Issue 4 2023: EOY Showcase

EOY Showcase Issue October 2023

STUDENT MEDIA

2 Opus and UNSA would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians upon which this magazine was written, the Pambalong Clan of the Awabakal Nation. We would also like to extend this acknowledgement to the Birpai, Darkinjung and Gadigal peoples, as the traditional custodians of the lands upon which the University of Newcastle resides and UNSA operates. UNSA would like to pay respects to all Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge them as the true knowledge holders.

We acknowledge the historical inequalities faced by Aboriginal people and the continuing struggle for justice and equality. Black Lives Matter.

Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

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Editors’ Letters

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Contributors

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Cover Artist

10 President’s Letter by Georgie Cooper UON Cheer Club: Tumbling and Triumphs by 12 Jessie Dennett 14 The Best Novels I’ve Read This Year by Lara Moriarty

54 40 A Profound Journey with “Minimalist: Less is Now” by Ilia Adel 42 The Endling by Clayton Carlon 43 Red Paint by Sami Peters 44 N’GAR NO SORRIES! by Matt Jeffrey 46 My Experience with UON Open Foundation

by Ilia Adel

17 Sky Islands by Chelsea Smith

48 Lessons and Treasures from Fiji by Bonnie Rudd

18 An Intimate Look at Dungeons and Dragons

by Stephanie Jenkins

52 Mostly Forlorn Moments by Gianluca Polacci Byrnes

20 Seasonal Artwork by Bronwyn Verwey

54 Serving Looks 2023 by Ivy-Rose Laidler

24 Morocco? I hardly know her! by Jam Vangarden

56 My Experience with the EDI Strategy Process at UoN by Jennifer Lowe

28 The Paradox of University Support

59 Glass Garden by Leto Oxenham

30 Untitled Series by Cody Ryan

60 Navigating Uni as a Non-School Leaver by Nicole Creen

32 What to Showcase When You’re Artistically Inept by Tegan Stettaford

62 The Year for Women by Melanie Jenkins

34 Poster by Satgunalingam Gopalakrishnan

64 Find-A-Word by Billie Mossman

36 Land Struggle is Union Struggle by Matt Jeffrey

66 Sheepie’s Quiz

38 La Isla Perla by Taylor Mason 39 Touched by the Rainbow by Jennifer Lowe

Contents

Editors’ Letters Hello friends, What a year it’s been. 2023 has brought the memes, the viral trends and, I can only presume due to blinking and it being October already, a time machine. Like seriously, where has this year gone?

Thankfully, to re-jog our memories and recap the year, we have this Showcase magazine, made only possible by our many, many contributors with their stories, creative works, and experiences from the year. The talent within these pages is INSANE. I’m always so impressed with each Opus issue seeing what you guys come up with, so I want to sincerely thank you for all your effort.

If you’re looking to get involved with Opus next year, there’s more information in the back but don’t be shy to flick us an email or DM on Instagram @opus.unsa.

For Opus, it’s been a year of change and new challenges, but it is very exciting to welcome Blair, our new Opus Content Editor. I’m looking forward to how this addition to the team helps shape and continue Opus’ legacy from 1954. Additionally, I’d like to say a special thanks to Yana, UNSA’s Content Creator, for being an honorary Opus Graphic Designer for this EOY Showcase magazine.

I am so incredibly grateful for my time with Opus and UNSA, meeting such incredible humans, having the opportunity to create eleven magazines, edit and publish countless

submissions, reinvent the Opus website to an independent platform and grow the scope of Opus within the university community. We still have a long way to go but I’m really proud of the trajectory student media is on.

I know great things are coming.

Editor Melanie Jenkins

Melanie Jenkins

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Hey strangers, Welcome to the end of year showcase magazine - what a year it has been! Obviously, a highlight for me was joining Opus and editing content for this magazine (they are not paying me extra to say that).

Enjoy the rest of the year and enjoy this issue of Opus magazine.

“What is a showcase magazine?” I hear you say. Showcase is an opportunity to bring the year to a close by showing the highlights.

A special thanks to our contributors for this mag, and there are plenty of them. Keep the round of applause going and perhaps shed a bitter-sweet tear for our editor, Mel, who is graduating at the end of this semester; YAY! But also, not yay, because that means she will be stepping down as editor and moving on to bigger and better things. Mel has been a vital part of Opus and will be missed.

Content Editor Blair Simpson-Wise

Blair Simpson-Wise

Quick... uh, we need to reel them in... Dungeons and Dragons and smut in the one article?! Yes, that’s just one of the many jaw-dropping pieces in this issue, alongside poetry, travel stories, artwork, sports, and more – right in the palm of your hand, you lucky thing. Showcase really is the best way to end the year.

Without big-noting myself, I’ve had a pretty productive year with many highlights. I began the year and have continued to work on a documentary project, I have been interning in a news outlet’s fact-checking unit and even have some investigative journalism coming to an unaffiliated publisher near you!

Graphic Designer Yana Kaneva

Yana Kaneva

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Contributors Reflect. What are you most proud of this year?

Billie Mosman

Bonnie Rudd

Sharing games with you all has made me proud to be in the magazines.

Pushing myself out of my comfort zone and listening to my intuition!

Clayton Carlon

Cody Ryan

In the last year, I feel that I have come out of my own shell more.

Bronwyn Verwey

Chelsea Smith

I’m proud of my faith in myself to persevere despite rejection and difficult experiences.

I’m proud of trying to improve myself.

Gianluca Polacci Byrnes

Ilia Adel

I am most proud of the friendships and relationships I’ve been developing through the year.

I’m glad to have made it through this year’s winter woes, feeling the frost thaw around life.

Consistency in the gym and body transformation plus being more active in clubs and societies.

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Ivy-Rose Laidler

Jam Vangarden

Jennifer Lowe

Jessie Dennett

Top 3 achievements: Modelling 3 times! Creating content & getting my 2 dream jobs!

I am most proud of my academic growth and getting into more silly little hobbies.

Following what my heart wants instead of the status quo and having adventure in my life.

The success and legacy of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for Australian football.

Lara Moriarty

Leto Oxenham

Matt Jeffrey

Nicole Creen

I’m proud that I’ve maintained a healthy balance between uni/ placement, work and my social life.

My short films and photos.

I’m proud of finding my first roles in the union movement and unlocking my creativity.

Taking a chance on myself to change my career direction and start my undergrad program!

Contributors

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Reflect. What are you most proud of this year?

Sami Peters

Creating strong friendships and maintaining those friendships.

Stephanie Jenkins Thinking up a funny answer to this question.

Taylor Mason

I’m proud of finally moving out of my parent’s house/my personal growth and independence!

Tegan Stettaford

Lecturing for the first time!

Cover Artist Satgunalingam Gopalakrishnan

Reflect. What are you most proud of this year?

Surviving architecture school would be first. Along the way, I met some amazing people who inspired me, and we’ve become really close.

I loved making this cover page, it was a combination of using AI tools and Photoshop, which I’ve been using for 10 years now.

Feels like a good anniversary for all those years designing. To many more to come.

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President’s Letter

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Greetings dearest reader, We made it! Congratulations! It’s always a huge achievement to make it to the end of the year, whether it’s your first semester of uni or your last. As it happens, I will be graduating at the end of this year after five gruelling (read: thoroughly enjoyable) years of Law School. So, it’s my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the final Opus magazine edition for 2023 with my final letter as UNSA President.

It’s been a wild and wonderful ride this year and I’d love to share some highlights with you. UNSA, your Student Association, has continued to grow our services to support students and create a thriving culture at all UoN campuses.

Our team have provided thousands of free lunches to students, expanded UNSA’s food security initiatives during the ongoing cost of living crisis, as well as advocating for more support for students. Thanks to the generosity of UoN staff and other donors, the UNSA Pantry at Callaghan has been brimming with grocery items, and we’ve been able to expand to open a Food Pantry at the NUspace Library, thanks to the support of the Library team.

The UNSA Building at Callaghan has continued to provide a fun and relaxing environment for students to enjoy between classes, serving up free coffees and hot chocolates (whenever the machine feels like working). We launched the popup UNSA Op Shop to provide affordable clothing options for students, with the proceeds going back into supporting our food initiatives. UNSA moved into an exciting new space at Ourimbah campus to provide a one-stop shop for student support and socialising.

UNSA expanded our incredible team of staff to support our service delivery and offer more on-campus employment opportunities to students and alumni. The Student Representative Council (SRC) were also active in assisting with UNSA’s service delivery and events, engaging with the student body and advocating for student needs. One example of this was our submission to the Universities Accord Panel (available to read at unsa.org. au), focusing on ending placement poverty and improving SSAF governance processes.

Clubs & Societies continued to be the heart of campus communities, with around 90 clubs affiliated with UNSA this year and hosting an array of events and activities. The UNSA Equity Guilds

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UNSA President Georgie Cooper

Georgie Cooper

were also introduced to provide advocacy and support for students in key equity communities.

To round out the year, keep an eye out for UNSA’s Halloween and Stress Less Week events, as well as the UNSA Ball which returns on the 10th of November to celebrate the year that was, and the amazing achievements of students and clubs. We’ll see you there!

