Verse Magazine - The Grim Edition #29

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SUITE FOR 106 IN C MINOR • LA PETITE MORT • BILE AND WINE • JAMIE HORNSBY • THIS ISN’T WHAT I MEANT • FAR FROM BEYOND • KATHRYN ELLISON

GRIM EDITION 29

FREE

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Edition 29 2019

CONTENTS Edition 29 | August - September 2019

02 Editor’s Letter 04 Suite for 106 in C minor 08 La petite mort 09 Bile and wine 10 Playlist: Songs to trigger your emo phase 12 Interview: Jamie Hornsby 18 This isn’t what I meant 20 The truth behind your generosity 22 Photo Series: Far from beyond 26 Imagine: Kathryn Ellison 32 Isla in wonderland: Part 2 33 Of temporary relocation 34 Twenty Gen Z fears 35 Aortic arthroscopy 38 Photo series: Abandonment 42 Spooky music review 44 Humans of UniSA 48 Match Studio: Understanding the unknown 54 Review: Superhuman abilities 56 USASA Club Feature: Women in STEM 58 Horoscopes: Signs as spooky spirits 60 USASA Advocacy Column: Preclusions 62 USASA Calendar 63 USASA President’s Letter Above Image Ben Rhiles Cover Image Jordan White We respectfully acknowledge the Kaurna, Boandik and Barngarla First Nations Peoples and their Elders past, present, and emerging, who are the First Nations’ traditional owners of the land that are now home to the University of South Australia’s campuses in Adelaide, Mount Gambier and Whyalla.

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EDITOR'S LETTER Edition 29 Head Editor | Tanner Muller

Let’s face it, things are a bit grim at the moment. When we consider all of the unjust political systems, mass shootings, and natural disasters, you can’t escape it. Everywhere you turn, there always seems to be something around the corner to wipe the smile from your face.

Although it might be difficult during these times to see the light at the end of the tunnel, you shouldn’t let anything deter you from finding it. We, as a society, have the authority to shape the changes we desire—so if you’re an artist, use your creative skills to take a stance and spread the word. If you’re not, then contribute to the conversation in your own unique way. If we all come together to proudly raise our voices, people will have a difficult time ignoring us.

While this edition of Verse reflects all that is twisted in our sick sad world, it also aims to bring a sense of hope. Immerse yourself in what the Grim Edition has to offer. As you continue to read through these pages, you’ll be taken on a trip to the moon, discover the truth behind your generous donations, and uncover some abandoned locations. Along the way, you’ll also encounter more sensitive material relating to domestic violence, surgical procedures, and identity.

A huge thanks to all the writers and artists who submitted to this edition. I’ve poured every bit of my heart into this and I can’t wait to see what the (now) infamous Sex Edition has in store for us all. Until next time, onwards and upwards.

Head Editor Tanner Muller | Co-Head Editor A nnabel Bowles | Co-Head Editor Ryan Colsey Communications & Digital Editor Geena Ho | Graphic Designer Oliver White | Printer Newst yle Print Design & Production Consultant Jack son Polley | Design & Production Consultant Rachael Sharman The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily representative of the views of USASA or the editors.

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Creative Writing

Suite for 106 in C minor

Words by Ezra ThĂŠodore Tillet Photography by Tiana Belperio

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Ezra Théodore Tillet

Monday,

T

Con amore

they are a storm as of yet undecided on its path.

This bus is a breath before a thunderclap.

He sits in the middle of the bus and makes

he sun breaks through the clouds and the

himself inconsequential. His gum has gone cold

bus is suddenly washed in gold. There are

in his mouth and he holds it dead on his tongue

five perfect fingerprints on the glass to

like a cherry pit. There is sweat in the small

his right with gilded loops and whorls, like the

of his back and he is freezing. They are saying

man who left them dipped his fist in gold ink.

things, these men behind him. Not good things.

A man gets off at the fifth stop and thanks the

He thinks about the waiter he’d locked eyes

driver around the sleepy gravel still lodged in

with not three hours ago, the look they’d shared,

his throat. Behind him, there is a grandfatherly

the smirk, the tick of the clock. He wonders if he

crinkle of a turning page; the woman in the

might be just as obvious to these men, too. He

front seat on the left chuckles at something, the

wants to shuffle his shoulders, wants to unclasp

peaches-and-cream of her lipstick smoothing

his top button (all the buttons done up is such a

out thin and shiny as her mouth stretches.

tell he shouldn’t have done it) but his hands are

He thinks about the man he left at home

shaking, and he is entirely too scared to move.

with wet lips and mussed hair. He wonders if the man has gotten out of bed yet to shower or

Tuesday,

if he’s drinking tea still, dressed in the wrong

Scherzando

shirt. The sun fades behind cloud cover but his face is still warm. He wants to know if his

There are too many children and they

happiness if obvious, and how much he looks

are too loud. A new boy has boarded the bus to

like an eager child with the corners of his

complete their fivesome earning himself an

mouth twitching up into a grin while everyone

“AY! FRANK-AY!” All three boys’ top buttons

else is yawning.

are popped, and their hair is crispy with excess

He loves this, he thinks it to himself: I love

hair-gel. The girls have their skirts rolled up

this. The blustery morning energy of the city.

and their heads close, their hair tied with garish

Stories unfurling like buds at first light. The

ribbons.

air of coffee and newspaper print, the rustle of

“What’d Ms. Davidson say about the

scarves and bleary eyes–the orange juice and

homework?” The girls make hesitant responses,

toast of it.

the first boy booms out “Ms. Dick-son!” There is a round of gasps and a small voice loudly Saturday,

Affrettando

complaining that’s mean.

“Don’t care if it’s mean Rebecca, I don’t give a–ass!” He swears like it’s a new discovery,

She smells like stale cigarettes and relief.

That is the first thing he thinks as this new woman steps onto the bus. The fumes catch in his throat like soot, but are preferable to the yeasty stench that wafts forward from the men in the back seats.

They are rowdy these men. They want trouble but haven’t found the right outlet yet—

a certain nervous keenness bolstering the word.

“Yeah, Rebecca, calm ya shit.”

“It’s calm ya tits.”

“Calm ya shit AND ya tits!” This gets nods and smirks of approval from the rest.

The group moves on and the quieter girl in the corner watches Rebecca with a mix of admiration and fear that is familiar. He knows

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Creative Writing

that look, wonders if this girl knows what it

There is a mother with a small child

means quite yet; wonders if she’ll be as afraid or

perched in her lap like a baby owl. She

disgusted of it as the rest of the world will be.

coos at little girl, who gurgles and tries to twist her rubber-armed glasses until they

Saturday: Reprise,

Con più vibrato

break. The mother taps her on the chubby fist complacently, offering a heatless admonishment and a smile.

He gets off eleven stops too soon. That is

He thinks of his own mother. Is she grey

the problem. The problem is he gets off eleven

yet? When she frowns is it still the same lines

stops too soon. The door clips shut behind him

that crease around either eye, or are there more

with the click of a padlock and the air stills and

now? Her friends must ask. Does she pretend he

smells of stale urine and panic. He remembers a

died? He hopes she is happy, and he hopes she is

scrap of self-defence advice that if all else fails

not. He hopes they never speak again. He hopes

to soil yourself, and then they won’t want to

she calls him and says she loves him.

touch you.

