The Voice: Issue #6, December 2019

Stepping up, Stepping out.

Issue #6, December 2019

@_lachieharders

Editor’s Voice Step 3 In the process of writing this final editorial (and suffering a slightly more than minor case of writer’s block), I took to Google to find the best way to write an ending. The VERY condensed verdict of 1.5 billion results was to: choose a strongly significant topic and end with a memorable quote. So, with this advice in mind, I decided to use this final opportunity to do just that and write about hugs.

Not significant? My touch-deprived self begs to differ. It’s a serious process, and after years of experience, I have narrowed this activity down to 3 simple steps. First, you have to scope the vibe – “do they want the endorphin expelling encounter or not?” To determine this, their arm has to be lifted at just the right angle; their hand - not extended enough to be a handshake and not balled enough to be a fist bump - with body placement of both parties angled in a way to not affect the cohesive frontal connection on impact.

Then, as if awkwardly watching the green light ignite wasn’t bad enough, figuring out your approach to such an act is equally as awkward and mildly as terrifying. Arms above the waist or below? Head on left shoulder or right? Closed eyes or open? Accompanying peck on the cheek? …Miscalculated peck now on the ear?

If you have made it this far, well done, you had a human encounter. Mum would be proud. There is only one more step left. Once you’ve settled in, the undulating folds of skin moulding into the other, comfortably supporting the weight of the other through equal distribution, it’s come time. Arguably the hardest time.

Letting them go.

This year, as I stepped out of Avondale for the last time, I did just that. I hugged every single one of my friends – at this point I am a pro, and can skip the first 2 steps – and each time, I had to let go. Letting go of every step was much the same, but in their own way, less warm. Letting go of tradition (Saturday night Grill’d traditions), letting go of routine (group cry sessions in the library), and letting go of the always reliable Avondale College University wifi… ok, maybe all things aren’t so hard to let go.

Once you’re in the warmth of an embrace, making that step away, being the first to pull away, hurts the most. As I step up and step out of this college, I have to let go. And it hasn’t been easy (aka, I cried, a lot #fullfunctioningadultalert). But here it is, the hardest step of a hug – the timing.

And my time is up. So, thank you for the memories. Thank you for the warmth. Thank you for the growth. Thank you to the people who have led me to this moment (aka helped me survive). Thank you to my team, in both the Voice and in my college life.

Thank you for an amazing year of the Voice. Thank you for the new Emmerson you have moulded. And thank you, for the new life you have given me by making me let you go.

So, here it is. The final Voice 2019.

CONTENT 4

Letter from the President

6

List of the 2019 Graduands

12

The strength to be weak

14

Let it boil By Chris McClelland

16

Stepping up, stepping out

20

By Andrew Ormiston

He’s got this

By Kira-Leigh Josey

By Kayla Carter

P. 2

EDITORIAL

P. 8 - 9

CONTRIBUTORS

P. 10

CONTACT/PAGES TO LIKE

P. 11

PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER

P. 18 - 19

WO/MAN

P. 22 - 23 REAL TALK P. 24 - 25 #AVONDALEXP P. 26 - 27 THE CHEAT SHEET

Congratu

to the graduat

Ang Choon Kiat Thomas Abraham, Abin Abrahams, Raelene Joyce Ah-You, Ignatius Arnold, Hannah Elise Ashby, Paige Melissa Ashcroft, Eden Jo-Anne Aveling-Rowe, Stephen John Aylward, Claudia May Azzopardi, Joseph Johnstone Bajema, Jessica Batcheldor-West, Jessica Rae Baya, Hanan Bellette, Pamela Kay Bennett, Tori Lee Bilson, Jeremy Scott Birch, Lindsey Justine Bishop, Florentia Fetty Blyton, Vanessa Bocala, Jym Bocchino, Giovanna Tairi Bolst, Joshua Bond, Matthew Edward Bonsing, Joshua Peter Borg, Brook Mahree Brady, Lanita Rhonda Brewster, Phillippa Grace Bridge, Felicia Ann Brown, Chanel Amber Buchanan, Karen Joy Burge, Stephanie Burke, Jackson Burley, Georgia Mary Alice Cairncross, Chloe Cantrell, Rhiannon Care, Tenley Georgia Carlsen, Kylie Elizabeth Narelle Carnie, Joshua Robin Ceroli, John Samuel Chanachai, Jariya Chapman, Chelsea Lee Chapman, Hayley Jayne

