The Voice October 2015

OCTOBER ISSUE 2015

FROM THE EDITOR There are some customs of middle-class people that I’ll never understand.

We go overseas to stay in resorts, where we can pretend we’re not overseas.

In a world of colour, we paint our houses beige. When a girl turns six, we enrol her in ballet.

Why? In the off chance she’s won the genetic lottery and is actually a born prima ballerina? Because sports where team members actually like each other just won’t prepare her for the cut-throat world of womanhood? Whatever the reason, I too did my time in ballet classes. It was definitely worth it, because I can now twist my feet to opposite angles and know the word ‘pirouette’. My ballet career was short but illustrious. I peaked early, in my second year in fact, at Riverina Dance Spectacular 2001.

We practised for months to prepare for it, an uplifting piece set to triumphant bagpipe music.

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Mum enthusiastically photographed the moment just before our debut: four girls in peach tutus, three of them lithe and dainty, with perfect red and blonde hair sitting perfectly under their tiaras, and then there’s another: a head taller, gap-toothed, puppy fat everywhere and the complexion of a ruddy pirate.

The video of the occasion has since been ‘misplaced’.

Dancing and I just don’t get along, although I do enjoy letting my signature go-go-Sims-hands move rip at the occasional social.

Luckily, there are lots of people at College who are lots better at things than I am at dancing: social media entrepreneurship, relationship advice, and Scottish Highland Dancing.

May their tales inspire us all.

Claudia Houstoun The Voice Editor 2015

Editor Claudia Houstoun Assistant Editor Sharna Kosmeier Graphic Designer Blake Parkinson Thanks: The Macadamia Castle USQ Library Colouring-in book craze SQ Big Camp pie shop Frank No Thanks: New printers BOSTES Kendall Jenner Persisting cash flow problems Write to us! Message us www.facebook.com/ TheVoiceAvondale or email thevoice@avondale.edu.au

Karina Parker

CONTENTS

Karina’s life goal is to travel to every country in the world, currently she’s been to 39.

Lara Campbell Lara once started a battle in a Vietnamese nightclub

2. From the Editor 4. President’s Piece 5. Vox Pop

Emma Stilinović If Emma’s life were a movie quote, it would be “She doesn’t even go here!”

6. Rebecca Smith

Shauna Ryan

8. Project Strong Woman

Meet Shauna, 24. Founder of Project Strong Woman. Fourth year primary education student.

10. Social 12. Wo {man}

Rebecca Smith

14. Spring Fever

Not only is she undoubtedly Avondale’s best Highland Dancer, she’s also excellent at Mickey Mouse voices.

17. Battle of the Big Camps

Blake Parkinson

18. While You Were Sleeping 19. News

Our-long-suffering graphic designer, we felt Blake deserved to have his face in the magazine for once

Dayn Mckay “Sometimes, I’m notwolf-whistled while running and it makes me sad, but then I remember that I’m more of a cat person anyway and it’s all okay again.”

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PRESIDENTIAL PIECE With this potentially being my last Voice article ever, I thought I better be a little reflective and ask one last favour of you all.

I’ve had a great four years here at Avondale and am saddened that there are only four weeks left! I recently accepted a job for next year to Noosa Christian College in Queensland. I’m starting to grow excited for this new adventure, but know I’m going to miss this place!

I’m going to miss the people and the convenience of on-campus life; I’m going to miss the random adventures and sport; I’m going to miss the buffet at every meal and all the worship and social events. I have to toughen up and face real life one day, but the reality is that I’ll never again live and study with so many great people of my age and similar beliefs. I’m expecting to go to a community with approximately zero youth during the uni semester. Hopefully I’m wrong!

Try something new, meet new people, and get involved with things! Community is what makes this place great, and that means you need to play your part. Don’t sit in your room watching tv shows, playing games or scrolling Facebook, wondering why you’re lonely and bored. If there’s nothing else to do, plan something! Time slips away all too quickly, so you need to make the most of it!

The reality is sinking in that my time here is nearly over, and I’m really appreciating what we have here. Make this month awesome and make sure that all of us graduates leave with severe FOMO. All the best with your assessments at this crazy time!

Dayn

It might have been easiest for me to request that you all be really boring and make this last month miserable so that I’ll be happy to get out of here. But instead, please do the opposite – try and make this next month the best ever at College!

