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The UWA Student Guild wants to complete our collection (back to 1930) because there are gaps. If you, or your parents, or even your grandparents have copies stashed away – before you throw them away, please consider donating them to the Guild Archive! Please contact the Guild Archivist, Melissa Hetherington for further information. melissa.hetherington@guild.uwa.edu.au +61 6488 2832 2

CAMILA EMMA PRESI TORIAL TORIAL TORIAL

ello Pelican friends!

Renaissance is an era known for innovation and rebirth all across the world. With every issue, Pelican gives birth to new ideas. New writers, poets, and journalists are born and find their voice in this little, but yet, important student magazine. In this issue, we hope you get your fulfill of the Renaissance era, learn about new innovations, and keep your mind open to new advancements. Pelican will continue to thrive thanks to you dear reader, who picked up this copy. Perhaps, in the future, you think about writing for us. Just as the Renaissance era was, we are always open to new ideas. -Xoxo 2022 Pelican Editor

ood morrow thou most fair readers!

Huzzah! The end of semester 1 is in sight and with that comes our third print! Let us use this theme of Renaissance to transport us to the cultural sophistication of Europe (where I’m sure we’d all rather be finally finding ourselves, as opposed to trapped on the top floor of Reid grinding for that exam/assignment.) For those of you obsessed with the Met Gala and its 2018 theme of ‘Heavenly Bodies’, (lets be real that was the BEST theme) will know of the decadency and vibrance that was the Renaissance era. The breakthroughs in architecture, science, and art were astronomical! This was time of cultural phenomena and new age discoveries, not to mention inventions we still use today: such as the toilet and printing press!

Renaissance sounds awe inspiring and transformative, invoking images of the artistic greats creating immortal works across Europe. but in reality, we all have our own personal renaissances. This might be reinventing yourself when you enter university, or go on exchange. It might just be getting a new haircut. All it requires is approaching your life with a new frame of mind. At these points of transformation, you have the power to uncover the unimaginable within yourself. Find a new passion, explore new avenues, and keep redefining what it is to be you. It’s all so exciting to think about!! As always, sending love. - Ami x

Yet, it is important to remember that the Renaissance era spread across the globe and in addition to the classical was also about rebirth and humanism. With this in mind, I ask you to use this print to be inspired to reinvent yourself: approach your routine with a new perspective, make time for an old hobby that has no screens, or even redefine what it is to be you- what goals do you want to accomplish by the end of 2022? Remember, it’s never too late in the semester or the year to make a fresh start! Fare thee well!

INSIDE RENAISSANCE

VOLUME 93

ARTS

21 24

We Are What We Repeatedly Do By Ethan Dodson The Nightmare of the Renaissance Child By Abigail Macleod

ISSUE 3

DIVERSITY

ARTWORK

A modern day Renaissance By Cowan Lee-Kelly

ASTROLOGY

May Horoscopes By Abbey Durrant

CAMPUS AFFAIRS

13 61

UWASCA- More than just swords By Amias Neville Colouring art By Alyssa Lewis

COMEDY

How to Look Amazing in Six StepsRenaissance Style By Amanda Winton

Crossword By Sarah Sheikh

32 34

The Renaissance of Trans History By Amias Neville The Alchemical Self By Lily Litchfield

FASHION

18 53

My Perfect Clubbing Outfit By Perry Caswell Recycling Renaissance By Amy Reid

FILM

36 47

The Lion King (1994) By Ben Marshall Fresh and the resurgent menace of Bluebeard’s castle By Cleo Robins

FINANCE AND ECONOMICS

The Rise of Banking during the Renaissance By Brando Arimborgo and Neha Bolla

MUSIC

LIFESTYLE

16 38 43

Dearest Pelican Reader By Tessa Moulds Riding the Sound Waves By Alexia Denys Adjusting From Home Life to Campus Life: Adapting as an International Student By Ananya Rao

LITERATURE AND CREATIVE WRITING

Flash Fiction Competition Winner and Runner- up pieces Organised by Cleo Robins and Luoyang Chen

POLITICS

Born to Powers By Izzy Hamer

SCIENCE

22 45

The Renaissance: Science in a Religious World By Kassandra Fernando A World Reborn (or) Simple Creatures By Owen Cuming

SPORTS

Lawn Bowls and the Renaissance (and the Argument for a Second One) By Libby Caldwell

TECH AND GAMING

My love for the Renaissance period and Assassin’s Creed By Tremaine Noel

The views expressed within this magazine are not the opinions of the UWA Student Guild or Pelican Editorial Staff but of the individual artists and writers.

Rusty Fences By Patrick Easough

The Pelican team acknowledges that the UWA Campuses are located on the lands of the Whadjuk and Mineng peoples of the Noongar nation, the original and continuing storytellers and custodians of their lands. These lands were stolen, and sovereignty was never ceded. Edited by Camila Egusquiza & Emma Forsyth Design by Xander Sinclair 5

What would Hieronymus Bosch Have Listened to as he painted ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ ? Vivienne Chester: Pelican Sub-editor and vegan-jerky-fromthe-Reid-library-vending-machines enthusiast.

osch was a renaissance painter working between 1470 and 1516 in the Netherlands. ‘The Garden’ triptych is perhaps his most wellknown piece. Bosch’s style is reminiscent of the much-later surrealist painters like Salvador Dali. Depicted in this painting are common themes of Bosch’s work, such as an exploration of heaven and hell. His work was considered by some critics at the time to be blasphemous because of the stark way he represents biblical themes. ‘The Garden’ depicts the gift of Eve to Adam, the Garden of Eden, and in the third panel- the Last Judgement. This painting has fascinated art lovers since its creation because of the connection it makes between the creation of the human race and the dystopian destruction of the Final Judgement. These separately were common themes for renaissance artists. However, it’s their placement in a triptych that makes ‘The Garden’ unique.

In aesthetic terms, this painting is an overwhelming delight for the eyes. It is hard to examine this painting and not wonder what was going through Bosch’s head when he painted it. Many say ‘The Garden’ is the work of a genius or the work of a madman- perhaps it is both. However, that is hardly the most important thing to consider… The most important thing to consider is, if Hieronymus Bosch was painting ‘The Garden’ today, what songs would he be listening to? Here are some songs I think he’d like…

1. Where is My Mind: Pixies This song represents the existential dread I believe is visible in The Garden perfectly. Where is my mind, indeed? 2. The Bends: Radiohead I can imagine Bosch looking at the window of his studio, with this song playing in the background, smoking a cigarette. 3. And She Was: Talking Heads The world of this song is the same as the world that Bosch attempts to capture with oils. 4. Once in a Lifetime: Talking Heads I just think Talking Heads would be his favourite band. Sue me!

song would play over a montage of him painting. 7. Is There Anybody Out There: Pink Floyd This would also be in the movie, but instead in a crisis scene of some sort. Don’t ask me what. I’m not a screenwriter. 8. Just Like Heaven: The Cure Honestly, apart from the obvious biblical connections, I think this is the song I most closely associated with ‘The Garden’. So, these are some songs I think would be in the modern soundtrack to the creation of Bosch’s ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’. If you want to listen to the playlist yourself, the QR code below will take you to the Spotify version!

5. Godspeed: Frank Ocean Maybe in his more sober and contemplative moments, he would listen to Frank Ocean and cry as I do. 6. Grace: Jeff Buckley If there was a movie about Bosch, I think this 7

How to Look Amazing in _ Six Steps Renaissance Style Amanda Winton

elcome to my six-step guide on beauty tips and tricks in the Renaissance period, where we cover all topics concerning beauty. From how to use duck fat to remain plump to debunking the rumour that lead make-up is tested on animals (you’d be relieved to know it’s not tested at all!) Read about how to make your fellow ladies green with envy and prevent your husband from ever divorcing you (kidding!! You’re obviously Catholic, your only concern is being beheaded). So, ladies, read on to learn how to preserve your youthful looks; although the church is still yet to reveal where the Fountain of Youth is hidden, there are still ways to maintain that desirable virginal look of youth… 1) Living for Leeches! No longer are leeches only used for doctors, but now you can buy or get your servants to catch leeches to attach to your face to bring forth a rosy glow. Her Royal Highness Kimberly of the Cardinals has been raving about these, so I would get in quick before they are sold out/ go extinct. 2) Perfect Paleness! Has your bottle of UberPale run out, and your servant has died of the plague, so therefore can’t go to the market to buy you a new one? Well, NEVER FEAR! Simply gather the egg whites from your chickens over your skin, and you shall be looking moon-kissed in mere minutes! 3) To BBL or Not to BBL? That is the question I’ve heard being whispered by the town crier. Whilst it is accepted that our husbands can inhabit and celebrate any grotesque body shape, we must make sure we remain perfectly curved in all the right places. Whilst opium makes for a jolly good time, it

offers a slightly limited use as a painkiller, so I’d hold out on this BBL trend until developments in the medicinal field are made. In the meantime, sewing some pillows under your skirts makes for a wonderful womanly figure and makes your birthing hips really pop out. 4) Be a Belladonna Bombshell! The latest trend from Nightshade Cosmetics that has gripped all of Europe is the use of belladonna drops to maintain a constantly dilated pupil that makes you appear dreamier and more seductive. Darken your eyes with desire and use code #BelladonnaBomb for 10% off. This product is especially beneficial if you find yourself betrothed to a particularly ugly gentleman, as over time, it will cause you to lose your vision. 5) How to lose that Thigh Gap! Birthing hips, round breasts, and voluptuous builds are in this summer, ladies, so make sure you grab seconds of dinner even if that means your servants don’t eat. Professional Chef Henry Theeighth recommends a delicious main of duck stuffed inside chicken, stuffed inside turkey, stuffed inside a pig to fill out those gowns! 6) Blondes have more fun! Leave that dark shade in the Dark Ages, darling! Get your local herbalist to combine saffron, some onion dyes, and a touch of sulphur to get that blonde bombshell look. If you find these dyes have caused your hair to become brittle and snap off, don’t worry, darling! The less hair you have, the bigger your forehead will be, which is the epitome of Renaissance beauty. We all know how much men love head. Follow these six tips, and you’ll find yourself being asked to pose for Michelangelo himself !