Charles, Josfin Christensen, Alicia Marie Clarke-Delasau, Iden Samuel Claut, Zoe Coffey, Georgia Madeline Colley, Rebecca Costigan, Jordan Coutet, Yannick Cowley, Zachary Jordan Coxon, Rebecca Lea Craig, Bevan Adrian Dawes, Maddison Lee De Waal, Kerryn Meshach Dobson, Kody Doull, Marian Joy Doust, Vivienne Lesley Doyle, Oliver John Edorsson, Linda Edwards, Devan Lawrence Edwards, Morgan Graham Erevnidis, Georgia Evans, Jyal Evans, Misty Jade Fatnowna, Orrani Carolyn Felix, Godfrey Donald Ferrington, Lauren Alison Frew, Lachlan Douglas Fui, Dorcas Gahan, Sarah Jane Galea, Danielle Victoria Garbett, Renee Lisa Gibson, Kim Debby Gilan, Julia Gilbert, Jacob Andrew Goodchild, Mitchell Colin Gorringe, Stephen John Gosev, Robert Grant, Tiyana Renae Gray, Breanna Grey, Emmerson Rose Grolimund, Hannah Haligowski, Caleb Warren

Harders, Kyle Nathan Harders, Lachlan Darren Harrington, Ryan Winton Harrington, Ryan Winton Hartigan, Taliah Eden Hartnett, Chloe Jemima Hassen, Mitchell Brendan Hastings, Janette Maria Anna Heaton, Jessica Leah Heckendorf, Tahlia Lee Heckendorf, Tahlia Lee Hendricks, Wesley Luther Henson, Naomi Sara Hepworth, Keaton Zachary Hepworth, Keaton Zachary Hickson, Bethanie Grace Hindley, Caleb Lee Honeyands, Nicholas Alexander Hosken, Jessica Kate Huleatt, Ashleigh Brooke Humphries, Monique Amy Hutt, Holly Layne Austin Irvine, Nathan Jack, Olivia Renee Jacob, Belinda Rochelle Jaksich, Jemma Kate Jiok, Thok Pal Chay Johnson, Suzanne Lee Jones, Kirah Monique Jones, Wynona Dee Josey, Kira-leigh Ann Nerys Josey, Rohan David Liam Karengwa, Tsitsi Leah Keene, Grace Lydia Keesler, Madison Michael King, Joshua Nicholas Kingston, Tebany Knight, Janine Lillian Knoke, Megan Margaret Kosmeier, Benjamin John Kovac, Grace Lauren Alyse Duke Krause-Poyser, Laurel

Laf Lam Let Lev Lew Lie Lin Log Low Low Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Mc Mc Mc Me Mil Mil Mit Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mu Mu Nd Nd Ne Nic Nie

ulations

ting class of 2019

faitele, Palolo Amelia mbert, Spencer Bryan ta, Billy Bulao ver, Joan Anne wis, Abigail eder, Shaun Robert ng, En You gan, Grace Sophia we, Benjamin we, Jade Cynthia acErlich, Tahlia Allyson Lauren ahe, Hepi Sipa aiava, Angelicia Nonu aki-Neste, Amelia Louise akvandi, Mitra akwara, Ruth Ropafadzo arandi, Rhea Joanna arques, Gian arsters, Gary Dean auga, Uili ay, Graeme John cGill, Cain James cPherson, Karinne Paula cVey, Ellie Rella etz, Travis Nathaniel les, Imogen Samantha ller, Christine Alison tchell, Ania Violetta oller, Jason oodie, Claira oore, Carly Annette oore, Chloe Anneke Ruth oore, Chloe Anneke Ruth orrison, Ashley Kay oy, Todd Anthony Heo unsuang, Steve Mung uthii, Catherine Nyawira dayambaje, Roger dlovu, Winnet ewbegin, Joshua Kyle ccol, Hannah Briony eld, Luke Nathan