Take a moment to reflect on your own achievements this year, and to celebrate these wins before jumping into the next chapter.

It’s been an honour serving as your UNSA President and I encourage you to reach out anytime with ideas or feedback on your university experience – UNSA is here for U!

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UON Cheer Club:

Tumbling & Triumphs Words: Jessie Dennett

When regarding the most physically and mentally demanding sports, one sport that can throw its hat in the proverbial ring is cheerleading. It’s a team sport that mixes physical and mental tasks to perform for judges and achieve the best score. This is a sport that has become very popular, particularly in Australia, with clubs and companies located all around including the University of Newcastle (UON) Cheerleading Club which was founded in 2013.

In the lead-up to the State Championships competition, I investigated the world of cheerleading.

together in perfect synchronization.

Despite its glamorous image, cheerleading is a challenging and physically demanding sport.

Kaitlin has reflected on the extent of the physical strain that the sport can take on the body, as she is currently working through a back injury.

UON Cheerleading Club president, Kaitlin Murray, is someone who has been involved with cheerleading most of her life but there have been times when she and the sport took different paths.

“You basically work on everything; the entire body gets a workout, and you definitely feel it after training,” Kaitlin said.

Before cheerleading, Kaitlan was a dancer from the age of four. By 12 she was offered to do cheerleading and she continued her participation into her teenage years. But, in her 20’s she had a falling out with the sport and decided to quit.

Kaitlin’s story shows that there is a considerable amount of sacrifice and training required to be able to be involved in a sport like this.

As a mature-age student at UON, she discovered the Cheerleading Club and that initial love for the sport came back.

Cheerleading competitions serve as platforms for teams from different parts of the country or even the world to compete for the highly contested top position.

Her return to the sport has been so successful that she was able to participate in the World Championships, which wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the club.

Cheerleading is a highly demanding sport that requires athleticism, coordination, and endurance. It involves rigorous workouts to build strength, explosive jumps, and complex choreography. Cheerleaders must train extensively and work

When my mind wanders to the topic of cheerleading, I often concentrate on the rigorous training and physical exertion that athletes undergo in competition preparation.

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The UON Cheerleading Team had an incredible journey last year, emerging as the NSW Grand Champions and National Runner-Ups. As they gear up for the 2023 season, the team is filled with enthusiasm to replicate the same level of success and to hopefully do one better than last year's efforts in the Nationals.

The 2023 State Championships is set to occur over the 8th of September weekend and the training in the leadup to the competition has picked up in intensity.

“We basically have gone into the stage of pre-comp workout where you get into the practising of going through routine marks. This is where everything becomes crucial for the competition to nail down the routines,” Kaitlin said.

Kaitlin describes the club as “…a fun way to hang out with friends while also getting fit being a plus”.

If you're interested in joining the UON Cheerleading Club, you can find helpful information on their Instagram page @ uoncheer The club has its training in Gateshead and has two teams: The beginners' team (½ level) and an intermediate team (¾ level).

Editor’s note: Since Jessie’s reporting, 15 members of the club caught COVID-19 resulting in the team forfeiting from the 2023 State Championships to ensure the safety of other competition attendees.

The Best Novels I’ve Read This Year Words: Lara Moriarty

When I was growing up, I wasn’t much of a bookworm. One thing was certain, you’d never find me reading a novel.

Late last year, I decided to make a New Year’s resolution.

I told myself that when I had the spare time, I would make the effort to read as much as I could. So far, I have read ten novels and have narrowed a list down to my top four reads.

The two authors mentioned, Diana Reid and Lianne Moriarty, are both female Australian authors.

Their writing is exciting, heartfelt, and tackles issues many females face in society. Over the last eight months, I’ve found reading their stories to be an escape from the reality that is university and assignments. If you ever get a spare minute in your day to immerse yourself in a book, or to put on your headphones, I encourage you to give the stories below a read/listen!

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Love and Virtue by Diana Reid

(Content Warning: issues of sexual assault) Diana Reid’s debut novel, Love and Virtue, is set in a college campus in Sydney. It captures the perspective of Michaela, a first-year university student that has been awarded a scholarship. Throughout her time at university, she is challenged with having to balance two different lifestyles: the party culture of her college and maintaining academic excellence to keep her scholarship. As she navigates her way through her first year of university, she develops new relationships and befriends an ambitious and strong-willed Eve. As Michaela and Eve’s friendship deepens, these two friends are confronted with issues of morality, social class, power and consent.

I couldn’t put this novel down. I found Reid’s writing to be thought-provoking and sophisticated in its way of capturing the complexities of friendships formed between young adults. The story kept me wondering, what would I do if I climbed into Michaela’s shoes?

I couldn’t recommend reading this novel enough.

4.5/5 Seeing Other People by Diana Reid

After I finished Love and Virtue, I instantly made my way to the nearest bookstore and purchased Seeing Other People. Let me tell you, I loved this read just as much!

Set after the infamous COVID-19 lockdown, the story kicks off with older sister Eleanor breaking up with her boyfriend in a food court in Sydney’s CBD. Eleanor is then thrusted into a life of singledom, of which she wades through with the support of her younger sister, Charlie. Charlie is quirky and has a zest for life which is unmatched. The sisters begin to form a strong friendship that deepens their admiration for one another. As they navigate their way through developing unique and meaningful relationships in the world, their paths cross, which exposes some confronting truths.

I found Reid’s writing to be dynamic. Her way of depicting different interactions among characters resonated with me. I was immersed in the love, challenges, wit and heartbreak. I was truly captivated by this novel.

5/5

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What Alice Forgot by Lianne Moriarty

This story begins with protagonist Alice bumping her head in a gym class. This causes her to forget the last ten years of her life, and transports her back to being 29 years old, deeply in love with her husband Nick, and pregnant with their first child. However, in the present day, this isn’t the case at all as Alice and Nick are going through a messy divorce with three kids.

Alice is forced to explore her actual 39-year-old self. Who is she now? What has happened over the last ten years? And most importantly, what happened between her and Nick?

I absolutely love Lianne Moriarty’s stories. She manages to develop a plot that leaves you wondering what will happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel – it’s funny and heart-warming and I couldn’t put this book down.

4/5 The Husband’s Secret by Lianne Moriarty

This novel was the first of Moriarty’s that I read and is truly gripping, following three women whose lives intertwine because of one dreadful secret. Cecilia Fitzpatrick, a loving mother, wife, and businesswoman, comes across a letter addressed to her from her husband. The letter opens with “My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died…” However, Cecilia’s husband is alive and well, and has no idea she’s found the letter. Does Cecilia read the letter? Does she question her husband? If the secret were to become public knowledge, it could change the Fitzpatrick’s lives forever.

I have to say, this was my favourite of Moriarty’s novels. It felt like I really got to know Cecilia Fitzpatrick. Lianne Moriarty is able to develop characters and connect them to one another seamlessly.

I’d love to read this novel again for the first time. It’s a five-star read.

5/5

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Sky Islands by Chelsea Smith

18 Baldur’s Gate 3 is only the latest instalment in Dungeons & Dragons’ (D&D) long legacy of role-playing games (RPG). Although, ‘role-playing game’ casts D&D in too simple a light.

Since its inception in the 1970s, it has become a phenomenon—a motif, if you will—an icon that symbolises to the geeks, nerds, and goths of the world that we might find joy in this life, even if it means one through the eyes of a two-inch miniature on a hand-drawn cardboard map.

Before Baldur’s Gate 3, just one of the many video game instalments to the D&D franchise, there was Baldur’s Gate 2, Baldur’s Gate the original, and all of their spin-off games. At the same time, in the socio-cultural zeitgeist of the Millennial/Zillennial/Gen-Z generations, D&D was featured prominently in the Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things (2016—) television series. Before that, we had the long-running series of books in the Dragonlance series (1984—), created by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis as a part of the D&D universe; before that, we had the badly animated television show of the 80s, aptly called Dungeons & Dragons; alongside that, we had the Satanic Panic of the same decade that called for an end of the franchise and the socalled occult messaging it was instilling into our children. Way before all of that, we had the original D&D tabletop RPG, created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson in 1974.

Baldur’s Gate 3 came out earlier this year to great renown. Players have been sharing their shenanigans on

An Intimate L

Dunge & Drag Words: Stephanie Jenkins

TikTok, live streams, and in threads all across the internet. Not a small part of the appeal, or at least part of the hype, of Baldur’s Gate 3 are the romance options. As with any good RPG, the player is able to make and break relationships with a wide cast of characters.

Akin to its spiritual predecessors in the Mass Effect (2007—) and Dragon Age (2009—) game series, Baldur’s Gate 3 allows the player to pick and choose the characters who can join their travelling party and then form relationships, including romantic ones, with them. They can then, in many instances, have more… intimate relationships with them. This brings us to the latest development in the D&D franchise: smut (otherwise called ‘spice’, ‘sauce’, or, more simply, ‘erotica’ for the uninitiated).

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Look at

eons gons Now, when I say specifically the D&D franchise, I am being a bit liberal with the term. What I really mean is the fantasy genre, but I don’t think that we can accurately talk about the fantasy genre as it stands without acknowledging the role that D&D has played in crafting it. D&D is a franchise that extends far past the bounds of its initial, physical product, to inhabit books, movies, television, and games in a way that defies borders.

