Universal Magazine Edition 52: The Earth Before Us

From The Editor

Our Earth has seen tremendous change over its 4.5 billion years of existence. With humans only around for 2 million of those, so much happened before us and so much is yet to come.

Before us came the Big Bang, that exploded the universe into expansion. It brought on stars, nebulas, and supernovas, whose residual elements were sucked together by gravity to form the planets and the Earth we live on. In its growing pains, the Earth has seen species come and go, including the great dinosaurs, and eventually became the home of humans.

In our relatively short history, humans have come to understand so much more about the planet we call home. We once thought it was flat, but now know it is spherical and accompanied by thousands and thousands of other planets in the universe.

The Earth has seen countless cultures develop and make their lasting mark on our human society. The legacy of humans has changed the Earth rapidly, for better and for worse. Regardless, it’s the place we call home, a unique planet full of life and it’s our responsibility to honour and care for it.

Our Earth is special, and so are we. Let’s look after it for years and years to come.

Until next time,

The Universal Team

Interested in joining the team?

Or looking to submit some work?

Please contact Kingston Youth Services on P: 1300 369 436

E: youth.services@kingston.vic.gov.au

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Available for your reading pleasure at any time!

Read online at issuu.com/universal_kingston

Send Youth Services an email for more info at youth.services@kingston.vic.edu.au

Acknowledgement of Country

The City of Kingston proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, and we pay our respect to their Elders, past and present and emerging.

Council acknowledges the Bunurong’s continuing relationship to the land and waterways and respects that their connection and spiritual identity is maintained through ancient ceremonies, songlines, dance, art and living culture.

Council pays tribute to the invaluable contributions of the Bunurong and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island elders who have guided and continue to guide the work we do.

Cover Design by Naketra Mendes

The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views, values and official position of the City of Kingston or any of its officials, representatives or employees

Kingston Youth Services and the Universal team acknowledge the support of the Victorian Government

4 We live on Boonwurrung Land

Words compiled by Anne Liu and design compiled by Naketra Mendes

6 You are Made of Stardust

Words and design by Harley Lorenzo Wood

10

A Short History of Dinosaurs

Words and design by Harley Lorenzo Wood

12 Ancient Egyptian Beauty Methods

Words and design by Erin Besnard

8 Earth Before Them

Words by Anne Liu and design by Naketra Mendes

16 Human View of Earth

Words and design by Naketra Mendes

20 A Small Collection of Victorian Era Slang

Words and design by Isobel Dymond

22 The Lighthouse Report

Words by Ann Moir and design by Naketra Mendes

27 Universal: Join The Team! Kinston Youth Services

We live on Boonwurrung Land

Words compiled by Anne Liu and design compiled by Naketra Mendes information and illustrations are from www.biikbundjil.com

*Information about Boonwurrung land is sourced from www.biikbundjil.com. Biik Bundjil is a cultural organisation focussed on embedding Boonwurrung culture into modern society. They provide seminars that work towards healing the collective trauma in First Nations Communities.

If you live around the bay, it is likely you are on Boonwurrung land. Boonwurrung land extends from the Werribee River through Melbourne City, along the coast of Port Phillip Bay and Western Port, all the way to Wilsons Promontory.

Boonwurrung people are part of the eastern Kulin nation. ‘Kulin’ means ‘the people’ and ‘wurrung’ means ‘the language’. There are approximately 38 language groups in Victoria, with estimates of around 60,000 people before the British invaded.

So how did Boonwurrung land come to be?

Our country was created by Bundjil, who travels as a wedge-tailed eagle, and is protected by Waa, who travels as a crow.

Long ago, before he was a wedge-tailed eagle, Bundjil was a very powerful, magical man. He was the head of the Kulin. Bundjil had two wives, who were beautiful black swans, a son named Binbeal, and two brothers, Baliyang and Booergoen.

Bundjil travelled around carrying with him a large spear. With this, he carved the land, cut open the rivers, shaped the mountains, created the oceans, and gave life to the animals. When he had finished, he then created men. Bundjil’s brother Baliyang had the power to control the rivers, the creeks, and oceans, as well as all creatures living within the depths of these waters. With this power and through the depths of sandy waters, Baliyang created women. After finishing their creations, Bundjil and Baliyang found themselves in a great storm. The strong winds lifted them upwards, far away into the stars, where they watched over the land, the waters and the people.

