W'SUP Print Edition Spring 2024

Spring 2024

Meet The Team

Acknowledgement To this land we work and live upon informs our own sense of belonging and accountability.

We pay our respects to the elders while upholding the promise of future generations.

W’SUP is Western Sydney University’s multimedia student publication. W’SUP publishes new stories online every two weeks during the semester. Occasionally, the W’SUP team also produces a print magazine – like the one you are holding in your hot little hands right now.

Get your work published If you would like the W’SUP editors to consider your work for publication, or have a story idea, please send it to wsup@westernsydney.edu.au or message us via our socials.

The W’SUP team publishes videos, photographs, audio podcasts and writing. For more information, visit our website www.wsup.news

Publishing Team

Nataša Aster-Stater Director of Student Publications

Luci Kugathasan Editor

Abbie Simmons Editor

Editors Garish (Luci) Kugathasan Abbie Simmons Eugenia Kourkoutas Jasmine Kaur

Julia Bell

Social Media Officer

3 Director's Letter

Social Media and Marketing Julia Bell Sahla Faleel

5 Afterpay – Buy Now, Stress Later?

Published by Student Publication Committee (members) Student Community Locked Bag 1797 Penrith NSW 2751 © Western Sydney University

Eugenia Kourkoutas Editor

Sahla

Marketing Officer

Nadine Mendis

Publications Designer

Contents

Lead Designer Nadine Mendis

Western Sydney University supporting staff Ellie Winter, Publication & Student Representative Officer Grant Murray, Student Representative Officer Richard Martino, Manager, Student Community Jenny Page, Administrative Officer

Editor

Cover image:

Director of Student Publications Nataša Aster-Stater

Printing Arrow Print, Penrith

Jasmine Kaur

3 Interview with Laine Fox: SRC

Cover designer: Satya Patel Instagram username: (@mothburst) Cover description: Cloudy Pareidolia.

Image Credits: Canva

7 Understanding Burnout 9 Boy Sober: celibacy on the rise 11 What if We All Went to Therapy?

13 Film & Art Reviews 17 Art & Poetry 19 The Art of Drowning 21 Horoscopes: New Perspectives for this Month

Listen to Our New Perspectives Playlist

Letter from Director of Student Publications Dear reader, The theme for W’SUP’s new print edition, New Perspectives, which you now hold in your hands, was chosen earlier in the year for many reasons. Delving into the message and what it could represent to students, we as a team realised each of us has a different idea about its meaning. For some, it illustrates an emotional refresh – a new start, a clean slate. This, in turn, made us think about why students could feel the need for a restart at this point of the year, and at this stage in their lives.

Soon, we had a list of issues that people could be facing in their life right now, both on campus and outside of uni: academic burnout, financial issues, social anxieties, and personal dilemmas that they would want advice for – “What if we all went to therapy?”, we hoped, would help shed light on the importance of speaking out and seeking help, not burying issues down.

For worry and stress can often give the wrong perspective – and hope for the future, the much-needed refresh that students need.

We hope you enjoy the read.

Best wishes, Nataša Aster-Stater Director of Student Publications, W’SUP.

Nataša Aster-Stater interviews Laine Fox, President of the Student Representative Council (SRC): 1. Why is it important to represent students’ voices?

Student Representatives actively engage with their constituencies through a variety of channels, such as holding forums across campuses, managing social platforms, and participating in a range of clubs and societies within the University. These platforms provide direct insights into students' thoughts and opinions on issues affecting them. Whether through dialogues in forums, online chat spaces, or everyday conversations with classmates and friends, representatives gather vital feedback from the student body.

many of our students. As representatives, we immediately called for a ceasefire and an end to the conflict, ensuring that students were informed about where to access support and counselling services.

However, issues like these are constantly evolving, and the SRC must take appropriate steps and precautions to ensure that every student feels safe and welcome on campus.

New perspectives must always influence the development of policies for students, and as a progressive body dedicated to defending students’ rights, this remains a core value for all representatives.

3. Have events this year (local, worldwide, and/or at Uni) changed the SRC’s perspective on any matters, and why?

“One of the largest changes the Western SRC has been working on over the past 18 months, and hopes to implement soon, is the Western Sydney University Student Union (WSUSU). The idea for the Union arose from a vision our SRC developed after meeting with students from across Australia and speaking with students here at Western. Following a student meeting that demonstrated unwavering support for the establishment of a student union, the SRC began acting.

Over the past six months, we have engaged consultants who have been meeting with various university and student stakeholders to develop a Union model that best represents students at Western and addresses the unique challenges our university faces. Recent federal legislative changes have also mandated that student-run organisations receive 40% of the SSAF, meaning that after years of advocacy, student funds are finally being put back into student's hands. The Union itself aims to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment at Western, helping to build a stronger on-campus culture and ensuring that students have access to cheaper food and vibrant clubs and societies.

The planning phase is now in its final stages, with the SRC set to table the proposal to the Board of Trustees by the end of the year. We hope to see the Union fully operational by the first quarter of 2026.”