Nightingale, Samantha Nikolic, Jacob Milan Nikolic, Jacob Milan Nuuialii, Neru Olivares, Kiara Onana, Anne-Marie Zanga Paiaaua, Fine’eva Sofai Kimbo Charlie Pang, Glenda Kin May Parkinson, Bradley John Patrick, Deanna Jasmine Pescud, Bryanne Pillay, Moreen Krishna Price, Macaulay Gregory Prugue, Monica Przepiora Slowik, Jessika Puga Cerda, Axel Gustavo Raams, Hein Hendrik Rashleigh, Madeleine Grace Regencia, Almarie Robertson, Ebonnie Robinson, Annie Rotich, Eva Cheptanui Sanders, Lydia Scott, Alexis Scott, Leighton Cameron Scotter, Carnley Vaughan Dwight Seely, Savannah Rose Seuala, Kayla Shaw, Jefferson Sherar, Amy Ruth Shields, Marion Janet Silver, Joshua Matthew Sim, Jessie Sione, James Sione, James Siulai, Ryan Robert Smedley, Lyndall Kate Smit, Denise Smith, Ashley John Southwell, Harley Jacob Spero, Sarah Hope Sprenger, Shirley Anne

Stacey, Jayden Stadnik, Joshua Brandon Stafford, Tayler Stewart, Katelyn Jade Suffolk, Karlinda Jade Sutton, Narelle Ann Sylvester, Kristy Adriana Tate, Eloise Pohchini Taylor, Verity Thelander, Sophie Corinne Thomas, Bradley Jon Thomas, Eric Thomas, Kevin Thomas, Pretty Mary Thomson, Dillon Todoran, Nadia-Ramona Trindall, Clara Monica Trindall, Emily Rose Tripolone, Kathryn Katie Truscott, David William Ufagalilo, Azora Ugljesa, Dari Uzoma, Nwamaka Ugbah Vakamocea, Alipate Vateitei, Akanisi Tinai Wade, Timara Michelle Weinman, Hannah Jane Whelan, Callum John White, Graham Bernard Whittaker, Jake William Williams, Aurora Williamson, Emily Jane Willson, Emily Grace Winkler, Natasha Wong, Madison Jade Yianhan Wood, Angela Marie Wood, Emily Rose Youse, Jai Thomas Zhang, Tong

C O N T R I B U T O R S

Emmerson Grey

Chris McClelland Secondary Education student, untalented art enthusiast and, ineffective procrastination combatant. Ask me about my mild addiction to video essays.

Kayla Carter

Kayla is a recent Avondale graduate, a currently employed marketing assistant, a constant donut eater who misses gluten steak day at the Caf, and 2018’s Voice editor who is so proud of her former assistant for running this magazine!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED // OTHER IMAGES SOURCED FROM #AVONDALEXP // GRAPHIC DESIGNER: ANGELA WOOD

Kira-Leigh Josey

“Kira-leigh is a graduand who loves ancient emperors and haystacks”.

Andrew Ormiston

Andrew is a Cooranbong local, currently studying the new Grad-Diploma of Counselling.

Thanks & No Thanks

Thanks: For an awesome year of The Voice 2019!

Aloe Vera Gel (#sunburnseason) For brave Firefighters No Thanks: Broken Car Aircon The end of an era Missing friends

THE VOICE 9

Emmerson is like most other stereotypical college students: she loves to binge Netflix, hype up her peers, complain about not sleeping enough and downplay her life problems with sarcastic remarks.

GET IN CONTACT Security: Phone: (02) 4980 2333

THE VOICE 10

Email: scott.hill@avondale.edu.au College Church Phone: (02) 4980 2272 Email: collegechurch@avondale.edu.au Or message the College Church Facebook Page.

College Counsellors: Phone: 0403478994 Email: counsellingclinic@avondale.edu.au Our counsellors offer confidential counselling to students experiencing a range of academic, mental health and personal concerns.

PAGES TO LIKE The Voice LAMP ministries (@AvondaleSAM) College Church ASA student association Avondale College One Mission SALT Avondale

Winner Our Flashback’s photo competition winner of the JB Tea Bundle is

Scott “Chewy” Hill (@scotimusprime)

Message The Voice’s Instagram to claim your prize.

THE VOICE 12

The Strength to be Weak Her look told me I wasn’t fooling anyone. I had just said “I’m fine” in a tone which was not at all convincing.

How long had this low-grade frustration been humming beneath my composure?

No, let’s be honest, I had been holding down a beachball of repressed anger for quite a while now, distracting myself with TV, with work and with church. From across the room, my wife had begun to sense the shimmering heat waves curling off my head.

“I don’t care what you do about it,” she said, “but your silent fuming and exasperated sighs are really distracting.”