These men spit slurs like clumps of

Friday,

Tutto a un tratto agitato

chewing tobacco: aggressively, with ease and stinking tongues. The rest of their sentences

“It’s a bit queer,” she said. A bit queer, a bit

become afterthoughts, splatters peppering around the gritty key points. Faggot, sissy,

queer, “all these men that want to be women I

poove, cuntboy, ladyboy, tranny– if he lists

think it’s disgusting.”

them off like this maybe he can make them

The jazz in his earphones is tinny, the

nothing, just strange sounds sloughing from

trumpets shrill like an alarm bleating. It is 8.16

their lips like chunks of liver.

in the morning and he is unsure where this

So, there are the men and here are their words and here: the hare in headlights.

woman has gotten all the sudden fervour from.

Her monologue to the commuters continues.

They do not involve themselves, staring out

Thursday,

Grave

windows and fidgeting with phones. No one looks at this woman. He shifts in his seat, pretending to stretch enough to tug his scarf to

He feels the end of the day in his bones, in

cover the pride pin on his lapel, makes eye-

the ache of his left ankle, the bristle of stubble

contact with a person in the seat across shifting

on his jaw. The wet smears of rain water on

their school coat closer like it’s a safety blanket

the window dance red and green with passing

and averts his eyes to his boots.

traffic lights. It smells like rain and damp. The

There is a leaf stuck to my shoe, he thinks.

person pressed against him has a coat slick with

“Perverts they are, the whole lot of them,

droplets that seep into the wool of his sleeve.

They all sway together with the motion of the

fucking diseased,” she says.

The doors open and she grabs her

bus on the potholed street, eyelids drooping

belongings with her dirty nails and rounds on

and shoulders clashing awkwardly. Dress shoes

him. She viciously kicks him in the shin like

clack hollowly against the mess of wet tracks

an eight-year-old vying for attention. When he

on the floor as more people board with dripping umbrellas.

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Ezra Théodore Tillet

looks up, he feels her spittle hitting his cheek, something between stagnant milk-tea and the

The men stand behind him. It is their stop, too.

He glances at the driver as he walks to the door, but the driver does not look at him, maybe

saliva of a dog.

“The whole lot of you freaks should be put down.”

he’s worried about catching it. He breathes the sticky cologne of the one closest behind him. It smells like boot leather and broken things, and

Saturday: Coda,

Furioso ma semplice “It’s infectious y’know? One faggot

it turns his stomach. The door opens like eggs cracking and he steps out. ◼ Editor’s note: If this poem raises distress, or causes any issues

to ‘nother faggot and then it rubs off on

for you, there’s counselling available for all UniSA students.

whoever’nd-and–now tha’ one’s a,” something

You can book an appointment through i.unisa.edu.au/

unintelligible mumbled into his grimy beard,

students/student-support-services/counselling/

“or a tranny, or... a whatever.”

The other men agree. The silent one in a football jersey who looks like someone’s dad merely nods and tightens his fists over his gut.

The one with upper arms like legs of ham is quite clear that the trannies are of course the worst, and the one with the limp hair agrees the loudest. But they all agree.

“Should - you know keep ‘em–ah– different y’know away from the rest of us, normal people, so they can’t pass it on.”

The men do not agree that this is enough of a measure.

It is his stop, this is his stop, my stop, he thinks. Maybe they’ll get their wish; maybe he will separate from them now and that’ll be the end of this entire thing and nothing will happen—

maybe if I’m quiet and I don’t breathe too deep.

The bus pulls in and hanging leaves make slithering sounds across the roof.

When he stands, his ankle shifts painfully and makes a sound like a loaded gun. He hopes they haven’t heard that. He presses his fingers to the glass to steady himself and thinks about the next person who might sit there and if they will see these fingerprints—if these fingerprints might be evidence in some investigation into whatever he hopes doesn’t happen tonight.

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Poetry

La petite mort Words and Photography by Zoe Kassiotis

They smoke to forget but I smoke to remember the taste of his tongue he only touched it once— the instep of my soul but the problem is that now it feels half his rather than my whole the jet-black waves of hurricane him imitate the devils ivy hanging above the bed and where we lie tangled in our melancholic sin the post-apocalyptic aftermath of him and I is bond(beyond)age trapped by a sea of shattered glass our lasting ecstasy still paralyses the wolf, sage immortalised in a pewter ashtray she smokes on the bed between our naked legs heavy bass slithers through her haze but the ominous aural glow of flickering neon bedside lights isn’t enough to slow the deafening darkness of my insatiable mind so for answers it fights

why won’t he let me run my tainted psalms through the ivy? what is hiding behind the locked hallway door? the feathers on the floor— did they billow from pillows in the passion of women before me? these are the questions I want to remain unanswered so that one day it’ll be nice to have almost known him now peel back my scalp and you will find plastered a tattoo of his tobacco-stained lips that bastard— want to break more glass and be my poetry?

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Poetry

Bile and wine Words by Raven Seniw

The wine cast is empty, the vodka is toppled Lying in your sick, the scent is thick Bile and wine Mother of mine, you’re not fine These lies and long nights Violence and ambulance lights This is not alright You’re struggling with life’s fight Bottle to your lips Drugs to your assist A demon in your mind A panging in your soul Substances are your only console Hatred dances in your eyes A fire only fuelled by my cries Your grip is tight, and your fists are fast Kicks are strong, everything is wrong Blood in this broken home Bleeding and alone Bruised by your fist I did not ask for this Only pain is what you inflict Caught in this abusive conflict I need my mother to love and care For your soul to repair A life without fear I wish for this every passing year

Editor’s note: If this poem raises distress, or causes any issues for you, there’s counselling available for all UniSA students. You can book an appointment through i.unisa.edu.au/ students/student-support-services/counselling/

If you are experiencing domestic abuse of any kind, contact Lifeline on their 24/7 phone service hotline 13 11 14

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Spotlight

Words by Annabel Bowles Artwork by Oliver White

@VerseMag Listen to the playlist through our Spotify!

Annabel Bowles

1 I Write Sins Not Tragedies

Panic! At The Disco 2 Miserable At Best

Mayday Parade 3 In Too Deep

Sum 41 4 King For A Day

Pierce The Veil, Kellin Quinn 5 Bring Me To Life Evanescence 6 If It Means a Lot to You

A Day To Remember 7 Thnks fr th Mmrs

Fall Out Boy 8 If You Can't Hang

Sleeping With Sirens 9 Only One Yellowcard 10 Misery Business Paramore 11 Shadow Moses

Bring Me The Horizon 12 Dear Maria, Count Me In

All Time Low 13 First Date blink-182 14 Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)

Taking Back Sunday 15 Teenagers

My Chemical Romance

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Interview

Interview: Jamie Hornsby Interview conducted by Tanner Muller Images provided by Jamie Hornsby

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Jamie Hornsby

Let’s jump straight into it. You’ve recently completed a six-month residency with ‘Slingsby.’

What was the experience like for you?

It’s just been the best! During the residency,

The name that seems to be on

Ellen Graham and I have been able to produce a

everyone’s lips is award-winning

play we’ve always wanted to work on together.

playwright and actor Jamie Hornsby.

Stepping into the early stages of his professional career, the Honours student has already managed to carve his way into the country’s theatre scene. Between his national tour of because there was fire, to his late

Before that, neither of us ever really had the time, or the space, to really turn our idea into something, and Slingsby gave us that platform.

I remember she originally approached me about the play while we were completing our programs with AC Arts and to now to see it come to fruition all these years later has honestly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. For those who are wanting to apply

residency at Slingsby, he will certainly

for a residency at Slingsby, I highly recommend

be someone to keep your eyes on. In the

you do. Their main priority is to help emerging

midst of an eventful theatre-making schedule, we sat down with Hornsby

artists find a space and to give them an outlet to grow—so you’ll be in great hands.

to discuss his upcoming projects, the

During the residency, you created a play with

secret to an award-winning play, and

Ellen Graham entitled ‘Claire Della and the

his plans for the future.

