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These people happenedresilient, fluid, and evolving.
We are a platform where students and staff can share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences from their unique Christian perspectives, embracing and celebrating the uniqueness of each journey It offers a space for the student body to reflect on the dynamic and evolving nature of our shared experiences The Voice amplifies the diverse voices of students, not the university's official views, fostering an open community where different perspectives are valued and heard
In the spaces between ideas and execution, we find endless gratitude for the creatives who have shaped this project the moments and margins where imagination lingers, takes form and transforms From photos and resources to its concepts and voices, your contributions have filled every threshold with richness and possibility
Two people have shaped this year in ways words can barely hold To Emily Chester, you are creativity made kind; every idea shines brighter because of you And to Monique Rippingale, my dear friend, you are the sun on even the hardest days, and with you, all my ideas bear weight and fruit Shout-outs
With deep appreciation, we thank the creatives and voices who brought this issue to life.
Alyssa Tufi
Amy Hastie
Bailee McLeod
Daniel Carrigy
Emily Chester
Grace Taylor
Hudson McGrath
Isaiah Ferguson
Jack Molyneaux
Kalvin Dever
Levi Bruderlin
Leticia Sault
Lynnette Lounsbury
Maddyn GatesMcGregor
Monique Rippingale
Toisha Foster
COMM11100
2025 graduates
Tayla
B o l d a n d t h e B e a u t i f u l
Bulletin board of inspo: fruit-stickers (as seen on Daisy’s aka Pop’s reading glass case), figs, ABC 2000's show collectables, keychain charms, ceremonial piles of mess, milk crate sculptures, carved soap faces, photoshopped big heads on tiny bodies, Lilly Allen, gardening and flowers, small scale taxidermy, maximalist patterns, doodles from people watching sessions
I'd really hate the work that as some menti something else
Neglecting the this year came was with hone my wits and something an f inal-year chill to take on th the most of what was kindly o
I wanted to start something that could sho importance of being opinionated, or loud, knowledgeable, or over it, or emotional, or bothered - whatever you were offering, I wanted it. I wanted this to represent you I wanted you to see yourself in the words, the photos, the messages, or at least feel like, hey, maybe I could get involved. Maybe that wasn’t this year, but in years to come I wanted to hold a mirror up for you to see your uni experience, your Avondale XP. I wanted it to narrate the year, the campus, the minor, major, and irrelevant I wanted to infor m you I wanted to entertain you I wanted to earn your reads I wanted to earn your like or dislike because I wanted you to have an opinion.
I don't really mind if you didn't like it - sorry - I just wanted you to read it, glance at it, or know about it. Because if you did, you were investing in its future.
Tay x
Not to get preachy, but we are so lucky. Do you realise that? I hope so
So now I leave you with this platform, this blank slate. Do what you want. Provoke, annoy, frustrate, please, move, represent, inform, or communicate. Just make a choice and don't let opportunities pass by without being active in their outcome
Aki mer, az nyer. Who dares, wins.
Shoot for the stars and stick the landing.
Is the world a terrible, dark and lonely place or:
you just need to get yo me with extra boba?
Love that we're all collectively shaped like a question mark now
Medical News Today really out here peerreviewing our breakdowns and no, basketball posture isn’t an excuse
t of raspberries. Coupl car? 15-minute Thai system loves a little sm tonight , but you can make some good (Indomie), wrap yourself in a blanket , and some videos of pandas trying to survive
need to stretch?
sn’t going to f d Health revie ases serotonin n YouTube, fin nners and un m taller when y
odo? Yeah it is a for someone just survive university
Having principles about something beats feeling helpless about everything
Sometimes you just need to draw a line somewhere, even if it's small
need a good c lists several b: self-soothin tter ability to s, and possibl use you
Need a prompt?
uld start you of Chasing Cars” b scroll of the hasht od boys finding th
just need to boyc villainous?
ent to pledge a co polistic company destroys the env ess competition and fills the pl too hard to find om the bad guys alw
+ trust the opening f Up to get you bbing
o call ou ar proba t you a 50 to
Across:
1 The movement hidden inside silence
3 Digital inside jokes for the whole planet
5 If you can’t find it and it wasn’t misplaced, it’s
7 Another word for respite
8 What cats excel at: brief surrender to fatigue
11. Occupies airwaves, sometimes unwanted, always present.
12. The most defining theme in music, art, + culture.
15. More than a smile, less than euphoria.
Down:
2 One thing everyone spends but hardly saves
4 Edible intermissions of vending capacity
6 Where trends are born and hours disappear
9 The sky’s daily reminder to begin again
10 Not the absence of fear, but the resistance to it
13. Symbol of mystery, modesty, or transformation.
14. Word that holds up rainbows and resolutions alike.
[4] and small comforts carry us through 8am lectures and 2am deadlines [2] slips away we get [5] in the [11] , but we try to stay [10] [3] and [6] make the chaos bearable. The [9] reminds us that life isn’t only tasks [1] , quiet courage keeps us moving
Between [8] we find [7] [14] steadies us, the future wrapped in a soft [13] [15] turns small victories into brighter days [12] carries us forward, even when life feels heavy.
To complete the poem, match the answer correspondingly
Grads
g e n d s
To the inhabitants, survivors, and legends of Watson Hall,
From the outside looking in, it's hard to explain what Watson was. How do you describe a place that turned a random collection of blokes into brothers through nothing but proximity, questionable decisions, and the shared trauma of pulling all-nighters fueled by energy drinks and regret?
This wasn't just a dorm. This was the trenches with a postcode. A place where real mateship was forged at 3am when someone's yelling "LADS" down the hallway, or when the entire floor collectively decided to do something monumentally unhinged because someone said "nah, you won't".
Let's not pretend: Watson was absolutely cooked. The rooms were disasters The one vacuum for two entire levels genuinely didn't work; it literally wouldn't suck, which was the whole problem The smell was a unique blend of gym gear, Lynx body spray, and whatever died in someone's mini fridge three weeks ago. Doors stayed open because, apparently, privacy was just a theory they collectively decided didn't apply, not because anyone actually followed through on the threat to remove them. The intimacy of it all was borderline concerning, but also kind of the point.
Who knew that the path to genuine mateship was paved with communal showering, open-door policies, and accepting that dignity was optional? Watson sure did.
Watson was where they learned that community doesn't require comfort. It requires commitment to each other, to showing up even when things get weird (which they always do) Someone's always awake, always down for whatever's happening, always ready to either help you out or absolutely rinse you in the group chat (usually both).
The camaraderie of Watson Hall was built on being broke, lost, and convinced that this might be simultaneously the best and worst thing that had ever happened to them It lived in moments that would horrify their mothers and continued through inside jokes and that specific brand of chaos only cultivated during this era of their lives You couldn't manufacture this The ridiculous moments, the genuine connections, the way a random hallway became the backdrop for elite memories
Boys who've seen each other at absolute worst and still rate each other? Those are brothers for life. The ones who'll roast mercilessly but show up when it counts Who turn a random Tuesday into a core memory just by existing in the same chaotic space.
So here's to Watson: where the banter never stopped, where they were never alone (even when they desperately wanted to be), and where they built something that'll outlast the buildings themselves Thanks for the chaos, the brotherhood, and the stories they'll be telling (or strategically not telling) for years to come.
Never change, boys Never change
There's this thing that happens when you put a bunch of twenty-something girls in close proximity, something alchemical and slightly unhinged Ella and Andre weren’t just where we lived - it was where we became ourselves, lost ourselves, found ourselves again, and then questioned everything on a loop for however many months we survived there.