Dayn McKay Student President 2015

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VOX POP! IMAGINE A FREAK LEADERSHIP SPILL IN WHICH YOU WERE APPOINTED AS THE NEXT AUSTRALIAN PM. IF YOU COULD ENFORCE ONE SPECIAL LAW, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Lachlan Gatti

Damien Hedges

The first thing that comes to mind is compulsory beach attendance, minimum of one hour a day. They’re just so beautiful, and cater for a lot of different things. Rural residents would either have to find a substitute (river, mountain, etc.) or make a trip to the coast to fill their six-hour quota (Sabbaths are free)!

Make firearms legal for everyone. That seems to solve the USA’s problems…

Adelaide Parkin Open borders and free uni degrees Mikaela Campbell I would abolish permanent jobs and make it mandatory that everyone be put on a contract. That way, when someone was not very good, it would be easy to get rid of them at the end of their contract and exceptional people would just keep having their contract renewed.

Marcus Ballew Allow guns.

Michelle Waters As an avid travel bug enthusiast, I would implement a ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ policy on all international airplane tickets regardless of the destination. Whether you fly next door to NZ, help in a developing country or find yourself on a yolo-solo trip, the government will pay for your 2nd ticket to the location of your choice! Vote Michelle for PM. Blake North I would get rid of the Labor party so that the Liberals can always win.

Tarni Letherbarrow All mining sites on agricultural lands in Australia should be limited to two within a 150-mile radius of each other to ensure the least amount of abolition of lands.

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REBECCA SMITH, HIGHLAND DANCER. Age: 21 Home: Gorokan, Central Coast Degree: Primary teaching

She’s ranked #1 in Australia, NSW State Champion, competed twice in the World Championships in Scotland, placed 10th in the world and danced for the Queen. Meet Rebecca Smith, Highland Dancer.

What is Highland dancing?

Highland dancing is a form of dancing which originated in Scotland. It’s similar to ballet as the dancer needs balance, stamina and pointed toes, but it’s performed to bagpipe music and for traditional dances, we wear kilts.

How did you start?

My mum was NSW champion when she danced, then when she became a teacher 20 years ago she taught my three older siblings, so when I was old enough I wanted to join in as well! At first I was just learning positions and basic movements, going through the levels, but when I was 9 I was good enough to be in the highest level. Since then, I’ve been competing in championships all around Australia.

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What opportunities have come from Highland dancing?

My eldest sister danced for the Sultan of Oman’s birthday, as she was one of the top 25 dancers in Australia at the time of his 50th.

Both my sisters have been lucky enough to dance in the Royal Military Tattoo in Edinbourgh, Scotland. My favourite: in 2011, I was selected to dance for Queen Elizabeth II in Braemar, Scotland!

Oh my goodness! What it was like to dance for the Queen, and what it was like for your sister to dance for the Sultan?

Dancing for the Queen at Braemar Castle was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Even though I wasn’t allowed to talk to her, I got to sit on her chair after she left! Deborah said dancing for the Sultan of Oman for his 50th birthday was exciting; she was flown to Oman for two weeks, they had police escorts everywhere they went. It was pure luxury: a private beach was hired just for them and the bathroom taps were made of gold!

How long were you preparing for the Worlds? How do you even begin preparing for something like that?

This year was a bit stressful, because I’d been out of it for a little while! In January, when I found out I qualified, we upped my training time from 2013. I started training 2.5 hours every day and an additional lesson with a judge.

Describe the atmosphere at the Worlds.

This year the atmosphere wasn’t as friendly as I remembered from 2012. Everyone was really focused and competitive. It was completely different to the championships and competitions in Australia, where everyone is friendly and complements each other on their dancing.

What makes a champion dancer?

At the end of the day, a champion dancer is the one with the best stamina, pointed toes, nice turnout, high elevation, correct technique, and strength in every position.

Also, I like to think a champion dancer always enjoys themselves!

How does dancing make you feel?

Dancing in class clears my head. When I dance on stage, I get mixed emotions; I love the thrill of dancing in front of people and always try so hard to do my best, but even after almost 18 years I still get nervous!

You’re just about to go on stage and compete at the Worlds. What’s going through your head?

This year, all I was thinking about were the steps and just doing my best!

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PROJECT STRONG WOMAN

How does a woman qualify as strong?

Some of us may think of a body builder; how about a person who has overcome great physical, emotional or psychological difficulty? What if I was to call you strong?

You- yes, you- reading this! I don’t know you, but I want to suggest that you are strong.