Moon.’ What’s it all about?

It’s a children’s theatre show concerning mental health, depression and anxiety. You might think those sorts of themes are quite dark for a show targeted at such a young audience, but Ellen and I thought it was important to be introducing kids to these sorts of emotions.

The story revolves around a little girl who can’t quite relate to her life on the Earth and is feeling very overwhelmed by her surroundings—so she slowly retreats to the moon. But, when she reaches the end of her journey, she gets stuck up there and doesn’t know how to find her way back.

Essentially, the play is a metaphor about isolation and destructive coping mechanisms.

We wanted to give children that sort of metaphoric vocabulary so they’re able to express how they might be feeling—even if they don’t know how to put it into words.

Child psychologists are actually using fictional characters, such as Eeyore from Winne the

Pooh, as part of therapy. It gives kids the ability to address these issues, even if they can’t articulate what they are. So, we’re really hoping this show does some good.

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Interview

When can we expect to see it performed? Has there

character. You might be identifying with them

been any discussion surrounding that yet?

as you write, but they have to be changed in some way, and in order to do that, you have to be

Absolutely! We’ve been very lucky to find a

a bit of a sadist and put them through hell before

director, and we’re planning for an Adelaide

they can come out the other side.

season during April 2020. From there, we’ll be taking it to the Edinburgh Fringe to test

You also shouldn’t worry yourself too much

its touring capabilities. Then, we’ll be ideally

about how people are going to be reacting to

looking at doing a national tour of Australia if

what you’ve done. I used to be so caught up with

we can get enough funding.

how others may receive my work. In hindsight, I needed to trust that audiences are much smarter

You’ve already gained so much recognition for

than that and wouldn’t, say, misconstrue my

your work. Just last year you were the receipt of

words, or be under the impression that I think

the Flinders Young Playwright Award. Give us

a certain way because there’s a character who’s

some insight into your creative process. What are

displays some traits that would be considered

some of your secrets?

‘wrong’ or ‘bigoted.’ I needed to just let that go.

You know, whenever I’m asked that, I feel a

On top of everything else you’ve been doing lately,

bit fraudulent because I feel as though I’ve

you’re also in the middle of completing your

lucked into this a little bit, which I’m sure is

Honours degree. What does your research focus on?

just the classic imposter syndrome talking.

But, there’s a line in one of my favourite plays

My research primarily focuses on Australian

where a character says, ‘I can’t afford to work

gothic theatre, which is something that has

for free anymore,’ and the other character

been on the rise recently. The genre has two

they’re speaking to responds with, ‘then you’re

primary focuses, the first being more about

not hungry enough.’ I don’t necessarily agree

cultural shaming and trauma, which has been

with that philosophy, but it has been really

known to raise issues about our dark history

important for me as I’ve been starting out—you

of Indigenous genocide. As a white writer,

just need to keep working, even if you feel as

I didn’t feel as though it was my place to be

though people aren’t taking notice. I just wrote

exploring that. But, the other side of Australian

as much as I possibly could and through that,

gothic theatre, which is what my play will use

I slowly started to get recognition from those

as its model, has more of a domestic concern

who were interested in creating something out

and emphases claustrophobia, aggression and

of my scripts. But honestly, for me it’s just been

violence.

a matter of putting in the time: to immerse myself in theatre by seeing shows, to read all

My artefact tells the story of Elizabeth

the time, to just write all that I can. As you can

Woolcock, who was the only woman to ever

probably already tell, I don’t sleep very much!

be hung in South Australia. She was executed for, supposedly, poisoning her husband with mercury. Although, by today’s standards, we’re

What sort of elements do you believe are essential

able to determine that she probably didn’t

to any award-winning play?

actually do it. But, something I really wanted to capture was how someone might have been

I feel as though the most essential thing is that

driven to commit this sort of act on their

something should happen—which sounds quite

significant other. It also parallels with the

realistic and self-evident, but it’s an easy trap to

modern world to examine how certain things

fall into. I find that it’s also important to allow

have and haven’t changed.

yourself to be creating a real journey for your

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Jamie Hornsby

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Interview

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Jamie Hornsby

Moving along now, how are you able to balance

Has theatre always been your passion?

all of your commitments?

Well, no. I originally thought it was acting. But, Well, I drink a lot of coffee! But in all

I fell into writing along the way. You know,

seriousness, I find that I’ve started to be a lot

just the other week, I was looking through this

stricter with myself—to manage my time more

old hard drive and found all of these stories I

effectively and set myself a timeline in when

wrote when I was about nine, or ten. They were

things will actually get done. For me, it’s better

basically regurgitations of silly little fantasy

to be busy than bored, and I’m really grateful to

novels I had been reading at the time, but the

be in that position.

interesting thing was how I just wrote character dialogue and created stories through that.

With that said, how are you able to manage all

If I added a few more details and formatted

of these different projects at the same time? I

it properly, some of them could definitely be

feel with a lot of writers, we focus on completing

turned into a play. So, looking back on those

one project at a time and don’t feel as though

moments, there must have been something

anything else is relevant enough.

there from an early age.

I seem to hear that a lot, but I’ve never really felt

Ideally, where do you see yourself in five years

that all-consuming mindset a lot of writers tend

from now?

to have. I think it could be something relating to my attention span, but when I’m working on

I aspire to become someone like Kate Mulvany,

something, I have a lot of thoughts bubbling

who’s a brilliant writer and actor. What I admire

at the back of my head that it becomes hard to

about her is that she’s able to jump between

simply ignore them. It’s important for me to

all of these different projects, which is really

have a notebook by my side to write these things

inspiring to me. I’d love to have that freedom in

down, otherwise its lost forever.

focusing on all these goals at once and to leap towards whatever takes my fancy next. ◼

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Reflection

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Ayla Liebenberg

This isn’t what I meant Words by Ayla Liebenberg Artwork by Francesco Patrinostro

D

uring my adolescence, my mother would tell me stories. There were some about injustice, anger and passion. While others were of courage, friendship and change. Sometimes, I would tell her that I wanted to live through something—

to experience what she had experienced all those years ago. But, what I hadn’t realised is that I already was.

I hadn’t realised that I was living through the modern rise of white supremacy, where hatred is nurtured and diversity is feared. A society where we turn a blind eye to the ones who dare to create a positive change.

I hadn’t realised that I was living through the rapid unravelling of abortion laws that were forged through blood, pain, riot and rebellion; through coat hangers and underground operations. Never did I think I would ever be so afraid of my own body.

I hadn’t realised that I would be witnessing the death of more than thirty Australian women in a single year. Women who were beaten and abused, stalked and preyed, mistreated and left for dead. This place isn’t safe for us anymore, but then again, it never really was.

I hadn’t realised there would be a loss of hope in our government system.

Where our leaders believed more in miracles, rather than facts. Where science is considered to be more of a consideration, than a direction. Where we cared more about the money in our pockets, than the plant we inhabit. Where we elected our doom, and did so knowingly without batting an eye to the consequences.