The humanisation of fantasy races— especially fantasy monsters—is not new. It started with vampires, first with Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire (1976) and then, again, popularised with Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga (2005—) which expanded to include werewolves, and then faeries came

onto the scene with a range of books published in the 2010s, including Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thrones and Roses (2015) and Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince (2018). These creatures are becoming more humanoid, more sympathetic, more agreeable, and more likeable as time goes on—so likeable, in fact, that many readers, watchers, writers, and players aren’t content to maintain only a platonic relationship, if you catch my meaning.

Is there something to be said about escapism? Is romance, sexuality, and intimacy perhaps the most overt example of escapism? Insofar as smut represents a pure and unadulterated pleasure inside digital and/or paper worlds—not to mention a world in which the player can craft the most ideal version of themselves. It is a fascinating space where the development of D&D, the humanisation of fantasy creatures, and smutty fae fiction overlap with one another. I think that this overlap represents the ways that we, as young consumers, are demanding for change in our media. It might sound fanciful, but the ways that we’re engaging with the trends and tropes that we like can have a very real impact on media markets and can determine what will come next.

D&D has worn a lot of hats over the years. If the 2023 version of that hat happens to be a ball gag, who are we to judge?

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Artworks: Bronwyn Verwey

Autumn Mending (Artwork with Woman, Sewing Needle, Voodoo Dolls, and buttons)

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Winter’s Breath (Artwork with woman, moon, large skull) I’ve created four artworks loosely based on the seasons of the year. The inspiration for each artwork was more intuitive than planned as I sat at my desk wondering what the symbols are of each season and what types of things would I do during the seasons of the year.In my practice I mainly create art traditionally, the mediums used in these pieces include ink pens and watercolour paint.

This style of linework is inspired by Blicable – an artist husband and wife team, illustrator and printmaker. Their linework heavy macabre art is extremely detailed and consistently uses interesting composition and themes.

Although I don’t necessarily aim to have the same overwhelming amount of detail as they do, I admire the techniques they use.

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Spring Decorum (Artwork with woman drinking tea, skeleton holding bouquet, rabbit, cat, and the bird)

Summer Breeze (Artwork with Lady, Man, clouds and the sun)

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I hardly know her!

Words: Jam Vangarden

Assalamu Alaikum Welcome to Morocco, where cash is king, taxis rule the road, and no matter where you’re standing you are always in the way

that these guys on motorbikes are saving time if you actually add up all the time they have to stop and wait for a tourist to move out of the way.

In my Winter semester break, rather than freeze here in Australia, I flew all the way to North Africa and volunteered as an English teacher at a tiny school in Salé.

I have never travelled before; never been out of the country. I had to endure the very painful process of acquiring my passport and packing for my trip, and I can safely say that I have never felt that type of fear before. I was so afraid of leaving.

Morocco felt like a lawless land, on my short trip to Marrakesh - where I was threatened to be beaten up for the equivalent of $2.30 and two cigarettes - street traders BEG you to buy their merchandise whilst motorcyclists zoomed through the narrow streets crawling with tourists. There’s no way

I cried everywhere. I cried in the line to check in, I cried on the plane there, I cried on my 29-hour layover in Manila, and my eight-hour one in Jeddah. I cried when I arrived in Morocco, and I cried even harder when it dawned on me that I was going to be here for a month. It was a three-day trip away

co?

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26 from my safe spaces, my safe foods, and my safe clothes.

Existing in Morocco was hard, there were daunting language barriers and insane standards of living. I was out of my depth there, and I was heading towards a big SNAP in my mentality. But that’s the thing, you can either move against the current or with it.

I threw myself into Morocco, and I took whatever it offered me. I watched two sheep have their throats slit, skinned, and gutted before I ate it for lunch just a couple of hours later in the spirit of Eid - the celebration that is all about community and family, and I felt oddly at peace with the whole thing (I cried on the phone to my partner for like, an hour after, but then I was totally at peace).

I visited so many amazing cities, Tangier, Marrakesh, Chefchaouen – I rode a camel and that was… Fun? Weird? How do you describe riding a camel? Bumpy?

Morocco was beautiful, it was full of life and culture. The people there were so welcoming and friendly, and the architecture felt ancient and vibrant. Morocco’s history was carved into walls and painted on alleyways. Every corner you took, there were at least five cats just hanging about, “jobless and homeless, like me!” my coordinator would say to me, “But we’re happy!”.

I had such significant moments of personal growth, I let myself miss my mundane life – I eat, pray, loved myself into having a good time. Morocco is, not surprisingly, a great place to re-evaluate your identity and your place in the world and for me, my place in the world as a woman, especially in an Islamic country.

How do you justify your purpose as a woman under Sharia law? How do you make space for your Western femininity in a Muslim country?

When I was there, I covered up, I avoided showing skin because I was afraid of offending people. However, I’ve never felt more… free? I felt like I could belong to only myself, and my body was a secret between me and every other woman.

There was space for my Western body in the Hammam, a spa where I stripped down and was scrubbed by other naked women – and that was it. We were just bodies that needed to be washed, women that needed to be cleaned.

I taught women and children English, and they were so eager to learn. I felt almost useless considering they already had four languages in their arsenal, sometimes it felt like I didn’t even know one. There is a different sense of fulfilment you get from watching people who are so kind-hearted and genuine start picking up skills from the lessons you provide. Four classes per week, for a month, and every time I was there, I felt like I was wasting their time. But I’m so proud of those women, I hope they’re doing okay.

There is much more to be said about Morocco, I kissed the ground when I landed back home, but the feeling of homesickness for Morocco hung over my head for weeks.

If you ever find yourself on a flight to Morocco, try to blink through the tears and ease up. There are far worse places to be.

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Afternote Recently, an earthquake has devastated the beautiful country of Morocco, and many homes and towns have been destroyed. Amina, a wonderful and truly optimistic woman I met on my trip, lived in the Atlas Mountains. These mountains were home to historical Berber Villages, and much like the rest of Morocco – it has been completely ruined by the earthquake.

To help Amina and the rest of Morocco rebuild, please donate via the QR codes below:

Much love, Jam For Amina’s fund:

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The Paradox of Univer

A Closer Look at Mental He This piece was written by a student who was denied access to the university’s mental health support services after deferring their studies.

In recent years, universities have made substantial strides in promoting themselves as inclusive and supportive institutions that prioritise the well-being of their students. They often display a commitment to diversity, mental health, and individual growth. However, a closer examination of their actions reveals a paradoxical situation. While universities claim to support all their students, the reality can be quite different when a student dares to deviate from the conventional academic path. One glaring example is when a student takes a break from their degree for a semester, only to find that their access to mental health support is abruptly cut. This discrepancy between rhetoric and reality raises important questions about the sincerity of university support systems and the toll on students' mental well-being.

When students first step onto a university campus, they are greeted with an array of resources and support services.

Brochures and websites proudly display messages of inclusivity, understanding, and assistance. Universities often promote mental health services as an integral part of their commitment to students' holistic development. These ser-

vices include counselling, therapy, and access to mental health professionals.

Students are encouraged to reach out whenever they face challenges related to their mental well-being.

Students who take a break from their studies often do so to prioritise their mental well-being, seeking the time and space needed to heal, grow, and recharge. However, by stripping them of mental health resources precisely when they may need them the most, universities inadvertently exacerbate the stress and anxiety these students are already experiencing.

I still remember the day I first walked onto the University of Newcastle's campus, naive and full of hope. The words "supportive" and "inclusive"

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rsity Support:

ealth and Academic Rigidity echoed in my head, a prelude to the bitter reality that was about to unfold. The glossy brochures and the carefully crafted speeches were nothing more than a cruel façade, a mask the university wore to hide its true colours. On my temporary leave of absence, I discovered that the mental health services I accessed before were now suspended.

The impact was catastrophic. The isolation I felt was suffocating; the loneliness was an abyss from which there seemed to be no escape. The very place that should have been my refuge had become a desert of indifference, a harsh reminder that in the grand scheme of things, my well-being was expendable.

The message conveyed is one of conditional support – as long as students adhere to the predetermined path of a standard degree, they will receive care. However, the moment they deviate, they are left to navigate their struggles alone.

As I shared my story with others, I discovered that rhetoric.

The consequences of this paradoxical approach to mental health support can be devastating. Students, like me, who decide to take a break from their studies are often doing so to prioritise their mental well-being, seeking the time and space needed to heal, grow, and recharge. However, by stripping them of mental health resources precisely when they may need them the most, universities inadvertently exacerbate the stress and anxiety these students are already experiencing. This contradiction sends a message that mental health support is contingent upon conforming to academic norms, undermining the principle of holistic

well-being that universities claim to champion.

To bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality, universities must realign their priorities and recognise the importance of unwavering support for their students' mental well-being. This involves a shift in perspective from viewing mental health support as a convenience for enrolled students to treating it as a fundamental right that extends beyond academic engagement. Furthermore, universities should explore flexible policies that allow students to take breaks from their studies without sacrificing access to vital support systems.