I resolved to go for a walk somewhere private to talk to God. It had been my practice years before, but I had somehow fallen out of the habit. God had always been a counsellor to me. I needed to contemplate, to ruminate, or otherwise vent my unacknowledged rage.

I yelled, I paced, I complained, I wondered, I confessed.

The truth was I had been striving for a long time - striving uphill and striving alone. I was frustrated that my life hadn’t returned all the effort I’d put into it; I was tormented by the many promising paths which had dead-ended prematurely, and I was furious that I didn’t have my own Mr Miyagi or Gandalf to show the way.

I felt powerless, and therefore depressed, and therefore frustrated at life. As I let the dissatisfaction pour forth, I became increasingly aware that I was also angry with God. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?” I said with indignation, “It doesn’t feel like you’re holding up your end of the bargain.”

It may seem like hubris to call God to account like this, but I trusted that he saw the heart behind it. I wasn’t looking for a fight in order to win; I was looking to wrestle.

I needed to hit him with my best shot, knowing that eventually, like gravity, his steadfast patience would wear me down.

I spent my anger and returned home with insight.

The reason I felt so disconnected in my life was ironic; it was because I had spent a decade only giving people my best.

Early in my journey, I had learned that people valued my deep spiritual comprehension, my compassionate listening presence, and my polished, articulate reason. I capitalised on these virtues, and I hid the more undesirable parts of me behind a cardboard cut-out of my best features.

My weaknesses, my faux pas, my insecurities - all out of sight, and out of mind. It was such a convincing persona, even I thought was real, but my therapy session with God had uncovered a secret. It was like I was the Tinman - all armour, but no heart.

It was as though God said to me, “You’ve gone as far as you can by striving, now it’s time to let go of some things. You’ve been on a journey of achieving, but now it’s time for the journey of wholeness. You’ve been protecting your heart for a long time, but now you must dare to be vulnerable.”

This is what the Bible means by “sin” and “repentance”. I found myself on a freeway that was no longer taking me to my destination, so God showed me an exit ramp.

I confessed that I didn’t feel strong enough to be weak. My striving felt like it was the only thing keeping me together, but I could also see that vulnerability was perhaps my only path back to being human. The following week I began attending a local Men’s Group.

The Men’s Group was a circle of young men, strong men, and older men who had pledged to honour real, unflattering, messy

By Andrew Ormiston

storytelling. It turns out there’s an art to being vulnerable. You don’t want to empty your whole tank onto unsuspecting listeners, and you don’t want to hide your brokenness behind a calm and controlled report. I could vent to God and with people; I could talk about vulnerable things without actually exposing my pain. Still, the path back to being human was to find the parts of myself I’d disavowed, and in relationships which demonstrated their safety, expose them to the light.

What I found at the Men’s Group was a form of confession, a place where I could “fess up” to who I was behind the façade, and as those hidden parts were accepted, I received back a piece of my soul.

I also discovered that witnessing other people’s stories helped me realise I didn’t have to compete so hard at life. I began to no longer compare myself against the scripted soundbites of specialists and superstars. It was enough to be myself, even my faux pas, and even my weaknesses.

There are things in life that take hard work to achieve, but other things only ever come by grace. I don’t believe anyone can find a connection or belonging without a regular practice of exposure, and I don’t think we can grow without learning to set boundaries on our lives where such authenticity is safe. I do believe that it’s in our weakness that God meets us, and in our confession that he makes us whole.

Beyond that, I’m still learning. @ kyleharders

THE VOICE 14

LET IT BOIL

BY Chris McClelland

The end of the year is always a good time to take inventory. If not now, then soon enough, the next wave of responsibilities will smother any memory of what just happened. So, if you were to throw the last few months of experiences into a crucible and let the heat boil away all but the purest contents, what would you find? Perhaps I should start just to kick us off.

This semester I discovered some new talents. I had some classes that pushed me out of my comfort zone and made it very necessary to learn quickly. I had to digest reams of information faster than I would have felt comfortable with under any other circumstances, and more than once I felt like throwing in the towel. Would have, had I not missed the deadline to withdraw by two days. It all paid off in the end, though, and I was able to make something that I was truly proud of.