The six clans of the Boonwurrung People:

Boonwurrung Buluk

Boon ‘no’ Wurrung

‘language’ Buluk ‘people’

Point Nepean and Cape Schanck

Yawen Djirra Yawen / Djirra is a plural marker ‘Two Men’

Tarwin River to Wilsons Promontory

Mayune Buluk

Mayune (local place name) Buluk (people)

Carrum Swamp, ‘Mayune’ station

Yalukut Wilam

Yaluk-ut ‘river’

Wilam ‘home’

East of Werribee

River, Williamstown, Melbourne City, Avondale Heights, St

Kilda to Brighton

Ngaruk Wilam Ngaruk ‘rocky’ / ‘stony’ Wilam ‘home’ Brighton, Mordialloc, Dandenong, and between Mt Martha and Mt Eliza

Yaluk Buluk

Yaluk ‘vast wetlands’ Buluk ‘people’ Bass River, Tooradin

Biik Bundjil’s vision: We envision a world where Boonwurrung ancestors are acknowledged and respected… Our mission is to ensure that future generations of the Boonwurrung are understood and accepted as the first people of Melbourne, and the rest of Boonwurrung country.

Scan QR to visit biikbundjil.com.

YOU ARE MADE OF STARDUST

You and I are made of some pretty cool stuff. Scientists call this matter.

All matter is made up of elements - the chemical building blocks that make everything from insects, rocks, books, dirt, paint, and most importantly - you. These elements came from guess where… the stars!

Most of the elements on the periodic table came from exploding stars called supernovas. Even the earth came from the dust of these explosions, and gravity pulled it all together into one big rock that we all live on. The majority of the matter on Earth today was made inside stars that lived and exploded long ago.

The only elements that weren’t made in the stars are hydrogen and helium - these were created as a result of the Big Bang explosion. In fact, most of the hydrogen and helium in the universe was formed in a period of about 5 minutes.

From the carbon in your muscles to the calcium in your bones, pretty much every atom that makes you, you was created inside a star long before the Earth even existed.

We really are made of stardust, and it isn’t just an uplifting sentiment, it’s a scientific fact.

astrobiology.nasa.gov/education/alp/are-we-really-made-of-star-stuff | science.nasa.gov/ astrophysics/focus-areas/what-powered-the-big-bang | amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/the-universe/stars/a-spectacular-stellar-finale/we-are-stardust

Words and Design by Harley Lorenzo Wood

All that’s inside you was formed in the stars.

The Earth Before Them

Words by Anne Liu and design by Naketra Mendes

Luscious greens plentiful nature

Quiet and peaceful and mellow

Every day went by in a soft whir

We were simple and naive fellows

No stress no worries no anxious fiddling

No paying to simply exist on this earth

No pesky humans constantly meddling, All equal and free from birth

Extinction an unfamiliar word

How can something be completely gone?

Wiped out, a legend. Their voices now unheard? A gaping hole empty and forlorn

Such clean, fresh, sweet air

The earth abundant and giving.

To harm others for the sake of it - we wouldn’t dare

Now it’s rare to be peacefully living

What do you mean mine and yours; Don’t we all share this land?

Why must we by plagued by laws

Please just extend a helping hand

Humans and us could’ve gotten along fine

Being cruel and vicious we condemn

Oh how I reminisce over that time

The earth before them.

A Short History of Dinosaurs

Spanning 166 million years

TRIASSIC PERIOD

252 million years ago

All the continents were a part of a single supercontinent called Pangea.

It was hot and dry and much of the land was covered in large desert area.

Dinos that lived at this time include the Eoraptor and Plateosaurus

JURASSIC PERIOD

201 million years ago kids.britannica.com/kids/article/dinosaurs-at-a-glance/611164

Pangea split in two, creating Laurasia in the north and Gondwana to the south.

Temperatures fell slightly from the Triassic, though still warmer than today, and rainfall increased as a result of the large seas appearing between the two continents.

These changes allowed prehistoric plants such as ferns and horsetails to thrive, providing food for many plant-eating dinosaurs.

Dinos that existed at this time include the Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Allosaurus and Diplodocus

The dinosaurs ruled the earth long before humans came into the picture. They ranged in size from being smaller than the size of a chicken, to more than 10 times the size of the largest elephant. The dinosaurs’ legacy (and their demise) is something we all know of. Here’s a quick timeline to give you all the dates and details.

CRETACEOUS PERIOD

145 million years ago

The land separated further into some of the continents we know today, albeit in different positions. Alongside the dinosaurs, other organisms diversified during this time.

The first snakes began to evolve and flowering plants became common by the end of the Cretaceous. Insect groups appeared and mammals evolved to include tree-climbers, ground-dwellers and even predators of smaller dinosaurs. It was these things that could survive the massive asteroid impact that would eventually come to wipe out the dinosaurs.