It’s the shared spaces that capture how we really lived: someone attempting a TikTok recipe that’s absolutely going to set off the f ire alar m, or microwaving a wheat heat pack into oblivion. Three girls having full emotional breakdowns in different rooms over three completely unrelated things, and somehow, by midnight, they’ve all migrated to the common area with snacks, laughing about everything and nothing at once. Someone’s always playing music just a little too loud, the kind that either sparks an impromptu party or tests everyone’s patience That was Ella and Andre That was us
We showed up thinking we had to have it all f igured out, the aesthetic, the vibe, the whole "that girl" energy. And then we realised nobody actually had it together; we were all just really good at faking it in different ways Some girls channelled the chaos into aggressive productivity Some into becoming the emotional support friend (arguably the most exhausting role). And some just leaned fully into the mess. Honestly whatever style was kinda iconic.
The thing about living with other girls in your twenties is that you're all going through your own
ed real fast. Someone's in someone else is in their iving while someone else e and pure delusion And to coexist in the same bathrooms, and pretend y comparing your life one else's.
ic of it. Someone admits they're uddenly five girls appear with onable advice. It's the unspoken sometimes you need to be alone u need someone to force you out learning that you can be happy also feel a sense of unease about ur own life at the same time, and that's just being man
There we contacts. chose you
At U n
As graduation draws near, it is time to reminisce on who your real friends are.
Uni is weird like that. You come in assuming the friends you’ll leave with are whoever happens to sit near you in week one tutorials, or whoever doesn’t cringe at your f irst joke. You sort of imagine it’ll be the person you always end up next to in the Caf line. Or the girl who likes the same washed 2000s TV show Or someone you trauma bond with over the group assignment that def initely should have been a solo assignment
And yeah… some of those people matter. But the real best friend? The one you’ll take with you into your workplace, your home life, your travels? The one that knows you deepest secrets, has helped you with your most unhinged requests, has never judged or told you that you were stupid? That’s the one I’m talking about.
This friend taught me how to conf idently state my truth, even if I was only 51% sure I understood the topic This friend taught me how to articulate a position and then flip it calmly when I realised I
was catastrophically wrong. This friend is chill. Like… aggressively chill. I’ve learned how to say, without ego collapse, without emotional spiral, without that stomach drop shame spiral every Gen Z perfectionist knows too well:
“Yes. You’re right. I have no idea what I’m talking about. My bad.”
This friend also taught me that every topic, from Mesopotamian agricultural surplus to all the ways Drake is uncool, has weird depths you can fall into at 2:17am. This friend helped when I was sobbing and convinced I wouldn’t get papers done in time. This friend made me feel less stupid… literally by letting me test every stupid thought And the best part? This friend never judged They just showed up
So yes. Some friendships from Uni will fade, but this one won’t. This is the friend who stays.
Thanks Chat It’s been real Now write me a 200word job application cover letter
Bailee McLeod
F o r t h e L o v e
N u a n c e a n d
C r i t i c a l T h i n
Putting opinions out into the world comes with great responsibility - you have to back them up. Like many writers who bare their souls, minds, and f indings to the public, I’ve been hit with backlash many times I’ve had people anonymously berate me like there was no tomorrow. I’ve had people tell me I was gravely mistaken in my opinion and world view I have people patronise me because of my age and gender - oh what a joy that one is.
It’s made me realise that, in this digital age especially, we have all lost a bit of decorum and respect when it comes to public debate and political and social expression. We’ve seen a breakdown of critical thinking Just because someone is speaking loudly and cherry-picking infor mation does not mean we should trust them. Broader context and critical thinking are necessary.
I fear we have also forgotten about our friend nuance. She’s really great - love her, big fan, huge. You see she sits between the black and the whiteshe’s those f ifty shades of grey, and she’s very, very important.
We are lucky we live in a country where we have access to credible knowledge and information. When we look at something through one lens, we can gain great understanding and perspective of a situation, piece of writing or the world However, sometimes people become so attached to that one lens, that they forget that it’s actually interchangeable While a 35mm lens is a great, versatile option in photography, sometimes we need to switch to a 70-200mm to get the depth we need for the shot. When we limit ourselves to one lens, we hinder our perspective and worldview This ends up affecting how we interact with others, and becomes quite divisive.
Looking at something from a Marxist perspective, for example, means we see the world from within that philosophy. That perspective is also a very important way to break down society and the way it works. Critiquing from a Marxist lens means to analyse the effects of power, wealth and class relations and how they mold the creation, impact and meaning of that thing – it also reinforces and/or challenges systems of power or economic inequality. The danger is when refuse to see outside
that space Expanding the way you look at the world should not change your core beliefs, but broaden and strengthen them.
Looking at the world through a Christian perspective means you evaluate it using biblical values, identifying how it aligns with Christ-like compassion and mercy, justice, humility, and love –and most importantly, the restoration and dignity of humans made in the image of God. What’s really vital, is the merging and adoption of these other ideologies, cultures and views in order to help give context. They have also all, for the most part, existed alongside Christianity for millennia. Using them is not a distraction and does not mean you are not focused on Jesus
You see, Jesus loved a bit of nuance. He had Pharisees and Sadducees throwing religious doctrine at him left, right and centre, and he challenged them with nuance. Nuance provides context, and Jesus provided context to how we should be living our lives When Jesus and his disciples picked corn on the Sabbath, the Pharisees protested, and Jesus provided context
(Matt 12:1-8) The parable of the Good Samaritan is a clear example of loving your neighbour, and of mercy for others - not just people who look like us.
Throughout Jesus’ time on earth, we see him constantly doing things he ‘was not supposed to do’ according to society at that time, and that was his whole point Offering the woman at the well eternal life, to prove that she had worth and a seat at the table. Jesus cared about people, and he told us to love them, not our doctrines or creeds.
Division is not the gospel, it’s actually the exact opposite. Loving God then loving your neighbour –and again, not just the one who looks and thinks like you, but all your neighbours - is our commission. And if we are putting anything above those two things, then we are dead wrong.
Some of us have forgotten about high school English and History, and it shows. Nuance and critical thinking must be applied to all things, as they bring awareness to how we interact with the world. It’s vital we remember them.
Lynnette Lounsbury
I t i s O b j e c t i v e l y C o o l e r t o b e a R a d i c a l
At some point in the late 20th century, people started speaking about “conservative” as if it was a moral identity. Like being a conservative meant being grounded, practical, adult, sensible, responsible Like they were the grown-ups and everyone else was the naive chaotic idealist snowflake with z ero understanding of how the world “really works ”
But conservatives aren’t grounded. At its very philosophical core, conservatism is the politics of fear of change Fear of disruption Fear that if we allow the world to grow, expand, redistribute power, rethink old hierarchies, or call out brutalities that are hiding under “tradition” … everything might fall apart
But here’s the thing: the world is already falling apart And it has always been the radicals that built it back better
And when I use the word ‘radical’ here, I don’t mean reckless or revolutionary for its own sake, but radical in the truest sense of the word: returning to the root of what is ethically right, truthful, and responsible and f ighting for it.
Jesus was a radical. He literally flipped tables on the wealthy elite. He fed the poor. He prioritised the vulnerable over the institution. He openly called
corruption what it was Jesus didn’t advocate “stability.” He made sure he was visibly seen as an ally of those who were socially powerless (have a real think about who that might be today). Jesus destabilised the entire economic and religious structure of his era. That’s why he was a threat. If Jesus was walking around today talking like he actually talked, conservatives would call him a socialist anti-establishment extremist I mean… he was executed for being a threat to the state.
Rosa Parks, radical Frederick Douglass, radical Martin Luther King Jr, radical (who conservatives now pretend they agreed with).