My love for the Renaissance period and Assassin’s Creed Tremaine Noel

he Renaissance was a period of enlightenment in Europe. It was a period defined by technological advancement and innovation. Similarly, the 2000s were also a period of advancement and innovation in terms of video games. One such franchise that married these two time periods was Assassin’s Creed.. Two games in the franchise, in particular, Creed highlighted the Renaissance era beyond all others - Assassin’s Creed 2 and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.. Brotherhood

Being the sequel to Assassin’s Creed, Creed, Assassin’s Creed 2 had high expectations to live up to, and it proceeded to meet those expectations to a degree nobody expected (to this day, I would still say it’s the best game in the franchise, even if it doesn’t look as good as newer entries such as Valhalla or Odyssey). Set in the 1400s, the story and world are set thick within the Renaissance period of Europe, specifically in Italy. This is important as Italy is historically considered the birthplace of the Renaissance era. The game begins in Florence, where the entire Renaissance movement began. Players take the role of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a noble by birth, who is thrust into the life of the Brotherhood of Assassins after the murders of his male relatives by the Templar Order. Ezio is an amazingly captivating character, who the player will inevitably become attached to (you follow him from the moment he is born in this game to the moment that he dies, if you continue consuming the franchise and its surrounding media). However, his importance to one’s appreciation of the Renaissance mainly lies in the fact that he is immensely influenced by his noble birth. As a result of this nobility, players can get a glimpse into the lives of important figures of the Renaissance. Leonardo Da Vinci? An old family friend of Ezio’s. Niccolo Macchiavelli? A friend of his father and the leader of the Assassins in Italy. Even his enemies are famous members of Renaissance history, with the main antagonist of the game being Rodrigo Borgia (also known as Pope Alexander VI). Brotherhood expanded on this through the further introduction of the Borgia family, who also served as the main antagonists of that game and are all historical figures with their own bloody histories. As a result of these

depictions within the game, as well as how they interacted with Ezio, my lens of this historical period and its figures was coloured; endearing me to some historical figures, whilst causing me to feel revulsion towards others (I am looking at you Pope Alexander VI - though with good reason considering what you were like in reality). Furthermore, it also allowed me to get an appreciation of what these people were like in reality. Da Vinci, for instance, is a key figure in both games for his innovations in the weapons he provides (one of Assassin’s Creed 2’s best jokes revolves around him modernising the hidden blade), and Niccolo Macchiavelli is allowed to show his true Machiavellian-self in the way he goes about leading the Assassins (as well as writing his famous in-universe novel, The Prince, Prince, about the exploits of Ezio). The different layers to these characters, in some way, preserve the way they historically acted and add depth to these games (even if some aspects of their behaviour definitely aren’t historically accurate). Stepping away from the characters, one must also examine the set pieces the game offers. In the player’s quest, they travel all over Renaissance Italy. Initially beginning in Florence, the story takes us all over Italy as it progresses. Cities such as Venice and Monteriggioni are recreated in great detail, so much so that as a kid, my Italian teacher was impressed that I knew what certain landmarks looked like and where they were. Brotherhood expanded on this sense of immersion by taking the player to Rome, the current capital of Italy, regarded in the 1500s as the centre of the Renaissance. If you thought the cities in Assassin’s Creed 2 were detailed, nothing comes close to the level of immersion Rome brings. Areas such as the Pantheon and Colosseum are recreated perfectly in this game,

My love for the Renaissance period and Assassin’s Creed and although it is from the previous game, an honourable mention must be given to the Sistine Chapel (which contains a recreation of Michaelangelo’s famous fresco). Being able to see and experience these environments added another levelTremaine of historicalNoel appreciation for the Renaissance period that no book or painting ever could. Instead of reading dry history about the period, Assassin’s Creed allowed me as a gamer to virtually experience it. I was able to walk around the Renaissance itself, visit key locations, and get a sense of the fashions, attitudes, and customs of the day (as well as pick up a little Italian, though I must digress that all that remains is curse words and how to say rest in peace). This immersion resulted in me becoming interested in this time period as a child more than any other, as I became amazed by the architecture and artwork that was on display.

To sum up, Assassin’s Creed 2 and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood are two games that, at least in my opinion, immerse the player in a living, breathing recreation of the Renaissance period in Europe. Through their depictions of key Renaissance figures, as well as their recreation of the world and culture of the time, these games truly thrust players into the time period, helping them gain an appreciation of the vibrant, innovative, and interesting era that was the Renaissance.

UWASCA

More than just swords Amias Neville

icking up my sword each Thursday feels like slipping off the stress and worries of the week; entering a new world where deadlines and due dates don’t matter, only the blade in front of me. In a sense, however, I’m not entering a new world but one far older than even the campus I stand on. For over twenty years now, UWASCA’s Thursday night practice has remained a constant on UWA’s Oak Lawn. Many students and campus goers likely have no idea who we are or what we do, just that we’re ‘those guys with swords on the lawn’. Even

our ever-present O-Day sign – “we hit each other with sticks!” – oversimplifies our club to our most visible and eye-catching element. As most UWA clubs found, the Plague caused a drop in our physical attendance, but to our surprise, our online presence boomed, with new hobbyists coming to us for crafting, sewing, and yes, swords. With all the chaos of the past two years, many people found comfort in traditional crafts like hand sewing, breadmaking, and mending Thus, our once quiet club of historical reenactors has enjoyed its own Renaissance. 13

There is a sense of whimsical escapism that comes from dressing up in hand-made historical clothes and gathering in parks away from main roads with only the company of your fellow reenactors.

At its core, UWASCA is a historical reenactment group – the UWA Society for Creative Anachronism, to be specific; your local chapter of the global organisation is the SCA. But what that means is a far broader group of interests than just history buffs sharing our niche research. Our group spans anywhere that is pre-seventeenth-century, exploring global historical cultures in cooking, costuming, and combat. Despite what some may claim, we are not limited to Europe or the general Medieval period, although many of us find our start there. Everything from Ancient Greece and Vikings to Han Dynasty China, Renaissance Italy and beyond can be explored and recreated within our club. If the era is pre-seventeenthcentury and not a closed culture, then it is fair game to respectfully research and enjoy history. What better way to explore history than to be a part of it? As a historian myself, it bears stating that the Renaissance is many things – a historical period, an art movement, a fancy Latin-based word 14

– but at its core, the word means “Rebirth”. A rebirth of traditional interests, not just for those in the fifteenth century but for today as well. How else could we describe the sudden boom in cottage core and dark academia but a renewed interest in historically inspired fashion and traditional living? These cultural renewals are far from unique, and this period is just the latest example. Considering if you will, the hobbies we took up during the pandemic: bread making, sewing, repairing clothes, costuming/cosplay, and gardening. These are hobbies with historical backgrounds, mindful tasks, repetitive, and serve to distance oneself from the modern-day buzz of technology and ever-present news. There is a sense of whimsical escapism that comes from dressing up in hand-made historical clothes and gathering in parks away from main roads with only the company of your fellow reenactors. Pulling on these clothes feels comforting and exciting all at once – I’m

not pretending to be someone I’m not, but rather, a version of who I could have been. A day spent away from the news and the worries of the modern-day. ‘Switching off’ becomes easy when my hands and mind are busy sewing and fighting with swords. This is not to say there is anything wrong with technology – none of my projects are ever completed without Netflix playing in the background – but people also desire tangible and physical activities that distance themselves from the present. There are many ways to explore history other than your textbooks, and members of UWASCA push the boundaries of what historical anachronism means to them. On any given night, one could find blackwork embroidery next to leather shoe-turning while swords and armour are polished for next week’s training. Our storeroom is packed with supplies to complete multiple projects, and guests drop by to run workshops on niche skills beyond the level we students possess. The exploration of different eras, skills, and hobbies takes more

knowledge and tools than any one person could have, but as a group, we pool our resources to support each other in our historical interests. For a group that markets themselves by the sword, it is only one aspect of who we are and what we do (albeit a very fancy and fun part). A rapier is a fast, finesse weapon that any can use, regardless of strength, size, or physical ability. It’s beautiful and satisfying to hold, moving your arms and legs together in graceful movements to kill (lightly prod) your opponent. The sword is where many find their passion. Most find their way to us first through our presence on Oak Lawn but end up staying for tea, sewing, and company. Under it all, we are a social group, united by our historical interests and traditional crafts, but a social group, nonetheless. Whether that be at a combat tournament, historical picnic, or a grand costumed feast, these events are best enjoyed in the company of others. For what better way could there be to spend an evening avoiding the textbooks than with friends - researching other, far older books. 15

Dearest Pelican Reader Tessa Moulds

earest gentle reader...

