Blackstone 2016 Blackbird Journal by Blackstone Society

Blackbird

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly, All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise. Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these sunken eyes and learn to see, All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to be free. Blackbird fly Blackbird fly, Into the light of the dark black night, Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly, Into the light of the dark black night. Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly, All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Our Contributors

Brad Papaluca Carina Marshall Cassie Ferrier Chandler Comerford iovannini Claudia Emily Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keeffe Evan Taylor Ilana Hamilton Kelsey Montgomery Liam Elphick Linda Black Jarred Prior Jerome Doraisamy Natalie Thompson Prue Vines Stefan Pawlak Stephen Puttick

The Editorial Team Disclaimer Blackstone is mindful that some of the material published in Blackbird may be sensitive. If you or someone you know is affected by suicide or other mental illness, help is available through Lifeline (13 11 14). Blackbird is published by students of the University of Western Australia and external contributors. The views expressed in the articles are of the authors and are not representative of the views of the Blackstone Society.

For more information about Blackbird contact the editor at blackbirdeditor@blackstone.asn.au - We would love to hear your feedback.

Blackbird Editor Ruth Thomas Blackstone Wellness Vice Presedent Kelsey Montgomery Wellness Officer Stefan Pawlak Blackstone President Alex Cook

The Art Department Cover Art abby Loo

Interior Artwork Natalie Thompson Elysia elavis

Design Ruth Thomas

Blackstone and Wellness W

hile I have a healthy appreciation for sports, I have never been a fan of boxing. I shy away from violence and it seems counterintuitive to expose yourself willingly to such pain. However, I do admire boxers for their endurance and ability to get up, and get going when the going gets tough. You might be wondering, how is boxing relevant to wellness and law school?

Let me begin by highlighting the importance of keeping perspective and maintaining wellness at law school. This is best illustrated by the words of one of the greatest heavy weight boxers of all time. Muhammad Ali once said, “Often it isn’t the mountains ahead that wear you out, it’s the little pebble in your shoe’. Everyone has a different purpose for undertaking a law degree, but the objective is the same. The aim is to graduate, and to try and get a job. However if we neglect our mental and physical health, similar to a pebble that’s not dislodged, this can have a crippling effect and prevent us from reaching our goals. It can be difficult to resist comparing ourselves to others, and to feel overwhelmed by the stress of not meeting our own expectations. Similar to boxing, the release of assignment marks and exam results can be a trial and tribulation. There will be some rounds where we get knocked down, and others when we feel we are on top of our game. The important thing is to pick ourselves up, and with the encouragement from our support crew, try again.

This is where Blackstone Wellness steps in. The portfolio was established this year to address the growing concern of mental health at law school and to promote general wellbeing at law school. Recent studies note that 1 in 5 law students experience elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Research has also revealed that levels of stress experienced in law school are similar to those experienced by legal practitioners. The Blackstone Wellness Team aspires to create a more holistic culture of wellbeing and community at law school. We started this process by launching the ‘You’ve Been Served’ Volleyball tournament and we have just concluded the 6-week workshop of Wellness Yoga. We also put together a HBF Run for a Reason team and fundraised for SANE Australia. Blackstone sports also put together a social team for the Wednesday inter faculty society competitions. Next semester, the event to look out for will be the Blackstone Wellness Quiz night, which aims to create conversations around mental health and reduce stigma and misconceptions. On behalf of Blackstone, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to both of our internal and external contributors. The quality of the publication speaks for itself, and highlights the importance of reaching a point of equilibrium between our studies and the other aspects of our life. I would like to congratulate Blackbird’s editor Ruth Thomas on pulling this publication together. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated! Special mention to each member of my Wellness team, you’re all fantastic to work with and I’m excited to seeing what else we can achieve this year.

Kelsey Montgomery

Blackstone Wellness Vice President

Contents

Emily Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keeffe

Eat, Sleep, Ball, Repeat

Jarred Prior

Blackstone and Wellness

Kelsey Montgomery

A Guide to mental Health Services for Law Students

A Letter from the Editor

Cassie Ferrier and the UWA Student

Coming Out as LGBTI: How to be an Ally

Liam Elphick

Six Million Ways to Live. Choose One.