Dinos that lived during this period include the Iguanadon, Velociraptor, Ankylosaurus, Triceratops, and the famous Tyrannosaurus Rex

ASTEROID HITS

66 million years ago

A 10-kilometre-wide asteroid hits the earth, leading to the extinction of the dinosaurs.

The impact triggered gigantic earthquakes, mega-tsunamis and formed a crater of 200 km in diameter in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Bye-bye dinosaurs...

Words and Design by Harley Lorenzo Wood

Ancient Egyptian Beauty Methods Ancient Egyptian Beauty Methods

and their uses today

Makeup is part of many people’s daily lives, but not everyone knows the origins to their favourite products, and although we have evolved from methods created by Pharaohs and Mummies, a lot of their techniques are still used in modern makeup and beauty today.

Words and design by

Erin Besnard

Ancient Egyptians were some of the very first people to ever use deodorant – they took their hygiene very seriously! Their first form of deodorant was created by crushing incense pellets and rubbing it into their underarms, creating a long-lasting scent, and later evolved into what we have today. The first modernised deodorant, however, did not come into production until 1903.

Deodorant Eyeshadow

The use of eyeshadow was widely used throughout Egypt, both men and women wore it during those times. The way they created it was by crushing up the crystal malachite, adding it to animal fat or vegetable oil, and applying the paste to their eyelids. This would then dry and give them the colourful shimmery effect that we now get from modern day eyeshadow.

Skin Care Face Masks

The origin of face masks is widely up for debate, but the oldest source was found in Egypt. Egyptians loved their cosmetics and skincare, and would use ingredients such as honey and milk, creating a liquid like paste and apply it to their faces (this method can still be used for at-home face masks). The milk had lactic acid that hydrated and exfoliated the skin, and the honey kept the skin smooth, healthy, and shiny.

Eye Masks

Egyptians also created a method for “ancient eye masks”. They used avocado slices under their eyes to minimise dark circles and eye bags, and to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. U N I V E R S A L

The Egyptians also took care of their nails, not only by using cosmetic products to make their nails strong and their skin smooth, but they also used colour to make their nails pop! They did so by using henna as a colouring agent, leaving a yellow-orange tint. Today, this method is more common in Asian cultures, but still originated in Egypt. As well as the henna staining the nails, it promoted growth and acted as a natural conditioner. After application, it provided a cooling effect, and it was often utilised as a cooling agent during hot weather.

Nail Polish Lipstick

Egyptians were well known for their bright makeup and creative ways of producing it. To make lipstick, one of the most common methods (and Cleopatra’s favourite) was to take the shell of a beetle, crush it, and mix it with either animal fat or vegetable oil, forming a paste and applying it to their lips, giving them a shiny red tint. The use of beetles in lipstick is still used today.

https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/ancient-egypt-beauty-ritual-artsy/ index.html

https://www.madison-reed.com/blog/the-colorful-history-of-hair-dye M A G A Z I N E

The Human View of Earth

Words

and design

by Naketra Mendes

The human perspective and understanding of Earth has undergone significant changes over time, thanks to our progress in technology and science. Previously, Earth was considered the centre of the universe, but it is now appreciated as a unique planet brimming with life.

In ancient times, many cultures believed that Earth was a round flat disk. However, around the 4th century BC, the Greek philosopher Plato proposed a spherical Earth, which replaced the earlier belief. During this time, Aristotle and Ptolemy supported the geocentric model of the universe, which proposed that Earth was the centre with the other planets revolving around it.

In the 16th century, Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model of the universe, which placed the sun at the centre, with the planets, including Earth, orbiting around it. This shift in perspective recognised Earth as one of many planets in the solar system.

The invention of the telescope in the 17th century allowed scientists to make detailed observations of Earth and other planets. These observations showed that Earth was an oblate spheroid, not a perfect sphere.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, geologists studied Earth’s rocks and fossils, and they discovered that the planet was much older than previously thought. This led to a better understanding of Earth’s history and evolution.

The discovery of thousands of exoplanets has brought to light Earth’s uniqueness in being capable of supporting life. It has also emphasised the need to protect the planet and its environment and understand the factors that threaten them.

The field of Earth system science, which emerged in the 20th century, seeks to comprehend Earth as a complex, interconnected system. The atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere are examples of Earth’s systems. In the same era, Belgian cosmologist Georges Lemaître proposed the Big Bang theory, which explains how the universe, and by extension, Earth came to be.