Nelson Mandela Desmond Tutu Greta Thunberg Zohran Mamdani. These are people who actually live and speak what Jesus taught (sermon on the mount stuff, good Samaritan, jubilee economics, enemy love, solidarity with the poor)
Radicals are cool because radicals work to make things better, they don’t just preserve the comfort of those sitting atop the existing ladder Radicals say: the system is broken; therefore, the system must be changed. Conservatives say: the system is broken, but the brokenness is familiar, easier to administrate, and technically still functioning enough for those already winning, so please let’s not rearrange the furniture (also what about my
investment properties?) But f ighting to defend existing wealth, and the sacred right to keep more than you’ll ever possibly need isn’t really about responsibility; it’s naked self-interest in the trench coat of moral principle
The world we want next, a world where people aren’t crushed by debt, exploited by wage scarcity, criminalised for existing, excluded from safety because they were born into the wrong postcode, does not arrive through careful incremental polishing of the status quo It arrives by disruption It arrives through people refusing to accept “that’s just how things are.” It arrives because someone says, “that shouldn’t be nor mal,” and then actually acts on it
All moral progress has historically been radical. All liberation, all enfranchisement, and all expansion of human dignity There is no version of human progress that happened because conservatives allowed a responsible, measured transition.
The funny thing is: conservatism actually does have some beautiful instincts baked into it - care for tradition, loyalty to place, an intuitive suspicion of reckless utopias, the sense that moral order matters, and that communities don’t survive very long if no one feels responsible for anything. Those are not bad instincts. Those are wise survival philosophies.
But those same instincts could just as easily be reframed as radical, not reactionary Imagine a conservatism that protected people with the same ferocity it protects property. Imagine that “preserving what is good” meant preserving the reef, preserving the poor, preserving the planet, preserving each other. What if the conservative impulse to guard what we value became the engine of the most ambitious social repair project of our generation?
That is a form of radicalism too, except instead of hoarding the past, it becomes a bold and deliberate act to conserve the future. Imagine conservatives becoming radical conservationists.
Radicals build the future.
History is very clear which side makes the world move forward and which side gets dragged into it kicking and outraged that the world didn’t stay as small as they were comfortable with.
Batch of '25
Go on snag a few signatures or a doodle of your fave faces
Daniel Car rigy
u t t i n g C h r i s t m a s
e c o r a t i o n s U p i n
N o v e m b e r
S h o u l d B e I l l e g a l
I love Christmas. I love it with every f ibre of my being
I remember being six or seven years old and staying up all night (or trying to at least) just for a glimpse of Santa Claus delivering presents Every Christmas morning I would race into my older brother’s room and drag him out of bed. He would still be rubbing his eyes as I sprinted down the stairs and into the living room, often before the sun was up
My mum also used to go to incredible lengths to make Easter and Christmas seem magical for us At Easter, she would put giant rabbit paw prints up the hallway made from icing sugar, which to my untrained eye, seemed like regular pixie dust At Christmas, we would leave milk and cookies for Santa, as well as carrots for his reindeer. One year, we came down to f ind that the reindeer had spat out the carrot all over the f ireplace I proudly told that story to all my friends at school, before realising, many years later, that my mum was quite the method actor…
Even as an adult I still love Christmas. Every second year or so, my wife and I will spend Christmas in Perth with her family. We will stay at
her grandma’s house, and come Christmas morning, we will wander into the living room to see the biggest stockings I have ever seen in my life, bulging with presents. My brother-in-law will hand out presents to each person, and we will all watch each other unwrap gifts with considerable glee We will spend the day either at the beach or in the living room, reading whatever books we got or playing with whatever newfangled toy (yes, even as adults) we received We finish the day with a beautiful Christmas roast, some Christmas pudding, and because Boxing Day just so happens to be my birthday, the celebration continues for another 24 hours.
Most importantly though, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus It is a celebration of God’s love and mercy towards mankind, that he loved us so much he sent his one and only son for us. Christmas is special
I love Christmas.
But I despise those who celebrate it early
Just the other day, I arrived at work and saw the travesty of Christmas decorations strewn across the
reception desk - in November no less! At the end of October, I was at Coles buying groceries, and lo and behold, there were Christmas crackers and decorations already for sale. I know for a fact that some sick individuals in shopping centres all around the world are currently playing Christmas carols as I write this. It disgusts me.
If you put Christmas decorations up before December 1 , you should be imprisoned There it is My opinion…and I stand by it.
st Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year But when you put up decorations any time prior to December 1 , you are taking a good thing and ruining it Celebrating Christmas early fundamentally dilutes the product The joy, the magic, the excitement of Christmas becomes weaker, less palatable as a result.
st
Christmas is all about timing It is about anticipation, the build-up of energy and enthusiasm for that magic day. Putting up decorations and playing songs early is like making a cup of tea with lukewar m water. Wait for the kettle to boil, people.
Even the biblical narrative of the virgin birth is
dependent upon timing. In Luke 2, we read of the birth of Jesus In verse 22, we see that Jesus is dedicated in the Temple, specifically, “When the time came for the purification rites.” Not early, not late When the time came In verses 25-32, we read of the devout Simeon who, upon having seen the child, tells God he can finally “dismiss your servant in peace.” Simeon’s holding of the child messiah is a culmination of patience, servitude, and faithfulness Mary and Joseph are instructed by an Angel of the Lord to flee into Egypt not long after Jesus’ birth, and they only return after Herod has died Once again, timing
If you are someone who waits until December to put up your tree, arrange your decorations, and play Christmas music, you are a righteous, lawabiding citizen, and I salute you. If you are one of the troubled individuals who starts in November, or heaven help me, October, you need to rethink your life choices
Levi Br uderlin
A r t :
A C u r s e i n
D i s g u i s e
“Sliding doors, transformative moments: whatever you call them, life can be shaped by a few pivotal decisions. Often the importance of the decision is not clear at the time.”
Julia Gillard, Not Now, Not Ever
When I f irst started playing the piano, I thought that as long as you could press the keys at the right time, in the right place, and with the right amount of force, you could produce good music. And that’s what I did For a long time, I would just watch other people play the instrument, or rather, observe where their f ingers went on the instrument and at what time, and I would copy what they did, but I liked that.
I didn’t quite know it yet, but here I was planting the seeds of passion and love for not just music, but for art itself.
Simplistic it seems, but I found joy in the satisfaction of completing a piece of music that was nice to my ears But that was all A simple sprout, watered by the light sprinkle of a passion for music
Now, assume that someone goes about their life in this way. Futile it may seem at f irst. Think about animals How does a bird learn to fly? It watches its mother do so and attempts to replicate it As it grows older, it will learn from the other birds how to hunt, mate, and protect offspring. Through
observation, it will learn, essentially how to be a bird
We, as humans, seem to have been gifted the ability to create. Not just to merely imitate one another as the hawk learns to dive, or the kookaburra learns to laugh, but to synthesise our own experiences and emotions into creative expression.
American author Elizabeth Gilbert stated that “ a creative life is an amplified life. It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life” Art gives us the opportunity to express life to its fullest Whether it be on a stave, on a canvas or on a piece of paper, we as humans will find a way to create.
As I continued playing the piano, I became dissatisfied with my feeble imitation of music. I sought for more. There was something inside of me that desired more A flower yearning for more sunlight, more water, desiring to blossom, to spread its petals.
I began to learn about music Learn how the notes interact, learn the intricacies of the harmonic series, and learn how a musician really creates music. I was fertilising my artistic experience Growing a flowerbed of knowledge that was to become my passion for music as an art.