Stefan Pawlak

A Reason to Run

Ruth Thomas

Being a Resilient Law Student

Professor Prue Vines

The Devil on Your Shoulder: Making Peace with Law Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expectations

Brad Papaluca

Competitions and Comparisons

Stephen Puttick

Misery Loves Company

Why Being Proactive, Rather than Reactive, Makes us Better Lawyers

Chandler Comerford

Jerome Doraisamy

40 Greyhounds

Minding Your Mind: Mindfulness and Why You Should Try It Evan Taylor

22 An Interview with Linda Black: Criminal Law Barrister and UWA Alumni

26 A View from The Other Side

guild

Anonymous

Ilana Hamilton

The Nature Cure

Carina Marshall

Rhubarb and Apple Crumble Rice Paper Rolls

Natalie Thompson

Linda Black and Kelsey Montgomery

A Letter from the Editor A few years ago I started drawing, and painting with watercolours. Sometimes I paint my cat, often I’ll draw flowers and plants, occasionally I’ll do a portrait of myself. I’m not very good, but that’s kind of why I like it - it’s all about the process, and doing just what I want. It’s so nice to go into this zone where I only have to worry about colours and brushes, and it’s a complete break from the hectic pace of normal life. I decided very early on that I never wanted to show what I make to anyone. I like that it is something that is totally removed from the world, and I like that it is something I do just for me. When you’re studying law it can become hard to find the time, or the motivation, to do things that don’t directly help you achieve your goals. Why paint when you have an assignment due? Why go for a run when there’s another networking event on? On one hand it makes sense to prioritise our careers over our creative or social needs, because of course we want to be the best, but this is how our competitve natures get the better of us as we bit by bit give up the little things that we need in our lives.

I think it’s important to remember that although we strive to be perfect little lawyer-machines, we are first and foremost human, and when we fall short of the high standards we set for ourselves, we should know to be kind to ourselves and not berate ourselves for being less than super-human. When I see the level of pressure that my friends put on themselves I know that it isn’t healthy, and I know that something has to change. We want to encourage our fellow law students to take care of themselves, to support each other, and to start prioritising their wellbeing. That’s how Blackbird began. In this publication there are a range of articles discussing wellbeing and law. We hope that you’ll enjoy reading this publication and we hope that you’ll be inspred to improve your mewellbeing. Much love goes out to all of our contributors who have written so many wonderful words about Wellbeing and Law. A special thanks goes to the incredible abby Loo who has created the cover art for Blackbird,

and to the lovely Natalie Thompson and Elysia elavis for submitting the beautiful artwork for the interior pages. I’d also like to send my love and thanks to the Blackbird editorial team - especially Kelsey Montgomery and Stefan Pawlak, who have worked tirelessly thoughout semester to bring this publication to life. Ruth Thomas Blckbird Editor

Words by Professor Prue Vines Professor and Director of first year studies, Faculty of law University of New South Wales

“Law

students

were

likely to have two particular characteristics – a tendency to think in terms of external valuation and motivation, and a

Being a Resilient Law Student

tendency to think of friends more as if they were useful than as if they were friends. these two things are connected to two of the factors that we know contribute to depression. The big one is a feeling of lack of autonomy or control. The other one is a lack of social connectedness. These are two things law students could target to develop their resilience”

esilience, that oh-so-fashionable word now, means the ability to bounce back from a difficult situation. Being a law student (or a lawyer) can be extremely challenging. Although this is a real problem, it is one we can do something about. Several years ago we conducted a study of the students at my university. We compared the law students with the students from other faculties. We were quite surprised by the results. We had expected that the law and medical students would be similar and the arts students would be different; but in fact the law students had attitudes that were distinct from all the other faculties. Although this was just a statistical preponderance (not evidence that every law student is like this) it was noticeable that compared to students from other faculties law students were more likely to be doing law because someone else wanted them to, to think marks were really important, to think their friends were a useful network, and more likely to think employers were only interested in their marks rather than their social characteristics. This made me think, because it looked as if law students were more likely to have two particular characteristics compared with others – a tendency to think in terms of external valuation and motivation rather than internal, and a tendency to think of friends more as if they were useful than as if they were friends.