I hadn’t realised that when my mother told me all these stories, that patterns were repeating. Except, in my story, there doesn’t seem to be anyone taking a courageous step forward. When I told her that I wanted to live through something, this isn’t what I meant. ◼

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Opinion

The truth behind your generosity

Words by Taylah Pomery Photography by Tanner Muller

Taylah Pomery

A

s I drove to the local Salvos with a boot

and, as a result, causing a huge environmental

full of clothes scrapped from the back

issue. Australian Bureau of Statistics reports

of my wardrobe, I used to feel a sense of

501,000 tons of leather and textiles were sent to

accomplishment for my good dead. As I shifted

landfill in 2009-10. As you’re reading this, you

gears and turned each corner, I fantasised

might be thinking to yourself that this number

about all the people my clothes would benefit.

wouldn’t apply to you. But, unless your donated

I imagined how thrilled the disadvantaged

items make the ten percent, it’s likely you’re

teenager would be to purchase my old formal

contributing to this statistic.

dress, or how special the single mother of four would feel to be wearing my expensive open-

Insulation More often than not, these donation stores

toed shoes. There was an overwhelming sense of

sell their unwanted stock to textile recycling

satisfaction that washed over me as I heaved the

businesses, who will use what they can to

bulging garbage bags over the metal lip of the

repurpose the material into industrial rags

donation bin.

and ceiling insulation. These textile recycling

However, as I grew older and became

companies are perhaps one of the only causes

more aware of the op-shop process, my entire

that are genuinely using the material of cheap

thought process changed. Unfortunately, I don’t

unwanted clothing and putting it to good

experience the same pleasure of donating my

use. But unfortunately, with the amount they

unwanted goods anymore. I hate to break it to

receive, it would be impossible to repurpose

you, but your generous donation is unlikely to

every bit of it. So, where do the rest end up?

be reaching the hands of those who are doing it tough. As a matter of fact, from the thousands

Overseas Well, they are bundled up and sent in

of clothes donated per day, approximately ten

excess to less economically stable countries.

percent are placed onto the racks we see inside

Initially, this may feel as though it were a

the stores. I would also like to point out that

positive action to take. But, in many cases,

only a small amount (if any) are actually given

these textiles still manage to end up in landfill,

to homeless shelters, or charitable services.

except in another part of the world. It seems

In light of this, you might be wondering to

as though these countries have become less

yourself, ‘where do my clothes end up?’

of a donation centre, and more of a dumping

Stores or landfill

ground for the over-consumption problem in

While there are some donations of clothing

the West. An additional side effect to this is the

that come through to our second hand stores

impact it has for their economy. Locals are less

and beg for a second life, staff members (who

enthused to buy from home-grown businesses

are usually volunteers) simply cannot handle the

if they’re able to purchase these donated clothes

outrageous quantity that is donated each and

at an unbeatable price. This drives the local

every day. Among the items they receive, most

businesses out and can result in the loss of jobs.

of them are produced using cheap materials, and

With all of this in mind, we must ask

therefore, low in quality. The issue with this is

ourselves, ‘what more can be done?’ If we don’t

how there isn’t much appeal for shoppers to buy

act, the cycle will only continue to repeat itself.

clothing in such poor condition, especially when

One of the ways we can reduce the problem is

you can purchase the exact item for a bit of extra

to give our preloved goods to friends or family,

money at the department store it was originally

who you know will truly give the item a second

found at.

life. You should also consider selling your items

On top of this, a lot of consumers have a

through local classifieds, such as Facebook

‘wear once and donate’ mindset, as giving away

Marketplace or Gumtree. Lastly, be mindful of

your clothes this often has been misconstrued

your original purchases and ask yourself if it

to be an act of generosity. These same people

would be something you would keep for a long

are also using it as an excuse to over consume

period of time. ◼

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Photography

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Jordan White

Photography

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Jordan White

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Interview

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Kathryn Ellison

Imagine: Kathryn Ellison Interview conducted by Oliver White Artwork by Kathryn Ellison Photography by Austin Carr

For Verse Magazine’s regular Imagine segment, Oliver White met UniSA Contemporary Arts thirdyear Kathryn Ellison.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’re studying?

My name is Kathryn Ellison and I’m in my third-year of studying a Bachelor of Contemporary Art. I went into this course thinking I wouldn’t be pursuing a career in the industry. Originally, I wanted to do social work, but my brain doesn’t really cope with that. I’m too much of a creative person. I did art throughout high school, but hated it. However, once I left, there was this huge shift in me and I became really attached to the idea of becoming an artist. One of my biggest turning points came after a trip to New Zealand, where I visited some of their art galleries. I was particularly moved by this installation by Lee Mingwei. It actually brought me to tears. The audience had to write a letter telling something you regret saying to a person. This piece allowed me to realise that art isn’t just about a pretty picture—it can actually have this impact on you. I try to live by this sort of model whenever I’m creating something.

What are some of the themes you explore in your work?

One of the main themes I explore is feminism, especially when it comes to my collage work.

I tend to create pieces about being a woman and how society makes you feel a certain way about your reproductive system. More specifically, with how women are made to feel as though they have to be on contraceptives—it’s really frustrating to me. A lot of my other artworks deal with the everyday mundane, and exploring the connections between people.

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Imagine

Who are some of your major influences in both art

Could you tell us a little bit about Art Pod? Have

and life?

you ever worked on something at such a large scale before?

I’m really compelled by old horror—there’s just something about how timeless it is. I also really

Art Pod is part of the city council and showcases

love Del Kathryn Barton, as she’s worked with

some of Adelaide’s emerging and established

so many mediums, like collage and textile. She’s

practitioners. I’m part of an exhibition

also done some really good short films revolving

with them at the moment called Beyond All

around femininity. And of course, there’s Lee

Disposition, which is curated by Jack McBride,

Mingwei too!

Christina Massolino and ChiChi Grasby. Jack was actually the one to reach out to me about it

What’s your latest obsession?

initially. My part of the exhibition is all about the subconscious and how someone might

Scrubs. I’ve been watching a lot of Scrubs

create art using it. I’ve found that Art Pod is a

recently (laughs). No, I’ve been weaving a lot,

really odd place to work in, as you’re so exposed

and my studio project focuses on this technique

to the public. It makes you feel a bit vulnerable,

too. It’s really fascinating to me. I’ve also

because you worry about how others might be

been weirdly interested by nail art. There’s so

judging your work. Especially since my art is

much precision that goes into it and I find it

probably considered to be a bit out there for

interesting how people put so much dedication

some people. In saying that, this is the first time

into the appearance of their nails.

I’ve ever worked on such a large scale. I’ve found the experience to be really rewarding and I’m so

Your work always has incredible detail with

thankful for the opportunity they’ve given me.

multiple mediums. How do you know when to step back and say you’re finished?

What advice would you give to first-year Kathryn?

I never really know, because a lot of the time I need someone to tell me when to stop. It’s

Keep at it. Don’t be too worried about what

difficult, especially when it comes to my

other people think and don’t ever feel as though

collages. Sometimes, I feel as though I have

you’re obligated to please everybody. Just be

to take it further and further. Interestingly

your most authentic self and be true to who

enough, I had a lecturer last year who told me

you are.

to go crazy with a piece I had been working on.

I don’t know if this was some kind of reverse psychology, but I was like ‘hold up, let’s cut this to make it more polished,’ and it ended up looking a lot better than I intended.

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Kathryn Ellison

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Interview Imagine

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Kathryn Ellison

What are your plans after graduation?

Well, I’m hoping (fingers crossed) to get a job with Fringe Festival, and save enough money so I can travel to Dark Mofo in Tasmania. But then again, I’m just wanting a job in the art sector.