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In today’s society, in order for a person to be celebrated for their achievements, they must do something outstanding; showing evidence of conquering whatever life has thrown at them. As inspiring as these stories are, what about the rest of us? What about the women who are fighting silent battles- battles that don’t typify what society would identify as worthwhile? Countless unspoken stories flood the hearts and minds of women everywhere; stories of perseverance, character, joy, sadness, courage and strength. This is Project Strong Woman.

In February this year, I was set a challenge by Lindsay Morton to take 40 photographs in 7 days, capturing the essence of a strong woman; thus #projectstrongwoman was born.

In one week, I photographed 50 women and the response was overwhelming! The women I photographed were moved by the sentiments and people experiencing it online were inspired, often wanting to share stories of a strong woman in their lives. After one short week of such positive results, I was motivated to continue running with the vision.

Project Strong Woman was developed to share stories and images of women. Think Humans of New York; only with women,

sharing stories. Its focus is to inspire, empower and celebrate women and the strength that they possess. We live in a society where women often don’t know how to recognise their own strength or the strength of other women around them. This movement was developed to do just that; to honour women of all walks of life as they take on daily battles. Whether the CEO of a multi-national corporation, a cancer survivor, a student, an aspiring artist or a single mother living in a low socioeconomic suburb; this project highlights the fact that every woman is strong.

more on Instagram and Twitter, Project Strong Woman is gaining exposure, connecting with women from all corners of the globe.

Since its launch in June this year, Project Strong Woman has allowed women from all over the world to connect in affirming and celebrating one another and their stories.

Creating a culture where strangers praise each other is unique in today’s society. Project Strong Woman fuels positive and affirming conversation amongst women, which I hope becomes more common. I post a variety of different stories in the hope that a woman scrolling through her newsfeed somewhere in the world can read and relate to another woman’s story- knowing they are not alone in their journey. I believe that every story is of worth and every woman is strong. Now with over 3,400+ followers on Facebook and many

Instagram: @projectstrongwoman

I am excited about what the end of 2015 has in store and can’t wait to share the exciting collaborations coming in 2016 (hint: magazines, radio, conferences, television!) Take a look at Project Strong Woman on the following social media platforms: Facebook: Project Strong Woman

Twitter: @projstrongwoman *if you know of a Strong Woman who could share their story, please email me on projectstrongwoman@gmail.com*

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SOCIAL

#avondalexp SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH US ON INSTAGRAM

WO{MAN} of the month!

Josh Kros

LINDSAY GATES What do you study? What is it about that course that intrigues you?

What hobby would you really like to take up, that you’re not currently involved in?

Bachelor of Education, TAS Specialisation.

As I’m planning on being a Wood-tech teacher, I’m looking forward to doing practical subjects; hands on work is where it’s at! Also, seeing students learn practical skills is very rewarding.

Rowing

Highlight the features of your ideal date.

Same interests, good sense of humour, and loves life. Going to the beach, surfing together, swimming and having hot chips by the sea.

Tell us something interesting about your past that not many people at College know about.

I’m ¼ Russian, and before I went to school I could knit, hit a nail into timber and swim.

What is your opinion on the recent dethroning of Tony Abbott?

It’s all ‘politics’. Back and forth.

Gathered from your experience here at College, what’s your favourite Caf meal?

If you could start a new club at College, what would it be?

It’s all good, but Saturday lunch, gluten steaks and Sunday brunch definitely stand out.

Avondale Boardriders! It’d be a pretty rad club to have, get all the guys and girls here out to the beach surfing and having fun!

What colour eyes do you enjoy staring into the most?

Your eyes.

You’re stranded on an island for a month and have two things…

Surfboard and wax (hopefully there’s surf)!

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You just received an all-expenses-paid offer to travel anywhere in Australia. Where do you go?

Green Island, South Coast NSW. It’s one of the best left-hand points on the East coast and, being a goofy, going there will be special to me. After recently going there for midsemester break, I can’t wait to get back there again. Expenses paid? I’d say yes to that!

ss introduces two of Avondale’s finest.

MEGAN TAYLOR What do you study? What is it about that course that intrigues you?

Tell us something interesting about your past that not many people at college know about.

BA in History It intrigues me because it’ll get me into law school.

I went to a different school every year of high school, one in Canada, where I survived -50 degree weather!

Highlight the features of your ideal date.