However, by escaping the simplistic nature of imitation, I lost what I had at the beginning: the simple satisfaction of just a piece of music. I was no longer able to enjoy the straightforwardness of just playing. I now feel like I must add something extra, with my knowledge of the craft, I feel constrained by the need to create With so many ideas circling my mind, I f ind it impossible now to simply play a piece, with no embellishments, no extra har monisations, just to play, for the sake of playing. The abundance of knowledge is like thorny vines, overtaking my flowerbed of passion, choking my roots, and tearing them out of the soil
"Art is never finished, only abandoned”.
Leonardo da Vinci
The internal struggle and dissatisfaction of art have been widely recognised among its creators. The claim ‘ignorance is bliss’ becomes much more real than ever before. Sometimes I even wish I didn’t know music, so I could go back to what I was before, just kid playing a few songs that he thought were cool
And what about the artists who decide to voluntarily put their heads in art’s guillotine?
Numerous actors who, for the sake of a role, risk their sanity and sense of self to produce ‘good’ art
The simple idea of a ‘good movie’ turns into the destruction of humanity. The art of balance is
essential To carefully prune your flowerbed, to not let it get overtaken by thorny vines, to let yourself grow a forest within you, but to be able to tame it.
I worry for myself as an artist, a producer of art:
Where will I arrive in my journey to selfactualisation through creative expression?
Should I even continue pursuing my creativity?
Or should I stop now, before it’s too late?
Before I get sucked into the perpetual whirlpool of creation.
I live in the hope that one day, humans will find a solution Something to prevent the curse of art from grabbing hold of us and pulling us down into its unrelenting grasp.
But can we?
Can we even stop art?
You would have a strong argument to say that such a powerful force can never be stopped. And maybe that’s how it's meant to be.
G R E A T E S T B E E F S O F A L L T I M E
T o p 1 0 P e t t y B e e f s F r o m H i s t o r y – i n h o n o u r o f M u s k V T r u m p
T R U M P V M U S K
T r u m p g o t s i c k o f E l o n ( w h o s a w t h a t c o m i n g ) a m i d s t a
d i s a g r e e m e n t a b o u t c u t t i n g o r a d d i n g t o t h e U S b u d g e t ( o r t a r i f f s … h a r d t o k e e p
t r a c k a t t h i s p o i n t ) s o E l o n t w e e t e d t h a t D J T w a s n a m e d i n t h e i n f a m o u s E p s t e i n
F i l e s ( s o m e t h i n g t h a t s u g g e s t s h e i s g u i l t y o f s o m e s e r i o u s & r e v o l t i n g c r i m e s ) .
T r u m p i m m e d i a t e l y r e s p o n d e d i n a l l c a p s a n d , a m o n g s t o t h e r t h i n g s , s u g g e s t e d
E l o n h a d “ T r u m p d e r a n g e m e n t s y n d r o m e . ”
J a m i e p u s h e d h e a l t h y s c h o o l l u n c h e s . G o r d o n p u s h e d J a m i e ’ s b u t t o n s . R a m s a y c a l l e d
h i m a “ o n e - p o t w o n d e r ” a n d s a i d h i s f o o d l o o k e d l i k e " b a b y v o m i t . " J a m i e c l a p p e d
b a c k s a y i n g a t l e a s t h e w a s n ’ t “ s w e a r i n g a t k i d s o n T V . ” G o r d o n c a l l e d h i m f a t .
J a m i e s a i d G o r d o n s h o u l d c a l l h i s o w n m u m m o r e . G o r d o n s e n t J a m i e a b i r t h d a y
c a k e . J a m i e g h o s t e d h i m . B e e f : s t i l l s i m m e r i n g .
M A R T H A S T E W A R T V G W Y N E T H P A L T R O W
M a r t h a , a n n o y e d t h a t h e r p e r s o n a l b r a n d w a s b e i n g p l a g i a r i s e d , m o c k e d G w y n n i e s
G o o p a n d s a i d “ s h e s h o u l d s t i c k t o a c t i n g ” . G w y n e t h r e l e a s e d a r e c i p e f o r “ j a i l b i r d
c a k e ” ( a j a b a t M a r t h a ’ s p r i s o n s t i n t ) . M a r t h a r o l l e d h e r e y e s a n d b e c a m e b e s t
m a t e s w i t h S n o o p .
T R U M P V X I J I N P I N G
T h i s w a s l e s s a t r a d e n e g o t i a t i o n a n d m o r e o f a c h a o t i c e c o n o m i c s l u g f e s t . T r u m p
c a l l e d t a r i f f s " e a s y t o w i n " a n d p o k e d t h e b i g r e d d r a g o n . C h i n a h i t b a c k w i t h
t a r i f f s o n U . S . s o y b e a n s , f o r c i n g T r u m p t o s u b s i d i s e f a r m e r s . T r u m p c a l l e d h i m s e l f
" T h e C h o s e n O n e " a n d t w e e t e d m e m e s a b o u t h i s " t o u g h n e s s " a g a i n s t C h i n a . C h i n a
r e t a l i a t e d b y d e v a l u i n g i t s c u r r e n c y a n d c a l l i n g U . S . p o l i c i e s " l a u g h a b l e . " C h i n e s e
w o n s o c i a l m e d i a w h e n t h e i r m a n u f a c t u r e r s j u m p e d o n l i n e t o t e l l e m b a r r a s s l u x u r y
b r a n d s a n d o f f e r e d t o s e l l d i r e c t l y f o r a f r a c t i o n o f t h e p r i c e . T r u m p i n c r e a s e d
t a r i f f s t o 1 2 5 % , C h i n a m a t c h e d i t . T r u m p s a i d h e d i d n ’ t m e a n 1 2 5 % , h e m e a n t
1 4 5 % . C h i n a c a l l e d i t a j o k e . E v e r y o n e a g r e e d . I n f a c t , k n o w n e n e m i e s S o u t h
K o r e a , C h i n a a n d J a p a n a g r e e d s o h a r d t h e y f o r m e d t h e m o s t u n l i k e l y f r e e - t r a d e a g r e e m e n t i n r e c e n t h i s t o r y t r u l y p r o v i n g t h e o l d “ m y e n e m y ’ s e n e m y i s m y f r i e n d . ”
T r u m p f o l d e d 2 d a y s l a t e r a n d b r o u g h t t h e t a r i f f s b a c k d o w n t o 3 0 % .
E R N E S T H E M I N G W A Y V G E R T R U D E S T E I N ( 2 0 t h C e n t u r y )
G e r t r u d e S t e i n b a s i c a l l y i n v e n t e d P a r i s a s a w r i t e r ’ s h o t s p o t a n d l e t y o u n g H e m
c h i l l i n h e r s a l o n . S h e c a l l e d h i m h e r l i t e r a r y s o n . H e c a l l e d h e r “ m o r e m o t h e r t h a n w o m a n . ” T h e n h e g o t f a m o u s , d e c i d e d s h e w a s o u t o f t o u c h , a n d r o a s t e d h e r w r i t i n g a s “ b a d . ” S h e s a i d h e w a s a l l e g o a n d g u n s . H e s a i d s h e n e v e r u n d e r s t o o d
m e n . T h e y n e v e r m a d e u p . S h e ’ s n o w q u o t e d i n a r t g a l l e r i e s . H e ’ s t a t t o o e d o n
E n g l i s h m a j o r s . G O R D O N R A M S A Y V J A M I E O L I V E R ( 2 1 s t C e n t u r y )
N I C K I M I N A J V C A R D I B
T h i s f e u d b e g a n w i t h s u b t l e i n s u l t s a n d e s c a l a t e d r a p i d l y . N i c k i t h r e w s h a d e o n “ M o t o r s p o r t , ” C a r d i a c c u s e d h e r o f s a b o t a g e , a n d i t a l l b o i l e d o v e r a t a 2 0 1 8
F a s h i o n W e e k p a r t y w h e r e C a r d i t h r e w a s h o e a t N i c k i . N i c k i c l a p p e d b a c k o n
Q u e e n R a d i o , c a l l i n g C a r d i a l i a r , w h i l e C a r d i d i s m i s s e d N i c k i a s " w a s h e d " i n h e r
t r a c k s . T h e i r f a n b a s e s , B a r b z a n d B a r d i G a n g , t u r n e d s o c i a l m e d i a i n t o a w a r z o n e .