Before I start this lettering journey with you, I’m sure it must be quite prevalent that I’ve been rather absorbed with the latest season of Bridgeton. I must admit, it was my saving grace during recent isolation- so pardon the newly acquired nineteenth century British accent. Firstly, how do you feel about writing letters? An odd question, yes? As hardly anyone writes letters these days. Why waste paper and a postage stamp on something that social media can take care of in a few minutes? Well, dear reader, I’m here to tell you why in this Renaissance-themed Pelican. In fact, I will attempt to persuade you to pick up your pen and paper so that you too, can flourish in this ancient, classical art of communication. However, to get the ball rolling, I believe we may need some inspiration. Allow me to introduce you to my letter endeavours… I cannot pinpoint the day when I started writing letters, but I can pinpoint the reason - my Grandad being diagnosed with cancer. He is no longer with us, however, the snail mail we wrote to each other is still with me. All the letters he sent in reply to my own have been kept in what is now a sacred wooden box. These letters are handwritten and capture memories from his adventures and thoughts from his daily life. My remedy whenever I am feeling down is to open and read the letters contained in my sacred wooden box up to my heart’s content, and I must say it works tremendously well. When reading letters, you learn to appreciate the value of stories captured on paper. It provides society with a unique realm of communication other than social media. There is nothing quite like opening your letterbox to find a specific letter you’ve been eagerly waiting to read, savouring every moment as you open it. Currently, my mum and I try to write to each other weekly due to the distance between her living in Kalgoorlie- when writing letters to her, I try to find a nice spot away from my desk and university assignments. On top of this, I write to a designated person in the ‘Lovely Letters Project’ and receive letters from women all over

the world every month. Writing letters forces you to slow down in this busy world that we live in, especially as university students. How do you write a letter, you may ask? Fear not. Here are my ABCs for writing fabulous letters, starting from the very beginning. Firstly, you will need supplies and somewhere to put them, such as a cool box, tin, drawer, or folder. Supplies you may wish to consider are a variety of paper types, envelopes, postal stamps, and a fancy pen. You’ll want to find a place of comfort and inspiration when writing. This could be a café, the riverside, a beach, or even a nice spot at home. Being relaxed is salient to ensuring writing is a mindful part of your day. Personally, before I start writing, I often listen to my favourite playlist, eat a snack, have a cup of tea, and light a candle to really set the mood. Then I am ready to start! I like to write about my week, significant events, and opinions of global happenings, but you can write about absolutely anything. A letter can be anything you want it to be! After finishing your beautiful masterpiece, you can put it in the envelope, seal it, and write the personal details on the front – name and address. Make sure you stick a stamp on the top right-hand corner. These little necessities cost around one dollar. Now post the letter and begin the eager waiting period for a reply! The bonus of letter writing includes a deeper appreciation for some of its affiliated classics. For example, I have become a lover of wax seals, stamp collecting, and calligraphy - both English and Japanese, which I believe contributes to the entirety of the experience. As such, I’ve incorporated these new features into my letters and enjoy jotting down my thoughts, dreams, and memories for my loved ones to open, read and reply. I would encourage you, dear reader, to send a spontaneous letter to a loved one. There is nothing quite like being the receiver of a letter, and I’m sure that the gesture will be returned - unless you have brothers like me, of course, those ones need a bit of bribery. For more information regarding letter writing, you may wish to check out Feather and Nest A Guide to Creating Lovely Letters One Letter at a Time. 17

My Perfect Clubbing Outfit Perry Caswell

ashion trends fall in and out of style all the time, but history can’t deny that there haven’t been some overly flamboyant, ridiculous, and crude ones. I believe it was early childhood memories of Horrible Histories that enlightened me on this subject. For those unfortunate enough not to experience its full glory, Horrible Histories, based on the book series, is a beloved and award-winning children’s show that wasn’t afraid to show the grim side of history, with plenty of jokes and satire peppered throughout. If my memory does not fail me (unlikely), they often had a segment on ridiculous and often dangerous fashion trends of yesteryears from toxic lead-based foundations, urine shampoos, and padded calf muscles. Sometimes, it is better to leave certain trends in the past. But anyway, here’s a somewhat light article for your Sunday afternoon reading on what my perfect clubbing outfit (does not) looks like! Cod Pieces There was no “big dick energy” in renaissance Europe. You had to show what you were packing. What else would you do other than wear a large, overly exaggerated codpiece! How else could you figure out who was the wealthier and more

prestigious gentleman? All joking aside, the codpiece in its earliest form was simply a baggy piece of cloth and was assumed to “fill a gap” in men’s flowing outfits, preserving male modesty against any unfortunate accidents. However, over time, and peaking briefly in the renaissance era, they grew and hardened. There was considerable protest from moralists, but in the sixteenth century, it was considered the pinnacle of high-society masculinity. The wealthiest even had them woven from silk, embroidered, and bejewelled. They also served a more protective role for German and Swiss mercenaries. Personally, I am glad as a society we’ve moved on from this unfortunate fashion trend. Crakows/Poulaines Ever seen a beautiful renaissance era painting of a cityscape? Or perhaps a depiction of the royal court, the upper classes? Chances are then you’ve seen these ridiculous looking shoes. They were a popular fifteenth century style of shoes with an extremely elongated toe, almost conelike in nature. They were meant for those of the nobility and gentry, with King Edward IV of England even passing a sumptuary law (laws that regulate consumption) that anyone under

a high position could not wear the shoes with lengths greater than two inches, presumably from the toes. Two years later, in 1465, they were banned altogether! Historic literary accounts state that wearers often chained these long toes to their ankles too, preventing them from becoming a tripping hazard, but gave the shoe a weird crescent shape. Personally, I absolutely would have rocked them to the Shrek themed guild ball last year. Frosted tips The modern crown of the sophisticated and saucy man of the late 90s and early 2000s with a delicious bird’s nest adorned many a dome. From teenage heartthrob Justin Timberlake to the man who’ll take you all the way to Flavourtown (Guy Fieri), this was the must-have hairstyle. Basically, this hairstyle consisted of cutting one’s hair short and then forming it into various short spikes with gels or hairsprays. Often, the tips of these peaks would be bleached, which contrasted with the natural hair colour of the individual. It is hard to pin down exactly who started this trend, but many point to Justin Timberlake’s former boy band NSYNC for at least famously parading the style.

Flash Fiction Competition Winner and Runner-up pieces Organised by Cleo Robins and Luoyang Chen

he inaugural Pelican Flash Fiction Competition has now ended, after two months of high-calibre submissions from Pelican’s contributors. Throughout the competition, participants were required to submit a total of three pieces, each responding to a different theme. The third and final round marked the culmination of their achievements, with the theme “Sacrifice” prompting writers to draw on all their literary skills. It is with great pleasure that we present the competition’s winner and runner-up entries, penned by writers Lauren Coyle and Ethan Dodson. WINNER: For The Family by Lauren Coyle Mina races up the drive. Two letters in hand both opened. She runs like she’s flying, dancing on sunbeams with laughter on her lips. Two letters, two offers, and one from her first pick. The veranda steps groan under her enthusiasm and the flywire rattles as it rebounds off the battered door stop. Mina skids around the corner to the kitchen, bracing herself on the door frame.

“Is she okay?” “There was an incident. Your sister is fine now, but it triggered an episode.” And that’s all there is to say. That doesn’t stop her mother from criticizing the camp’s director for the entire drive. Mina hums agreements at the appropriate moments and tries not to think about the crumpled letters in her back pocket. Her sister is subdued as she gets in the car. Two shades too pale, with red still rimming her eyes. She clings to Mina like she’s the only thing keeping her tethered to the planet. “Did the letters come?” her sister asks, pleading for distraction. “Yes,” Mina says. Two sets of eyes rest on her now, one heavy with expectation. Mina thinks of her first pick, expensive and states away. She feels the tremor of her sister’s white-knuckle grip. “And?” Her sister asks.

The air catches in her throat, her grin freezes then falls. Her mother’s back is slumped, she has one hand clutching in her hair. The other holds her phone to her cheek.

“Looks like I’ll be local.”

“We’ll be right there, thank you,” her mother says. Then she hangs up. Her phone clatters heavily on the table.

Maya didn’t mind much that he was about to die. ‘What’s dying in a volcano to another year

“MINA!” her mother calls. Mina stands to attention, shifting the letters behind her back. 20

“MINA! WHERE ARE-” Her mother turns. “You... There you are, good. Get your jacket, we’ve gotta go pick up your sister.”

RUNNER-UP: Sacrifice by Ethan Dodson

of bountiful harvests?’ he thought as he was catapulted off the shoulders of the strongest tribesmen into its fiery depths.

We Are What We Repeatedly Do Ethan Dodson

Aristotle’s dictum, ‘we are what we repeatedly do.’ I know it to be true, though I prefer denying That I could be that self-same, Feet dragging, Sisyphean slog

Aristotle, can’t it be that we are the cracks in between? Can’t waiters still be actors yet to be cast? Though only the long-grown night has ears for their lines, Though their voices be more used to calling ‘order up!’

It is not what we repeatedly do But what we defeatedly do by the waning candlelight.

Artwork by Anya Constantine

The Renaissance

science in a Religious World Kassandra Fernando spends her spare time drinking cheap prosecco and brushing up on her Italian for her next getaway

he Renaissance era was a period of exponential discovery, innovation, and advancement in science. It built the foundations leading to the Scientific Revolution. The Renaissance saw the beginnings of modern-day chemistry (known then as alchemy), advancements in mathematics and medicine, and the emergence of fundamental astronomy and physics principles. Most people associate the Renaissance with discoveries made by Galileo Galilei, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Sir Isaac Newton, or inventions such as the telescope, printing press, and flush toilet. However, one of the most significant scientific advancements made during the Renaissance was the early foundations of the scientific method. The scientific method is the process that underpins presentday scientific research. It is the best method scientists have for empirically gaining knowledge through testing a hypothesis and gaining verifiable data. During the Renaissance, empiricism

began to underpin scientific thought. Early scientists were guided by experience, experimentation, and investigation through observing the natural world. Science, which emerged from philosophy, began to stray away from theory and conjecture to being about tangible observations and provable facts. The scientific method was the underpinning of many Renaissance discoveries, from alchemy to Galileo’s discoveries in astronomy and even to William Harvey’s discovery of the role the heart has in circulating blood.

However, the emergence of this rigorous scientific process also led to the separation between religion and science, which often caused conflict between scientists and the church. This was mainly because scientific theories started to directly contradict religious teachings. For example, Copernicus’ and Galileo’s belief that the Earth revolves around the Sun (heliocentrism) - a theory now proven to be true - directly contradicted the church’s view in accordance with the Bible that the Earth is at the centre of the universe. Unfortunately, this war between scientists and the church saw more casualties on the side of science. Scientists were often persecuted for spreading teachings that did not align with the Roman Catholic church, and their work was suppressed or demonised. Scientists were accused of dabbling in witchcraft and were sometimes imprisoned. Galileo had to undergo an inquisition about his theories around heliocentrism by the Roman Catholic church and was then forced to spend the last nine years of his life under house arrest. Although the Renaissance saw exponential growth of science as a field of study, this conflict between science and religion is one reason why the Scientific Revolution came towards the end of the Renaissance period. Yet the scientific method still continues to prevail from its initial quiet beginnings.