Going for a surf and then heading to Ted’s Bakery for a mahi-mahi sandwich, and maybe a bonfire on the beach with music.

What is your opinion on the recent dethroning of Tony Abbott?

C’est la vie

Gathered from your experience here at College, what’s your favourite Caf meal?

If you could start a new club at college, what would it be?

I am thankful for brunch on Sundays!

Project Magpie Extermination Club (I have experienced their wrath!).

What colour eyes do you enjoy staring into the most?

Blue You’re stranded on an island for a month and have two things…

Johnny Depp. A car door so I can roll down the window in case it gets hot

You just received an all-expenses-paid offer to travel anywhere in Australia. Where do you go?

Probably Queensland…Gold Coast for surfing, but I’ve always wanted to see the Great Barrier Reef!

What hobby would you really like to take up, that you’re not currently involved in?

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Definition: a term applied to the heightened vitality, assignment stress and greatly increased relationship start-up rate amongst College students during Spring Advantages of Avondale’s Marriage Course As a pending granduand of the nationallyrenowned Avondale Marriage Course, I have come to believe that it’s one of the best courses at Avondale. I’d give it a ‘strongly recommend’ on any SEQ. But, be warned: this course is not for the fainthearted.

Avondale’s ratio of four females to every male* means that, sorry ladies, the odds will never be in our favour. Approximately 30% of males arrive at College already partnered up (I’ve heard this phenomenon described as ‘going to a buffet with a full stomach’), 10% are not interested for various reasons, 20% have done some pre-enrollment hunting and gathering, leaving only 40% in the single category (and a variable number of those are of ‘eligible’ status)**. Ladies, it’s the Hunger Games out there. Brace yourselves.

Proverbs 18:22 says, “She who finds a husband—at Avondale—finds a good thing” (NLP)***. With only four years to find your soul mate, you have to make the most of the numerous opportunities that Avondale provides for romance to blossom - flirtatious moments in the library, long strolls down College Drive, frolicking with the goats, romantic dinners at the Caf, stolen kisses

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after basketball outside Ella****. If all goes well, you might just find yourself in your final year with a rock on that finger, a wedding/ honeymoon/life to plan, five subjects a semester, an 8-week prac and no money.

It will all be worth it, though, because there’s nothing better than leaving Avondale with a degree in one arm, a hubby on the other, a massive combined HECs and wedding debt on your shoulders (and sometimes a baby!) as you drive off into the sunset ready to tackle life as a twosome. Blissful. *Is this even a legit statistic? **These statistics are based on hours (nay, days!) of lengthy research I have taken and are completely accurate and credible. ***New Lara Paraphrase ****If you are a couple that is okay with making out in front of Ella please re-evaluate your choices.

-Lara Campbell

Forever Alone If you frequently find yourself sitting alone in the Caf on Thursday night, feel alienated during open dorms or judged because you came to College seeking only a degree, this article is for you!

So you’ve come to the land of milk and honeys, but it’s semester two and you still haven’t found yourself a soul mate. If you’re a first year, you’ve got plenty of time, but if you’re a fourth year, well, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve chewed your fingernails down to the nailbeds. Heaven forbid that you graduate without a marriage certificate tucked behind that Bachelor degree!

The rather unfortunate thing about coming here is the stereotypes that you smash into like a brick wall. If your experience telling family and friends where you study was anything like mine, I’m sure you can relate to awkwardly smiling and laughing along to jokes about only choosing Avondale to find a partner. To this day, I’m grilled about my relationship status during every family Sabbath lunch. Daily on Facebook I see relationships blossoming, engagements and sickeningly cute wedding photos. It seems that starting a relationship at College is like

catching the flu and I’m the only one who is immune. It’s hard not to feel that being single is abject failure.

You know what? I’m calling nonsense on the whole idea that you’re going to (or need to) find a partner at Avondale. If you’re engaged and studying, you’re actually in the minority.

Only 15% of Australians 25 and under get married (compared to 75% in 1976!)1.

If statistics aren’t enough to defuse that Ring

by Spring myth, here’s a list of my favourite couples who met or got together AFTER college: - - - -

Jim and Pam Ross and Rachel Han Solo and Leia Will and Kate

If you’re feeling overwhelmed because all your friends are starting relationships and you’re not, take my advice: Embrace being single, treat yo’self, and find joy in the fact that when that jerk breaks your friend’s heart, you can be the one to say ‘I told you so’.