T h e b e e f n e v e r o f f i c i a l l y e n d e d , w i t h c r y p t i c p o s t s a n d l y r i c s k e e p i n g t e n s i o n s a l i v e .
p
V I N D I E S E L V T H E R O C K
T h e y w e r e s u p p o s e d t o b e F a s t & F u r i o u s f a m i l y . T h e n T h e R o c k p o s t e d a
c r y p t i c I n s t a g r a m c a l l i n g o u t u n n a m e d “ c a n d y a * * * * ” o n s e t . E v e r y o n e k n e w i t w a s
V i n . V i n s a i d i t w a s j u s t “ t o u g h l o v e ” a n d t h a t h e g a v e D w a y n e a c t i n g a d v i c e . T h e
R o c k l a u g h e d , q u i t t h e f r a n c h i s e , a n d m a d e h i s o w n s p i n - o f f . V i n b e g g e d h i m b a c k p u b l i c l y . D w a y n e r o l l e d h i s e y e s h a r d .
M I C H A E L A N G E L O V L E O N A R D O D a V I N C I ( 1 6 C e n t u r y C E ) t h
E a c h o f t h e s e w a s v y i n g f o r G O A T a n d o p e n l y m o c k e d e a c h o t h e r ’ s p r o j e c t s . W i t h
s t r o n g T a y l o r S w i f t “ l o v e r ” v i b e s , L e o s a i d t h a t M i c h e l a n g e l o ’ s s c u l p t e d m e n w e r e
t o o “ m u s c l e b o u n d ” , w h i l e M i k e y p u b l i c l y c l a i m e d t h a t L e o f a i l e d t o f i n i s h a n y t h i n g h e s t a r t e d . M e o w .
K E N D R I C K V D R A K E
T h i s w a s m o r e o f a n a n n i h i l a t i o n t h a n a b e e f … i t w a s a l o n g - t i m e b r e w i n g , b u t t h e
m o s t r e c e n t e s c a l a t i o n i n v o l v e d D r a k e s u g g e s t i n g t h e B i g 3 i n r a p w e r e J . C o l e , K
D o t a n d h i m s e l f . T h e r e w a s a M u h a m m a d A l i a n a l o g y . K e n d r i c k r e s p o n d e d o n
“ L i k e T h a t ” w i t h “ t h e b i g t h r e e ? i t ’ s j u s t b i g m e ” ( e d i t e d ; ) D r a k e r e l e a s e d d i s s
a t t e m p t “ P u s h U p s ” t r y i n g t o m o c k K e n d r i c k ’ s h e i g h t . H e t h e n b r o u g h t o u t
“ T a y l o r m a d e f r e e s t y l e ” u s i n g A I v e r s i o n s o f b o t h T u p a c a n d S n o o p , e n r a g i n g
e v e r y o n e w h o e v e r l i v e d . K e n d r i c k r e l e a s e d “ E u p h o r i a ” , m o c k i n g e v e r y t h i n g a b o u t
D r a k e . 7 2 h o u r s l a t e r , h e d r o p p e d “ 6 : 1 6 i n L A ” w i t h i n f o t h a t c o u l d o n l y h a v e
c o m e f r o m i n s i d e D r a k e ’ s c a m p . D r a k e c a l l e d h i m a c h e a t i n “ F a m i l y M a t t e r s ” 1 4
h o u r s l a t e r . M i n u t e s l a t e r , K e n d r i c k r e l e a s e d “ M e e t t h e G r a h a m s ” , c a l l i n g D r a k e a
d e a d b e a t d a d a n d c l a i m i n g h e h a s a s e c r e t c h i l d . 2 4 h o u r s a f t e r t h a t , h e e n d e d t h e
b e e f w i t h “ N o t L i k e U s ” , w h i c h d e b u t e d a t n u m b e r 1 a n d s t a y e d i n t h e c h a r t s l o n g e r t h a n a n y o t h e r r a p s o n g , w o n 5 G r a m m y s a n d w a s p e r f o r m e d a t t h e S u p e r
B o w l t o 1 3 3 . 5 m i l l i o n v i e w e r s , t h e m o s t e v e r . D r a k e t r i e d s o m e t h i n g e l s e a f t e r t h a t , b u t n o o n e r e m e m b e r s w h a t i t w a s . A L E X A N D E R T H E
Maddyn Gates-McGregor
G e n Z a n d M i l l e n n i a l s
a r e S e a r c h i n g f o r
M e a n i n g …
o r a r e T h e y ?
Good news! If you are one of those people who want to f ind a job that gives you purpose, you are not alone
It is expected that by the year 2030, the workforce will mainly be run by Gen Zers and Millennials. However, these generations aren’t just looking for any job; they are not only seeking employment but also work that is meaningful to them, aligns with their personal beliefs, and provides them with a purpose worth striving for.
It can be seen that in the minds of Gen Z and Millennials, money isn’t everything Have you ever heard the saying ‘money can’t buy happiness’? Well, this, quite literally, has been the mindset of these young generations. What’s clear is that for many young people today, money isn’t the be-all and endall Money is no longer at the forefront of people’s minds as they work Instead, they are seeking a job that offers opportunities to grow in line with their values.
But is this because they want to, or because they fear that job opportunities will rapidly decrease in the next few years? Is it freedom of choice, or fear for the future, that is driving this shift?
With the use of AI, many jobs are now being automated, eliminating the need for human employees This is causing the youth to stress and ditch higher education, and instead look for career growth elsewhere. Many worry that this rapid growth could lead to the disappearance of traditional, dependable backup-plan jobs, pushing young people away from following a fixed career path or timeline for job-seeking Instead, they are seeking new, practical routes that offer more flexibility and better opportunities for growth and success in an evolving job market.
At the same time, concern over stability and income is real The rising cost of living has not gone unnoticed, and many young people are weighing the trade-offs between passion and paycheck. Maybe money is an important factor that should be taken into consideration
So will workplace values and meaningfulness be enough for Gen Z and Millennials to forgo the need for money in a time of crisis? Only time will tell. For now, Gen Z and Millennials are leading a movement: one where careers are not just about what you earn, but about who you become and how your work shapes the world around you
a n d w r i t i n g i s a L o s
t A r t
Handwriting has had a surprisingly big impact on my life Growing up under the guidance of several family members who were also teachers, I have known the importance of neat, legible lettering from a very young age. And going through school only solidif ied that value in me. We used to have competitions among my classmates to see who could read each other’s writing the most accurately Sometimes it was legitimately impossible I honestly don’t know how the teachers managed to do it… I also used to take pride in being able to write faster than I type (although I'm not sure if this is still true) And then there were those lessons where you couldn’t make out what was written on the board because the teacher decided that speed was more important than style.
Even before school, the way words were written interested me I remember when I was younger, being deter mined to one day have that magical ability to decipher Grandma’s cursive (I can now…). Handwriting even made its way into the imaginative childhood games my siblings used to play! When my brother was about 4, I convinced him that squiggly scribbling was pirate writing
And I still notice handwriting today Every time certain lecturers give written feedback, it takes a minute to decode the letters in my head. And if I ever have to go to the doctor, well – we’ve all seen their handwriting!
e n r leatherwork. I did a quick Google just to see the stats, and apparently, one in three school kids has illegible handwriting. Why!?