Whether that means I’m doing bar work for exhibition openings, or doing workshops, I’m honestly not too fussed. I also want to move out eventually to get my own space. I think Adelaide has such a wonderful arts community and I want to be contributing to that in whichever way I can. I’d also like to do some type of internship, or residency, in Tasmania. In saying this though, I feel like Adelaide will always be my home—it’s just really beautiful here. ◼

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Creative Writing

Isla in wonderland: Part 2 Words by Isla Photography by Mary Harsha

O

n the impending two-year anniversary of my move to Adelaide, I have endorsed the time to pause and reflect. As I write these words,

my life is not surrounded by a white picket fence, however, the season has changed and it is sweeter.

Isla in Wonderland: Part 1* will forever remain a poignant reminder of the past – of a time where duty was not always honoured, and where the pangs of longing were maddening. In the face of hopelessness, I fought on; and against harsh odds, I survived. The times tried my soul, but I overcame.

I rose from the ashes, and became a creature of change. I expanded my perception, and surged forward. In the rising of the sun, I became a game changer – a force not to be reckoned with.

In this season, I am the orchestrator. I live in a realm where armour is not rewarded, and fate is not measured in ‘deserves’. I live in a realm where closure does not mean re-opening the door to toxicity; where love abandons the shores, and meets me in the depths. I live in a realm engulfed by the sound of wind chimes, where mistletoes hang from every corner of my home. I live in a realm where stars fall from heaven, and the treasures I seek elsewhere are found on my doorstep. In this season, I stand in defiance. I am my own muse, and my scars are my medals. I am intimate, fierce, and serene.

The battle between good and evil never ends.

You can still find me in the dark corners of life, in the in-between space of slumber and awakening. I still sleep with ghosts in my bed, but I am no relic of the past. I am still very much alive.

*Isla in Wonderland: Part 1 is featured in Verse Magazine, Edition 28.

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Poetry

Of temporary relocation Words by Patricia Mang’ira Artwork by Grace Plunkett

Your life has been divided into two locations Each with their own cultures and people You cannot help but feel as though you are two entities Forced to run after Who you thought you used to be And catching up with who you think you are Forced to adjust parts of yourself To suit who you were The little changes in your voice Shedding off of your confidence Stepping into old habits and abandoning new joys Yet when night falls and you gaze up at the same starry sky You become angry with yourself And heartbroken as you start to lose grip on your new self You vow to be better tomorrow But the cycle returns and continues endlessly The only way it escapes is when you’re alone in a room of familiar faces And realise your time with them has come to an end

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ty

s

On the cusp of Millennials and Gen Z, 23-year-old

e f gen z

Chloe delves into the fears and anxieties of the youngest generation in university today.

Each generation faces many unique fears from robots taking over jobs, to avocado anxiety. For Gen Z, growing up in a completely digital age comes with its own benefits and disadvantages.

Gen Z came after the Millennials and, depending on which expert you cite, were born from 1997. The oldest of this generation are now in university, or joining the workforce. So, we must ask ourselves‌what do Gen Z secretly fear?

1

Forgetting your keep cup

2 Being alone 3 Paying full price for a Spotify subscription because your student ID expired 4 Someone calling without texting first 5 Bad lighting for your brunch photos 6 Too many people on your shared Netflix account to watch 7 The HECS repayment threshold regularly dropping 8 Renting forever 9 Losing an hour on social media when checking one notification 10 Answering the door when you’re not expecting someone 11 Manoeuvring into tight car parking spots 12 Killing your indoor plants 13 Moving in with a person you find on the Internet 14 Repressive sexual labels 15 Mental health support services not improving 16 Trusting politicians to act for our interests 17 Missing out, especially on what happens online 18 An increasingly casualised workforce 19 Your Snapchat images existing past their expiration 20 The end of human civilization by 2050

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ar

t wen

Words by Chloe Cannell

e g nz y t n

ars fe

twe

Opinion

Aortic arthroscopy Words by Kelly Cusack Artwork by Grace Plunkett

I’ve always felt the need to drive a knife through my ankle I don’t know if this is how to explain the pain or stop it But now there are things going through my skin A knife cutting my tissue A camera poking my bones A needle putting foreign material into my body An expert hand guiding it all I sometimes feel the need to drive a knife through my heart I don’t know if this is how to explain the pain or stop it But now a piece of me just wants to know what it feels like A knife sits in front of me A knife backs away from my chest A knife drops onto the floor My hand guiding it all

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Photography

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Ben Rhiles

Photography

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Murano, Italy

Review

Spooky song review Words by Jordan White Artwork by Kylie Howlett

'Where did you sleep last night' American Classics, Leadbelly Ah, hauntingly beautiful. This song sounds like something you’d watch during a montage of someone slowly eating flesh at the start of a classic horror movie like

Jeepers Creepers. Lyrics creepy themselves, you can hear this song’s age in the quality and texture of the recording which adds to its eeriness. Best played on a cassette player and listened to alone, late at night.

'Lazarus' Blackstar, David Bowie The album Blackstar was released two days before he died, on January 10, 2016. This song is about the late David Bowie’s inedible death - Look Up Here, I’m In Heaven / I’ve

got scars that can’t be seen. A song about your own death? Oh Bowie, you morbid bastard!

The bass line alone is enough to keep you up, worrying at night. It pulls you in, slowly, and then leaves you trying to figure out exactly what you just felt (and why you want more).

'Revolution 9' The Beatles (White Album), The Beatles The audio moves left to right in your headphones, and you can’t help but double-check behind you to make sure there’s no one breathing down your neck. This weird mixture of evil laughter, conversations, and noises from the human experience is unsettling and hard to listen to. Too distracting to be study music, not vocal enough to enjoy as a ‘normal’ song. Best enjoyed on LSD* – that’s how it was written, after all.

'4th Dimension' KIDS SEE GHOSTS, Kids See Ghosts & Louis Prima I feel like I’m listening to psychedelic pop. This intertextual masterwork’s mixture of samples, distorted laughter, and a beat that commands you to bop is sure to delight.

Kanye West worked on this collaborative project, and the ghosts of 'Stronger' are hiding in the song’s beats somewhere.

'Spooky, Scary Skeletons' Halloween Howls: Fun, Andrew Gold Seriously? This isn’t Play School, and this song died alongside the meme back when you were seventeen and one too many Smirnoff Double Blacks deep. It’s okay to play ironically at a party – when everyone is drunk, and the night is blurry – but someone is sure to skip it half-way through. ◼ * The author, or Verse Magazine, does not endorse or recommend using LSD.

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Humans of UniSA: Edition 29 Everyone has a story. A defining moment of their existence that makes them the person they are today. For Humans of UniSA, we delve into the depths of human nature and speak with some students to discover a slice of their personal history.

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Humans of UniSA

I remember there were a lot of years I spent feeling trapped and held down by my insecurities—to the point where I became dismissive of others and their emotions. It was really insensitive of me. In hindsight, I needed to learn how to be more comfortable in my own skin and appreciate the person I was becoming.

I also had to understand that I wasn’t the centre

Connor Cowie

Bachelor of Arts (Performing Arts/Creative Writing)

of the universe, as there are more significant issues out there besides my own. You know, the people I admire the most are the ones who are able to truly love themselves, because they’re able to reflect that sort of mentality onto

Interview conducted by Tanner Muller

others and show the same level of respect. In

Photography by Jack Hassam

my experience, if you’re able to overcome your insecurities, it becomes more natural to present the best version of yourself to the world.

Speaking of which, one of my biggest regrets is not being more confident enough in myself, especially as a teenager. Back in high school, I went on a trip to America with my classmates. But, all of my nerves got in the way.