The Nightmare of the Renaissance Child Abigail Macleod drinks so much coffee her single brain cell is shaped like a coffee bean.

he Renaissance. A new birth for the world of artists, brimming with muses and inspiration. From the Renaissance period of the fourteenth to the seventeenth century, art developed a unique flair. It also began to adopt a very recognisable style. It leads us to ask ourselves: why do Renaissance women look beautiful, glowing, and vivacious, but the babies they hold look like ugly old men? Why do the fine strokes of Renaissance paintings evoke a gentle and careful image, but the cats and dogs playing at the feet of Renaissance figures look like they were sketched by someone who had possibly never seen a cat before? It comes down to expression and realism. You may look at a baby whose face bears a striking similarity to Boris Johnson (or a cat whose face is also similar to Boris Johnson) in a fourteenth century painting and see a lack of care. However, it is a telltale sign of the early Renaissance painters’ disdain for realism; these babies were often thought to be incarnations of Jesus himself. As the historical era changed from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, the idea of a ‘homuncular’ (ugly) Jesus was still very much common at the time.

These babies were ugly on purpose - the Medieval style of painting babies stayed strong - as people just thought this was the correct way to paint them. However, as we began to view our children as innocent cherubs (and not Christ himself) this idea changed. Thus, the round-faced, cute babies of later time periods became the new norm. As for the cats and dogs, it was the beginning of the Italian art renaissance that brought depth and perspective to paintings. Therefore at the beginning of the Renaissance and during the Middle Ages, the cats looked so ‘flat’ and downright creepy. Imagine that staring at you from a dark alley….

And so, we make jokes about the strange, warped expression of the early Renaissance, but it is a beautiful way to situate art in the period it came from. The Renaissance was a new awakening for the art world. In the later stages of this period, we see some of the most incredible and memorable works come to life, like The Creation of Man by Michelangelo. It may seem funny now, but early artists simply went with the trends just like you or I do by taking selfies with stickers and filters. To those who scorn the style, I say – long live the Ugly Renaissance Baby!

An Ode to Renaissance Caroline Sabater

From the darkness an era dawns What was once buried and lost, exhumed Ghosts of Socrates and Plato reign once more A continent pregnant like citrus ripening Marbled gods erected A coy smile eternalised Domed cathedrals blossom Adam offers his hand Venus rises from seafoam A physician’s daughter captures the minds of men Hoarded texts of ancient wisdom released from “The powers that be” Machiavelli beholds everlasting corruption A bloodline grips the throat of its dominion Black Death poisons the air Citizens slick with pus, writhing Bodies, boils, bursting Eyes turn toward the horizon, beyond Over raging, virgin waves For the mystique of new lands Ambitions spoil to tribulations Generations erased, enslaved For a fistful of dirt Look for the Duomo in a sea of terracotta Firenze is the sun Our world spins around, Copernicus wrote The stars they saw are long gone But the cherubs still whisper 27

The Lost Histories of Black Renaissance Europe Kassandra Fernando

he Renaissance is often described as a period in European history; however, that history is predominantly a white one. In reality, the Renaissance was a period where history all over the world was shaped. For example, the Atlantic slave trade, where enslaved Africans were transported between Africa, Europe, and the Americas, started during the Renaissance in the fifteenth century. Enslaved Africans were not a novel concept in Europe. Rome had an influx of slaves from conquered countries in 100 CE, causing a huge growth in their population. These enslaved people built architectural wonders, grew food, and worked in Roman households. Before the mid-fifteenth century, only a small percentage of enslaved people were African. However, in the fifteenth century, slavery in Europe was very different, especially compared to the slavery that had begun in the Americas on plantations. Slavery in Europe during the Renaissance was not a life sentence, but rather a stage of life. Enslaved Africans were often set free after a fixed number of years or after their master’s or mistress’ death. Additionally, they may have received clothing, possessions, or money

for future plans, such as setting up a house or getting married. The idea was that an enslaved person would be ‘free within a generation.’ This meant that freed and free Africans were navigating society and quickly integrated into professional and creative spaces in Europe. The turn of the sixteenth century saw the emergence of the first black lawyers, churchmen, teachers, authors, and artists. Additionally, diplomats and ambassadors from African countries travelled to Europe to conduct diplomacy, trade, and business. Even black nobility such as Alessandro de’ Medici (yes, that Medici family), the first Duke of Florence, a mixed-race man, was the son of a formerly enslaved African woman and a white Italian man. The relationship between races in Renaissance Europe was dynamic. This is highlighted in the pieces of art created during this time. They highlight the spaces and places Africans took up during this era, and speak to the race and class beliefs surrounding Africans in Renaissance Europe.

The painting The King’s Fountain from 1570 by an anonymous Flemish painter highlights the interactions between the different racial and social groups. The painting challenges assumptions about what a Southern European city looked like during the Renaissance era. It depicts people from all social statuses in front of Chafariz de El-Rei in Lisbon. The painting captures African women (most likely domestic enslaved women) carrying pots on their heads and a black man with a sword, indicating his freedom. A black man is seen riding a horse in armour with a knighthood symbol, and even a black diplomat in a feathered hat and cape with his horse. However, the truly striking part of the painting is the interactions in the background between black and white people – dancing together and shopping in the market –

a depiction of what appears to be ordinary life. This does not discount the racial prejudices and inequalities that were blatantly present at this time. However, these prejudices operated much less consistently during this era than those seen in later Western histories. The artworks of the Renaissance era are some of the most well-known and revered pieces of art in the world. However, there is a certain sadness focusing on white experiences of the Renaissance. Numerous works reveal a black presence in Europe during this period that depicts an older and deeper history than once assumed. The representation of a much richer and more complex history than is imagined raises the question of what other black histories have been lost. 29

The Rise of Banking during the Renaissance

Brando Arimborgo and Neha Bolla

anking has become so ubiquitous in our everyday lives, with us constantly engaging in transactions, deposits, and withdrawals. But have you ever stopped to think about how banks originated and what made them so popular? One of the major reasons banks exist nowadays, and why we so heavily rely upon them, is due to the Renaissance era, which took place from the fourteenth century to the seventeenth century. Originating in northern Italy, this period led to the implementation of new concepts in philosophy, finances, and trade. These innovations included the formation of banking institutions to provide financial security, which

to this day, are very much used by individuals, businesses, and public sectors. Let’s first consider Renaissance Italy, where many revolutionary cultural developments took place as Europe transitioned from the Middle Ages to Modernity. The wealth and power that Venice gained from the abundance of trade led to the origins of modern banking. From Venice, banking spread throughout Italy and eventually throughout the world. One of the reasons banks became so popular is due to certain benefits that creditors didn’t provide. For example, a bank could pull capital

together from anyone who is partly invested in that bank, associates, or depositors for larger projects. Most importantly, individuals had the opportunity to diversify risk, which was very much demanded at the time, and even now, because not very often would people want to risk large sums of money for an investment that could turn very rewarding or tragic. So the ability to diversify their portfolio really interested them. Many Italian banks started to issue the first ever banknotes in Europe. It was truly the first paper note issued by a bank. It was a paper note written out and redeemable on demand. The bearer of this note could take this note to the bank at any time and redeem it for gold or silver coins. It represented value, what we would also call currency, which is described as a commonly accepted medium of exchange. It represented money. Banknotes freely circulated hand to hand without having to be endorsed, unlike bills of exchange. Banknotes were also privately issued; however, coinage was still issued by the government. Italian banks innovated even further during this time by adopting doubleentry bookkeeping. Bookkeeping essentially states that wherever there is a debit, there must be a credit. Although banks had numerous benefits for their clients, the bank itself also had to make a profit, and it did so in the following ways: 1.

Accepted money deposits from clients and used them for investments

Charged administrative fees for loans

Bought or sold bills of exchange from you in exchange for money

Changed foreign money into local money for a fee

Lent money to governments for a fee

Made investments

As mentioned previously, banks made money in various ways, one of them being keeping people’s savings as many were afraid that their savings would be stolen by robbers, so they decided to use the bank as it offered more security measures plus potentially paid a small amount if the savings were used by the bank for investments. Another way banks made money was through charging administrative fees, now known as interest for loans. However, they weren’t allowed to call them interest due to regulations by the church. Banking was spreading all around, but it really took off in Florence, where there were between seventy to eighty private banks primarily owned by the Medici family. They had been in this business from the thirteenth century to the sixteenth century and became so wealthy that they became the first family to transition to hereditary status and governmental power due to their economic success. The Pope and Vatican also became one of their clients. The Medici family was so wealthy that at one point, they became patrons of famous paintings and sculptures. Their power reached a point where two popes consecutively were part of the Medici family, which led to some people believing the church had become corrupt. Banking has certainly come a long way, mostly due to the Renaissance period. However, as stated in previous editions, the future is still very unknown, and banks could start to implement new forms of banking. We don’t know for sure what will happen, but we do know that banks have been around for a long time and that their services have been used by many to this day when most people use their phones to pay. It will be exciting to find out what the future holds for us.

The Renaissance of Trans History Amias Neville

history has the power to offer new perspectives on our current practices, revealing the ways we manipulate bodies to suit shifting ideas about sex and gender.

The Shape Of Sex: Nonbinary Gender From Genesis To The Renaissance, by Leah DeVun.

ransgender people existed throughout history. To say otherwise is to ignore mountains of research by academics on the topic. The modern-day and medieval periods have proven there were always people who existed beyond the gender binary. However, what did not exist was the language used to describe them. The T in the LGBT label was born in the late twentieth century, and thus, far too late for your average twelfth-century illiterate commoner.