It turns out that these two things are connected to two of the factors that we know contribute to depression. The big one is a feeling of lack of autonomy or control. The other one is a lack of social connectedness. These are two things law students could target to develop their resilience. Neuroscience tells us using mindfulness techniques can help to reduce stress, but can also clarify thinking, help to exercise judgment and develop empathy. In our Law School (UNSW) we teach mindfulness and ask people to think about and work on who they think they really are and what are their values. It turns out that law students and lawyers often drop out of the profession when they hit an ethical problem. We think that thinking about your values before that and developing a way of arguing about ethics can help to protect you when ethical issues arise. Focusing on being real with your friends – not pretending to be strong, clever, cool or whatever – means that you can really support each other, rather than being in competition. So in our law school we try to foster relationships and develop a community that includes not just students but staff as well. Best of all, this helps to develop a community that has depth and is supportive and enjoys - indeed loves! - the challenge of studying law.

Words by Brad Papaluca

aw school and high expectation are inextricably linked. Just getting into law school is an achievement, and one that we shouldn’t easily forget or dismiss. However we generally do, and pretty quickly. Before you know it, the focus jumps to the next tutorial, the next assignment, GPA, transcripts, job applications etc. No matter what we’ve already achieved, it becomes increasingly harder to escape the sense that we’re only as good as our last performance. This can come from any number of places. The expectations of friends and family, perceived competition between colleagues or the fear of not living up to our own standards (realistic or not). It’s most likely a bit of everything and more. With all of that in mind, it’s often hard to know where to start when trying to keep these things from becoming overwhelming. A good place to begin is to make sure the standards you set yourself aren’t unrealistic. Expecting big things of yourself is generally

a good quality, and almost essential for law school. But those expectations need to be the guiding light ahead of you and not the Sword of Damocles hanging over you. The problem is that law school often feels like a crucible of everyone’s stresses and impossible standards, and it can be very hard to separate yourself from it. If you let this get to you, it can easily turn your focus from chasing your goals to running from the fear of falling short. Or in the far more eloquent words of Jim Carrey: “Our eyes aren’t just viewers they’re also projectors, running a second story over the picture in front of us. Fear is writing that script, and the working title is I’ll Never Be Good Enough.” As difficult as it may be at times, you just have to keep walking the path that makes sense to you while maintaining the belief that all the dots will eventually connect. And if you remain persistent, they always will sooner or later. Just don’t lose faith in yourself if it doesn’t happen exactly when or how you initially expected.

The Devil on Your Shoulder: Making Peace with Law School’s Expectations 14

But ultimately you’re all on the right path already, regardless of whether or not you even want to be a lawyer when you grow up. If you have decided that legal practice is where you want to be, that’s great. All you have to do is keep driving towards that. But if you’re still not set on where you want to go, don’t worry. You have it all ahead of you, that’s part of the fun. You’re smart enough and dedicated enough to have made it this far, so you’ve definitely got what it takes to find your calling or career path or whatever it is that makes you anxious about the future. Until then, this is as good a place as any to start your search. It’s worth remembering that even the perfect GPA or the “dream job” aren’t in themselves the keys to a great life. If they were, St Georges Terrace would be the happiest place on Earth. That’s one of the reasons why we’re constantly being told the importance of the work-life balance. It’s also why the only ideas and expectations of success that you should ever listen to are your own. All of the things we’re striving for at the moment are great in their own way, but they’re not all that life

has to offer. Law school is one small piece of a much larger picture. The sense of fulfilment that we’re all ultimately looking for is not exclusively contained within the four walls of a university or an office in the CBD. And perhaps most importantly, no one ever finds happiness by comparing themselves to others. All of this may just sound like a bunch of tired clichés, but like the mostly ignored advice of our parents, they’re occasionally right about some things. It’s always hard to remember at the time, but the difficult and overwhelming periods are always temporary. Hell, you’ve made it this far because even the most difficult things life has thrown at you haven’t been able to stop you. So don’t let yourself get caught in the momentum of someone else’s expectations and never lose faith in the path that you choose, whatever it may be. The stiffest tree is the most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.

“Like everyone else you want to learn the way to win, but never to accept the way to lose. To accept defeat, to learn to die, is to be liberated from it. So when tomorrow comes, you must free your ambitious mind and learn the art of dying” – Bruce Lee

Words by Stephen Puttnick

Competitions and Comparisons L

aw is inherently competitive. Many reputations and careers are built on being the ‘best’. Often to be the best means to win. To win means that others must lose. Some would consider this to be an unfortunate reality. However, it is one that we must all live with. How one manages competition and rivalries has important implications for our own success and happiness. Nowhere is this truer than at law school. We strive to have the highest marks, to win competitions, to get jobs. While we sometimes lose sight of the fact, I think it’s important to remind ourselves that law school is not everything. Everyone wants to do well and it is true that grades are important. However, ‘doing well’ has different meanings for everyone. Many times I have fallen into the trap of comparing myself to others. It’s easy to do. This endless comparing took up so much of my time and emotional resources. Whether it were grades, work experience, or volunteering, the feeling that I ‘wasn’t achieving enough’ or ‘needed to be doing more’ was overwhelming. For example, a lot of my fellow students in first-year landed jobs in law firms. Many more were busy contributing to wonderful volunteering projects. People were getting high marks and doing very well academically.