It is crucial to amplify student voices because the decisions made by the SRC directly impact them. Without understanding their concerns, we cannot effectively advocate for their best interests or ensure that our decisions reflect their needs.

2. Have events this year (local, worldwide, and/or at Uni) changed the SRC’s perspective on any matters, and why?

The short answer is yes; events, whether local or global, can significantly impact students, sometimes affecting how they study and engage at university. The SRC must continually adapt to the changing perspectives and insights we receive from students, and I believe that the representatives have done an outstanding job of responding to the new issues and challenges they face daily.

One of the greatest tragedies affecting students this year has been the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly within Gaza and the West Bank, which have had a profound impact on 3

4

Finance

Finance

NSW Advocate for Children and Young People shows an increase of households and customers using Afterpay and other BNPL services to pay for dental procedures and groceries and - with the introduction of Afterpay Plus in August 2023, which gives the users the option to pay in four instalments in almost any shop - people can use the BNPL service at most retailers to purchase necessities, including Woolworths, for their daily or weekly shop, and even chemists and pharmacies.

Afterpay: are students paying the price for buying now?

Nataša Aster-Stater Read as we discover whether Afterpay is actually a “Buy now, stress later” scheme for students – Is it a credit card made to look friendly?

In 2022, the Australian Finance Industry released a report that showed how Afterpay created a catch-22: people would use it to pay for essentials, yet it’s been reported some would also need to cut back on essentials just to make the required repayments.

Today, 40% of Australians aged

Amy Anshaw-Nye, who is studying for

18-39 regularly use Afterpay and have done so within the last twelve months, according to an August 2024 report by the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Consumer Payment Survey, with Gen Z and Millennials the main users of this service. However, a survey by comparison website, Finder, has shown that late fees have increased by 20% in the months leading up to 2024, and this rise has been linked to the cost-of-living crisis that young adults are finding themselves in today.

a Bachelor of Arts/Creative Industries at Western Sydney University, says:

Afterpay is an Australian buy now, pay later (BNPL) service, founded in Sydney, that allows customers to purchase items and pay them off in four instalments. According to their website, Afterpay reportedly conducts “soft credit-checks” when people first sign up, however, as of June 2024, there have been fresh calls from the government for the implementation of mandated credit checks of users by BNPL services.

This recent call comes as young adults facing financial troubles have been approved to use Afterpay, even with the high risk that they would struggle with repayments and find themselves in debt. So, is Afterpay actually a “buy now, stress later” scheme?

Is Afterpay like a layby, or a harmlessseeming credit card: 5

“Yes, I can see some young adults becoming in debt due to Afterpay. I see Afterpay as a service similar to layby—this is how I use it, but I understand it is more like a credit card in how it functions. Cons of Afterpay are that it would be easy for a user to take on more debt than they are able to repay, as Afterpay offers quite a high dollar amount to spend without a credit check.”

The issue with increasing the amount you can borrow: Akin to a sugar rush, the purchase limit on Afterpay steadily rises once the user of the BNPL service has consistently made several purchases and repayments on time (incurring no late fees). The spending limit begins at around $600, with the maximum amount being $3000-$4000. In one in-store or online purchase of $1500, however, the amount needing to be paid back would be $375 every fortnight for four payments– so, what if you do miss a payment?

Afterpay addresses this issue on their website. On the issue of being unable to pay the money back for one of the fortnights: they state one has the option of rescheduling a payment up to 3 times per

year; after that, however, late fees would be incurred on any of the remaining 362 days if one makes a purchase but then misses a fortnightly payment.

For orders of $40 and above, Afterpay states on their website that each time an instalment is late, an initial fee of $10 is charged. Additionally, if the amount has not been paid after one week, there will be an additional late fee up to $7, coupled with the amount already owing.

There is, though, a cap on the number: Afterpay says they will not exceed the amount of $68 when it comes to late fees for its users.

Young adults are using Afterpay for purchasing more than clothes or household items: Afterpay’s head of policy, Michael Saadat, told the Sydney Morning Herald in April 2024 that the BNPL service is now “mainstream” among young people, but disagrees that more customers are using it for bills in 2024 rather than just purchases: “People are still using it for the kinds of things we expect them to be using it for,” Saadat says. “The main categories include clothing, household items, beauty products and footwear.”

However, recent data from a report by the

“As with most things, I don’t think we can say Afterpay is “good” or “bad”,” says Anshaw-Nye. “It has its upsides and its downsides. For my own personal use, I think Afterpay is good. I also purchased my laptop on Afterpay at a time when I was unable to buy it outright. My old laptop broke and so I needed a new one urgently for work and study. However, I sympathise with people who are pushed into using it for necessities.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there have been higher annual living costs across all Australian households in 2024 thus far, with Living Cost Indexes (LCIs) having risen from 1.2% to 1.4% in June alone. One of the main contributors for the rise in cost-of-living pressures – apart from food, housing, transport and health – has been insurance and financial services, such as Afterpay.

When asked what could help with protecting young adults from becoming in debt with Afterpay and other BNPL services, AnshawNye responds: “I think the answer isn’t to restrict credit services but to make the cost of living lower, though that’s another topic altogether.”