I was so closed off from everything. We went to places likes Disney World, and Times Square, but I couldn’t even take a moment to appreciate where I was, because I didn’t think I deserved to be there. During my first year at university, this sort of thing was difficult for me to overcome as well, as I didn’t know how to handle this new chapter in my life. I really put my own happiness on the back-burner.

But, life is too short to be caught up in all of that. Don’t get me wrong, it took a lot of effort for me to come out of my shell, but you can’t be afraid to express yourself and tackle these new experiences. That’s how we grow. It doesn’t work if you’re restricting all of these wonderful aspects about yourself. It might be hard though.

I’m not going to sit here and say that it isn’t.

But, love wouldn’t be love if it were plain and simple, would it?

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Humans of UniSA

I’m half-Vietnamese on my mum’s side.

Krystle Crouch

My parents split when I was younger, so I feel as though I was more influenced by my Asian culture growing up. My mum’s life has been

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science

really fascinating. She was adopted, and came

(Radiation Therapy)

to this country from Vietnam as a refugee when she was just eight-years-old. When she became

Interview and photography by Geena Ho

an adult, she managed to track down some of her siblings through The Salvation Army.

We actually used to visit them every year and it became a bit of a tradition we had—every Christmas, we would go to Vietnam. Initially, my mum was hesitant about the idea of my sister and I going with her the first time. But in the end, she thought it would be a good experience for us. She said, ‘you’re both halfVietnamese, this is your culture and it’s my culture. I want to teach you.’

We met my mum’s family for the first time at this market and they figured out who we were straight away. When they came up to us, all of them were so warm and friendly. I think my mum found the experience to be a bit strange though, especially because it had been such a long time since she last saw all of them. For my sister and I, it was like meeting strangers at first. But, over the next two weeks, we got to really know them—we played games, they introduced us to the food, things like that.

All the aunties thought my sister and I were really interesting because we had such different features, and they were practically all over us.

It was all very different.

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Humans of UniSA

I’m Aaron, but some of my friends call me A-A-Ron because of that Key and Peele sketch.

I’m from a little town called Howlong, located in New South Wales, and moved here when I was thirteen to ‘enhance my education.’ But, to be completely honest with you, it didn’t help that much. After settling in Adelaide, I went to school at Charles Campbell and became involved in Scouts. But besides that, I just slacked off,

Aaron Drayton Bachelor of Aviation

met some friends and went to some parties until I finished Year 12.

Some of my nights after school were spent looking through courses at UniSA. Something that really stood out to me was Aviation. I had always wanted to be a pilot, but hadn’t realised

Interview conducted by Ryan Colsey

it was necessarily possible. After finishing my

Photography by Courtney Flynn

degree, I hope to fly commercial planes. You need perfect eyesight to become one. But, when I had my eyes tested last, I had 19/20 vision.

I’m fairly certain the optometrist said it was actually 19.5/20 vision, but you know, I round it up to 20 anyway. That’s the way maths works, right?

Getting up early in the morning is totally my style. I tend to rise anywhere between 6am and 7am, even on the weekends. I do these group runs every Saturday, which I’ve found has been really good for my health. I also manage my own little side-business for anyone who needs help with general handyman work, or gardening.

Essentially, it’s anything I can use as an excuse to get my hands on some tools.

Probably the oddest experience that’s ever happened to me was the time I came back from a trip to Fiji and found a tiny hole in my knee.

I tried to ignore it because I was a stubborn teenager, but a couple of months had passed and the tiny hole had multiplied. It suddenly dawned on me that they were drainage holes from some kind of spider. I didn’t go to the hospital, but I definitely should have! Oh well, I’m still here now to tell the tale.

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Match Studio: Understanding the unknown Words and Illustrations by Match Studio

With their ethos of work integrated learning, Match Studio offers a safe environment for students to experience the exciting, and sometimes frightening, realities of a world outside of university.

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The stress of impending deadlines, personal

Let’s say you’re like the many students

troubles, and the realisation of an ever-

who are too busy to even think about life after

increasing student debt may distract you from

your degree. Once you graduate, you’ll likely

the fact that (most of) you will eventually

divide your time paying the rent by working

be leaving the classroom and transition into

a part-time job at Coles, honing your craft (if

the workplace—becoming a fully functional

you’re a creative), and applying for jobs related

member of society. For those who went from

to your field. But, let’s be real here, the local

high school, to a full-time study, this also

job market isn’t the greatest right now, and

signifies a transition from student, to grown

unless you’re a complete savant in your field,

adult with responsibility. While you’ve been

your chances are pretty slim—especially when

studying, perhaps you’ve created a plan for

you have to contend with those with the same

yourself and planted the seeds through temp

degree as you. In short, the number of people

work, placement, or simply utilising UniSA’s

per opportunity is significantly skewed against

career resources. But, whether you get a job

your favour. All of a sudden, it doesn’t become

straight out of uni, or bum around for the next

about what you’ve learnt through your degree,

twenty years, there is still one commonality,

but instead how you’ve applied those skills in a

and that is the real world is a terrifying place.

way that is better than the thousands of other

This does not refer to the very real horrors of

candidates. However, this is probably something

war, famine, genocide, discrimination, failing

you’ve heard a million times before by younger

democracy, nuclear weapons, gun violence,

graduates, or boomer family members who’ve

extremism, racial divide, murder, sexual

never had to live through it, but seem to have

assault, and environmental destruction—but

the wisdom and foresight to know.

rather, the existential Lovecraftian horror of being an ex-student.

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Match Studio

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Match Studio

'To add insult to injury, it also brings up more existential questions like ‘who am I now?’ as you realise that you no longer have much of a productive excuse to be poor anymore; and that somewhere between student, and fully functioning adult, doesn’t generate any form of sympathy.'

The student experience allows you to maintain a sense of comfort in terms of your social and economic welfare. This is especially the case when it comes to those useful discounts on things like food and public transport. Losing all of this obviously comes with its own form of grief—even more so if you’re in an art or design discipline and, all of a sudden, you have to pay full price for Creative Cloud. To add insult to injury, it also brings up more existential questions like ‘who am I now?’ as you realise that you no longer have much of a productive excuse to be poor anymore; and that somewhere between student, and fully functioning adult, doesn’t generate any form of sympathy. This identity crisis is alleviated if you cave and end up on Newstart, where you’re systematically classed as unemployed above all else. If this didn’t already feel like a shot to the foot, you’re mandated to spend every waking hour looking for any work that qualifies as full-time, no matter how disparate it is from your degree.

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Match Studio

When, and if, you end up convincing

can have significant cultural meanings and a

someone to hire you for work related to your

poorly thought-out logo design can offend or

discipline, the real world can still bite you in the

cause a great deal of controversy. There are

ass. Although you might feel as though you’ve

plenty of stories you can find online about

found your place, it’s important to establish

embarrassing typos that have cost companies

the disparity between the work you do at

thousands, if not millions, in print costs. This

university and the work you’ll do for a real world

kind of pressure and responsibility would make

job. If you’re the type of student who spends

anyone reminisce about the days where success

a lot of time worrying about your impending

was determined by a grade.

assignment, rather than actually doing it, then

It’s also worth noting that it’s rare to

you might have some difficulty with navigating

be engaging with people outside of your own

the demands of the workforce. Sometimes,

discipline in the workplace. University seems

what finally motivates you to start typing away

to operate in this way too, as most of the time

at your computer and opening the textbook is

you’re working on an assignment by yourself,

fear. You might think your tutors will think

or in a group of those who are undergoing the

less of you if the work you submitted is not up

same degree as you. The university’s dynamic

to a particular standard, or that a P2 will bring

research and learning space, Match Studio,

down your GPA beyond repair. However, in your

has given students from Art, Architecture and

chosen career, you’ll probably find yourself

Design the opportunity to work together on

to be taking on a lot more responsibility than

projects from real world clients from a range

that. Say if you’re a designer, architect, or

of different industries. It’s these similar kinds

engineer—your work moves away from the

of opportunities that need to be taken while

hypothetical into situations where there are

you’re still at university in order to fully prepare

actually real consequences. Bad wayfinding, or

yourself. While the horrors of the real world are

signage design has the potential to kill, as can

inescapable, experiencing it firsthand with the

a poorly engineered bridge. Particular symbols

caveat of being a student makes it a lot easier. ◼

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Review: Superhuman Abilities Words by Annabel Bowles Artwork by Oliver White

Annabel has rigorously (and hypothetically) tried and tested these superhuman abilities so you don’t have to.