Handwriting is an incredible skill! And it is unique to every individual, much like a fingerprint is unique to every person.
I have seen some of the photos of my Grandma’s chalkboard from her teaching days, and it was immaculate Her calligraphy was on point, and that legacy carried through to her children’s handwriting. Case in point, my Dad (who’s a lefty) is still able to write straight and smudge-free on a whiteboard So perhaps it is all in regular practice If children and young people do not write often, they will not write well
But kids must also be trained well so they do not form bad habits. Gotta love those good ol’ pencil grips, am I right? But seriously, if trained well in neat lettering, kids will also improve in their memory, spelling, fine motor skills, understanding of grammar, and even temperament. Plus teachers will save so much time in reading student work.
Guys, hear me out Good handwriting can change the world Maybe I mean, they do say that the pen is mightier than the sword…
Jack Molyneaux
T h e C o l l a p s e o f
“There is no such thing as entitlement unless someone has first met an obligation ”
Margaret Thatcher, 1983
This topic has been on my mind for a while now, and it all stemmed from a single conversation with a good friend of mine A man I have known for almost twenty years now, since our first class together in year two of primary school. He was called upon to be a part of the local court system as a juror, and like many people, he didn’t want to do it; it was a waste of his time, it didn’t benefit him, and, in his eyes, there was no inherent value to it This viewpoint is not isolated, nor is it only about jury duty, but voting, and in some cases, a complete disregard of the common good in favour of personal gain.
“As soon as any man says of the affairs of the state, ‘What does it matter to me?’ the state may be given up for lost ”
It seems that people these days are unable to comprehend duty, let alone civic duty, without asking what is in it for them. Most people see things as owed to them; a privilege earned by right of birth rather than right of action. This viewpoint is not in most cases a deliberate act of selfishness but a matter of ignorance, of apathy That it is their right, not their responsibility
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 1762
It is the participation of the citizenry that keeps institutions honest, especially one’s government People in Australia are generally critical of the government, which is a good thing; a critical judgment of the government can help ensure a more honest and progressive government. However, judgment is nothing without action It is easy to judge the failures of something and offer no alternative or no avenue of progress It is easy to hear an opinion and adopt it as your own, to let someone else do the thinking for you. It is easy to ignore the issue rather than confront it.
As a student of history, voter apathy or voter ignorance is one of the most disrespectful things one can do in my eyes.
To clarify, voter apathy/ignorance includes actions such as ‘dud votes’, uninformed votes, and not voting at all, and this apathy extends to many aspects of civil society These actions defy two thousand years of human struggle. How many
people have struggled, starved and sacrif iced everything in the hope that their death would in some way contribute to the better ment of their people, of their right to representation and their right to a voice within the system they live in? Some names spring to mind: Vida Goldstein, Eddie Mabo, Neville Bonner, Jessie Street, Faith Bandler, Enid Lyons, Caroline Chisholm and William Cooper. These names only include Australians and are limited to the 20th century. I highlight this to show that this is not a new issue, and it is not resolved, and nor should it ever be considered a resolved issue. The f ight for individual rights and freedoms should always be pushed forward and not be restricted to something so limiting as race, religion or creed.
I have criticised what I perceive to be a lack of civic responsibility, but I understand why it has happened; I still disagree with it, but I can commiserate with my friend.
Why should he be a juror when that threatens his work? With the ever-increasing cost of living, the slow erosion of f inancial independence, and the fading of the Australian dream Why should he care?
I propose that while certain aspects of society are inevitable, such as inflation, engagement with the system leads to a deeper understanding Whether that be an understanding that things are being done for the benefit of the people or not is up to the individual. But understanding gives the individual the platform to make informed decisions, not based on feelings, on a comment, on a two-minute video from someone half a world away but of their own civic interest.
Apathy and ignorance have led us to a disinterest in civic responsibility, and a collapse of the democratic ideals our forebears once strived for It was once a duty people wished to perform but somewhere along the way, duty and responsibility have been forgotten and instead people only see a government demanding their time for something that doesn’t concern them
“Citizenship is not just about what you are given; it is about what you give. It is a covenant between people and nation.”
Stan Grant, 2016
Leticia Sault
M
u
s i n g s o n
F
r i e n d s h i p s
This is a note to all those who proofread the same paragraph 10,000 times, endured listening to mockpresentations during late-night study sessions, and bravely ‘forced’ participation in those ‘just dance’ brain breaks
To all those who study the bible together, share their snacks generously, and put up with the spontaneous, random outbursts of singing and dancing
Sincerely and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I truly believe that the power of friendship is far more than just a meme or trendy saying Living in dor ms, there is a wonderful and unique opportunity for us to develop these friendships Life is so much better and richer when even the most simplest moments are shared. Regular everyday activities become far more enjoyable. Mundane tasks, such as getting food, f inishing an assignment, or playing music, become so much more rewarding and memorable moments, even if it means taking three times as long to complete any given task.
We were never meant to live by ourselves or for ourselves. Even the bible says that. We are stronger with the support of our friends.
The things we face and conquer in our university experiences have arguably higher stakes than a game of Rocket League - so all the more reason to bring friends with us!
Living in dorms, I have been met with both the best and the worst of times, but my friends have made it all worth it
From the Just dance battles in the living room, chats about anything and everything, and those Wednesday night yoghurt excursions These wonderful people have shared their love and their lives with me, filling my heart with so much joy Studying and living wouldn’t be nearly as fulfilling without them.
If you are lucky enough to have friends or family nearby, or even just if you are blessed with their presence, cherish them and really show your gratitude by settling into their company.
H i g h S c h o o l i n t h e
1 9 8 0 s ?
Y o u ’ v e b e e n a s k e d t o
w r i t e a n e s s ay o n
E g y p t i a n h i s t o r y . W h e r e
d o y o u lo o k f o r
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I f y o u s a i d G o o g l e - e y e r o l l I f y o u s a i d
a n y t h i n g o t h e r t h a n T h e Wo r l d B o o k
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C a n y o u s u r v i v e a P E
c l a s s w i t h s h o r t s h o r t s
a n d z e r o s u n s c r e e n ?
N o t l i k e l y
D o y o u h av e a n x i e t y , d e p r e s s i o n , a u t i s m o r
A D H D ?
N o , y o u d o n’ t t h e y d o n’ t e x i s t
D o y o u a s k y o u r
t e a c h e r s f o r h e l p i f y o u
a r e c o n f u s e d a b o u t a n
a s s e s s m e n t , lo s t o r
b e i n g b u l l i e d ?
A h a h a h a h a h a a a a
T h e A p o c a l y p s e ?
Lo v e r n o t a f i g h t e r ?
B y e
Va c c i n at e d ?
I f n o t g o o d l u c k w i t h o u t s t r u c t u r e d
h e a l t h c a r e H o p e y o u k n o w h o w t o m a k e
y o u r o w n a n t i v i r a l s a n d a n t i b i o t i c s
D o y o u k n o w h o w t o
s ta r t a f i r e w i t h o u t
wat c h i n g a 3 0 - s e c o n d
Y o u T u b e t u t o r i a l ?
( o O ) !
I s y o u r d i e t 9 0 % U b e r
E at s ?
Yo u ’ r e n o w s o m e o n e e l s e ’ s d i n n e r.
C a n y o u s tay q u i e t f o r
m o r e t h a n t e n s e c o n d s ?