Many Australians would agree that the Albanese government’s solution to the costof-living crisis has been late: thus, enter BNPL services (just not their late fees).

Financial Support for Western Sydney University Students: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/ current_students/services_and_facilities/student_ welfare_services2/financial_support

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Social Issues

Understanding Burnout Eugenia Kourkoutas

Social Issues

complete assignments completely diminishes which affects my productivity and my ability to showcase my skills because of my lack of engagement” Nelda said.

Emily explained that her burnout not only represents her ability to handle her university workload but her ability to enjoy life to the best of her abilities.

“When a burnout occurs, I feel in a complete stop in my life, and struggle to wanting to continue with study, seeing friends and all lifestyle enjoyments. I become bed bound, ignoring all things I loved as I have reached a level of exhaustion and overload.”

How to combat academic burnout?

These debilitating effects on academic burnout highlights the importance ways to prevent and recover from these overwhelming pressures. Psychologist Gareth Furber explained in an Times Higher Education article the best ways to recover from academic burnout such as “keeping up a healthy sleep cycle, re-evaluating and descaling your workload where possible, setting realistic goals for yourself each day and understanding that burnout is your body telling you to slow down and seek assistance to understand the underlying cause of its creation.”

Emily and Nelda share similar advice to university students in saying that seeing the signs of burnout early is important for its prevention and early recovery.

“Take breaks, take your time and be slow, there’s no rush take it as it is, as it’s your body saying it hasn’t gotten the break it needs and deserves” Emily said.

As we approach the end of our studies, some of us will be feeling drained and debilitated from exhaustion with no motivation to do the things we once loved to do or to complete those last rounds of assignments.

Nelda shares the same sentiment. “It’s ok not to be ok, we are humans and part of being human is realising we are not perfect. Prioritise self-care, break tasks into smaller steps, and don’t hesitate to reach out to university resources.”

You may be contemplating “Why am I so lazy? Why do I have no energy for the things I once was able to do efficiently?” To answer your question, it is not a case of laziness you are experiencing, but the draining and impactful force that is ‘academic burnout.’

Useful Resources

What is academic burnout?

There are also important resources to facilitate within the University such as WSU Counselling Services and WSU Talk Campus Service that assist students through these symptoms of burnout and help navigate student life when it gets too overwhelming.

Under a definition provided by Charles Sturt University, ‘academic burnout’ is the feeling of exhaustion, mental dissociation and negative emotional reaction due to prolonged or repeated amounts of study or academic workload. This can lead to lack of motivation, loss of creativity and a reduced ability to perform well academically.

Through understanding these signs of burnout, we can recognise not only how important our mental health is but how it is present in every aspect of our life, highlighting how crucial it is to check in with ourselves and prioritise our own mental healthiness to ensure and sustain our overall happiness within everyday life.

These stresses continue to be felt and affect our cohort.

WSU Counselling Services

The struggles of stress and frustration continue to impact university students each year, according to a 2022- 2023 Australian and New Zealand Student Wellbeing Survey from Youth Insight. “Out of 1,137 University students across Australia and New Zealand, 72% of those students reported being stressed by their studies on a frequent basis”.

The central source of these stresses was explained to be the resulting pressure of trying to balance personal responsibilities, part time work and the high workload of trying to keep up with university assignments and attendance simultaneously. This has led to the staggering figures found that within the survey, around 1 in 5 students felt stressed constantly and 7 in 10 students felt overwhelmed and stressed weekly.

Second-year university student Nelda Zakour and third-year student Emily Thompson have shared their own experiences of dealing with academic burnout and how it represents within their daily life- more specifically within their ability to manage their university workload.

“Tasks that were once straightforward became overwhelming. My ability to focus and 7

Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4:30pm.

Email: counselling@westernsydney.edu.au

Phone: 1300 668 370 https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and_ facilities/counselling_services WSU Talk Campus Services & Blog

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and facilities/talkcampus

Blog: Wellness Centre (talkcampus.io) https://www.students.talkcampus.io/blog

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Personal Essay

Personal Essay

Boy Sober

A reflection on why celibacy is on the rise Abbie Simmons

I am 22 and I haven’t had sex in 3 years.

It’s because, ever since I was a little girl, I have believed that romantic love should be a priority in my life, and I think the media I consumed heavily informed this idea.

I loved the 1999 romantic comedy Never Been Kissed, starring Drew Barrymore as socially awkward journalist Josie Geller who goes undercover at a high school to research a story. Josie’s lack of experience with romantic relationships, informs her insecurities and an overall dissatisfaction with life. The resolution of the film revolves around Josie’s romantic success. The ending implies that her self-worth, confidence and happiness are closely tied to finding love and gaining romantic male validation.

Even children’s TV shows like Hannah Montana (2006-2011), Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004) and Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012) often blended romance with adventure and comedy, reinforcing the idea that romantic relationships are important to a girl’s life, even at a young age.

Sex And The City (SATC) (1998) was a 9

series that showcased sexually empowered female characters and tackled taboo subjects like no piece of media had successfully done before. Despite the shows revolutionary nature, the plot ultimately ended with protagonist Carrie sacrificing her sanity and friendships in the conquest of her romantic interest, ‘Mr Big’.