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Cody Ryan Untitled_90

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Cody Ryan Untitled_91

What to Showcase When You’re Artistically Inept

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Words: Tegan Stettaford

Inept Adjective “Having or showing no skill; clumsy.”

The theme of ‘Showcase’ for this Opus magazine edition took me a little by surprise and I found myself swimming in uncertainty at whether I would have anything to even contribute to this theme. With the theme described as ‘a chance to really showcase creative works’ I felt awfully out of place. As a STEM girly, creativity is not something I have ever considered myself to be or to be good at; my Big Five Personality scores would tend to agree.

For people with traditional creative skills, their outputs really lend themselves to the idea of a showcase: Artists with their pieces at art exhibitions, musicians playing to sold out crowds, writers publishing fantastic works of fiction. These are such tangible measures of creativity. However, Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences includes broader areas than those within the traditional creative realms. So how can us less creative folk showcase our successes, and display our different intelligences? As someone who fits into more traditional ‘textbook’ intelligence, getting people engaged in my work outputs is much more difficult and typically a lot less inviting! Nevertheless, I've included just some of the ways I am learning to showcase my work and my successes:

Paper publication The most traditional and common avenue to showcase my work as a PhD student is through paper publications!

This is the most typical and concrete way to tell the world what research you have been doing and what you found.

However, this is admittedly an option with many barriers and is certainly not the best way to captivate broad audiences. They are slow; papers can take years from formation to publication.

They are not always accessible; journal articles can cost a lot of money to publish, and sometimes they’re not in the most reader friendly format. Regardless, it is a great way to showcase your work to the wider research community.

Presentations Also quite a traditional method of showcase in the research world, is oral presentations. These can come in many forms, lengths, styles, and occur at various types of events but often have more flexibility for engagement than paper publication.

Conference presentations are a great way to present your findings to the research and consumer community

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however, these often follow a rigid format and can remain quite complex. Other presentations include the 3 Minutes Thesis (3MT) competition, or things like the ‘Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) competitions which are much less stringent, allow some levels of creativity, and typically have more focus around communicating to the general public.

Posters Posters are akin to presentations and often occur in similar settings however, posters are, well just that! A poster. There is no need for a speech or detailed slides. Just a poster that summarises your research. These do allow for a little more creativity, but they often do still follow quite strict formatting requirements and as such, can often lack the spark of intrigue for most people.

Regardless, they are often much more digestible. Posters can be found at conferences, but you may also see them around campus and in other venues too.

Social Media Moving into more non-traditional showcase options, we have social media. I have found this to be a great avenue for me to share what I am up to with my research and work more broadly and to keep track of my progress over the years. I have professional accounts on Twitter (X?), Instagram, TikTok and of course LinkedIn. I have been able to share a variety of aspects of my professional life, including training, awards, milestones, teaching, and events.

Competitions There are photography, art, sculpture, music and many more creative based competitions which are fantastic.

Thankfully, there are also competitions that play to other strengths! As mentioned previously, the 3MT and VYT competitions are some of the ones run at UoN for PhD students. There are others to stumble across including essay writing competitions, ThinkTanks, debating - the list goes on.

Opus Last but certainly not least is Opus.

This has been such a great outlet for me to just write, reflect and think on my role as a student and academic. It has provided me a place to write about my experiences and contribute to Opus with non-traditional works that don’t have a creative component. The variety of submissions that Opus publishes, is a testament to the value of this platform as a showcase for talents including, and beyond, traditional creativity.

STUDENT MEDIA

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Artwork: Satgunalingam Gopalakrishnan

35

Land Struggle is Union Struggle

36

Words: Matt Jeffrey

On Saturday, the 13th of August, I travelled with Australian Service Union Members to the Pilliga, to Coonabarabran and Narrabri.

We self-organised to go to a Union NSW Action supporting the First Nations People, the Gomeroi, in their fight against 850 proposed gas wells in the ancient forest and ecosystem that is their traditional lands. To fight against monopoly capitalist extractivism. To fight for the Great Artesian Basin, the aquifer that holds 30 per cent of our state’s freshwater.

To fight for clean air. To fight for living conditions!

The Action is the first Unions NSW resolution to oppose a Fossil Fuel project - a historic undertaking. The day was searingly hot, unnervingly so for late winter.

The processions started in Coonabarabran and the convoy was 65+ vehicles strong. I feel like I witnessed the birth of a close approximation to material First Nations Solidarity.

As a proud Wadi Wadi man of the Yuin Nation, and an ASU rank-and-filer, hearing from 80+ year old Gamilaroi elders on their determination to fight off the Santos frontierism was as equally inspiring as union leaders like Paul Keating of the MUA, and David from the IEU, that said, “we know what the enemy is that is destroying the world; capitalism”.

Hearing from Suellyn Tighe and locals on the impacts on soil quality, volunteer firefighting capabilities, the unfathomable dumping processes of waste, the capture of state by the fossil fuel companies in all facets, from the Environmental Protection Agency to a Native Title not fit for purposes of First Peoples’ actual sovereignty. The staunch union members there from the Teachers Federation, from the Nurses

and Midwifes Association, from the IEU, and from others, I believe, saw the picture of continued devastation this Santos project would bring.

I am now proud to be assisting in some small capacities after the connections made in growing the solidarity movement with the Gomeroi.

I shed many tears on the weekend. I am campaigning for the Voice. Yet I was, and am, at a loss for words for why Dean Parkin would be celebrating the reneging of the Heritage Protection Act in WA for it to be politically “clearing the way for the Voice”. That Act was one of the most progressive mechanisms to which First Nations on this Continent have been able to express some modicum of sovereignty since colonisation.

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The logic of monopolist and extractivist capitalism cannot square with First Peoples forms of Governance. It cannot square with a healthy future at all. It must be Voice and Land Struggles, Voice and Class Struggle, non-indigenous and indigenous alike. There can be nothing gained as Dean Parkin seems to prosecute from believing one legislative instrument, the Federal Voice, will deliver our Continent and Surrounding Isles justice alone.

Together, or not at all, towards Treaty, towards Truth, and towards Socialism.

The Class Struggle is the Environmental Struggle is the First Nations Struggle.

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La Isla Perla Words: Taylor Mason

This short sapphic visual novel adventure is available for free on Itch.io

What if a castaway were to fall in love with the resident mermaid? An unfulfilling life swapped for a sun-drenched tropical island for castaway Jihyo, who has to contend with survival and befriending the sunset-hued inhabitant of the island. While mysteries deepen, can romance bloom between strangers?

My love for castaway stories began when I was young, playing Lost In Blue on my classic NDS. This game opened my world up to the idea of finding yourself in a completely new environment unlike your normal world, especially when that new environment is a lush and dangerous tropical deserted island. Over the years, I also discovered and fell in love with the Visual Novel game format. Along with this, I noticed the game industry lacking sapphic stories involving mermaids and castaways. La Isla Perla represents my passion project of fusing these video game loves and concepts into one game.

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Words: Jennifer Lowe

Touched by the Rainbow

39 I am the red with fire burning through my veins. I am the orange of broken sandstone columns. I am the yellow of forgotten sunny days. I am the green of envy and of bright meadows. I am blue, like still water and hectic storms.

I am purple of exclusively royalty wear.

I am a person created by fragments of expectations and dreams. An identity that doesn’t have language or expression yet still exists. The red is real. The orange is real. The green is real. The blue is real. The purple is real. I am real.

Touch my skin you would say it’s real.

Touch my hair you would say it has properties. Properties of different lenses rotating and combining forever. Can you be anything in this world of chaos?

Neo-understandings paint colours that only butterflies and the special few can see.

Sometimes the colours blur together, creating spectrums of new understandings where the intersections of new colours are created. I am its combination, parts and all traces of the light.

In blurred hazes, can a name really be a definition? Maybe it’s the parts we don’t see that make a person.

There is a rainbow embedded in my soul. Only at the right angle can you see it. It exists because there is both rain and sunshine inside of me, and that is who I am. Some may see only the sunshine, others will only see the rain. But all is me. Some colours are forged through pain, others through love.

How do you explain my world to someone who only believes in greys? Awareness will not give others new eyes or force them to open them.

Some people even question if the pain is real. Such an individualised and intermate understanding, but people still demand to see it to believe it.

You can’t see air, but you’re still alive.

You can’t see pain but still ask why.

What you can think you see is gender, intelligence, ability and worth. You can also see colour, but a single word can not describe the entire experience of colour. Why do we not embrace the beautiful complexity of the wonders around us? Some people have told me this is being a whimsical child, but I see it as being human. Let me define my emotions, not the world. The parts I like and the parts I don’t care for. But let me be whole.

Judge me. Tear me down until I am nothing but bare bones in front of a crowd. And then put a blue ribbon on my corpse. My death still being defined by the souls that dammed me to flames.

You can layer metaphor and alteration on top of each other over and over again, but it never comes close to my experience. Some know too much, others not enough. But do I not have a right to be my reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues and purples?

I am both scared and proud of it what I am.

