy agenda

outsiders. From Jennings’ pointof-view such an approach is very much in keeping with the prime minister’s pragmatism: Only reveal the aspects of the faith that might appeal to seekers.

Jennings argues that pragmatism is an important aspect of the Neo-Pentecostal approach to life that is often overlooked. He argues that Morrison’s pragmatism informs his response to climate change more than a fatalistic expectation that such catastrophes are inevitable precursors of the end of the

world. The pragmatic view of a Liberal PM is simply guided by his assessment of the skepticism of those who vote for him. Frighteningly, Morrison’s views about climate change and the environment may also be influenced by dominion theory, which states that the earth exists to be “subdued by humanity.”

Although dominion theory predates Pentecostalism, Jennings says that it is probable that many current Neo-Pentecostals share this belief.

Some Neo-Pentecostals may have moved away from more

controversial aspects of their beliefs but they still hold views that are at odds with broadly accepted community standards in Australia.

The up-coming religious discrimination bill is an example of an issue so vital within Morrison’s faith yet founded on contradictory and highly selective interpretation of scripture.

Light still needs to shine on the policy implications of Scott Morrison’s sometimes obscure religious beliefs.

Elizabeth Harris offers some wellness tips

Me, myself and I: Self-care for students

illustration Charlotte Robinson

Self-care, me time, mental health day, chucking a sickie.

Over the years we’ve made innumerable names for the time we take for ourselves away from the stresses of outside life, friends and family. More

recently however students are finding it harder and harder to take that time out to de-stress.

Activities like socialising and finding ways to do things outside of study or work are always good, but how often do you really sit down and spend some time just doing things for you?

Often the hardest form of selfcare is to sit down in a room with nothing but yourself. It’s an intimidating prospect for many, but a necessary part of maintaining mental health.

It’s not easy to turn off your devices, put away your study, and focus solely on you and

whatever activity you’re doing without disruption. For some this involves techniques such as meditation or mindfulness, and for others this can be achieved through quiet hobbies such as reading, drawing, knitting, puzzles or video games.

Whatever you decide to do, it’s important to remember that you are doing it for yourself. Getting into this selfcare state is not an easy task so don’t expect instant success.

Blocking out ten minutes to half an hour each day or week to do something you want to do is the first step towards a good habit.

June 2020 Dircksey 31

Amber Wilkinson on working out on your lonesome

Isolation workout guide There’s no denying social media is filled with photos and videos of everyone showing off their home workouts right now.

With most of us stuck at home there’s never been a better time to work on #IsolationBodyGoals.

Whether you’re a seasoned gym-goer or the thought of doing any kind of workout sends shivers down your spine we’ve compiled some great ways to get moving during this period.

If you: ...Like being in a group: Zoom classes.

With gyms shut and social distancing measures in place exercising in a group is getting harder. Thankfully technology is on your side! Call up some friends via video call and smash out a workout together.

Plenty of gyms around Perth are offering free online video classes so you get the support of a class environment all while working from the comfort of home. ...Want a bit of everything: Centr app by Chris Hemsworth This app is created by none other than Thor himself, Chris

32 Dircksey June 2020

Hemsworth and his team of health and fitness experts. The app centres around providing you with workouts, recipes and lifestyle tips. Workouts can include cardio, strength, boxing or even yoga. No matter what you’re into this app has you covered and will make sure you aren’t bored, and it can all be done from the comfort of home.

a rest and especially during tough times it’s important to rest, recover and enjoy a little TV time.

There you have it, friends: No matter what kind of workout you’re into we hope you’ve found some new ways to do it. Have fun with your #IsolationBodyGoals.

Centr is currently offering users six weeks free so, if that’s true, you can smash out your workouts at home.

Sign up via: https://centr.com/join-us

...Are into yoga and pilates: YouTube YouTube is your heaven! It’s full of yogis and pilates lovers who put free content online.

Blogilates is a channel that’s been around for years and the workouts are killer! These workouts typically require no equipment just body weight, making these workouts supereasy to do at home in front of the TV. Hop on that computer and find yourself something that looks right for you and enjoy!

...Just don’t want to leave bed: Did you hear Netflix, Stan & Disney plus all have free trials?

For those days when you just can’t be bothered to get up and move (trust me, we’ve all been there) get on your fave streaming service and find a show or movie. We all need

Illustration by Shaun Salmon

June 2020 Dircksey 33

34 Dircksey June 2020