I think that celibacy is a concept that allows young women to reject the idea that love, and male validation equals fulfillment.

The term celibacy is derived from Christianity and relates to people who vow not to have sex for religious reasons. It has recently been adopted as a synonym for abstinence, meaning to refrain from sex for reasons unrelated to religion.

Tik Tok creator Hope Woodward (@ justhopinalong) coined the term "Boy Sober" to describe her celibacy journey.

This sparked discussions among hundreds of thousands of people about their own experiences with celibacy, particularly in a heterosexual, monogamous context. Videos underneath the #BoySober and #Celibacy hashtags have millions of views and likes.

Tik Tok Creator Ella Jae (@ellaajaee) posted a reflection on her 1.5-year celibacy journey.

“I realised I was getting used a lot…I felt like an instrument to their satisfaction and not like a real human being with a soul... I didn’t want to feel like an object anymore...it allowed me to grow and learn about myself as a human… it allowed me to go inwards and facilitate introspection without worrying about the male gaze,” she said.

I interviewed 20-year-old Holly Croxford from Melbourne who shared that she has been celibate for 10 months. She stated, ‘This [celibacy] led me to realise that I was putting so much energy and effort into men who actually did not care about me. I was actually driving myself kinda crazy, wondering if I was pretty enough, funny enough, smart enough, interesting enough… the list goes on. I was constantly waiting for a text back, for them to view my story or like my post or ask me on a proper date. My life had literally revolved around men since I was 15, I’m nearly 21.’ She continued, ‘I do not need a man in my life to make it any better because I already have everything that I need, and there is so much more to life than having a romantic partner.’

Political celibacy is also gaining traction.

Actress Julia Fox highlighted this trend in a recent interview on the Zach Sang show, revealing she had been celibate for two years in response to the reversal of Roe v. Wade in the United States. Meanwhile, Korean women are protesting gendered violence through the 4B movement, which rejects relationships with men.

Furthermore, a 2023 study conducted

by The Women’s Studies International Forum ‘Neither incel or volcel: Relational accounts of UK women’s sexual abstinence’ investigated reasons why women are abstinent. Its key finding was that ‘abstinence was practised by some women as a way of carving out a space of independence and autonomy in a maledominated society’. Study Participant Yvette stated, ‘[I’m abstinent because] I don’t want to give anyone any power or control over me’. For participant Alora, abstinence was defiance, she stated ‘It was just me wanting

to be in in control of myself and not wanting any man to dictate how I feel’.

Catherine Gray the author of the Unexpected Joy of Being Single stated, “I don’t think the celibate revolution is about sex. I think it’s about a global realisation that we’re not half-people, incomplete or unrealised as women when single,”. She continued, “In many ways, we can only become fully complete when we take the time – even if only a year – to stand by ourselves. We find out who exactly we are, what we want, what we enjoy. It’s almost impossible to do that when somebody else is in the picture.”

When I was 19, I got out of a long-term relationship. I held the belief that a romantic partner was a key component to my selfworth. So as an act of self-preservation I accidentally became celibate. This has given me an opportunity to appreciate my early 20s and discover myself freely, without the influence of others. Whilst I see the value in romantic relationships, by decentring them I have allowed myself more time to prioritise every other facet of my life. The longer I am celibate the more I appreciate its worth. I have become my own person independently travelled the globe, committed myself to education, perfected hobbies and strengthened my relationships with friends and family. All of which I am unsure I would've been able to focus so intently on without ‘Boy Sobriety’.

Women are dabbling in celibacy, whether it is an act of self-care, self-preservation or a rejection of romantic validation. Regardless of if ‘Boy Sobriety’ is for you, its lessons can offer a new perspective on how to approach romantic relationships.

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Let’s Talk Therapy

What if We All Went to Therapy?

Jasmine Kaur

Let’s Talk Therapy

pressure to put on a brave face. Maybe you’d text your friend, “Hey, I’m happy today, but there’s a little sadness hanging out in the background too.” And your friend would reply, “Totally get it! I’m kind of riding that same emotional rollercoaster.”

Therapy at Work? Yes, Please!

Even in the workplace, therapy would influence how we interact. Meetings wouldn’t just be about deadlines and deliverables; you’d hear phrases like, “I’ve noticed the team is feeling a bit overwhelmed—should we take a moment to check in on everyone’s emotional bandwidth?”

Bosses would actually ask, “How are you managing the stress levels this week?” And instead of brushing it off, you’d be encouraged to share openly: “I’ve been a bit stretched, but I’m working on reframing some negative thoughts. I’ll be back on track soon.”

This article discusses topics related to mental health and is intended purely as a thought experiment and opinion piece. It is not medical advice, nor does it come from an author qualified to provide psychological guidance. The content shared here reflects personal viewpoints and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or offer solutions for mental health issues. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, please seek professional support from a licensed healthcare provider or mental health professional. This article is meant for informational purposes only and should not replace professional advice.”