This semester I was exposed to art I always knew I should open myself up to, but never did. Even though I knew there were more books than just the classic old bunch of authors that get rattled off whenever someone holding a cup needs to assure the table they have good taste, this was perhaps one of the first times I really allowed myself to look beyond the curtain. Had I known how radically it would shift my entire taste in literature, I probably would have been more eager, but the surprise is half the fun I suppose.

This semester I learned from very new people. You might read that to mean lecturers, and it’s true that I had some new people teaching me, but that’s not quite what I mean. I mean I got to know people who came from bubbles far outside my own, learned something about them, and in doing so learned more about myself. The human brain naturally builds a little glass wall around it to filter unwanted, obtrusive contaminants.

That is standard behaviour, but not necessarily constructive.

Sometimes you need a fracture to let some fresh air in.

So, summing all of that up, have I grown? I believe I have.

I’d hate to think that I hadn’t. What a terrifying prospect stagnation is, regardless of whether you’re paying to be there.

There was a lot I knew about myself that was cemented, some things expanded; some things entirely revealed. I struggled, I succeeded, I failed, I learned. Now, I start again.

@monsherar_

THE VOICE 16

#weareellaboyd

Stepping Up, Stepping Out

By Kira-Leigh Josey Dream big. That is what we are told. So, we list the things we will never be able to do.

What type of things do you normally list down? Skydiving, writing a book, travelling, starting a business? All of these things take time, perseverance and endurance. We may not ever do these things, not because we cannot, but because we are afraid to fail.

I cannot list the number of times I have tried to start writing a book and stopped before I have even finished the first chapter. I will spend hours outlining and planning my characters, and I will know where the story ends, but once I get through the beginning, I just cannot stick it out. I want to go skydiving, but I am terrified. If I never accomplish any of my dreams, then am I really living?

The Bible says that Jesus wishes for us to have a life. He says that it is not just any type of life, but an abundant one (John 10:10)! This year I have wrestled with the idea of what having an abundant life means. Do I have to spend all my time making sure that I have a life overflowing with activities and friends? Endlessly living life to the fullest sounds a little intimidating! Then I realised we are at our best when we are achieving our scariest, most terrifying, unbelievable goals and are doing it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 6:20). We have ambition for a reason! We have dreams that are placed on our hearts for a reason. We are called to make ourselves living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God as our act of worship (Romans 12:1) and so if God wants us to live life to the fullest - reaching our highest potential - then that is what we must do.

Conquering our dreams takes effort, ambition and the right type of mindset. There are posters all around schools educating kids on the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. High schoolers are being taught that anything they dream of is possible if only they adopt the right kind of mentality. It is time we take this idea up to University level!

If you cultivate a growth mindset, you see failure as an opportunity to grow.

People with a fixed mindset accept the norm. They look at what they have done and achieved up until now and accept it as enough. They are reluctant to experience failure. People with a fixed mindset think that they cannot be better than they already are.

They take the easy road instead of the hard road, the escalator instead of the stairs. They give up when things get hard. People with a fixed mindset find that they ignore feedback and view it as a personal criticism. They hinge their identity on how they compare to other people, which, as Theodore Roosevelt said, “is the thief of joy.”

People with a growth mindset are part of a whole other ball game. If you cultivate a growth mindset, you see failure as an opportunity to grow. Challenges are just a part of the learning curve up to greatness. For these people, intelligence and talent are not fixed but can be developed over-time. Self-improvement is not a fruitless task but a responsibility!

New things are exciting adventures rather than daunting mountains and failures are only temporary and a natural waymark on the way to success. In Pastor Nim’s words, these people “fail forward.”

I know which mindset I would rather have, but that does not mean that it is easy to keep or maintain!

What is fantastic is that we can change our mindsets! Positive self-talk can go a million miles into improving how we perceive ourselves and the world. Practice thinking of yourself as someone who can learn and change and is excited to develop new skills and talents. Sometimes we may find ourselves falling into our old patterns, but it is important that we keep pushing towards our goals.

Step up. Make that dream that you are scared of reality. Persevere and see just how much you can do. Whether you are graduating or staying on at Avondale for next year, pursue something that scares you. Grow, become better, develop your talents and do it all for the glory of God.

THE VOICE 18

Talia Hartigan

WO /

1. Do you have any idea what you’re going to do when you graduate?

No idea… Retire?

2. What’s something valuable you’ve learned, but not from a class?

Stop comparing your journey to others. We’re all different, unique and at different stages of life. Boom.