Z o m b i e s , a l i e n s , a n d A I d r o n e s a l l s a y
t h a n k s f o r t h e a l e r t
A r e y o u a w o m a n ?
N o w ’ s y o u r c h a n c e ! F i x t h i n g s M a k e t h e m b e t t e r J u s t r e m e m b e r - e v e r y o n e s u d d e n l y
“ n e e d s ” y o u t o r e p o p u l a t e t h e p l a n e t
WO you’ re tough?
Imagine yourself as the survivor IN every
r e .
A r e y o u a c r i m i n a l o r a
C h r i s t i a n ?
Yo u ’ v e b e e n p u b l i c l y e x e c u t e d i n t h e
w i n v o l v i n g l i o n s
H a d a p o l i t i c a l
c o m p l a i n t ?
E x i l e d t o t h e G r e e k i s l a n d s H o p e y o u l i k e g o a t s ( I m e a n , i f y o u ’ r e l u c k y, t o b e c l e a r –
i t ’ s p r o b a b l y t h e l i o n s f o r y o u t o o )
C o e l i a c ?
E n j o y y o u r s l o w, w i t h e r i n g m a l n u t r i t i o n
A r e y o u a c o n q u e r e d f o r e i g n e r w h o c a n r e a d ?
C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s , y o u ’ r e a s l a v e .
C a n ’ t r e a d ?
H e l l o , G l a d i a t o r !
T h e S i n k i n g o f t h e
T i t a n i c ?
A r e y o u a w o m a n ?
I m e a n l e t ’ s h o p e n o t - i t ’ s g e n e r a l l y n o t a g o o d s i g n
A r e y o u a l s o r i c h , w h i t e a n d p h o t o g e n i c ?
C o n g r a t s – s t r a i g h t t o t h e l i f e b o a t .
H av e y o u b e e n b u i l d i n g u p y o u r i c e b at h g a m e ?
C a n y o u d o 4 5 m i n u t e s a t - 2 ° C ? Ye a h , k e e p w o r k i n g o n i t
A r e y o u i n f i r s t c l a s s ?
M a y b e a l i f e b o a t B u t l e t ’ s b e r e a l i s t i c , t h e m o d e r n e q u i v a l e n t c o s t i s $ 1 3 3 , 1 3 2 f o r a s u i t e Yo u d o n’ t h a v e t h a t S i n g y o u r s e l f a g o o d b y e h y m n .
C o m f o r ta b ly d r e s s e d ?
B e c a u s e t h e s h i p ’ s a t i l t i n g a n d c l i m b i n g
s t a i r s a n d r a i l i n g s i n a c o r s e t o r a t u x e d o i s n i n j a w a r r i o r t e r r i t o r y.
D o y o u h av e a l a r g e
f lo at i n g p i e c e o f wa l l pa n e l l i n g ?
C o s w e k n o w w h a t h a p p e n s i f y o u d o n’ t
* w h i s p e r s c r e a m s “J a c k ! ”
A V i l l a i n T a k e o v e r ?
A r e y o u t h e
u n s u s p e c t i n g h e r o ?
C o n g r a t s y o u ’ r e t h e O n l y p e r s o n o n t h e v i l l a i n’ s l i s t
C a n y o u f i g h t w i t h o u t m a g i c a l p o w e r s ?
N o p e ? W h a t a S h a m e r e a l l y. . . P r e p a r e f o r c o m e d i c ( o r d e a d l y ) d e f e a t s .
D o y o u t r u s t t h e c h a r m i n g s t r a n g e r ?
I d i o t , i t ’ s p r o b a b l y t h e v i l l a i n i n d i s g u i s e
A r e y o u g o o d at d r a m at i c e s c a p e s ?
O t h e r w i s e , y o u ’ r e a h o s t a g e f o r a t l e a s t t w o m u s i c a l n u m b e r s
H av e a q u i r k y s i d e k i c k ?
M i g h t s a v e y o u r l i f e , i f t h e y d o n’ t a c c i d e n t a l l y m a k e t h i n g s w o r s
A M e d i e v a l P l a g u e
T o w n ?
A r e y o u a w o m a n ?
Yo u h a v e b e e n b u r n e d a t t h e s t a k e f o r w i t c h c r a f t S h o u l d n’ t h a v e f e d t h a t s t r a y c a t
A r e y o u a s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t
h e r m i t w i t h r o b u s t g o o d h e a l t h ?
M a y b e y o u ’ v e g o t a c h a n c e
D o n ’ t l i k e m a s k m a n dat e s ?
E n j o y y o u r f e v e r, h a l l u c i n a t i o n s , a n d b l a c k e n e d t o e s
A r e y o u a n e x t r e m e ly
w e a l t h y a r i s t o c r at w h o
i s a l s o ( c r u c i a l ly ) n o t i n -
b r e d t h r o u g h c e n t u r i e s o f c o u s i n - m a r r y i n g ?
Yo u m i g h t h e a l t h y e n o u g h t o s u r v i v e a b o u t
o f t h e p l a g u e w i t h t h e h e l p o f a g o o d ( n o t l e e c h e s ) d o c t o r
A r e y o u a r at ?
We l l d o n e T h r i v e o n b u d d y
Alyssa Tufi
u m
m
e r R e a d i n g
i s t
In a world overflowing with endless books and evergrowing reading lists, f inding your next great read can be very diff icult and overwhelming, especially with the daunting thought of wasting money on a book you didn’t enjoy. Whether you’re a seasoned bibliophile or a casual reader looking into something new, I have handpicked the top 5 book recommendations that span across different genres and styles that you wouldn’t want to miss
Love Stories by Trent Dalton.
Genres: Non-fiction, Memoir, Biography
The author, Trent Dalton, spent two months on the city pavements of Brisbane and spoke to people from all walks of life and asked them one question: “Can you please tell me a love story?” Love Stories is a collection of short, compelling stories that explore the experience of love from many different perspectives – ranging from a woman’s love for a life in the city to a blind man’s desire to see the face of his wife
As someone who has read a lot of fictional romance novels that are built of idealised and unrealistic scenarios – reading real and unique love stories is the real magic This book has shown that love is seen in many forms – in people, in loss, in life, in hatred, in the environment, etc. I found it
incredibly powerful and refreshing from the traditional romance novels.
Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett
Genres: Fiction, Young Adult Literature
This story is set along the rugged coastline of Tasmania, following the life of three young brothers who are trying to navigate life after the death of their mother and under the care of the emotionally distant and alcoholic father.
It’s a very short and depressing story but leaves a memorable impression after the last page Past the Shallows thoroughly explores heavy themes of childhood trauma, loss and resilience Favel Parrett manages to capture the reality of growing up in a broken home whilst creating a captivating story that explores the bonds of brotherhood and innocence of youth The author writes exceptionally with a very descriptive and evocative style, to the point where you are really immersed within the scene. I recommend having a box of tissues when you read the novel.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Genres: Fantasy, Action
Looking for a bit more action? Leigh Bardugo’s
Six of Crows is a gripping fantasy novel about cunning criminal prodigy who assembles a crew of misfits to pull off an impossible mission, the largest heist in the magical city of Ketterdam
The author crafts a fast-paced plot filled with twists, tension, and heart, while exploring themes of loyalty and redemption. Each chapter switches perspective from each character, ranging from a disgraced soldier to a retired acrobat who uses their skills to assassinate people, hence it keeps readers on the hook from start to finish. It brings depth and emotional complexity to the story as we unfold dark backstories and secrets Six of Crows is a must-read for fans of morally grey heroes, clever schemes and immersive storytelling
The Gift of Everything by Lang Leav
Genres: Poetry, Prose
If you love reading something short but emotionally uplifting, The Gift of Everything is a beautifully written collection that blends poetry and prose to explore themes of heartbreak, loneliness, healing and resilience.