Picture this: You’re sitting in a café with a friend, and instead of the usual, “How’s work?” they casually ask, “So, what’s your inner child been up to?” And it’s not weird at all! You sip your coffee and say, “Oh, you know, just reconnecting with some childhood fears; it turns out, they’ve been messing with my boundary-setting.” Your friend nods knowingly and responds, “Totally relatable. I had a big breakthrough last week about my fear of abandonment; it turns out it was showing up every time I didn’t get a text back within five minutes.”

These wouldn’t be conversations reserved for deep, dramatic moments. Instead of small talk about the weather, people might casually drop, “I’ve been working on my selfcompassion. You know, being kinder to myself when I make mistakes. How’s your emotional regulation going?” No one would blink an eye. It would just be another Tuesday.

Romantic relationships would look different too.

Imagine your partner saying, “I love how you expressed your need for space. That shows real emotional intelligence, and I’m here for it.” Disagreements wouldn’t explode into shouting matches but would be diffused with phrases like, “I’m feeling triggered right now, can we pause and talk when I’ve had time to process?” Rather than storming out of the room, the response might be a nod and a thoughtful, “Thanks for communicating that. Let’s revisit this when we’re both in a better headspace.”

And friendships Well, they would be no different.

A typical text exchange between friends might look something like this: “Hey, I’ve been feeling a bit off lately, can we have a heart-to-heart this weekend?” To which the reply would be, “Of course! Let’s unpack it together, I’m always here for you.”

Instead of bottling up our feelings, we’d reach out without hesitation, knowing that vulnerability is a strength, not a burden.

It wouldn’t be a world where “if you’re happy, clap your hands” is the norm. Instead, imagine this: if you’re happy, sad, or feeling a mix of both, you’d express it however you feel like—no 11

Self-care wouldn’t be this extra hobby squeezed between work and Netflix binges. Imagine it’s 3 PM, and instead of pushing through your afternoon slump, you take 10 minutes to meditate, journal, or just breathe because you know your mental health is as important as your to-do list. Therapy and self-reflection wouldn’t be seen as indulgences but as basic maintenance, just like going to the dentist or getting a physical check-up.

Kellie Marie Fernandes, a Masters in Psychotherapy and Counselling student at Western Sydney University, perfectly sums it up: “If everyone went for therapy, it would mean we’ve made great strides in accepting and understanding mental health. Therapy would be as common as a check-up with a doctor, leading to a culture where talking about feelings and struggles is normal and encouraged. This shift would help us appreciate each other’s differences and support one another more genuinely. It would create a more compassionate society where people feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their experiences, making everyone’s lives a bit better.”

In this world, we’d be emotionally literate and better equipped to handle life’s ups and downs. Imagine the empathy boost! You’d know that the grumpy guy at the grocery store might just be having a tough day and instead of snapping back, you’d offer a smile or a kind word.

And it’s not just about being more understanding. Therapy gives us tools, real, practical ones for solving problems. Abby Miller, a Bachelor’s in Psychology Honours student at Western Sydney University, points out: “A lot of psychology sessions are problem-solving between the psychologist and the client. I think aside from the mental health benefits, it would be incredibly beneficial for everyone to have an expansive and personalized toolkit of problem-solving tools at their disposal.”

Imagine being able to tackle challenges, big or small, with a ready-made toolkit from therapy, no more floundering when life throws a curveball.

What if therapy made us all more aware?

Not just of our own emotions but of the way we interact with the world.

We’d understand that everyone has their struggles, and instead of judging, we’d support each other. It would be a world where showing vulnerability isn’t scary, but an invitation to connect.

We’d know how to cope with pain, how to express joy, and most importantly, how to hold space for each other.

Life wouldn’t be easier, but it would feel more manageable. We’d be a society where we don’t just survive but thrive. Together!

12

Film & Art

New Perspectives through Films Luci Kugathasan

Luci reviews three films that offer ‘new perspectives’ for viewers from all backgrounds.

Films and TV shows offer viewers new perspectives (pun intended) every day, from highlighting the beauty in the mundane to revealing that there’s more to the world than meets the eye. This piece reviews three films: Cactus (2023), Monkey Man (2024), and The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (1994).

‘Cactus’: Milena Bennett’s 17-minute short film, Cactus (2023), follows two lonely souls as they forge an unlikely friendship. The two main characters, Grace and Mr Rodrigues, go from being bickering neighbours to friends as they get to know and understand one another. Bennett beautifully illustrates how there can be beauty within the mundane through the blossoming friendship of Grace and Mr. Rodrigues’.

At the start of the film, Grace is annoyed by Mr. Rodrigues from the first day in Marrickville.

However, after not seeing him for a while, she grows worried about his absence and goes to check in on him, fearing the worst. She accidentally awakens him from his slumber, and they bond over their experiences, slowly becoming fond of one another.

Bennett’s ability to convey so much with so little is impressive; the film flows smoothly and is easy to watch. Cactus is a simple yet heartbreakingly beautiful story that elicits tears of joy and sadness, as well as laughter and smiles.