3. Have you picked up any habits, hobbies or characteristics over the past few years?

I can get from home to Avondale in 3 mins flat. Speed bumps = 0: Tal = 10.

4. What movie quote best represents the past few years for you?

“Yeah no, don’t put me down for cardio.” – Pitch Perfect 5. How would your Year 6 teacher describe you, and is it still true?

Bit of a space cadet…...one may or may not still agree.

6. What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve found in the last year?

That I’m not TikTok famous yet????

7. You’re at an interview for your dream job, what’s the biggest thing you want them to know?

Don’t work Saturdays Soz. #Sevvylyfe.

8. And what would you definitely not like them to know?

How quickly I get from home to Avondale.

9. What’s something you’re terrified of happening after you graduate?

Tripping down the stage.

10. Is there something you still don’t think you know?

Lots!

/ MAN Jym Bocala

1. Do you have any idea what you’re going to do when you graduate?

I’m going to try and merge ‘continuous travel’ and ‘teaching’ together. We’ll see how I go.

2. What’s something valuable you’ve learned, but not from a class?

The importance of building positive habits. “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

3. Have you picked up any habits, hobbies or characteristics over the past few years?

The different sayings that have come and gone over the years (if you know you know): “Woooooooooow”, “_______ even!”, “We get iiiiiittt!”, “Unluggy uce!”.

4. What movie quote best represents the past few years for you?

“I feel like a crab in a cage full of fish, but I can’t turn around to watch my tail because I got no neck.”

5. How would your Year 6 teacher describe you, and is it still true?

He would have thought I was crazy for wanting to be a teacher since Grade 6.

He’s not wrong.

6. What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve found in the last year?

ASMR. Highly recommend. 10/10.

7. You’re at an interview for your dream job, what’s the biggest thing you want them to know?

I can make an excellent brew of bubble tea.

8. And what would you definitely not like them to know?

I live aspects of my life as only stepping stones for me to get on Survivor… I’m a freak.

9. What’s something you’re terrified of happening after you graduate?

Tea turns more Chatime than Gongcha.

10. Is there something you still don’t think you know?

What the Bronx Gym is like.

THE VOICE 20

He’s got this

By Kayla Carter It’s been a big year of stepping out - stepping out into the real world, stepping out into a new job, stepping out into a full, tiring week with no more afternoon naps (I know right!), and stepping out from the protective bubble of Avondale.

And the only thing that has kept me grounded through all these new steps is this BIG IDEA, (can you tell I miss College Church a little?)

“Whenever I am stepping OUT into something new and unknown, I am also stepping IN to what God has planned for me.”

This is a scary concept to say the least, but I believe that my time at Avondale really helped shape my faith and trust in God and His plans for my life so that I was ready to accept this idea when it came along three years later.

A lot of you are now in your last few weeks or last few exams of college, and there is probably some nervous energy going on in your lives. I was exactly the same. My last few weeks of college were some of the hardest of my life. My last English class was tough, and I, unfortunately, failed the essay assignment. My entire graduation was now riding on the final exam, and I was not feeling confident at all. My entire plan for graduation and the jobs I was applying for were suddenly thrown into question, and I didn’t know what my future looked like anymore. My only option was to trust that God had this because I sure didn’t.

Spoiler alert: I passed my exam! With a whopping 54%! (As my dad would say, I studied 4% too hard.) Most people wouldn’t love that they finished off their degree with just a pass mark (going out on a real low) but it’s the highlight of my degree – I was taught to place my full trust, and my future plans, in God for those three hours during that exam and it’s allowed me the peace to trust each step I take as I make my way out into this crazy career world because if God could help me through writing about Waiting for Godot for three hours, He’s got this.

@enya.smolka

THE VOICE 22

Avondale was established with the purpose of providing superior Christian education and quality experiences. In your own experience, do you feel that in 2019, they are still achieving this to their utmost ability?

of excellence. As for experiences, I think as Avondale seeks to grow and become more like other Universities in structure, the ability for intentional mentorship and the building of a strong, faith-based community- a trait that originally made Avondale so unique – may be impacted.

Do you feel that Avondale

Chris: I do. In the years I’ve been here,

the one thing that I feel has set Avondale apart is how it prioritises relationships and mentorship. The kind of relationships you build here enable personal growth first and foremost. I find lecturers try to engage with students personally and allow us to engage with them equally in this respect. Naturally, what is taught, and the worldview presented are important, but demonstrating it is what counts.