40 In a world dominated by consumerism and the relentless pursuit of more, the documentary Minimalist: Less Is Now emerges as a beacon of insight, guiding viewers toward a transformative shift in perspective. Produced by Netflix, this documentary has the power not only to captivate but also to initiate a life-altering journey towards minimalism.

demus wisely remarks, "Our memories aren't in our things; our memories are in us”. This resonates profoundly, urging us to question the purpose of our possessions and their role in shaping our identities.

From the very opening scene, the documentary draws the audience into its narrative, led by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, renowned advocates of the minimalist lifestyle. Their engaging storytelling techniques, coupled with poignant quotes, invoke a sense of contemplation right from the start. As Millburn eloquently states "minimalism is about intentionality. It's about the things we value most and removing everything that distracts us from it”. This encapsulates the essence of the documentary – a pursuit of intentionality and meaning in a world cluttered with distractions.

Minimalist: Less Is Now not only critiques the excesses of modern society, but also offers practical strategies to implement minimalism in daily life—the documentary advocates for intentional consumption, emphasising quality over quantity. The "30-Day Minimalism Game" challenge introduced in the film is a tangible way to initiate change. Witnessing the participants' journey from reluctance to empowerment is a testament to minimalism's transformative power.

The documentary artfully blends personal anecdotes with thought-provoking statistics, creating a multifaceted exploration of minimalism. As we journey alongside the filmmakers, we witness their own transformations and the profound impact minimalism has had on their lives. Their genuine and relatable stories serve as a bridge, inviting viewers to connect with their own aspirations for change. It's a reminder that minimalism is not just about decluttering our physical spaces, but also about decluttering our minds and souls.

A series of interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds offers a broader perspective on the concept of minimalism throughout the documentary. From entrepreneurs to everyday people, their narratives resonate deeply, each painting a unique portrait of how embracing less can lead to a life of abundance. Quotes like "the things you own end up owning you" and "we have to learn to be content with having enough" strike a chord, making it impossible to ignore the truth behind the words.

One of the most impactful segments of the documentary is when Millburn and Nicodemus discuss the hidden costs of consumerism. With sobering statistics and poignant visuals, they unveil the emotional and financial toll of accumulating possessions. This serves as a wake-up call, prompting viewers to re-evaluate their own habits and priorities. As Nico-

As the documentary unfolds, it's impossible not to notice the interplay between the external world and the inner self. The minimalist lifestyle becomes a metaphor for personal growth and self-discovery. The visual contrast between cluttered living spaces and minimalist environments underscores the emotional weight that comes with shedding the unnecessary. The process is beautifully encapsulated by

A Prof "Minima

41 Millburn's words, "You don't wake up one day and become a minimalist. It's a gradual journey of intentionality”.

more intentional you can be about the life you live.”

For me, the impact of Minimalist: Less Is Now was profound and lasting. The film's ability to spark introspection led me to evaluate my own relationship with possessions and consumerism. Inspired by the documentary's insights, I embarked on a minimalist journey, gradually letting go of material baggage that no longer served me. As I adopted a more intentional approach to consumption, I experienced a newfound sense of freedom and clarity. The minimalist principles I embraced led to a simplified, organised living space that resonated with a quote from the documentary: "Less stuff equals more freedom."

In conclusion, Minimalist: Less Is Now transcends its role as a documentary. It's an invitation to embark on a transformative journey towards a more intentional and fulfilling life. The film challenges societal norms through relatable narratives, thought-provoking quotes, and practical strategies to invite viewers to reassess their values. My own experience with the documentary has been nothing short of remarkable. The minimalist lifestyle it advocates has become a guiding principle, leading to positive changes that extend well beyond the surface.

As I continue to navigate this minimalist path, I am reminded of a profound truth shared in the documentary:

The positive changes I experienced extended far beyond physical decluttering. The documentary's emphasis on mindfulness and pursuing what truly matters resonated deeply with me. By focusing on experiences, relationships, and personal growth, I found myself enriched in ways I hadn't anticipated. As Nicodemus aptly puts it, "The more intentional you are about the stuff you let into your life, the

"The things that add value to your life rarely come with a receipt."

Words: Ilia Adel

found Journey with alist: Less Is Now"

The Endling

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~ "An endling is the last known individual of a species or subspecies. Once the endling dies, the species becomes extinct."

- Wikipedia ~ I trek alone throughout this ancient realm Beneath this cloudy roof in valleys green Between the mossy pillars of the gods, What dusty breaths that bide, what roots that rot?

The hundred generations behind me Are but a memory I never met; Their whispers are my calls, their dreams my thoughts As I, the last of last, trek into the dark.

Words: Clayton Carlon

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Trigger warning: sexual assault.

There was a hand; soft-skinned and slender, delicately holding the paintbrush to the canvas. Sitting on the easel, it was covered in red paint, swirling with slashes and blobs, smears and dots. Buried in this red, the canvas seemed to submerge you in a crimson sea. Half the paintbrush was slick and wet with the colour. The hand was coated with a smooth layer of red. Shining and sticky, the hand pulled away. The eyes of the artist glanced down at herself, noticing her body splattered in colours. The scarlet paint coated her chest in a splash and blue mixed with red on her thighs.

What then became purple was artfully designed across her abdomen.

Looking back up to her canvas, she blinked at it, trying to put it into focus. Cold sweat trickled down the side of her face. With the back of her hand, she wiped the sweat away, surprised to find her fingers slightly trembling. She refocused her gaze upon her hand holding the brush, hovering above the painting.

She had hoped for something tasteful, something dignified.

She supposed sometimes the art never looked the same on the canvas, construing the artist's intent to something entirely different. Maybe it was her own fault, hence the change in paintbrush. But that still had her hand levitating above the bright colour smeared across the canvas. The more she stared at it, the more lifeless the painting seemed to look.

as she tasted copper. Heart beginning to race, she recognised the canvas as a dead man’s body sprawled across her kitchen floor. Her eyes widened as she realised it wasn’t paint.

The warm liquid pooled from his stomach and spread like a disease across his burly body. Seeping through his clothes, blood leaked down onto the floorboards. The paintbrush was a kitchen knife in her quivering hand, dripping matted blood onto the floor beside the man’s lifeless head.

Her heart thumping against her ribcage, she felt it then. The pain in her lower region, the bruises marked on her thighs and inside of her. Agony pulsed and kicked within her and there were bruises and abrasions across her skin. Her lungs tightening, her heart rebounded against the walls of her skull.

She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.

Her eyes heavy, she tried to blink.

But the man remained dead on her kitchen floor.

As she gazed at the canvas, she began to see it almost taking shape. She pulled her hand away in an attempt for a better view. A lump formed in her throat. Her mouth turned dry

Red Paint

Words: Sami Peters

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N’GAR NO SORRIES! Words: Matt Jeffrey

Consirific Ngar O’er the Clifface of Sorry! SORRY! SORRY! Welts bedding, melting o’er shoulder.

Had the Limerick spun Courage with the Oar of Image?

Asat their Whardi & Wayjinn as Wiradjuri Journo was dealt the Sisyzouter Boulder.

Dawaandi flickers, a-tsundere austere air The Grains then Dug In, the Moon repeated the Sun’s Glare, And at the very last a regulation not outer imposed, The degustation of sites could destroy a thousand Emperors Clothes!

The Candle’s at a Wafer.

The Nations Might!

And yet bite their hungers.

Naturally the Wicko jammed the Wick o’ the Summer.

Tomed a gift encas’d in the the Winter Fold Our Sleeping Spirit did not Haunt, It Holds, It overwhelms the armoured with Love

And bellows to Karma, You’re Old, but not THAT old!

“Come and Have a Go if You Think You’re Hard Enough” Why even Baiame wasn’t Made of the Right Stuff!

The Drops can stiffen the Tantric, make ‘em physical even!

Add to that odds in the flavour of these Gods, Like 2 Minute Maggi’s, microwaved for the hippy to cooker chord prog.

Shame hadn’t entered, the Two Were in a Garden.

Well, well-guarded, course the recourses promulgated therefrom and thereforward meted “All Roads lead back to

45 Rome” to even those breathing deep the Sleeping Rock?

When the ‘Natives’ “up-start’’, understand, it was always theirs, them wayfinding eels to chart up!

A life-cycle minnows, but our shoots carry the Ancient Heart.

Where Mirrirul and Brother Rain, live in each Human Brain Awashing the Lucky Continents populous to ever Healing Lakes It can’t be quiet though, it has to be fought The systems of the Crown have to be dealt with and shorn As the jumbucks lifted and disappeared The flash in the Gold Pan Australia gleans its first senses aware Rhythmic dismantlement and recreation Can feed the spirit healing, and shared Liberation I recently had a Wayjinn Birraban, “in my hands”. She held ear close to the words of our Mother Lands She stalled the mechanical, Nasu opened her to Dance.

And after those moonlights we had, I shed tears on many First Lands Reconciled doesn’t mean tokens It means coming together unbroken It means dealing with the ephemeral Australia And fashioning values that can be generating embers I often wondered about the monetisation of my Sacred Birthing Trees.

Or the Mausoleums Signage denoting where my people’s so said, “used to be”.

We have for too long been made past tense, so as to destroy

our Dreams And I think it’s past sense we realise we’ve been leaned It’s not just stand up, get up, it’s not just Elders It’s not just Aunties and Uncles, celebrations and carving out tenders It’s Revolting the way so many are Stolen today.