Scan the QR to read the full interview with director Milena Bennett here: ‘Monkey Man’ Dev Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey Man, is a spectacularly poetic and violent tale of vengeance. It follows a young man, known as ‘Kid’, played

by Dev Patel, who earns a scant living in an underground fight club where he endures brutal beatings night after night. After years of biding his time and supressing the rage stemming from his childhood, he sets out to settle the score with those who took everything from him.

Film & Art

The portrayal of the Ardhanarishvara, along with the Hijras becoming ‘Kid’s’ army in the film’s final acts, is both beautiful and powerful, representing their will to fight against the unjust status quo. This representation not only allows queer individuals feel seen and empowered but also shows that there is more to the world than meets the eye.

‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ follows two drag queens, Mitzi Del Bar and Felicia Jollygoodfellow, and a transgender woman named Bernadette Bassenger as they embark on a journey from Sydney to Alice Springs in a bus named ‘Priscilla’.

As they travel across the Australian Outback, the three protagonists experience hilarious and heartwarming moments as they perform their drag and meet various kinds of individuals along the way.

The writers skilfully capture viewers' attention, balancing comedy and drama, while the vibrant soundtrack and the characters’ performances in drag illuminate the film. The film effectively fleshes out the characters through flashbacks, revealing their backstories, such as when Bernadette, as a child, switched her sister’s Christmas gift with her own.

The dialogue between the characters also reveals their history and relationships with one another.

Throughout its 1 hour and 44 minutes runtime, Priscilla delves into themes of friendship, budding romance, identity, and acceptance of oneself and others.

Not only is this film a fun flick to watch for all, but it also empowers and represents viewers from the LGBTQ+ community.

The film features great representation of the Hijra Community and queerness. Halfway through the movie, ‘Kid’ is taken in by the Hijras after being severely injured from attacking his enemy, Rana Singh, played by Sikandar Kher.

'Kid’ then meets Alpha, portrayed by Vipin Sharma, the keeper of the temple, and sees the statue of Ardhanarishvara, a symbol of gender fluidity and inclusiveness. Ardhanarishvara is a Hindu deity who embodies the unified form of Shiva (the god of destruction), and Parvathi (the goddess of devotion), depicted with both masculine and feminine aspects.

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Film & Art

How ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ shows students it’s OK to take a break Satya Patel

Based on the children’s book “Majo no Takkyūbin” by Eiko Kadono, “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1989) is a Studio Ghibli film following Kiki, a witch who moves out and into a modern seaside city at 13 years old to become independent and complete witch training. Passionate and excited to explore a new environment, Kiki works hard, using her magical flying skills to deliver products for work. Unfortunately, she works until she burns out.

Let’s Talk University and Burn-Out for students: Kiki’s Delivery Service is a wonderful movie that truly moved me and connected to me with its realistic view of burnout and depression. What sticks with me after multiple rewatches of this film is Kiki’s slow sink into depression until she falls into burnout and loses her magic. Burnout and depression are both struggles that university students commonly face. I struggle with depressive disorder and creative burnout.

So, I write this from a familiar (The book and film, ’Kiki’s Delivery Service’, has themes that perspective to Kiki. uni students can connect with | IMBD)

Film & Art

I thought to myself: “If I can’t work, what am I worth?”

It’s terrifying to experience burnout as a uni student; we live in a capitalist society, after all, that bases our value on productivity... on being on that ‘grind’ even when tired. It feels illegal to mention being burned-out as university students. We feel we must be able to balance it all: a degree, a job and other responsibilities. The reality is... It’s hard. And the longer you overwork yourself to achieve a perfectly balanced life, the more burnt out you will get.

Advice on Taking Breaks: Stop working so hard. Take some time off. In Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ursula, an artist, advises Kiki when she fears she’ll never fly again, to “...Just stop.” This represents how your value, as a human, isn’t boiled down to productivity: your worth is drawn from much more than that. It’s your creativity, your relationships, your resilience, your ethics, and integrity.

Personally, what Kiki taught me is that doing nothing productive is just as - if not more – important to our value as humans. Resting for a moment and doing nothing that contributes to your work is just as valuable as actually completing the work task. We must rest with no guilt, as rest is productive. There must be a balance.

Adapting to change: Of course, healing your mindset around worth takes great time and is a non-linear and endless process. Kiki’s non-linear healing in the original Japanese film’s ending is an example of this. When Tombo is hauled into the air from an airshow malfunction, Kiki swiftly regains her flying power, saving Tombo from death. The dubbed ending has Kiki’s cat Jiji talking and cheering on her shoulder, but the original film has Jiji only meowing.

In my perspective, the original ending shows that, when things change, they can’t always be restored to how they were before and that’s okay. Kiki permanently has lost her magical ability to understand her cat. But she can fly again. Her healing is non-linear.

Change is scary. Things won’t be the same as we heal. But you’ll be alright. Take time to rejuvenate yourself, then come back to it. And then, you’ll be able to fly again.

Do something you love with no remorse now.

Find Satya’s work on IG: @mothburst!