Lang Leav has a gift for capturing complex emotions in simple and elegant language, which makes her writing easy to connect with – especially
e and loss and are heading on a journey to self-discovery. There is a quiet power in her writing that is reflective and tender yet full of empowerment Reading this feels like having a heartfelt conversation with someone who truly understands the universal experience of hurt and hope. This is the kind of book you can pick up in a quiet moment.
A Man and His Cat by Umi Sakurai
Genre: Manga, Comedy, Slice of Life
Last on the list of recommendations is a Japanese manga series called A Man and His Cat, a heartwarming slice-of-life story that tells the tale of an elderly man who adopts a cat after the loss of his wife. The bond that forms between them is a gentle, touching and full of quiet joy. A simple story, but it resonates emotionally – and I can guarantee it will make you want to adopt a cat
The manga offers a light-hearted and humorous glimpse into everyday life with a pet. The illustrations are charming; the story is easy to follow which makes it perfect for readers who enjoys rich stories through visuals and graphics It is a quick read but leaves a lasting impression and since it’s part of a series, there is plenty more to enjoy if you fall in love with the first volume.
Toisha Foster
B e h i n
Pi c t u r
We all love taking p new phones, camer we have to keep b In the age of socia everyone else is platfor ms like Inst scenes, coordinate cafes, and golden grid tells a story o the truth is that In 0.5 seconds of a ve
your head 17 degrees for the “right” angle Maybe you took a break frustrated and thoug t d ?” W ll it points toward the honest, you probably ote? Well, you found after scrolling for 10 who cares, right? And really, it’s not about the picture, it’s the vibes. Something everyone strives for
Vacation:
You see the beach pic The turquoise water, the sun-kissed tan, the carefree caption, and endless pictures You don’t see the flight delay The exhaustion The 37 over bad Wi-Fi. Th sunscreen-in-eyes mome for three days straight. shining, a perfect body memory we share, th remember. So, when through your feed think that?”, remember that ev probably had a breakdo taken
The Family Picture:
We all love seeing the beautiful family
Siblings giving beautiful hugs. Parents smiling like they’ve got it all together. Maybe taken at the park, t standing around at a caf é “Look how close we are.” B really just a photo that says, we’re close.”. A million tries smile, the siblings throwing the ground, and the ten ou the feeling And yet th something. Not because it’ they showed up. They were late, hungry, imperfect, but t
But Why Does This Matter?
We don’t have to stop taking pictures. In fact, we should take more pictures Take them for yourself For your memories For the moment, not the applause They don’t all have to be posted, just put them in a photo book, for the kids. Let them be messy, out of focus, too bright, or a little too honest. Let them be real. Because sometimes we forget Forget that people are more than pixels That our worth isn’t tied to our feed That behind every perfect picture is a real, layered, complex human being who has bad days, awkward angles, breakouts, fears, and flaws. And that’s actually the most beautiful part.
Because every picture tells a story The story of effort, intention, and creativity. The frozen second of life before it passed. And sometimes, a story of someone trying to hold it together.
So the next time you scroll past a perfect image, pause Smile at it Appreciate the beauty But don’t compare. Don't envy a highlight when you haven’t seen the whole movie. Because what goes on behind the picture is what really makes it meaningful. And that’s the part worth remembering.
C a n W
G u i d e t o N o t B e i n
W e i r d A b o u t W o r l
I guess you could say it's a unique experience to be a secular student about to graduate from an Adventist university. I didn't grow up going to church, and whilst I know spirituality well, religion simply wasn't part of my upbringing. So when I arrived here, everything from Sabbath observance to campus worship was entirely new territory
Coming into this environment, I wasn't sure what to expect. Would I feel out of place? Would conversations be awkward? Would people understand where I was coming from?
Over the years, I’ve come to see that navigating conversations across different worldviews is one of the most valuable yet challenging skills we can develop There were times when people made assumptions about me based on stereotypes, but I chose to lean in rather than pull back I showed up to Bible studies, church services, dor m connects, and Sabbaths, not to convert, but to understand. And it still makes me laugh how long it took to f igure out what “Sevies,” “Pathf inders,” and “haystacks” actually were
What I’ve come to believe is simple: conversations across difference matter. They make our communities richer, our relationships deeper, and our understanding of the world more complete
Say you’re thinking “why does this actually matter?”- fair question, let's talk numbers for a sec.
According to the 2021 census, 43.9% of Australians identify as Christian, while 38 9% identify with no religion Together, that's over 80% of the population falling into these two groups, which means we're constantly encountering each other at work, at university, in our communities Even as more Australians identify as “no religion,” faithbased and government schools now have an almost even split, with roughly 50% of students identifying as religious and 50% as non-religious
The point? You're constantly running into people who see the world fundamentally differently than you do If we can't figure out how to talk to each other constructively, we're missing out on real opportunities for growth, understanding, and connection
Walking the divide of this climate, I’ve noticed a few things that make conversations harder than they need to be
Much of what we believe comes from the environment we grew up in, what I call inherited opinions that we mistake for personal convictions There’s nothing wrong with carrying forward these traditions, but it gets tricky. Parental religiosity is the strongest predictor of child religiosity, and 57% of Australians say their views on Christians were shaped by family. If we’ve never questioned our beliefs, we’re on autopilot rather than conviction, and when challenged, people often attack to defend
Then there’s projection, when one negative experience becomes everyone’s story. We’ve all done it: one judgmental Christian friend and suddenly all religious people seem the same, or one mocking secular person and we assume all nonreligious people are hostile. It’s a natural shortcut our brains take, but it keeps us from seeing people as individuals.
Another biggie, stereotypes (or: the shortcuts we use instead of actually getting to know people) Stereotypes exist about every group. About Adventists: they're all vegetarian, judgmental, controlling, elitist, and conservative About secular people: they’re excessive, promiscuous, self-centred, immoral, and they have no values. The problem isn’t that these ideas exist; it’s assuming they f it every person Once we do, we stop asking, stop learning, and stop seeing people clearly.
So, how do we actually do better?
Stay genuinely curious Don’t start by categorising or prepping counterarguments. Instead, think: “That’s interesting. I wonder what shaped that perspective”
Ask real questions. Not to trap or prove someone wrong, but to understand where they’re coming from
Listen to understand, not just respond. Our minds naturally start for mulating replies while the other person is talking Pause Reflect what they’re saying. Then respond thoughtfully.
Recognise that it’s different ≠ wrong Different motivations, values, or beliefs don’t make someone inferior or superior; they make them different. You can disagree while still respecting them as a person. Check your biases We all have them The question is whether we notice them and prevent them from
shutting down meaningful dialogue.
I'm not writing this because I think everyone should become secular, or because I think everyone should become religious I'm writing this because I believe we've lost something important in our polarised culture: the ability to engage meaningfully with people who think differently than we do.
The encouraging news? This is a learnable skill It doesn't require abandoning your beliefs or compromising your values It simply requires remembering that the person across from you, whether they pray before meals or don't, whether they attend church or sleep in on Saturdays, is just as complex, just as thoughtful, and just as worthy of respect as you are
So here's my gentle challenge: Could we try having actual conversations instead of perfor ming our positions at each other? Could we ask questions and genuinely listen to the answers? Could we recognise that we might learn something valuable from someone who sees the world completely differently?
As I prepare to graduate, I reflect on what it’s been liked to be challenged, learning to articulate what I believe and why, and having conversations with people who see the world completely differently, that's been valuable. It’s a skill worth carrying forward, especially if you intend to put it to work for a greater vision the world needs.