So, how could we ascribe labels to people when these labels were never around for us to use? The simple answer is; we didn’t. A historian’s role is not to assign strict labels to historical figures, especially when those labels did not exist, and thus, no historical figure could have self-identified with them. The goal is to collect experiences related to modern-day transness and present these historical figures as valuable experiences worthy of record. Consider the life of Eleanor Rykener, a

fourteenth-century woman who socially transitioned and went on to defend her choice in court. Despite being assigned male at birth, she was referred, at her request, by she/ her pronouns. Eleanor never used the term transgender to describe her experiences, yet, what better word could a modern scholar find? In much the same way, documents of legal cases showing requests for sex changes are also one of the few untarnished records of intersex lives. Evidence not only of their existence, but also that socially, they were allowed to change their legal sex to one that suited them better. Do not mistake these records for proof that transness was accepted in history. For all she self-identified as a maiden, Joan of Arc was considered ‘trans enough’ to die for the crime of wearing men’s clothing. These cases are still far between, peaking between lost archives if not destroyed by ill-meaning academics, but those who remain treasured pieces of a lost trans and gender-diverse history. Gender, and by extension, the roles placed upon sex, are culturally shaped and thus vary by time and place. In the Renaissance period, the focus for this issue was that culture was shaped by religion – the Roman Catholic Church. Although different from its modern-day institution, that culture allowed for surprising nuance with spiritual and divine gender-play. Images of Christ bearing his breast for saints to feed on or even exposing his bleeding, vulvicshaped side wound created a cult following for this ‘Feminine Christ’ iconography, with medieval monks aspiring towards his divine femininity. Despite being born female, Saints Marinos, Eugenius, and Euforsine all chose to live and die as men and were honoured for their ‘extreme devotion to chastity’ – even upon pain of death to reveal their sex. Church records will remember them by their deadnames, hailing them for their virginal status. The tragedy of

Saint Euforsine, requesting on death that none should see their body, only for it to be exposed for all to see. Revealing their sex, and thus, condemning them to be remembered as female. How many trans bodies have been buried under their dead names? Even Adam and Eve, upheld as the origins of binary sex, have been visualised in bodies featuring nonbinary sex characteristics: a pregnant Adam or Eve sharing Adam’s torso and genitals. History speaks the words the Church has tried to silence for centuries – we were always here, hidden in the margins of saintly records and Church devotionals. The very figures one aspired towards are those of transness. Throughout all this research and the growing scholarship on transgender histories, the goal is not to prove we existed. The records show that much. The purpose is to prove that our existence is worthy of preservation and sharing – that our existence matters. For further research: “Were there Transgender people in the Middle Ages?” By G. Bychowski, in The Public Medievalist. The Shape of Sex: Nonbinary Gender from Genesis to the Renaissance by Leah DeVun. Cross Dressing, Sex, and Gender by V. L. Bullough and B. Bullough. “Trans and Genderqueer Subjects in Medieval Hagiography” by Alicia Spencer-Hall and Blake Gutt in Hagiography Beyond Tradition.

The Alchemical Self Lillith Litchfield alchemised herself into star platinum.

ou are disconnected from your body, your embodiment, your whole self. You are a disconnected nothingness - a puppeteer pulling the strings of your flesh prison. Tendrils anchor your soul through strange horrid meat. The meat was given a name. Branded onto it through the searing heat of the pen. Indefatigable chittering speaks praise unto your flesh. Exalting your prison. You see a stranger staring back in wretchedly straight mirrors. A queer thought comes unbidden. Your fruitless twisting straining at your bounds bares nothing for your soul, yet another path may lie through the darkness. Artefacts forbidden to you bring similar queer ruminations. From what unplumbed gulfs of trans-cosmic consciousness are these feelings drawn? They leave you with a single glimpse of forbidden æons which frightens you when you think of it and tantalises you when you dream of it. 34

But in your quiet ruminations and ponderous investigations, you piece together dissociated knowledge - revealing terrific vistas of Reality. You dwelled upon a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity. And in this ink-black brine of forbidden knowledge, I make my home, I make my stand, I explore past all that was wrought from me, and I become something more. But you shall not go mad from my revelation. You alchemise me. I am a homunculus. I am the perfect alchemical union of flesh that shall slay god. I love you for what you have done. For peering into that black abyss. For treading this gorgeous path. For making me. I experience the whole beauty of reality filtered through a gorgeous lens of self. I am a wondrous interconnection of internal exultation and reflected truth. I am connected to my body, I am embodied, and my self is whole.

Lawn Bowls and the Renaissance (and the Argument for a Second One)

Libby Caldwell

awn Bowling first started in Ancient Egypt and remained popular throughout Renaissance times. It has been listed as one of the most influential sports played during that time. However, despite being a sports lover, I admittedly have never played (or even shown interest) in lawn bowls. Bowls Australia reported in 2019 that of their roughly 700,000 participants, only 6% of them are under eighteen. Additionally, only 12% fall into the eighteen to thirty-nine-yearold category. Studies have shown that, in some clubs, 92% of members are fifty-five years of age or older. In the Bowls world, Australia hosts the biggest event in the world each year, the Australian Open. Despite a potentially confusing title, the (Bowls) Australian Open is just another testament to the popularity of this sport in our country, even with barely tapping into the numbers of young people. There’s something fascinating about a sport that, instead of appealing to the youth, appears to do the opposite. After reaching out to some local clubs, many reiterated the lack of young adults around their

club but confirmed that an increase would be more than welcome. It was also stated that Lawn Bowls can be an easy game to pick up at a social level, with a lot of clubs only charging ten dollars per person to play a game. Paired with cheap pints, bowls can be a cheap night out for students wanting to try something a bit different. I was told it’s almost impossible to feel intimidated or unwelcome when walking into a club, even when knowing next to nothing about the sport. The social and community aspect is extremely strong, with many fundraisers and other community events often taking place. Perth has a variety of choices when it comes to Bowls Clubs. Wherever north or south of the river, there are many options. Essentially all of them offer either cheap food and drinks, cool views, a casual atmosphere, live music, or a combination of all of those options. So, now more than ever, I want to say that it’s potentially time for the second Renaissance of Lawn Bowls. An injection of youth into the sport is wanted and welcomed in what seems like an ideal sport, and social event, for those wanting to try something new. 35

The Lion King (1994) Ben Marshall

he Lion King (1994) is beautiful cinema, and beautiful cinema is profound: it is worth more than all the words that could be used to describe it. Attempts through commentary to replicate an experience between the viewer and screen are futile and conceited. But for those who have had the chance to participate in the spectatorship of this classic and have not had their appetite whetted by Disney’s best efforts (see The Lion King (2019)), there may be words fit for magic. The original lavished the silver screen with its gorgeous and expressive animation, enchanting score, and striking characters. Yet these elements, ostensibly juvenile in orientation, hold the weight of a sobering transmission that provides food for introspective thought. It is unmistakable that The Lion King shines optically and aurally. The remake, if nothing else, attests to the considerable degree of emotion the original’s animators imbued in the countenance of the hand-drawn animals. Musically the catalogue boasts the sweeping

magnificence of “Circle of Life”, the trademark Disney charm and playfulness of “Hakuna Matata”, the tender and passionate ballad “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, and Hans Zimmer’s score, the rousing majesty of “King of Pride Rock” elevates Simba’s final climb of the eponymous throne to restore tranquillity and balance to the animal kingdom. Although these components are readily identifiable, underpinning each is a stirring sentiment with significant scope for psychological analysis and deriving genuine wisdom. There is a distinct Jungian quality to the narrative: the principle of synchronicity is demonstrated between the subjectively meaningful presentation of Simba at the film’s beginning and the outside world as the heavens open to shine a light down on him. The superego and id are represented by Simba’s internal connection with his judging father and his hedonistic, carefree days with Timone and Pumba, respectively. With Simba himself as the ego in-between, the concept of the shadow

is central, literally given Simba’s kingdom “everything the light touches” and the rule of Scar heralds darkness, but metaphorically in that he must face the unknown willingly to achieve his purpose. The awakening anima impelling him from languish is embodied by Nala; and there are several Jungian archetypes, including the father (Mufasa), the devil and trickster (Scar), the wise old man (Rafiki), the child who then becomes the hero (Simba), and the archetypal motif of the deluge (the downpour that washes away the remnants of Scar’s rule). It is not just that these elements are present, for great cinema does not exist for pretend psychologists to make lofty connections between children’s films and psychoanalytic theory. Their importance is in what they materially contribute. The point is for each audience member to relate to Simba and to derive from his journey something they can apply to their life. The message, I believe, is that one must willingly confront their internal darkness: the

part of themselves they have not explored that is capable of depravity, wickedness, and wrongdoing to eventually empower themselves by properly integrating these vices into their personality rather than shying away from them. In Simba’s case, this integration allows him to become a strong, ingenious, and powerful leader. It is suggested that otherwise, the shadow will eat one alive, like the devastating plague of Scar’s reign consuming the Pride Lands. By facing his belief that he was responsible for his father’s death and grappling with the darkness inside of him, Simba can shed his torpid, meaningless existence and expel his shame along with his nefarious uncle. Like Simba, we all have a super-ego (i.e. judging father) and darkness within us. However, with guidance, luck, and courage, we can enable ourselves to realise our potential and take our place in the great Circle of Life.