Kiki’s transition from an excited to apathetic witch draws parallels to the transition of university students, from being a passionate student to an exhausted student. Her move from her familiar childhood home into a new town to grow into an adult resembles the journey university students make as we enter a stage of adulthood and explore an unfamiliar environment. Just like Kiki, in the beginning of experiencing change, we’re clumsy when navigating our environment.

Personal Perspective on my Uni Life: In my first semester of university, I was thrilled, and nervous, to be in this new setting Drawing was important for my uni assignments as a design and creative industries student.

It was fun for a while, I even got good marks. But I quickly began feeling drained, losing my motivation to create for myself. Though I can’t pinpoint the moment, I just knew.

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Art and Poetry

Vicky Xie’s Artist Statement for ‘Little Things’ artwork Vicky Xie

Art and Poetry

about the places you see. Since starting university, my friends and I have seen each other less as we took different paths. To compromise, we hang out on video calls, indulging in our interests and hanging out in person every other week with the best thing ever: food! (and window shopping).

Have you heard of the game Spoto? If you need to become more familiar with it, it's when you try to spot a yellow car and yell out 'SPOTO' before your opponent does. I've been an avid player since high school. Throughout the illustration, I've included little references and objects of sentimental value.

As for hobbies, I have fallen out with some, either through occupied time or lack of motivation. However, recently, I found myself drawing more leisurely and not only relating it to assignments. I love to bring worlds of characters that have been living rent-free in my mind to life. My most significant turning point was simply starting and less tunnel-visioning on perfection because doing so makes drawing more fun, and I look forward to filling more and more sketchbooks in the long run.

Even when the foggy days pass, I am grateful for everything and look forward to living in the

The Gen Z Guide to Love Jasmine Kaur

‘Little Things’ by Vicky Xie, rendered in RGB (2024). In this piece, Vicky included meaningful moments throughout her day, reminding viewers to savour the present moment.

Recently, I enjoyed the present moment more often with my friends and family, ranging from silly inside jokes to meaningful experiences. Since I finished high school, I thought that was it, and all my friends would drift away. But since starting university, we've grown closer than ever and created new memories I will cherish forever. University brought various new experiences, my least favourite being waking up early; I can't get out of bed! Despite the initial confusion, one of the best things that came out of university was the new friends I made.

We belong to the ‘replied to your story’ kind of love.

Where at the end of shared playlists a tender hug awaits, We belong to the ‘tagged you in a meme’ kind of love, Hoping that the algorithms align our fate.

We belong to the ‘Taylor Swift hits different’ kind of love, Where every beat and every lyric feel like a signal from above, We flex on TikTok and simp over our crush’s post on the ‘Gram.

Oh and the candle night dinner dates?

Well, they have been replaced by Netflix and Chill and some Spotify jam!

We belong to the ‘maintaining our snap scores’ kind of love, Falling asleep on late-night calls and making memories we’ll always think of.

We go on some casual delulu trips and tally our situationships We are forever caught in the dance of likes and emojis Losing track of time as we scroll through countless feeds and stories.

We belong to the kind of love where holding a hand and sleeping under the stars seems a lil too extra, We’d rather swipe right and left, and fill our chats with hesitations and flirtations because we belong to the Text-era So let’s swipe and ghost, Smile and post, And slay on that popular trend Until that true love slides into our DM

I created this piece based on little fleeting moments I've had, such as a train ride depicted on the first panel. It's pretty monotonous, but I've grown to enjoy the ride, looking at the view despite the scenery being the same every time. The more you look, the more you discover 17

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Stories

The art of drowning A.S.H.

Stories

continuous line of support, but I still felt completely alone. I didn’t reach out for help. I simply existed. In an ocean of my grief, I was going through my own case of voluntary apnoea.

My coping strategy was simply acting like nothing had happened, and when I would finally call her, her voice would be on the other end of the line, comforting and warm as she wants to hear about how things were going. It hit me around Christmas time when my dad, someone I’ve come to love, called, and her voice wasn’t there. I knew I was drowning; I was sinking into the inky blue depths of one of my biggest fears; emotionally as far away as point nemo. That was my grief, my understanding, that everyone around me was floating, and I wasn’t I was so easy to tell everyone I was floating too, that there was no possibility I was sinking. How could I be? I was always the ‘fine’ one. The one who joked, smiled and laughed. It was probably the two closest people to me who saw through my facade and realised I wasn’t swimming anymore. It was the two of them that helped me keep float and not sink anymore. They taught me that it was okay to bob my head underwater for a little while.

As of the month I write this, August 2024, her first grandchild was born, and I know she would be wholeheartedly loving of her. There are so many things I wish I could tell her, but since that wasn’t possible, I instead made use of the art of storytelling. I make mention of the times she was around; the adventures we had, the laughs she made. One way we keep people around from our memories is sharing their legacy. I love talking about her and telling people who didn’t know her about who she was, and how truly important she was to me. I tell them about her Donald Duck collection. I tell them about her love for green cordial. I tell them how she’d fall asleep on the couch, but when she’d wake up, she’d say she’s simply “resting her eyes. Most of all, I love telling people that she was always there for me. She was my other mother (not in the creepy ‘Caroline’ kind of way). To conclude this piece, my advice to you readers currently submerged in an ocean of their own grief, is that there is always a light. No matter what you are going through. I promise, help is on its way.