Annabel Bowles

Immortality

Time travel If time travel allowed me to

Does anyone really love life

go back to the early noughties

enough to wanna be here

and freeze time forever, I’d

forever? I don’t know, but I

be so down. Take me back

reckon it’d get super boring.

to the days spent binge-

Could you live through the

watching Saturday Disney in

deaths of everyone you’ve ever

my PJs, eating Nutri-Grain

known? Would your financial

with choccie milk. I mean, I

status ever let you retire?

can do those things now, but

Would you stop aging? Unless I

somehow it’s better when

went all Benjamin Button and

there’s no one telling you to

started growing younger and

get a job. As for travelling

hotter … actually, can that be

to the future, mmm, nah.

my superhuman ability?

Nope. No. Let’s all carry on pretending it doesn’t exist.

Mind reading

Teleportation

Invisibility

While you could become the

Undoubtedly, this would be

I don’t need some fancy

world’s best detective, judge,

the best superhuman ability.

shmanzy cloak to be invisible,

quiz show contestant, etc ... I

Craving some relaxation in

Harry. In fact, it’s surprisingly

think we’re all far too sensitive

the form of a seaside villa?

easy to achieve invisibility

and egotistical to handle

Teleport yourself to the

in three simple steps. One,

knowing what everyone thinks

Maldives for an afternoon.

lock yourself in an apartment

about us. Can you also imagine

Wanna see what the view

(located within the reach

this onslaught of information

is like from the top of Mt

of UberEats). Two, delete

piled on top of the trash cans

Everest? Forget the months

all forms of social media.

our brains already are? Just

of preparation, the multi-day

Three, remain in huddled

thinking about knowing what

hike and the long-ass queue;

ball-like position, as to not

everyone is thinking gives me

just magically appear at the

create shadow. Wait, isn’t that

a migraine. Although, it would

summit with a finger’s click!

something we’ve all done at

be cool to know whether my

Teleportation banishes the

some point? Surely I’m not the

dog actually likes me, or what

hours, money, and strange

only one?

those eleven ‘secret’ herbs and

interactions that come with

spices really are.

transit – but that’s also half the fun in travelling.

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USASA

USASA Club Feature: Women in STEM Words by Ryan Colsey Images provided by Women in STEM

A

lthough the fields of Science, Technology,

managers, all of which were men. Sometimes,

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

I felt as though I was trapped in a cage with

have, in the past, largely been dominated

a few crocodiles,’ tells 2019 Women in STEM

by men, there has been a push in recent years to encourage women with active interests in

President, Lekshmi Shylaja.

Clubs like WinSTEM are vital to encourage

these subjects to pursue them as a career. As

women who are passionate about the industry,

technology advances to meet the needs of

as they promote the growing opportunities in

modern societies, more workers will be required

this domain and equip members with all the

in these areas, and opportunities will open for

necessary aids to become successful in their

critical and creative young thinkers—regardless

chosen career path.

of gender.

In 2018, a group of graduates and

UniSA offers numerous degrees in STEM fields including: Engineering, Aviation,

undergraduates came together and founded

Information Technology, Mathematics, and

the Women in STEM club at UniSA. Also known

a variety of other sciences. As well as this,

as WinSTEM, the club was formed with the

students studying Medicine and Business

intention of connecting women, by promoting

subjects are also represented in the club,

an inclusive culture through community

demonstrating the extensive reach of the

involvement. WinSTEM currently boasts more

STEM domain. The university also reflects

than 90 registered members, making them one

the gender equity promoted by the club, with

of the larger clubs at the university.

47 percent of STEM teaching staff at UniSA

A study last year revealed that STEM industries attract the highest wages in

identifying as female.

Despite the name, WinSTEM is inclusive

Australia, but also feature the largest pay gap

of all different backgrounds, experience, and

between the hourly earnings of men and women.

genders. One of their main priorities is to

Despite the efforts by noted public figures,

seek those with a passion for the industry and

women still appear hesitant to apply for jobs

support the advancement of women in the field.

that have been seen to be largely dominated by

The club has noted that over the past year, there

men—an issue which WinSTEM hopes to resolve

has been an increase in men who are expressing

through empowerment.

an interest to be involved in the club. As well

‘I was recruited to the sales and marketing department of my IT firm and shared the conference hall with nine other senior

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as this, the ratio of domestic to international student membership is nearly equal.

Ryan Colsey

There is little wonder as to why WinSTEM

incentives was ‘An Afternoon with Coopers

is creating such a stir on campus. The club

Brewery’ held late last year. The event aimed to

provides excellent opportunities for members

bridge the gap between students and academics

by building an internal network and connecting

by connecting them with those who have a

them with professionals in the STEM workforce.

combined 65 years of experience in STEM roles

In addition to this, it promotes networking and

at the Coopers Brewery. The event provided a

mentoring programs conducted by accredited

unique opportunity for the participants to meet

institutions. There is also considerable

new people and build networks.

collaboration with other universities to inflate the exposure delivered to the club members.

'Despite all of the excellent opportunities the club promotes, there has still been a minority of

Despite all of the excellent opportunities the club promotes, there has still been a minority of people who feel threatened by the push of inclusivity. However, with the 300-plus followers on Facebook, the collective efforts of WinSTEM haven’t gone unrecognised.

‘Whether it be positive or not, it shows that

people who feel threatened by the

WinSTEM, and its activities, are getting noticed.

push of inclusivity.'

It definitely helps us to identify our weaknesses

Events and activities have included a

and the areas for improvement,’ tells Lekshmi.

If you’re interested in becoming apart

mentoring and guidance session by Dr Ceri

of the Women in STEM club, visit the USASA

Bonner, from the Central Laser Facility at

website. While you’re there, follow them on their

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, who was

Facebook page to keep yourself up to date. ◼

awarded the ‘Australian Institute of Physics, 2018 Women in Physics Lecturer’ prize. In addition to this, one of the club’s most notable

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59

Horoscopes

the signs as spooky spirit s Words by Geena Ho Artwork by Oliver White

Geena Ho

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

Werewolf

Grim Reaper

Zombie

• •

• • •

• • •

21 Mar – 19 Apr

•

Spots a doggo from a mile away Spends hours deciding on a new hair/nail colour Can’t navigate anywhere to

20 Apr – 20 May

Too good for you Never has a hangover Could have been a YouTuber

21 May – 20 Jun

Always hungry Hasn’t run since Year 9 PE Lives in a hoodie

save their lives

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

23 Jul – 22 Aug

23 Aug – 22 Sep

Cyclops

Dragon

Skeleton

•

Will turn down a night out for

•

Ready to whip out Google to

•

Procrastinates assignments

•

Hasn’t eaten a vegetable

•

Always chooses the songs

•

Would donate their body

•

'How do you spell _____?'