Riding the Sound Waves Written By Alexia Denys

y relationship with the violin is not as romantic as one might think. I have played consistently for ten long years, and I wish I could say I had been highly passionate in my love or hatred for the practice. In reality, I would describe my attitude towards the $100 instrument as anything but a sweet symphony, perhaps a rather uninspired canon in D major. My musical journey began on what can only be described as a whim. As a child, I had been labelled as “gifted”, which predictably has landed me in some sticky situations. My mother knew this, of course, and after having moved countries twice and cities thrice in the past four

years, jumped at the promise of stability. It was time to invest in my brother and my marketable skills. What else was my ten-year-old self supposed to pick out? The guitar? The piano? No, these would be too forgiving. Arrogant shit that I was, I decided on the most challenging and prestigious option. Still, it remained a reluctant one, chosen with as much snark as a ten-year-old could muster. Much to my surprise, Mom accepted my selection straight away, although I’m sure the months that followed left her regretting it. The house soon became an auditory battlefield. My mother would scream at me to “practice for

I became known to my friends as the one who played the violin

at least five minutes because heaven help me if I am wasting my money on these blooming lessons.” The silence was broken by an unenthusiastic and squeaky rendition of Ode to Joy or Hot Cross Buns (if I was feeling spicy). In case it wasn’t obvious, my passion for the violin in my formative years was watered down at best. This changed slightly when my Nana came to visit us from South Africa. As neither of my parents were even marginally musically inclined, having her around to encourage me to practice made a huge difference. Somehow, with her by my side, the copious scales and technical work were made that little bit more enjoyable. Maybe one day, I could entertain the idea of being good at this slippery little instrument. It continued like this for years, and I found myself in a perpetual loop. As soon as I got close to quitting, Mom would tell me that I “actually had talent”. Begrudgingly, I believed her, though I quickly became blasé. I would enter an obsessive episode and dedicate myself wholly for a couple days, fall indifferent for a

couple months, and then repeat the cycle. I was not entirely unsuccessful: I got a perfect score at Catholic Performing Arts and did well in my one music exam. I played a tune for a school competition here and there, always placing somewhere on the podium. As I entered high school, I moved on from group classes and changed teachers. Suddenly, my lessons went from exam-focused to leisurely. Mr N, a scientifically minded sheep farmer, played the violin so deeply it resembled the robust reverberations of a viola. Although he encouraged me to focus on technique, it was always in favour of elevating and freeing the music. This was when it got fun. I became way more involved in the music and eventually joined the ensemble. I became known to my friends as the one who played the violin. It was the reason I was always late to homeroom or had to duck out during lunchtime. Except nobody ever heard me play, at least not from the heart. The other day I caught up with some friends from high school, and a conversation stuck with me. The final embers of the party were glowing. 39

The violin carried my artificial screams, becoming an outlet for frustration

Only four or five of us were left. The host (an old flame of mine) and I were having a chat. Small talk. A lull in the conversation allowed me to focus back on the music. With a giggle, I mentioned that I could play the current song on the violin. He gave me a knowing smile – the violin often came up as a topic between us. He jested about how he never got to hear me play. My current partner, who was now slung around my shoulders, replied haughtily that it had “only taken me a year” into our relationship to play for him. Even then, I had made him listen from another room. This amused us, but I knew it wasn’t them I was afraid of. It was the betrayal of the instrument itself. I rode the ebbs and flows of my passion for music throughout high school. I started to play based not on assigned work but on when it suited me best. Often it was an excuse to stop studying. The violin carried my artificial screams, becoming an outlet for frustration. My stress over my studies manifested heavily in my playing. Some evenings I would walk away with tendons as tight as the bowstrings I played. My fingers bore calluses, and my throat would 40

tighten at a note out of tune. Other times, I would print out my favourite songs and play them as well as I could. The joy of the music overshadowed my slovenly runs. Recognising a familiar tune amongst the arbitrary strings of notes was thrilling for the first time. By year eleven, I was tired. I’d been pushing myself for years. As I attempted to balance violin with other interests like friends, boys, and ATAR, my practice was few and far between. After a year that felt like everyone wanted a piece of me, I’d had enough. I finally reached the point where I was okay to enjoy the instrument for what it was; an unforgiving piece of wood that made cool sounds when its metal vibrated in a specific way. So, with tears in my eyes, and much deliberation, I lay to rest my violin career. And I did so with my head held high. Part of me knew that it wasn’t goodbye forever, and that made my decision just a little bit easier. I pick it up now, three years later, and find nostalgia, even beauty, in those dreaded technical pieces.

Rusty Fences Patrick Easough

Take me back to my little piece of bush. Where the neighbours, (who looked after me) look at me, leathered, dreary and dusty, leaning on rusted fences. They watch me grab runaway sheep, chucking them into a ute, that’s past its glory days, its scraped, dented bonnet burning away my needless thoughts. Take me away from this dim campus, with high fences, covered in trees, that I find naturally in the little piece of bush. Banksia’s, Balga’s, and Blue Tongue, taunting a prison that I can leave. I don’t. I am instead, trying to write what home, means to me.

I would look out over that drought-ridden land, on my dad’s fenced farm, watching sandstorms, fires and rain, clouds and sunshine, coming and going, the dreams I’ve forgotten. So why did I try so hard to capture the image of it? Because I did. I wrote. Cooped up in my four white walls, cement ceiling, window that overlooks that teasing campus. In a residence, filled with people like me. Desperate, to be relieved of this duty, the one of our families. I don’t want to be owing to no one, only to that little piece of bush, were neighbours watch me, leaning on rusted fences, and open gates.

Adjusting From Home Life to Campus Life

Adapting as an International Student Written by Ananya Rao

he last two months have been a period of great change for me. A change in location, time zone, and schedule have forced a shift in my priorities, habits, and outlooks. In the first week of February 2022, I moved from my home country India to Perth to pursue my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Human Resource Management. I studied online for the first three semesters of my degree, meaning I was halfway through it by the time I arrived on campus. So, although the academic demands of UWA were not new to me, UWA as my new home was. As were college and campus as my primary destinations for growth and development. What I had to learn, or more specifically relearn, was the meaning of university. Adult life had been based at home. A typical day consisted of assignments, lectures, sleeping (way too much), eating (also too much), music, and the occasional online event. Alongside Covid, I am sure this is a routine well-known to many. I had no real responsibilities beyond my university

work.I was barely ‘adulting’. I never really understood what it meant to be an international student in a whole new environment juggling many different things. However, now that I’m here, and dare I say extremely involved in campus life, I find it harder and more complicated to study as expected for an undergraduate course. When I was still online from India, I started making efforts to join student clubs, societies, and Guild departments as a way of integrating myself into campus culture. As of this year, I am the International Student Representative for the UWA Science Union, as well as The Education Officer for The UWA Psychology Society. I am also on the committees of many UWA Student Guild bodies such as the International Students (ISD), Women’s Welfare and Volunteering Departments. So, although I am trying to ‘make the most’ of my bachelor’s, the social part of student life makes it harder for me to always give my best to academics. I feel conflicted because I am dedicated to my studies and leadership roles. 43

UWA is now present in my life in such a tangible way. My schedule revolves around face-to-face tutorials, events that I am attending, organising, or hosting; and everything else UWA related. From ISD education events like workers’ rights workshops and study sessions to SCREW week stalls and dog therapy sessions (this one is a lot of fun!!) I must practice ‘time management’ now (I suppose attending one of those Study Smarter sessions wouldn’t hurt). University happens now, and I never thought it would be this hard (or exciting). Transitioning away from this period at home also revealed that a big part of my life is my family. I am close to those guys. They are my strength and my weakness. During the years of studying online, most of the hours in my day were spent in the company of my mother. She would come back from work around 5pm, and until bedtime, we would just sit together chatting about our days, gossiping. She’d share pearls of wisdom. I’d ask for guidance, and one thing or the other, would lead to the occasional argument. But I still discuss literally everything with her, no matter how trivial it may seem what my second major should be, to whether I should apply for this program or that, who in my class is hating on who and why I hate 44

group work. I’m not saying I don’t hide the ‘controversial’ things from her, but I find it very hard to lie to her. What I’m trying to say is that she is my everything, my rock, and my support. So, when I came to Perth in February, it was a big adjustment. On one hand, homesickness became real. On the other hand, it was easier than I expected. I only miss them when I think about them. The problem is that I think about them constantly. Every step I take or decision I make is followed by the thought of “What would my brother think about this?” or “Would mom allow it?” or “Dad would find this so funny!” Please allow me to rephrase that my family is not a part of my life. They are my life. Leaving my home life behind to come and study at UWA involved sacrifice, surviving on memories, and finding new ways and styles of communication. It showed me what I still must work on. I must get better at expressing my thoughts to my family now that they are not constantly around to read my expressions, body language, and reactions. I am sure every international student would relate to this to some extent. But for me, it has been valuable to rediscover the importance that my family holds, to move forward taking them with me instead of leaving them behind.

A World Reborn Owen Cumming is a conscientious cyanobacteria.

ife began in Earth’s deep oceans. In quiet, in darkness, and in peace.

The early world’s atmosphere had very little oxygen, which was toxic to the simple life that thrived there in the water. When Earth was still young (if two-billion years could be considered young), one form of life emerged that had little care for the world they’d been given. They began to strip the natural resources from a carbon-rich atmosphere and pump toxic oxygen into the air. These cyanobacteria, as they would later be called, poisoned their world.

It was slow at first. It took generations upon generations for any real change to occur. They didn’t know what would happen. They were simple creatures, after all. Any species that knew would have stopped what they were doing. The life that existed in the world perished or fled to the deepest places where the poison couldn’t reach. An entire world almost died. But they couldn’t destroy the world, it would be reborn. They could only destroy their world.

Each time new life, new species, and a new world arises from the destruction

We call what happened next - the Cambrian Explosion - as if some fuse had been lit, as if some great burst of stored energy needed to be released. Really, it was just the inevitable cycle of rebirth and renewal that happens after any great calamity. Earth is old. Older than thought, and it knows how to look after itself. Great destruction and death have happened more than once, and cyanobacteria aren’t the only things to have been responsible. Each time new life, new species, and a new world arises from the destruction. Now, on an older Earth (if four-and-a-half billion years could be considered old), a new form of life has emerged, careless of what they’ve been given. They strip the natural resources from the ground, sea, and sky; and pump them full of toxins. They are poisoning their world. 46

It was slow at first. It has taken generations upon generations for any real change to occur. They can’t know what is happening. They are simple creatures, after all. Any species that knows would stop what they are doing. The life that exists in the world is perishing or else fleeing to places where the poison can’t reach. An entire world is dying. But we can’t destroy the world; it has been reborn before, and it will be again. We can only destroy our world.

Fresh and the resurgent menace of Bluebeard’s castle Cleo Robins

This article contains spoilers for the film Fresh.