For me, grieving wasn’t something I expected to find myself in. I struggled to cry when I felt like I was meant to. It felt like the whole world was in despair and I wasn’t. I remember my mother leaning against me and attempting to comfort me, and I said, “Don’t touch me.”

I wasn’t mad at her; I was mad at the world. I was mad that someone so near and dear to me didn’t have a fighting chance against what could have been. I was angry. It was the only emotion I could fathom. The itchy and burning sensations in the bottom of my stomach from the rage gave me comfort because I was at least feeling something. Anything was better than nothing.

Love always, Blue.

For the first few months after, my reality was an unrealistic ideal to me. I didn’t understand how to possibly process what had happened. I had grown up for most of my life with this person right up until they moved away, but even then, we could communicate via phone calls on special occasions and such. This time was different. I felt so drained and defenceless, and my usual inability to focus was pushed to an incredible extreme. I found myself drifting away from the friends I made and even the people closest to me. I had a

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Horoscopes: New Perspectives for this Month Nataša Aster-Stater

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Aries tend to take charge in their life – they are curious and adventurous, often seeking new perspectives and different outlooks of life. They’re enthusiastic about new challenges. This month, whether it be about relationships, work, study, or passions and hobbies, remember you can take the lead.

Gemini (May 21-June 21):

Geminis can change and adapt quickly to different circumstances and unplanned events in life. They can be creative, experimental, and willing to try new things.

Remember, nothing is set in stone: there’s no one clear map for the rest of your life.

Geminis can welcome unpredictability and the fact that change is OK. They know there’s more than one set perspective. So, don’t be scared to try new things.

Leo (July 23-August 22):

Leos are not only loyal but also enjoy creative hobbies and passions. They can often be the lion of the group – wanting to protect their friends and others in their lives. Leos can also go out of their way to make people feel wanted, to show affection and love. They also have many different interests, whether it be music, books, or film, and often love how one can express themselves through art. When it comes to new perspectives, Leos tend to want bold change, something exciting.

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Taurus (April 20-May 20):

Taurus is the second sign of the Zodiac.

They are trustworthy friends and will always have your back. This is also the case in other areas of life too: whether at uni, in the office, or friendships and romantic relationships. They’re reliable, work well in a team, and will have their partner’s back. They do crave routine, though, so a new perspective can sometimes work wonders.

Cancer (June 22-July 22):

Cancers are emotional people, and in uncertain situations trust their gut and instincts. They’re compassionate and often have a sense of what others around them are feeling, whether it be their friends, family members, co-workers, peers or romantic partner. They can also be protective and nurturing. When choosing a new perspective, they’ll often go with a change or outlook that feels right not only for themselves but for others.

Virgo (August 23-September 22):

Virgos can tend to be analytical when it comes to matters in life. They like to have information and can also go out of their way to help others, whether it be friends, family, or partners. In a project or a situation, Virgos can focus on details, but not at the cost where they’ll forget to take care of or save someone else. They like to problemsolve and can help friends out of trouble.

When they think up new perspectives, it’s usually solutions.

Libra (September 23-October 23):

Libras value trust and aim to keep the peace in an argument. They are friendly, often love socialising, and are also not afraid to depend on their friends and family when they need to. Right and wrong also have a deep meaning for them, and they try to have good relationships with everyone in their life. Their perspective? Wanting everyone to know and feel beauty.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18):

Aquarians value freedom, the chance to make mistakes and learn from them. In relationships, they also like to have room and space. Independent and creative, they like to talk with friends and meet new people who share similar likes, but also those who think differently. When it comes to perspectives, remember that everyone sees the world in their own, unique way.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21):

A Sagittarius is adventurous – they like trying different things; seeing more of the world, as well as meeting new people, and finding new friends. They love celebrating their relationships, and value honesty and communication. When it comes to their outlook on life, they adopt a positive perspective.

Scorpio (October 24-November 21):

Scorpios are not only friendly and supportive to people in their life, but they can also be trusted and keep a secret.

Often emotional, there are many sides to their character. They can be deep, pensive, and at the same time forge strong connections with friends, family, and other people in their lives. When it comes to new perspectives, their outlook in life and relationships will often be based on trust and loyalty.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19):

Capricorns can be high achievers, setting goals for not only their academic life but also personal ones: creating dreams.

Sometimes they can seem quiet, but they always have time for their friends, family, and relationships. When given a task, they will tend to analyse and strive to get a positive outcome and result. They’re also trustworthy, sociable and loving. When it comes to change, they would have a positive perspective – and plan it so that it works out.

Pisces (February 19-March 20):

Pisces can often be daydreamers, fantasizing about not only their goals but also passions. Prone to be openhearted, they love social connection, and like hearing opinions and other people’s interests in life. They are also inspired by others’ hobbies, and loves, and can adapt their own plans to accommodate those in their life like friends and family. When it comes to new perspectives, and changes, Pisces don’t mind if fantasy seeps into reality sometimes.

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