-Karina Parker

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Battle of the Big Camps QLD vs NSW

In a polite mood, I’d say that QLD and North NSW Big Camps are too different to compare and that each is its own unique experience.

But that’s no fun, so I put on my judging pants and decided to choose a winner.

For those of you how don’t know what Big Camp is, it’s when a bunch Adventists go camping for a week, have church every day and look slightly cultish. Oh, it’s fun.

Activities: When you are killing time between meetings, both camps offer the obvious: hanging out with friends, seeing how many Avondale pens can be stolen from the Expo, going on an endless search for a place to charge your phone, and making ultraconservatives feel uncomfortable by playing card games.

Only NNSW, though, offers a beach within walking distance and sunburn, glorious sunburn. However, to rival the surfing and midnight bonfires, QLD’s location allows for one’s bank account to be completely emptied by shopping trips to DFO, getting bored to death in the Movie World queues and afternoons strawberry picking. The point for activities goes to NNSW, purely because I’m broke.

Spirituality: The Youth Tent meetings at both camps vary every year so it’s hard to compare.

In some years, things somehow combine to feel like a half-risen soufflé. Both camps have had years, though, that were so amazing you felt like you’d grown a whole decade in spiritual years. So, for meetings I give them a point each.

Miscellaneous: QLD gets a bonus point for the best vegetarian pie shop in the history of Adventism. Its Big Tent is also bigger, a true behemoth of canvas. NNSW gets two bonus points, one for being closer to College, and one for actually occurring during midsemester break rather than a sneaky week’s absentia from class.

So, with a total of four points in my extremely biased polling system, I declare NNSW the winner for this round of the Battle of the Big Camps. Well done; you can collect your prize in April.

By Emma Stilinović

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While You Were Sleeping…

ELLE Magazine (UK) photoshopped the men out of political photos and entertainment media. The pictures became ghost towns (see above).

Source: SBS news A man was found in a kitchen cupboard after breaking out of a Sydney prison over two months ago. The 58 year old has since been charged with escaping lawful custody.

Source: ABC News New in fashion!

Models carrying each other like human backpacks down the runway have literally turned the traditional idea of modeling on its head. Showcased in Rick Owens’ latest spring collection entitled ‘Cyclops,’ the designer says the main theme was “women supporting women.” Sounds legit.

Source: Pret-a-Reporter

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A team of scientists have “hollered and hooted” at the discovery of a new genus of Indonesian rat with exceptionally long pubic hair. Dr. Jake Esselstyn says, “We know this rat is new because it has several features that are not known on any other rats.” However Facebook commenter, John Revill argues that he has seen several ‘long-snouted’ rats in parliament.

Source: ABC News Australian metadata retention laws became effective on Tuesday, October 13. In a word: your online activities can be watched. Search ‘virtual private networks’ if you’d prefer not.

Source: SBS News

Some are Born Mediocre There are always people better than us. And we can get used to that, but we also know someone who can do just about everything, and do it well. They’re smart, can sing, and are super good at a sport or five. Meanwhile, some of us are proud of getting up in time for three whole breakfasts a week. Those ultra-humans put a chink in my armour, because life often feels like a constant battle against mediocrity.

Finally, though, I know of someone who is excellent at what he does: and I actually feel better for it. Brandon Stanton is good at what matters – building rapport with people, and encouraging them to share their stories in a humble yet inspiring way. His photography project turned blogging sensation, Humans of New York (HONY) had a modest beginning in 2010 as Stanton roamed the streets with his camera. Since then, it has raised millions of dollars, produced a best-selling book and provided a refreshing read in a newsfeed cluttered with Kardashians, mindless vines and dehumanising ads. But what makes Brandon so special?

In an interview with the ABC last week, he revealed that one in three people he asks for an interview say no. The important lesson here is to appreciate what happened with those who said yes.

Social media focuses on the best, let’s say, 5% of people’s lives. This selective and unrealistic portrayal of themselves creates a utopian ‘reality’ which seems impossible to ever live up to. And that’s because it is.

By looking at the other 95%, the raw yet beautiful aspects of every day people, Brandon is building a global community that understands and appreciates that we are far from glamorous. So next time you find yourself insta-stalking a model 30 hash tags deep, or someone who apparently spends every day surfing and drinking organic smoothies, browse HONY instead.

Let yourself get lost next to a homeless man, a child in Pakistan or a lady bedecked in green.

That 95% of you is there for a reason.

-Sharna Kosmeier

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