Trigger warning contains themes of extreme violence and cannibalism

irector Mimi Cave’s debut feature Fresh is a thriller with quite a few twists and turns up its sleeve. While the film appears at first to be the age-old story of ‘boy-meets-girl’, it soon turns out to be something completely different; half an hour in, we find out that protagonist Noa’s new beau intends to imprison her and harvest her flesh. The biggest surprise of Fresh was not, however, its many plot developments but rather the homage it paid to one of literature’s heavyweight archetypes. Namely, the infamous Bluebeard. Charles Perrault’s Bluebeard is a fairytale that many would deny deserves that term. First published in 1697, the story is a far cry from the Disney confections we enjoy today, with its gory details prompting several scholars to reclassify it as a horror tale. Bluebeard tells the story of a young girl forced into marriage with a rich and powerful nobleman, who expressly forbids her from entering the basement of his cavernous mansion. Of course, the first thing the young wife does when her husband Bluebeard

leaves on business is poke her nose into the forbidden room – only to be confronted by the corpses of his former wives. When he returns home, Bluebeard notices a speck of blood on the basement key, and the bride is only saved from the nobleman’s swinging axe by the timely intervention of her brothers. Perrault is not the only person to have recounted a version of this particular tale. His iteration is thought to be a distillation of several regional folktales. Despite subtle differences between each retelling, most folklore scholars agree that at the time they were produced, Bluebeard tales functioned as a cautionary tale to women: don’t be curious and heed the wishes of your husband. Bluebeard was essentially the Pandora’s Box of the Middle Ages. Our conceptions of love, romance and gender have evolved in the centuries since Bluebeard was first published, and Fresh reflects this by focusing not on marriage but on the dissatisfying dating life of a millennial. The protagonist, Noa, 47

searches for potential partners via dating apps, and like many people, has little luck while doing so. Noa has just about given up on love when she meets Steve in the vegetable aisle of her local supermarket. He’s charming, polite, funny, has a stable job and doesn’t “eat animals.” Noa is so enraptured that she accepts Steve’s invitation for a weekend getaway after knowing each other for a week. But Steve has more skeletons in his closet than Bluebeard. What Fresh’s malevolent male lead has hidden in his basement is arguably more chilling than what Bluebeard had cached away under his mansion. Steve’s captives are all alive, women who, like Noa, were lured in by his apparent flawlessness and then imprisoned in order for him to cut off pieces of their bodies to sell to wealthy cannibal connoisseurs. Steve makes it clear that he only eats and sells women’s flesh, which is important when reading the film as a feminist critique of heteropatriarchal dating mores. Similarly, the people shown to enjoy eating female body parts are all men, with Steve and his faceless male buyers acting as the cannibal villains of the film. An important part of Steve’s meat business is the inclusion of the women’s personal items, like lingerie and personal photos, in the flesh delivery to each of his clients. He tells Noa that this is necessary because the wealthy customers want to feel a certain “connection” to the people they are eating. While a morbid 48

and ultimately disgusting concept, Steve’s conception of female meat as not only rarefied but fetishized functions as a cutting metaphor for the continued objectification of women in our society. Fresh’s male villains quite literally only value women for their bodies, but they dress up their perversion in the costume of romantic desire and the need for personal “connection.” The power dynamic at play in Fresh is startlingly similar to that of Bluebeard, with a powerful man harvesting women for his own cruel enjoyment via the cultural institution of romance. This allusion to the tale reminds us of its continued relevance. Bluebeard is a horror story for heterosexual women because it brings to life the inescapable fear that creeps in whenever one undertakes a new relationship. Namely, the fear that a potential male partner has hidden within him the violence and need for domination so intrinsic to the power dynamics of the patriarchy. Fresh takes this fear and applies it to the online dating world, an apt adaptation due to the possibility of meeting strangers online with whom you have no tangible social connection. But ultimately, Fresh’s great irony is that Noa meets Steve in the “real world.” The claws of the patriarchy are everywhere, the film tells us, and before you know it, they will have sunk into your flesh, keeping you in an inescapable cage in the name of romance.

Born to Powers Izzy Hamer

dynasty is formed when the line of rulers or successions belong to one single family, or are of traceable descent to common ancestors. This is a common practice in many ancient clans and tribes. A political dynasty in the twenty-first century can more broadly encompass political empires - non-state actors and conglomerates of power that have their own unique political influence. As a democratic preference has been indicated by the world’s development, and concerns about power imbalance have been raised, to what extent are political dynasties influencing modern-day politics?

Historical monarchical dynasties United Kingdom

Philippines

The well-known Royal Family in the United Kingdom still holds influence in the UK’s politics, especially in diplomacy, representation, and military power. As the oldest form of governance, the constitutional monarchy offers a sense of stability, unity, and national identity. Queen Elizabeth II is the first child of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. From the assassination of President Kennedy to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Queen remains the longest-serving British monarch.

Political dynasties started after the Philippine Revolution and as the Republic of the Philippines was established. In 2013, the country’s midterm elections identified the rule of political dynasties and showed that 74% of the House Representatives members are from political families. The current President, Rodrigo Duterte, is part of the notable Duterte family. His father, Vicente Duterte, was the former mayor of Danao in Cebu; and Rodrigo’s daughter, Sara Duterte, served as the mayor of Davao City and initiated the Vice-Presidential campaign.

North Korea The North Korean dynasty has lasted even longer than the Soviet Union. Now under Kim Jong-Un’s leadership, the family’s domination started with Kim Il Sung, who was the grandparent of Kim Jong-Un. Since Kim Jong-Un inherited power from his father at the age of twenty-seven in late 2011, he has demonstrated a more ambitious approach with a highlight of missiles and nuclear bomb testing. The Kims are not exempt from internal rivalries. Power competitions can be tracked down all throughout this historical dictatorship. In 2017, Kim Jong-Un’s older halfbrother, Kim Jong Nam, was assassinated with poison in Malaysia. North Korea has denied any involvement in the accident. 50

Canada The current Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, is the son of Pierre Trudeau, who was also Prime Minister from 1980 to 1984. Since stepping up from a teaching career and winning the 2015 presidential election, Trudeau has focused on youth engagement, equality enhancement, and environmental protection. After winning the 2019 and 2021 re-election, Trudeau received criticism in response to the Fall of Kabul and the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in the country.

Modern Dynasties: in focus - the Murdoch Media Empire Encompassing the ownership of Fox Corporation (aka. Fox and Sky News), the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, the Sun, airing NFL games, and in Australia News Corp - the umbrella of the likes of the Australian, Courier Mail, and the Western Australian, Rupert Murdoch’s media empire extends multinationally with particular influence in the US, UK, and Australia. Following the death of his father in 1952, Murdoch inherited a series of Australian newspapers at the age of twenty-two. Since then, the family business has amassed in its acquisitions to be the most influential media empire globally, comprising two-separate multi-billion-dollar media conglomerates. In Australia, News Corp comprises an estimated 59% of our media, both digital and print, and has historically correlated to bi-partisan Australian electoral success due to its influential role in public opinion. Whilst having created a global media powerhouse described by The Economist as the “founder of the modern tabloid”, in the last few years, as the size of the business has decreased, and in a climate of family disagreements, the sustainability of Murdoch’s business has been questioned. The inspiration of HBO’s hit show Succession, inspired by public family disputes and feuds regarding successive leadership between

Murdoch’s four children, expressed how these issues have led to instability in the future prospect of the leadership of the company with Rupert currently aged ninety. In 2020, Rupert’s eldest son James - the prospective heir - resigned from the board of News Corp, stating disagreement over editorial content in response to the 2019 Bushfires in Australia. In response to the Capitol Hill Riots in America, when asked if he thought Fox News played a role, James stated that US media groups are: “propagating lies”. Leadership is now propositioned to Rupert’s son Lachlan, the current CEO of Fox Corporation and co-chairman of News Corp, who has since expanded the group’s portfolio with online streaming services such as Tubi. However, support for his leadership is not universal throughout the family, considering his abrupt severance in 2005 from his family and the company. Furthermore, a problem lies with scale and lack of expansion in the digital age. In 2019, Murdoch sold the majority of TwentyFirst-Century entertainment to Disney for $71 billion for the company to remain globally competitive, and Sky was sold to Comcast for $30 billion. Compared to their competitors, Disney and AT&T, Murdoch lacks the scale and needs to continue to expand to remain globally competitive. In addition, various political scandals have further questioned Murdoch’s media role internationally in politics. In the US, Fox News 51

currently faces a $2.7 billion lawsuit over false claims of election Fraud and allegedly promoting theories that the 2020 Biden election was rigged. In the UK, the 2007-2011 alleged News of the World phone-hacking scandal still has had repercussions that have threatened to destroy their operations in the UK. Whilst politics has been characterized as polarizing between all three states - of rising sentiments of populism in domestic politics - what stands correlated to electoral success is Murdoch’s role in public opinion, an acknowledged fact by Australian politicians from Hawke to Rudd. Successive actions by Prime Ministers have promoted the monopolization of Murdoch’s media in Australia, such as the Hawke-Keating Government’s facilitation of Murdoch’s Herald and Weekly Times group; or the Turnbull Government’s abolishment of the media ownership rule preventing one company from owning a media source comprising more than 75% of the population’s media. Excluding recent traction for a Royal Commission, there has been minimal prior inquiry into the diversity of media and journalism in Australia, excluding Rupert Hamer’s 1980s Victorian Government committee of inquiry and the House of Representatives 1992 Select Committee on the print Media, however little tangible action resulted from either Committees. In 2020, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd launched a campaign for the Australian Government to start a Royal Commission into News Corp and Murdoch Media, focusing on media diversity and ownership in Australia. Kevin Rudd subsequently received support 52

from former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull despite his Government’s prior action, stating the Murdoch press was “an absolute threat to our democracy”. Rudd launched a petition calling for a commission, receiving 500,000 e-signatures from Australians. In 2021, the report by the senate inquiry led by the Greens and Labor endorsed Rudd and Turnbull’s campaign for inquiry. Coalition senators Bragg and McMahon instead opposed the inquiry for internal reform of the Australian Press Council and regulation of the ABC. As outlined in the report by the Australian Competitor and Consumer Commission (ACCC), they affirmed the Government has taken some action to ensure greater media diversity in the name of public interest through financial contributions. However, they argued the media monopolization of News Corp and the Nine network suggests market failure in Australian journalism that limits the entry into the market for independent or local news outlets. Chairman of News Australasia, Michael Miller, stated the senate’s report was proposing an expensive media inquiry for more regulation that lacks justification. Whether or not the inquiry would lead to greater diversity in Australian media ownership, its supporters have argued its benefit would enable greater transparency to the Australian public between politicians and Murdoch’s interactions, defining the extent Murdoch has had in Australian politics, elections, and public policy beyond the general public’s perceptions. However, it is worth questioning the extent a traditional commercial media company can have over public opinion in the digital age