Our perception and understanding of Earth have evolved significantly over time, from considering it as the centre of the universe to appreciating it as a unique planet full of life. Technological advancements and scientific discoveries have enabled us to make significant progress in understanding Earth’s history, evolution, and its place in the universe. However, there is still much more to learn, and it is crucial to continue exploring and protecting our planet to ensure its sustainability for future generations.

A Small Collection of Victorian Era Slang

You may know how to walk like an Egyptian, but do you know how to talk like a Victorian?

Bags o' mystery

A sausage, referring to the way that onl the maker knows what manner of re in them. Not too different m hot dogs these days.

What ho! She Bumps

exclamation, usually referring to display of, quote, “female vigour”.

Wooden Spoon

An idiot, someone who is not clever. A word to describe my dog who is scared of his own food bowl.

Got the Morbs

Feeling miserable or melancholy, as “morbs” is derived from “morbid”.

Words and design by Isobel Dymond

Balloon Juice

Slang for soda water or fizzy drink, due to it causing gassiness.

Collie-shangles

Arguments or dispute. This word was brought into use by Queen Victoria but seemed to be a Scottish word referring to fights among dogs.

Gigglemug

Probably the nicest out of these, as it was used to refer to someone with a “perpetually happy face”, or someone who smiled a lot.

Fopper

A mistake, formed from “faux pas” which refers to a humiliating or situationally inappropriate action I can think of many in my life.

Establish a Funk

Unfortunately not a word to describe the consequences of drinking “balloon juice”, but it comes close. To create a panic or distress.

Eat Vinegar with a Fork

Cleverness and quick-wittedness in conversation, as it references the acidity and sharpness that would ensue if you ate vinegar with a fork. The thought makes my teeth hurt.

Source: The Public Domain Review, 2013, A Dictionary of Victorian Slang (1909), [online]

The

Lighthouse Report

Short Story

Words by Ann Moir and Design by Naketra Mendes

I roll over onto my side. Feeling the outside of the mattress. Ice cold. It rained last night; heavily. I sit up to stretch and yawn. I roll out of my bed and pad my way to my dresser. My daily routine is like this: I get up, brush my hair, plait it down my back and get dressed. Judging by the weather through the window. The waves are splashing up against the lighthouse in the distance and the clouds are collecting and ominously circling the bay - a depressing day. Jeans and the yellow raincoat it is. After putting my raincoat on. Mom appears in the door frame. She is in her blue silk pyjamas and has her brown hair plaited down the side. Small strands have escaped the braid during her sleep. She leans into the bedroom and purses her lips together into a fine line. “Where are you going, Em?” I look up from my shoes. Pulling one on. They are blue rain boots that I wear everywhere. “I told you, I have to interview someone for my journalism class. '' I bend down, returning to my shoes. She squints her eyes in confusion. I sigh, “The assignment is that I have to interview someone with an important history” I gather the papers from my desk as well as a tape recorder. Yes, I have a tape recorder. Call me old-fashioned, but at least it works.

Ma’s face relaxes then contracts in concern. She knows whom I am interviewing and she does not like it, “Please Emily, please tell me you are not interviewing that Old Man”. I nod once. She sighs, “Please, be careful” She pauses for a minute before carrying on, “No one has seen him in at least twenty years” I nod again. I know what Ma means. No one has seen him in at least twenty years, yet I have seen him twice. He always seems to be wearing a navy beanie. One a fisherman would wear. And that he has a grey beard. Other than those characteristics, I have no idea what he looks like, but that’s changing today. “Don’t worry I’ll be fine” I sling my bag’s strap over my head. Say goodbye to her and start trekking up the hill to the white lighthouse.

•••

It takes me thirty minutes to hike up the hill to the lighthouse. This interview better be worth it. I stop to catch my breath. I stare at the landscape before me. The lighthouse is to the left of this picture - white with a red cap and is at least ninety meters tall. A quick path, with white railings on each side, leads up to the door of the lighthouse. At the top of the lighthouse is a door that opens to the outside walkway of the structure. Red bannisters run around the top. Finishing the picture off with the grey-blue sea splashing up against the cliff and grey clouds circling the bay behind. Idyllic. I sprint the path and knock on the white door. Once. Twice. As I am waiting, I look up at the lighthouse. It is soo big that a small blue whale could fit in it. It is soo big, millions of starfish could squeeze in there. It is so big, I could live here. My eye catches something at the top of the doorway. In red, were the numbers 1848. Odd. I hear thunderous footsteps coming towards the door. A gruff voice starts to speak, “What’d do ya want?” I am shocked by the voice and I try to speak. I look for my voice and answer the gruff voice behind the door,” Um… he..hello? I…I am Emily Hopkins” I take three quick breaths to calm myself down,” I was wondering if I could interview the person that works in the lighthouse ” I hear the voice clearing, then a horrible word comes out and says,” No”.