The only thing needed is a Revolution.

So dustbin their ladders, corporate hierarchies and Titles, They have us in their desolate Dune.

The Dune attuned to is no longer a Desolate Tune.

Harm Healthy Harold, welp, I could sorely never sever!

But Harsher still …is the Coming Climate Changing DreamTime weather.

Lest us talk ay Garn as it all goes extincting And Well My fellow travellers, First Nation or not.

I’d rather share my Umbrella – with you lot…

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As someone who always believed that education should have no boundaries, my encounter with the University of Newcastle's (UON) Open Foundation program was nothing short of enlightening. This innovative pathway to higher education opened me to new horizons, allowing me to overcome limitations and embark on a journey of personal and academic growth. In this review, I'll share my firsthand experience with the program, highlighting its advantages and some minor hiccups along the way.

What Open Foundation is and How it Works Open Foundation is just high school, but you can only pick four or six subjects (depending on how many you prefer).

The subjects are varied, ranging from science to IT and critical thinking - you can choose anything you want.

Under this enabling program, you are guaranteed admission into a selection of university degrees. If the degree you want is not offered in the Guaranteed Admission Scheme, you can apply for it separately.

A Bridge to Dreams: Exploring UON Open Foundation UON Open Foundation is not just a program; it's an opportunity—an opportunity for individuals like me who didn't quite fit the traditional mould of university entry. As I ventured into this realm, I discovered a supportive community that recognised my potential and encouraged me to soar higher.

Advantages that Ignite Potential Accessible Pathway: The very essence of the UON Open Foundation Program is inclusivity. It is a gateway for those with diverse educational backgrounds, breathing life into the belief that everyone should have a shot at higher education.

Embarking on My Experienc Words: Ilia Adel

to choose between online, part-time, or full-time learning, enabling me to balance my studies with work and other responsibilities.

Smooth Transition: Completing the Open Foundation Program felt like a triumph, but it was just the beginning.

The program paved the way for a seamless transition into my chosen degree program at UON, proving that dreams can be within reach.

Guidance and Support: The support ecosystem of advisors, tutors, and counsellors proved to be my lifeline.

Their guidance enhanced my learning experience and fostered a sense of belonging that I cherished.

Crafting Skills for Success: It's not just about the subjects; it's about the skills. The program instilled in me essential study techniques, time management strategies, and research skills that proved invaluable throughout my academic journey.

A Few Bumps on the Journey The Graduation Timing Puzzle: As I eagerly anticipated my Open Foundation journey, I faced an unexpected twist.

The graduation ceremony for the first semester coincided with the program's commencement ceremony. While a sixmonth wait for the next graduation felt like an eternity, it added an element of anticipation to the whole experience.

Flexibility Tailored to Life: Life's demands don't always align with a rigid schedule. This program's flexibility allowed me

The Advisor Conundrum: Advisors held the keys to a wealth of information and

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n a Journey of Transformation: ce with UON Open Foundation guidance, yet there was a catch. In a world where emails, FAQs, online newsletters and virtual meetings dominate, having to attend for queries physically felt a bit old-fashioned, and as someone who works full-time, it can be a bit more challenging. A smoother communication channel could enhance the experience for students like me who thrive on digital connectivity.

In Retrospect: A Journey Worth Taking The UON Open Foundation Program isn't just about academics; it's about embracing the potential within us. My personal journey was a testament to its effectiveness in bridging gaps and igniting aspirations. The advantages, from accessibility to skill development, proved invaluable, enabling me to transition seamlessly into a degree program.

The quirky timing of graduation and the traditional mode of advisor-student interactions, while minor blips, didn't overshadow the program's transformative impact. If I had one piece of advice, it would be to explore this program with an open heart and a willingness to embrace the challenges and triumphs.

In Conclusion: A Beacon of Opportunity My experience with the UON Open Foundation Program left an indelible mark on my journey. Reflecting on the doors it opened and the skills it honed, I can confidently say that it's not just an educational program—it's a bridge to dreams, a testament to the power of inclusive education. If you're ready to step beyond the conventional and embark on a journey of transformation, UON Open Foundation could be your guiding light.

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49

Lessons and Treasures from Fiji Words: Bonnie Rudd

7pm, Fiji time. I step out of the plane - my first touch on non-Australian land. The air is warm, humid, dark. The pilot waves to us through the cockpit windshield, and I wave back.

I have never travelled solo before. My confidence in my own immediate future has never been so low. Are there hostels I can afford? Is this bus safe? This taxi? It’s like an ice bath, plunged into a foreign country, no plans, alone. One great nose-dive into the deep: the very bottom of the learning curve.

I’m panicking. Viktor Frankl said that “those who have a ‘why’ to live for can bear with almost any ‘how’”. I want to belong. I want to get to know this world deeply. I can’t do that numb or depersonalised; I have to find a new way to deal with my fear. I have to be here. Experience the discomfort of knowing nothing, in first person, on purpose, and see where the learning takes me. Can this be my home for one month?

I imagine myself as the boy from The Alchemist, abandoning his flock of safety, to see if he can befriend the desert: to see if he can learn its language. Every new piece of understanding is a treasure.

To my relief, I find friends in Nadi. We climb mountains, swim in rock pools, play frisbee, drink wine and kava. When it’s time to leave, it’s like picking a scab back open. I don’t want to leave my new comfort zone. People tell me horror stories about Suva – about pickpockets and violence against solo women. I want to be like Walter Mitty, tearing off into the unknown, but I’m terrified of what Suva holds.

Thankfully, two backpackers join me, and we make local friends who take us out clubbing and for breakfast. Twice, I am welcomed to a new friend’s home, for morning tea and a nap. For what people said about its danger, I feel I have found Suva’s wholesome, tender heart.

Truthfully though, I don’t find things easy. Since COVID-19, tourism has suffered, and online advice has become outdated. I do get lost, denied, unexpectedly charged, frustrated, disappointed. But a big lesson for me is that negative feelings are often products of my own inexperience and expectations, not of Fiji.

My own sense of entitlement burdens me by withholding me from gratitude.

I let go of it in iterations. Any new wave of disappointment or impatience is another lesson that there is more to let go of. It’s surprising how much lighter I feel, how much more I can enjoy this trip (and my life!), when I believe the universe owes me nothing. This feeling, of how lucky I am, is like a deep and infinite resource. I hope I remember it when I come home.

50 In this way, I learn how ridiculous and one-dimensional it is to compare the aesthetic beauty of different people or places. Can you compare the gorgeousness of sunsets? There is only one sun. Every minute I spend imagining a different, previous sunset is a minute spent outside of reality. This sun is a miracle: a gigantic, flaming star, providing life and colour, rising, setting, with all the feelings of the clouds. I am alive because of this star, the real one, not any of the images of it in my head. Reality is the treasure. Authenticity is the gold within all people and things.

My adventures bring me to Levuka, where I have honorary family. I accompany Ana (who is like an Aunt to me) at the impressive women-owned Beach St markets. Her husband, Sirelli, drives us in the back of his truck to the other side of the island to go canoeing (he paddles out to sea, giggling: “See you in Australia!”). Their 17-year-old son Ilaisa and I go everywhere together: rock-climbing, eating sugarcane, swimming in waterfalls, snorkelling outside their village, playing billiards with the boys, talking and laughing for hours up in Baba (the hills). My family’s elderly Na, Bubu Kara, tells me lots of stories, sometimes in Fijian, and it feels beautiful, even when I can’t always understand. I’m sad to leave here, and this time it’s not because I’m scared of the next place. Ilaisa texts me: ‘We miss you so much’, and I nearly cry, right there on the boat.

On the 19-hour ferry to Taveuni, everyone takes off their shoes and brings blankets and sleeps on the floor. We share medicines and food for the journey, and I feel safe, and sad.

Outside, the water is blue like wine and rubies, lit from within. I’m out of words to write all the treasures of Taveuni.

Coral reefs and lagoons, teaching my friend chess and her teaching me Fijian, coconuts and papaya and kava circles, and the volleyball tournaments with the staff and their young families.

Even the local bus: yellow and cubic with no window glass, full of people who speak a different language to me but laugh at the same situations. There are village farms on the

right and sunny white-sand beaches on the left. The bus driver throws a green fruit through the window to an oncoming tractor, and the tractor driver catches it.

I try to understand the universal language of the world: I follow it in harmonies and dances with other people, in foreign conversations, in my own instincts, in the funny stories travellers tell about karma and coincidence. I see it in the way a town works: a complex system, of which I am a small and temporary part, and how almost imperceptible actions create significant impacts. At the Selesele village school fundraiser, people ask me to dance with them and I do: again and again and again and again. Maybe it’s all in my head, but I feel so seen. It feels like I’ve found it, finally: the universal language. I belong.

In Fiji I had to let go of so many fears: travelling solo, depending on others, the unknown. It taught me to depend on risk mitigation and my instincts rather than anxiety. It taught me to complete my stress cycles, returning to a feeling of safety after a challenge rather than pretending I’m fine. It reminded me of who I am, how to listen to myself. And it reminded me how to learn what it means to be human, or alive in any form – the language of the forest, the sea, the air. The language of souls.