•

Larger than life

•

Only has sad Spotify playlists

21 Jun – 22 Jul

a Netflix binge in years

prove a point at karaoke

to the last day to science

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Ghost

Witch

Mummy

• •

•

• • •

23 Sep – 22 Oct

•

Just wants to be friends Will only half finish a task before starting the next one Messy af room

23 Oct – 21 Nov

Will shame you for bad

grammar

• •

Online shops when they’re sad 'Are we dressing cute?'

22 Nov – 21 Dec

Always on the dancefloor Goes missing on nights out Plans holidays a week out

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Vampire

Mermaid

Fairy

•

• •

•

Is more excited for your birthday

•

Posts 63 Snapstories on a

•

Unironically drinks Cruisers

22 Dec – 19 Jan

• •

Stops saying 'bless you' after the first sneeze Winged eyeliner always Needs to be booked in weeks in advance

20 Jan – 18 Feb

•

Was a child prodigy Takes 47 selfies for one good pic Luscious af hair

19 Feb – 20 Mar

than you are night out

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USASA Advocacy Column: Preclusions Words by Khaliah Marro Illustration by Dessy Georgescu

‘I just received a preclusion email’

that does not truly fit or fulfil their desires. This

*cue internal screams of horror*

is why students who are precluded are given 20 working days to appeal the decision. It’s really

Before the panic sets in and the screaming

important that if a student wishes to continue

starts externally, let’s all relax… breathe in and

studying, they write a letter and provide

out. Better? Good, because I am about to tell

evidence of what happened in the past, but more

you about how USASA Advocacy assists students

importantly, they also demonstrate they have

facing these types of issues. But first, let me tell

created a successful present and future plan.

you a little bit about what preclusion is.

When an undergraduate, or postgraduate,

Although this sounds pretty scary, it’s not all grey and murky skies! UniSA students do not

student receives a preclusion e-mail or letter,

have to go through this alone! USASA Advocacy

it means they have been identified as making

is a free, confidential and independent service

unsatisfactory progress in their program

who supports students with academic troubles—

in three or more academic review periods.

including appealing preclusion. The advocacy

Academic review periods are implemented

officers will point you in the right direction,

as part of good teaching practice and provide

will attend meetings with you, discuss your

staff with information on students who are at

concerns and help you build the best possible

academic risk.

case. They can also help review your appeal

Once a student is precluded their enrolment will be discontinued. Precluded

letter before you submit it.

To ensure the best opportunity to develop

students will need to wait two years if they

a strong appeal letter, students should contact

want to apply for the same program and at the

the team as soon as they receive their academic

same level. It sounds like pretty grim stuff,

review letter. The office is located at the City

but there are many underlying reasons as to

West Campus and is open from 9am-5pm

why a student may be struggling with their

Monday to Friday. All you need to do is visit

studies. Perhaps there are troubles at home,

their website and book your appointment. ◼

financial difficulties, maybe they are afraid to seek help with assignments, or perhaps they have experienced mental health concerns, or

USASA.sa.edu.au/Advocacy

consequently, the student is studying a degree

USASA.Advocate@UniSA.edu.au

62

Edition 29 2019

Khaliah Marro

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63

August & September May & June

What’s On What’s On August Here’s a whole stack of things to do

1 USASA Financial Counselling Drop-In Session

2 Sustainable DIY Workshop - Student Sustainability Collective 5 Verse Edition 30 Submission Deadline May

5 POP OP SHOP Magill - USASA supporting Save the Children

7&8

Chill Vibes Wind down, & enjoy.

6 - Magill Lunchrelax Project - USASA Magill Student Representative

9

Games and Chats - Evangelical Students Magill

6, 7 Clubs Fest 2019

10

Showpony Open Mic - Showpony

10

PSS Pub Crawl #1 - UniSA Physiotherapy Student Society

14, 15, 21 & 22

9 Showpony Open Mic - Showpony 9

- Architecture & Interior Architecture Club UniTopia SP2Trivia - FreeNight wellbeing event for all students.

17

2019 PSS Ball2019 - UniSA Physiotherapy Student Society USASOE10 Mario Kart Crawl

31

13,Leadership 14 Clubs &Fest USASA Club Grant May deadline 2019 16 2019 Scrubs Pub Crawl - Nursing & Midwifery Social Club

June

22 Let’s Talk About Sex Mawson Lakes - UniSA Rainbow Club

14

PSS Trivia Night

17

Verse Edition 29 Submission Deadline

28

USASA Leadership & Club Grant June deadline

26 POP OP SHOP City West - USASA supporting Save the Children

30 USASA Leadership & Club Grant August Deadline 31 E&A Ball 2019: A Night in Wonderland - USASOE

September Weekly

Recurring Events 20 Bar Trek Voyager Pub Crawl - Illustration & Animation Grad Show The Bible Talks - UniSA City Evangelical Students

21 Arch Gala - Architecture & Interior Architecture Club

Weekly

Psychology Study Group - UniSA Psychology Society

Weekly

Social Studio Sessions - UniSA Art Club

Weekly

Friday Sessions - Overseas Christian Fellowship

22 ORAH Camp - ROUSTAH

Recurring Events Ballet Classes – Ballet Club Weekly

Weekly Club Meeting - UniSA Gamers Alliance Weekly 2019 Social Studio Sessions - UniSA Art Club Weekly Evangelical Students Magill Weekly The Bible Talks - UniSA City Evangelical Students Weekly Music Lovers Rehearsals - Music Lovers Club Weekly UniSA Ballet Classes - UniSA Ballet Club

Check out these events and more at USASA.sa.edu.au/Events Check out these events and more at USASA.sa.edu.au/Events

USASA PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Lost motivation When we start our journey at University, we’re

combat these feelings, I’m here to say that it’s

given certain guidelines to fulfil the ideal

just not that simple.

student archetype. These are mostly sold to

Life is complicated, full of grey areas

us with such lines as ‘these are the keys to

met with hard decisions. It’s easy to assume

success,’ or ‘10 steps to be a better student.’ But,

after reading this that I’m advocating for a

how much of this is just social conditioning and

pessimistic outlook of ‘what university life is

outside of the perimeters of being a university

really like.’ However, I would encourage you to

student in 2019? In assuming these mental

think of this piece as a way of identifying and

and social confines are unrealistic, we must

accepting the process of university. Sometimes,

question how one might reach out and find help

all that stands in the way of our success is

within the institution reinforcing them.

ourselves. If things aren’t going according to

For some students, this can have far

plan, or we discover something unexpected,

reaching implications, and have the potential

we can completely shut down and feel a bit

to enhance the disdain and anxiety towards

hopeless. But, something we must remember is

university life. If you have a bit of self-

that motivation isn’t something that magically

awareness, you might be asking yourself

appears out of thin air. It has to be built and

questions like... ‘is feeling like this normal?’ ‘Have

comes to us when we’re accepting of the journey

I committed 3-plus years of my life to something

we’re on. By releasing ourselves of unrealistic

that has all been for nothing?’ ‘Am I a bad student

goals and expectations, we might just discover a

because I can’t maintain the pressures of studying

greater sense of clarity.

fulltime, while also being an employee, a best friend, a partner, a parent, a family member?’

Whether we’re taking our first steps of

Grace Dixon USASA President

riding our dreams of academic transcendence, or in the final moments of completing ‘the degree,’ there is always the question of motivation. This would, undoubtedly, be a common problem for many students during their academic journeys, and while I would love for this piece to outline some of the ways to

65

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Edition 29 2019

67

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