Wait What?!

“No? But I need this interview. Please just a couple of questions” The voice behind the door pauses and says,

“No”. Oh no.

I bang on the door several times,” Please, please I need this interview!” I rack my brain for any ideas I could break the door down. I lift my leg and before I can kick at it. The door cracks open. But barely enough to see the owner of the gruff voice.

“What part of ‘No’ don’t you understand, Strawberry?” Strawberry? “Leave me alone! No questions and No interviews!” He slams the door shut. I stand there in shock not knowing what to do. I decided to go to Ms B’s.

•••

I order coffee and sit at the counter on a sad bar stool. Ms B is the lady that runs the cafe opposite the lighthouse. She is a short plumpish woman with a hearty laugh. She plops the coffee in front of me. She pauses and stares at me for a second and wipes her hands with a rag. “What’s wrong?” I look up; she is still drying her hands with the cloth. I sigh, “Nothing” She lifts her head, then her eyebrow as well as her hand to her hip. She stares at me for a minute.

I cave. “Fine! I need to interview the Old Man in the lighthouse for school”

Ms B whistles and shakes her head,” Honey, you ain't getting that interview” She laughs to herself and goes to the cash register, still shaking her head. I slump down and put my forehead on the counter. Ms B looks at me with sympathy and judgement.

She sighs and turns around to a coffee pot. She pours black coffee into a large cup and adds one spoonful of brown sugar. Finally placing a lid on the cup she plops it in front of me. She stares at me and then at the cup.

I’m confused. “Oh.. um… Ms B, I didn’t order this” She purses her lips into a thin line and leans forward. ”What do you think runs through that man’s veins?” I lift my shoulders in defeat. She answers for me, “Black coffee with brown sugar; give this to him and you’ll get that interview.” I look at the cup, hop off the stool and run towards the lighthouse.

•••

I have the large coffee in one hand and violently knock on the door with the other. I hope this works. There is a thudding sound that comes towards me. The door cracks open. The gruff voice answers, ”Why are you here? Again!” Before he can close the door, I shove my foot in the doorway, “I have a large coffee.” There is a pause. The door opens further.

“What kind?”

“Black with a spoonful of brown sugar”

I’m still, and looking at my foot. Waiting; Hoping he will let me in the lighthouse. “Come in.” he cuts. I don't get to see his face. He has already started going up the stairs and has reached the bend. “Are ya coming or not!” shouts the Old Man. I start to climb the stairs. I even counted them. 38, 39, 40.

I reach the top and see that he is adjusting the lightbox. I look closer and see that he is adjusting prisms. Prisms; Interesting. “What are they for?” I say, pointing to the prisms. The Old Man looks down at me. He has handsome features: a soft and tough face with seafoam eyes; accompanied by a grey beard with a navy beanie on top of his grey hair. “The prisms,” he says pointing to the lightbox, “bends the light, making the light stretch further so that ships can see the light and know where they are” I scramble around in my bag, pulling out the tape recorder, “Do you mind repeating that?” I say with a toothy grin. He scolds me again. I pack the recorder away. I’ll just write it down. I fish out my notepad and start writing. I look around the interior.

It's … Small

He must enjoy that then. In the corner are a small desk and a chair. There are maps and books on top, a radio, and a dial telephone. On the wall in front of the desk is a picture of a small boat, a catamaran. I notice that all over the walls are copper circles,” What do these do?” I ask, pointing to the circles. The Old Man quickly replies, “Air ducts, old technology. Was used to control the amount of air pressure in the lighthouse”. I note that down too. I look around again and see that there is a small cylinder that holds up the Lightbox and prisms. There is a ladder that leads up there.

I ask the one question that has been nagging at me the whole time, “What’s your name sir?” He comes down from the lightbox and stretches out his hand,

” McGregor, Ian McGregor” I take his hand and shake it, “Emily Hopkins”, I say.

“Well, Strawberry, give me that coffee you brought me and ask as many questions as you need”

I hand him the coffee, pull the chair from the desk, and sit. Mr McGregor leans on the ladder. I press record on the tape recorder. Ready. I clear my throat, “When did the lighthouse start; when was it built?” Mr McGregor sighs into his coffee and leans back, closing his eyes in peace. “Las, the Beacon of Hope started in 1848”