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Mostly Forlorn Moments

Words: Gianluca Polacci Byrnes

52

Quiet night, embrace me still Embrace me still, Bitter bed sheets So swift and sure.

I have become tiresome, As lonely sensual slumber So Long, Solitude!

No direction or sense of place.

First, become lost, maybe then, found Now unbound, fall into the hands of fate. Sails set with the half-shattered mast Many moments come to pass, sound and still.

Such catharsis from once dragged, now let go.

Weary from being held onto too tight.

Drifts all night long.

No quiet company In my sweet solitude, Silent yet cumbersome.

Such gentle breaths Raised rhythmically sound And I slept on, swimmingly so.

53 Mindfulness poem No.3

Shadows Cast Over

Then there was silence.

Would you rather,

For four weeks every morning finally,

Admire someone from a distance.

My mind a terrible master, silent.

Let the light of grace glimmer off from afar,

So silent I felt sane.

Capture beauty, briefly under sacred sunlight.

Or be too close,

Green grass, plants, warm sun glow,

Let your shadow cast over them.

Subtle smoke haze wisps away.

To cower under shades of desperation,

Dotted ladybugs, dragonflies,

To touch their beauty beneath fear and loathing.

Perched upon neighbouring leaves.

I held tight, my cigarette Cherry facing in.

Someone, somewehre, sometime ago I closed my eyes, till It burnt my finger and thumb.

Poplar fluff caught in spiders’ silk; Spiders’ silk caught in sunlight Brought colours back to life.

After all, waking to harsh morning rain Surprised me with open gates, Blue sky and heavens embrace.

My thoughts, so loud I’m afraid to be understood.

Today I only wish I had quiet company So I didn’t have to second guess Such morning glory.

Rummaging through piles of old worn clothes, Stray hairs belonging to strangers are found.

Stumbling back as if physically struck, I am quick to brush the hair off in fear This would trigger some awful reverie.

Though my body yearns to touch the past, So I must hold tight that sole strand in thought.

Held under sunlit close inspection, Ponder over the length of blonde complexion And how of yore it uncurls whence pulled tout.

If I didn’t take to abandon in Those dying moments of limerence or grace.

It’d be easier to distinguish Whoever’s hair this is, although instead All my nostalgias bound by bittersweet taste.

Words: Ivy-Rose Laidler

Serving Looks 2023

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Barbie & Oppenheimer Barbie and Oppenheimer brought 2023 to a halt when the films were released at the same time. The classic Barbie pink met this 1940’s war era vibe that no one expected to be a part of 2023.

This was another massive trend this year, where people actually started getting dressed up for the movies.

With these themed outfits and the whole get up of the pink and the black - Barbenheimer was born. Key features of these outfits were of course the Barbie pink - how could you miss it(?!), and the suits, with the old-fashioned style and dark colours. Barbenheimer was truly a trend of 2023.

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Love on Tour & Eras Tour

Clean girl aesthetic vs Y2K

Harry Styles and Taylor Swift took the world by storm with their tours this year. As soon as these tours hit the ground running, people were jumping at the opportunity to go. Unlike other concerts, things changed… not only were people so hyped they were crying, but people also started creating the most extravagant and amazing outfits to ever have caught your eye.

Of course, when you think about past concerts you think about maybe using glitter, dressing up a little, but you wouldn’t think… Denim on denim, feather boas (with feathers everywhere), and bedazzled outfits. People really took their outfits seriously and it showed - what an incredible era of 2023.

Last but not least, Clean Girl VS Y2K. 2023 was full of changes and controversies, especially when it came to fashion.

The clean girl aesthetic and Y2K had some similar features but honestly, were so far apart in aesthetics that they just worked together.

Clean girl included simple dewy makeup, slick back bun, simple and timeless outfits. Basically, minimalism in a fashion style. Y2K did the complete opposite, just full on maximalism. Low rise jeans have made a comeback due to Y2K, as well as baby tees, butterfly hair clips and of course, a good lip gloss.

And that is 2023 summed up in fashion trends.

I certainly cannot wait for what 2024 has to offer!

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My Experience with the EDI Strategy Process at UoN. Words: Jennifer Lowe

In the initial meeting I will personally admit I was not very happy with the status of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the university when I first started off as a student representative. When I came into the role, I was fresh off campaigning about the restructure where, due to a “mix up”, accessibility staff members jobs were on the chopping block. As an avid user of this resource, and honestly empowered by a staff member (I will not name here, honestly it would just make their ego bigger), I set out to understand the problem and see how I could, in my naive mind back then, “fix it”. I had no idea at that point what I really had gotten myself in for.

Imagine this; I was a 2nd year Bachelor of Science Student, 19, and sitting in a meeting with DVCA’s and PVC while not even knowing the difference between them. To say I was overwhelmed would be putting it mildly. First, I noticed very quickly that most people I were talking to don’t often engage with students, much and even less with students from minority backgrounds. There were certain comments and suggestions that were completely unnecessary and sometimes downright insulting. At the beginning it didn’t help that it was a very small group, we were missing some key roles and therefore, there was a bit of a confusion over what the committee goals were and what we were doing. Which really helped my confusion. But one thing was certain; we needed a policy that defined the direction of the whole university EDI - which at that point, was a lot of different pockets of EDI that didn’t have much of a connecting thread. I was a big believer that if we were going to do EDI well, we needed

a holistic strategy that connected all of these areas together to centralise funding and resources.

I also saw this as a pivotal moment at the university. Because of the restructure, and later the enterprise agreement, both students and staff were losing faith that the university was equitable. I felt that moving forward, the university should deal with the issue by respecting that pain existed, identify the needs of how to move forward and put steps in place to make sure this never happened again. My strategy was not even considered.

For some reason, it felt like the university had such a big problem acknowledging the workplace culture that they had created. Because no matter how you felt about the restructure or the enterprise agreement, it made the place unsettled. And unsettled and uncertainty always effects the group with the least amount of power the most. In the first few months of getting involved in student politics, I watched a lot of amazing student leave. Students who

57 were driven, ready to take on the world’s biggest problems and actively engage with their local community. People, I still argue to this day, that were the ideal types of student UON would have wanted as graduates. But they all left, and I quickly found myself being the only left from that era. It was honestly one of the strangest times as I was meeting all of these fundamentally different people, hearing stories of downright horror and in all of it, there was a strength that wanted to fight against it. Now, I didn’t get involved much with the staff union, but it was in escapable. From lectures, to strikes, and even walk outs. It was a wild time.

Whilst all of this was happening, we had our first EDI strategic plan workshop. With the help of the EDI unit, I organised for a bunch of students to also come to the meeting so we could have student involvement and all that. I didn’t just choose anyone, but some of the most effected students of the poor EDI policies in the past. First Nations students, students who were disabled and, in a wheelchair, and students who had been here for a long time. Students that I had found to be just as passionate as me about making a change. One thing became apparent when we met; the higher level of the university became aware of the actions from the restructure, from weak EDI policy to the enterprise agreement and the effect it had on the student population.

We told of how racism existed, ablism straight from the top and of the scars which they had left on all of us. There was a lot of work that needed to be done to turn all this around and we were only just identifying the problem.

I will say the first EDI workshop did have a strange feel to it.

We were sitting with some of the most senior executives of the university, students from the student union and a bunch of students that I had invited. Now the students from the union weren’t aware that executives would be attending and later said they felt, unsupported and thrown to the wolves.

This example highlights the importance of supporting students within their abilities of representatives.

As time went on, the EDI institutional committee began to find its place in the university, and I would like to think so did I. We had a lot of challenges that came up in meetings, like having a senior member of the meeting completely walk out of one of the meetings, someone falling asleep in the middle of another, and a senior member of staff raising their voice in frustration at me in another meeting.

But through it all, we did manage to create a variety of sub-committees that had their own goals and objectives which further created resources and policy that fed back into the EDI committee. After much hassling on my behalf, the DIAP committee was formed which, in my opinion, looked at the least explored minority community which I found to be a great improvement. AcessAbility also got slightly more staff, the disability confidence training was launched as well as staff with disability network. This gave me a lot more hope for the university. There is a lot more still to be done, but when I started there was a lot less.

Some students were lost from the committee, some because of lack of support, others from lack of hope that change could occur, but throughout it all, I currently remain the only student representative between the selected member and UNSA representatives that stayed and will serve a full term.

The next workshop of EDI strategy was very different. It felt a lot less interper-

58 sonal. Most of it was writing anonymous text which I felt, was to be explored and infused into a narrative in the end.

At least we explored a lot of the complex structural problems in the first workshop which resulted in a discussion.

I do think my voice mattered and I will say that the follow up personal meetings to each person was a great idea but there was something that never quite carried through from the first workshop, the student engagement of students as PARTNERS. And that showed a lot in the launch. It was a policy launch that was very staff focused. There was a guest speaker, and the Vice-Chancellor was there, which neither had really been involved with the policy. The only student on stage was Indigenous and the only thing they did was give the acknowledgement of country which felt very tokenistic.

The speaker talked about how the university had always been so welcoming and so amazing and now they were just doing more of that great work.

and how policies are created, but also how to articulate myself more to varied audiences, how to work with people with different views and personalities, and when to use vinegar and when to use honey to catch flies.