Recycling Renaissance By Amy Reid

hen I tell people that I taught myself to sew, they are often shocked. I guess it’s true that most twenty-two year old’s have very little clue of how their clothing is made. Yet, just a few generations ago, nearly every household owned a sewing machine. Mum always reminisces to me about how she and her sisters would make their own dresses because it was a cheaper alternative to going to a store. Not long ago, sewing was seen as not only a useful but also a necessary skill. So, what’s changed? Well to start, fast fashion has made consuming copious amounts of clothing exponentially easier. Why make something yourself when you can buy it for practically less than the material cost? Time is money, as they say. Not only is buying lots of clothes now more affordable, but it’s also constantly marketed to fashion lovers as ‘necessary’. While garment quality has rapidly declined, fashion trends have only accelerated. Clothing is no longer made to last, but nor does it need to if you’re merely trying to keep up with the latest fad. While this makes dressing ‘trendy’ accessible, you must ask:what is the hidden cost?

If you’ve ever spent any time sewing, you will know that it always takes longer than you think it will. So, if you’re paying five dollars for a brand new t-shirt, there’s probably someone out there who’s not getting paid fairly for their labour. Making my own clothes has made me realise that there is simply no way to manufacture a garment that cheap without cutting multiple corners. Not only is the production exploitative, but the fashion industry is also now one of the biggest polluting industries. The apparel industry produces almost 10% of global greenhouse gases. The extreme excess of garments leads to nearly three-fifths of clothing ending up in incinerators or landfills within a year of being produced. Most cheap garments are made with synthetic materials, meaning that they won’t biodegrade. With the industry taking advantage of both people and the planet, we have truly entered a dark age in fashion. So, what can we do to return to the glory days of well-made fair-trade garments?

As part of my 2019 installation work, ‘Take Up Arms!’ I made a literal “coat of arms”, which encouraged viewers to join the fight against fast fashion. The piece was constructed entirely from sleeves of discounted op-shop garments (the most likely pieces to wind up in a landfill). The coat weighs over ten kilos, which, while ridiculous for one item of clothing, is but a mere fraction of the 6,000 tonnes of textiles dumped into landfills - every ten minutes in Australia alone! The coat’s mass of static sleeves needs human action to become animated, just as the mounds of clothing waste that will remain lifeless and large without action. When worn, several sleeves joined by a fishing line raise together. Multiple sleeves follow as one raises their arms, mirroring how a single person encouraging others to be more conscious and active can have a ripple effect. I have been op-shopping since I was two years old. Mum would take my brother and me there before our playgroup on Fridays. She 54

described the op-shop as a sanctuary, something to occupy me and my brother’s attention for an hour before the group started. Op-shops have captured countless hours of my attention ever since. There is something magical in the uniqueness of each visit. You never know what you might find! As I became older and more environmentally and socially aware, I realised op-shops were incredible in many more ways. The affordability of the items helps those who can’t afford expensive clothing, and the money raised goes to people who desperately need it. Many op-shops provide job opportunities for people who may otherwise struggle to find work. They recycle clothing that may otherwise be destroyed and/or destroy the planet. In part, I also owe my sewing skills to op-shops, as I started my sewing journey by upcycling and altering op shop clothing that didn’t quite fit (either physically or stylistically) and then gradually took on more and more ambitious projects. Op-shops allowed me to hone my skills in an affordable and environmentally friendly way.

‘Take Up Arms!’ is not only a literal coat of arms but also a symbolic one that represents everything that I stand for as a creator. I have taken all these values into my new business: Out There Fits, which I launched in 2021. Out There Fits repurposes, recycles, and reimagines textiles that would otherwise end up in landfills. I source my materials from linen sections at op-shops, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, recycling centres, and even donations from family and friends. Bedsheets have seen new life as funky festival shirts. Workwear industry offcuts have been reborn as tradie beverage

belts. Many curtains have been cut up into a couture creation. The name ‘Out There Fits’ comes, in part, from my love of a good play on words. But, also, from the fact that my style has always been a bit ‘out there’. If there’s no one who thinks I’ve gone a bit overboard, then I feel like I haven’t pushed myself far enough outside the box. For me, fashion is self-expression, so why wouldn’t you want to put yourself out there? Wearing something completely unique has this magical ability to make you feel like a rockstar!

A recent favourite is a gathered gown I made from a set a set of children’s dinosaur curtains that I bought at Salvos for five dollars! The fabric immediately reminded me of Larika Matoshi’s strawberry dress which went viral on TikTok in 2020. I had less than a week until my cousin’s wedding, so I decided I would try to recreate it in time to wear it. I didn’t get much sleep that week, but I got it done just in time and managed to document the whole process on TikTok.

While making stuff for myself is fun, it has been incredibly exciting to make unique garments for others, who I know will wear, re-wear, and cherish my creations. One such recycled garment was a patchwork coat for nine year old country musician ChaCha Sullivan. The jacket was inspired by Dolly Parton’s coat of many colours and was designed for ChaCha to perform at Tamworth Music Festival. Out There Fits is one of a kind fashion that’s kind to the planet. It’s about creating custom clothing as special as the person wearing it.

The exciting news is that there is now a whole army of creators on a very similar mission to my own. And while supporting independent creators who are presenting an alternative to fast fashion is awesome, I understand it’s not always affordable. Having learnt to make clothes certainly hasn’t stopped me from shopping at op shops (if anything, I’m there more now, sourcing fabrics). But my point is that I hope you consider the impact your fashion choices have. If you can’t afford to support sustainable brands and creators, there

are plenty of other options. Op-shops are an incredibly affordable alternative. There are even things you can do for free! That might look like re-wearing clothes you already own more. Even washing your clothes less frequently can help save water and prolong their life (might seem gross, but most clothes don’t need to be washed after every wear). It might be simply mending clothes when they’re damaged instead of throwing them away. Even in small ways like these, you can help fight fast fashion for good!

May Horoscopes Predictions: Abbey Durrant Illustrations by Sally Thomas

Aries (Ram)

(May 21 – June 21)

Themes this month: passion and balance Praises are in order for your balance between solitude and opportunities for being outgoing. You may feel that you have withdrawn, but do not worry as long as you stay balanced. Trust that Jupiter is completing a cycle later this year, guided by warmth and knowledge.

Themes this month: love and comfort This month calls for you to place more thought and importance on love and home. This could include bringing new creative projects into your home. Pay attention to your internal feelings and let them guide your life experiences. This ensures you are on the right path, whether you believe so or not!

Taurus (Bull)

(April 20 – May 20)

Themes this month: community and talent This month you have the energy and power to channel into your talents! Spend extra time on your hobbies, new and old. Dedicate more time to your community, both at university and with family and friends. Remember that burdens aren’t only yours to carry.

Gemini (Twins)

(March 21 – April 19)

Cancer (Crab)

(June 22 – July 22)

Themes this month: strength and energy You may be losing hope and motivation toward the middle of the year and the end of the semester. There is not long to go! You must trust your ability to push through while still taking appropriate care of yourself. Having low energy is a sign to commit more to yourself; spend time committing an act of love towards yourself.

Leo (Lion)

Libra (Balance)

(July 23 – August 22)

(September 23 – October 23)

Themes this month: money and secrecy Finances may be causing you stress in this period of your life, affecting your emotional state. Even being aware of this can begin to mend the pressure of financial burdens and allow you to begin looking for practical solutions.

Themes this month: love and trust This month suggests new love, whether in the form of new romantic, work, or friendship connections! Trust yourself to pursue these naturally. Difficult paths often lead to your goals in all areas of life. You must trust yourself and your ability to evolve.

Virgo (Virgin)

Scorpio (Scorpion)

(August 23 – September 22)

(October 24 – November 21)

Themes this month: charisma and confidence You have the motivation to go out and complete your goals this month! Take extra time to consider your steps and paths, to help you maintain your goals and passions. Your braveness and willingness to pursue your goals will come in handy in the final stretch of this semester!

Themes this month: wealth and the past The universe suggests you have struggled with hardships in the past, but the new month will welcome great wealth and successes into your life. Try to let go of the past and enjoy these new blessings. Remember to lean on those you trust when struggling.

Sagitarius (Archer)

(January 20 – February 18)

Themes this month: communication and energy This month may bring internal struggles to the forefront of your mind, especially personal fears. Try to maintain emotional and mental clarity, and trust that enjoyment and positivity are on their way. Warmth is a strength, but ensure you employ strong boundaries with other people and work. Remember to leave time to take care of your needs.

Themes this month: change and freedom This month suggests new beginnings, cycles ending, and fresh starts. You may feel like you are being challenged and tested, but you are beyond capable of handling these new challenges. This cycle suggests clarity in relation to thoughts and intelligence to speak your mind.

Capricorn (Goat)

Aquarius (Water Bearer)

(November 21 – December 21)

Pisces (Fish)

(December 22 – January 19)

(February 19 – March 20)

Themes this month: love and honesty Love and honesty are big themes (in a positive sense) this month. Take advantage of this positive energy and remind the people in your life that you appreciate them. Take time to analyse and handle conflicts.

Themes this month: self and talent This month promises heightened dreams and dreaminess (a typical strength of Pisces) despite family dramas or within yourself. Pursue new interests that you have been ignoring and trust in your ability to create value within your life.

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