Angela: Yes, definitely. The lecturers, staff and students generally display some awesome Christian characteristics every day in the way they interact with and care about you. I have been to several non-Christian Universities, and there is a noticeable difference in the way you are treated as well as the differences in special character and worldview.

Emmerson: I think so. Avondale remains strong in holding students to a high academic standard which they have been able to do through their location, lecturers, and size, ultimately upholding a reputation

Real

This week’s panel: Chris McClelland,

slowly transitioning into a University College will improve this experience and Godly centre, why or why not?

Chris: I can understand the concern that the transition will affect Avondale’s direction - change is always a period of uncertainty. I do feel it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though. Opening up the institution’s boundaries a little will bring new opportunities to let these strengths grow and expand. There may be challenges, but the culture here has enough momentum to see it through.

Angela: Yes and no. Hopefully

Avondale does not lose its special character and Godly worldview over the next few years. The direction Avondale is heading is up to the President, staff and students. If there is no strong leadership that pushes for Christian values and education, then there is a good chance Avondale may lose it. However, if the leadership actively promotes Christian values,

Talk

, Angela Wood and Emmerson Grey

then there is a good chance Avondale will maintain and possibly improve its Godly centre.

Emmerson: I think in terms of diversity, Avondale is going to open up significantly from this change which is an awesome opportunity.

In terms of the experience and godly centre, I think it’s important to remember Ellen G White’s words: “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.” As Avondale steps into new territory in terms of regulation, my prayer is that their focus remains on spiritual enrichment and experience not simply gaining higher statuses.

#avon dalexp

THE VOICE 25

The Voice now has Instagram! @thevoiceavondale Tag us in your photos for your chance to win some amazing gifts and features on our page.

THE VOICE 26

The Cheat Sheet

Well, we’re really in the thick of it now. The end is so close! I hope the stress of it all hasn’t completely consumed your college experience - that’s not helpful to anyone. Normally, this section has a few productivity tools sprinkled in, but I figured I’d try and avoid those this time, so you remember there’s more to life than work. This time, I want to look at some things to make your post-semester life more meaningful and maybe, help you learn something new in the process.

APPS JouleBug: These days we’re all becoming a little more conscious, maybe even self-conscious, of how our actions impact the environment. This app is a kind of personal log that encourages you to live more sustainably and save money, doing so by showing you how and also, keeping your score. It kind of feels like ecological Duolingo, without the bird guilt tripping you. {8.5/10} SoloLearn: This app and website is a great way of learning to code. It has deep and detailed tutorials for tonnes of languages and a rich community of 30 million members to help you through them. This may be one of the best ways to learn coding as a hobby at your own pace. {7.5/10} MuseScore: Admittedly, I don’t have much knowledge in this domain, so I’m leaning on some other people’s thoughts here. MuseScore is a notation app for music composing, letting you write sheet music and then playing it back for you. It’s also entirely free to use and rather easy to learn, assuming you know how music works. There’s also a strong social aspect that lets you listen to and learn from other people’s work and share your own if you’re feeling confident enough. {7/10}

Why language is humanity’s greatest invention | David Peterson David Peterson is a linguist, who not only studies the nuances of how languages function, differ and relate (something he is quick to point out is far more complex than most people think), but designs his constructed languages for use in fiction, such as Game of Thrones. In this talk, he presents what he believes to be the inherent artistic beauty of languages akin to art akin, and why learning them is something one could do for its own sake.

YouTube Proko Fine art painter Stan Prokopenko started this channel in 2012 while living with his parents, which has gradually developed into a bank of knowledge to help beginner artists pick up techniques. His videos are practical and easy to follow, almost class-like in many ways. If you’re wanting to pick up some artistic skills, this might be a really good place to start.

Podcast Better Than Yesterday, with Osher Günsberg This podcast describes itself as a “weekly conversation that hopes to help you make today a little better than yesterday.” That’s just sweet, isn’t it? Sifting through the past episodes, Osher has managed to find a broad selection of people with interesting ideas and stories to tell. Authors and entrepreneurs are mixed in with the odd artist and scientist.

There’s bound to be someone who might show you a new way of looking at things in here.

THE VOICE 27

TED Talk

Rising up. Speaking out.

@margaret.g