One thing I have learnt, which I am not sure how I feel about, is that people respect you for your position or title before your merit.

I couldn’t help but feel invalidated from all the experiences that the students who had worked on the project had gone through.

It really felt like a celebration of how good the university was instead of a policy that looked to address the needs and wants of staff and students... ...those who had been marginalised and sometimes straight up traumatized due some poor EDI policies in place or those that didn’t exist at all. I knew we all had to start somewhere, but it hurt sitting in the crowd only to listen to more of what I had criticized in the first workshop of this exact policy.

And while I don’t completely think that the process was perfect, I think it was a worthwhile experience. No policy will create change to an entire company. I do believe relationships, empathy and greater understanding will. It is currently the biggest project I have been a part of, and one where I have learnt a lot. Not just about business structure

Glass Garden

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Orange

Green Apple

Tomato

Yellow Apple

Photographs: Leto Oxenham

The photos were shot for an assessment that I completely forgot about. When I tried to book the studio, it was completely booked out so I shot the images at home on whatever reflective surfaces I could.

During school I was known as 'fruit boy' because I was obsessed with fruit.

This series is a reflection of that phase.

Navigating Uni as a Non-School Leaver

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Words: Nicole Creen

Progress or set-back, growth or risk. However, you define it, attending University as a non-school leaver is a decisive process.

Maybe you’re already settled in a different career. Maybe high school was a difficult educational experience for you.

Maybe financial issues or your location held you back. There are so many reasons why we don’t take that leap to enroll into a university course after finishing school.

For me, I was simply just indecisive. At the ripe age of 18, I really had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

At the time, it seemed like such a daunting and final decision, one which I was simply just not ready to make.

Flash forward a decade and here I am, consciously enrolled in my undergraduate program wondering why I hadn’t taken that chance on myself years ago. Nonetheless, I’m not regretful of my choice as I can truly say that my life experiences during my twenties led me here. Without them, I would have been a terrible student.

So, if you’re like me and feeling a bit out of place as a non-school leaver, here are my top five tips for navigating university life to help you stay engaged during your studies.

Join A Uni Club: There are so many clubs and activities here at UoN to get involved in! From hobbies, sports, education, culture and religion, there are loads of clubs to choose from. Take a chance and sign-up to meet new people, have like-minded conversations and even learn something new! Apart from the cliché reasons, it’s simply nice to run into someone you know on campus, who you might meet through joining a club!

61 Sign Up to a Social Sport: If you’re still feeling unsure with signing up to a club, then definitely check out the social sports offered at The Forum.

You can choose between netball, touch football, basketball, volleyball and futsal. The people in your team are a combination of students, staff and the general public, so you never know who you might meet!

To sign up to a social sport, visit The Forum’s website https://www.theforum.org.au/social-sport Don’t Let Age Differences Hold You Back As a non-school leaver, you may have thought that you can’t relate to your younger peers. Try not to let this train of thought prevent you from establishing connections with them. Remember, all your classmates are studying the same subjects as you, so they are more than likely going to be industry connections in the future. As older students, we have so much to gain by establishing friendships with younger students, and vice-versa. We can provide so much wisdom and guidance to our younger peers, which they really do appreciate! For us, younger students have so much enthusiasm and are so empowered to make change in the world, which is refreshing and inspiring. Gen-Zs are also incredible with navigating technology, something that presents challenges to us Millennials and Gen X’ers.

Take the time to say hello in class and don’t let age define your friendships.

Volunteer at Uni Events Volunteering at campus events such as Orientation, Graduation, Stress Less, Autonomy Day, DJ Comp and Band Comp is a fun way to get involved with campus events. These events are designed specifically for student engagement and encourage us to meet each other. Even if you’re an online student, volunteering can be a great way to break the ice of coming onto campus for the first time. It’s a great chance to meet new people, have some fun and gain new experiences!

To register as a volunteer, head to the UniCrew page here https://www.newcastle.edu.au/current-students/uni-life/ activities-and-experiences/volunteering

Chat to your Teachers Our teachers can provide us with so much knowledge and advice along our study journey. Whether it be general tips or a great book recommendation, they harbor a wealth of information, and it just takes a conversation to open their doors. Make the effort to get to know them, as from their perspective, it can be difficult to form unique connections with so many different students. Reach out to them directly, whether it be in class or via email. They will appreciate your efforts and you may discover some incredibly helpful insights to help you with your studies!

To find a University club to join, check out UNSA’s club finder!

To sign up to a social sport, visit The Forum’s website.

To register as a volunteer, head to the UniCrew page!

The Year for Women

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& the major events shaping 2023 Words: Melanie Jenkins

2023 has brought us many tears, cheers, and unforgettable moments in history. With such an eventful year for women, I wanted to recap the highlights and appreciate the crucial impact they’ve made on society and gender equity.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Now who would’ve thought this was going to be a major highlight of the year? When the Matildas started playing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, I certainly didn’t expect to find myself cheering and yelling at the television in the middle of a birthday party for the Australia vs France quarterfinal penalty shootout. These Aussie athletes blew us all away, going further than any male team had been before in the FIFA tournament and in doing so, uniting a nation. Whilst Albanese pledged $200 million worth of funding towards women’s sport after the semi-finals, some people won’t realise that despite their incredible performance, there is still inequality within the sporting industry and the Matildas will only be taking home a quarter of what the Socceroos are paid. However, there’s no doubt about it, with 18.6 million Australians watching, the Matildas ignited true change for women’s sport and left a lasting legacy.

The Barbie Movie What started out as a fun, light-hearted moment in pop culture – singing I’m just Ken on repeat for weeks, seeing Margot Robbie’s press tour outfits that highlighted the history of Barbie, dressing up to go to the cinema – turned into a light bulb moment of ‘wow, this movie hits HARD’ when we watched it. Coated in the stereotypical pink, and humorously fulfilling our childhood dreams of classic play time, the Barbie movie brought to light society’s deep-rooted issues of gender inequality. The film provided audiences with a new perspective on how women adjust themselves to suit the patriarchy in ways they might not even realise. Despite some critics arguing that the Barbie movie is ‘anti-male propaganda’, the movie’s message is that patriarchy harms everyone, regardless of gender, and we should all contribute to achieving gender equity. Sure, this Barbie-core trend is already fading but the impact of its message will stand.

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Taylor Swift breaking records…again Honestly, what can’t Taylor Swift do? With music records being broken left, right and centre this year, she’s been masterminding, shaking it off, and getting ready for it since her debut in 2006. In 2023, she was the first ever woman to occupy the Billboard’s Hot 100’s top 10 list with three songs simultaneously, which surpassed The Beatles who previously held the record. Swift is also the first woman to release number one charted albums in five consecutive years, from Lover in 2019 to Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in 2023. Finally, Taylor is on track to break the record of the highest grossing concert tour in HISTORY at $1 billion with her Era’s Tour which would overtake Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour which grossed $939 million. This woman is a significant cultural figure to all our millennials and Gen X-ers and is incredibly talented which is why her record-breaking, history-making success comes as no surprise.

Here’s to seeing what 2024 brings.

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Find-A-Word Sheepie’s plans for the end of the year...

Artwork and Games: Billie Mosman A

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Conratulations! Ewe made it.

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Actor

Exciting

Love

Pranks

Studies

Adventure

Exploration

Magazines

Quality

Swimming

Autographs

Families

Meeting

Race

Talking

Band

Farm yard

Model

Reading

Time outs

Celebration

Fishing

Movies

Relaxing

Travelling

Concerts

Flys

Music

Sail

Videoing

Cooking

Friends

Painting

Save

Walking

Countdown

Gardening

Parties

Shopping

Wool rug

Create

Going

Phone calls

Shows

Yearbook

Dancing

Holidays

Photographer

Sing

Drawing

Home

Photos

Ski

Driving

Laughing

Picnic

Sleeping

Eating

Listening

Play games

Star

There are 24 letters left in the find-a-word. Re-arrange them and read the secret message.

! .

Sheepie’s Quiz

Artwork and Games: Billie Mosman

Find out more about Sheepie by filling in the missing words.

UNSA / Billie Mosman / games / smile / Hunter / baa / DJ music / entertain / Opus magazines / Baa on the Hill / next 1. baa 2. UNSA 3. Baa on the Hill 4. Hunter 5. Billie Mosman 6. DJ music 7. Opus magazines 8. games 9. entertain 10. smile 11. next 1. What does Sheepie say when he wants to say hello to EWE? 2. Where does Sheepie go to get his favourite hot chocolates?

3. What does Sheepie call Bar on the Hill?

4. Who is Sheepie’s uni best friend? (Hint: it’s the uni mascot) 5. Who owns Sheepie?

If you’re unsure, you can find Sheepie in previous issues of Opus or in person if you’re lucky enough to catch me...

6. What does Sheepie love to do?

7. Where can you find his pictures?

Sheepie loves showcasing his (8) in the Opus magazine to (9) and make you (10). Get excited to see his games in the (11) issue.

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STUDENT MEDIA

Brought to you by the University of Newcastle Students’ Association EOY Showcase Issue October 2023