How can these self-imposed expectations and comparisons be managed? Firstly, I think it’s important to recognise that other work, activities, or interests are equally as valuable. Second, the Faculty has a scaling policy that means most people won’t get Distinctions and High Distinctions. It’s important to recognise this. Finally, grades aren’t everything. They definitely are not more important than our own wellbeing. Similarly, I think it’s important to only focus on the ‘now’ and only on things that can be managed or changed. Stressing about things in the distant future (for example, exchange or clerkships) is needless. There’s plenty of time to think about those things later on. It’s important to be organised. However, one’s future plans shouldn’t occupy more time and energy than is necessary to make sure they come to fruition. Equally, beating ones self up about things in the past (for example, a bad mark) is rather pointless. Of course, it’s important to learn from the experience and try not to make the same mistake. However, it should never be a source of discouragement or unhappiness: ‘Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything knew’. I found that when I stopped the endless comparing I was more productive and, importantly, happier and contented. Comparisons can be a good a motivator. However, always remember that a law degree is yours to do with as you wish. Do challenge yourself. But, don’t make unrealistic goals and be too harsh on yourself. Everyone has a unique story.

aw students and lawyers are, by and large, very much aware of the prevalence of psychological distress, anxiety and depression with the legal community. Many recognise the issue, acknowledge it is a wider problem, but neglect to take meaningful individual action to look after themselves, for the reason that they feel such health issues happen only to other people, and that it won’t happen to them. I completely understand why legal professionals might have such an attitude – for it is the same one that I had prior to getting sick. For me, it was an underlying sense of arrogance that I was above such issues and that depression was only something that happened to other people. And the most frustrating thing about my breakdown was that, in hindsight, I knew there were warning signs I should have responded to. This is not to say that legal professionals who do not look after themselves will get sick. But, given the elevated rates of depression within law as compared to general society, it is hard to deny an increased level of susceptibility. Thus, I believe it is incumbent upon all of us to proactively look after our health and wellbeing, rather than simply reacting to a situation if and when it occurs. But how can you be proactive? Where are you to start? I have three primary strategies that I implement for myself and which I feel makes me more mindful and aware of my health continuum. These are: Open, honest communication with friends and family. Calendar appointments for every day of the week. Routine commitments every week that bring joy and meaning to your life and experience.

I’m a strong believer in the idea that a problem shared is a problem halved. By having transparent communication with those in my life whom I love and care for, I am able to firstly unload and discuss any issues I’m facing every day, and as a result I’m able to get an insight and perspective from others that I may not have had access to otherwise. It is crucial to have something scheduled in the diary for every day of the week, for it gives you something to look forward to, and a reason to get motivated about facing each and every day. It can be as simple as a coffee catch up with a friend, or a walk around the block. Ensure that you have at least one daily item that puts a smile on your face. And get involved in hobbies or activities, on a weekly basis, that offer you a light at the end of the tunnel with study or work and help you get the physical, emotional and intellectual separation from everything else in your life. It’s not that we need to escape from everything else – we simply must have regular opportunities to unwind and recharge our batteries, so that when we go back to uni or work the next day, we feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever is in front of us. Not doing so only increases our chances of burnout. Some of you may read this article and think it a precautionary tale (i.e. look after yourself or you might get sick, like I did). And, in a way, it is. But what I really want for you to take out of reading this is the realisation that, in order to be the best version of yourself and the most productive, successful lawyer that you can possibly be over the course of your career, you first need to be a healthy, happy person. One cannot exist without the other, in my opinion. Take the time to be kind to yourself and prioritise that which will bring added pleasure and purpose to your life. It’ll make study, work and life so much more fulfilling.

Words by Jerome Doraisamy Author of ‘The Wellness Doctrine’

Why Being Proactive

Rather Than Reactive M a k es U s B et te r Lawyers

Words by Evan Taylor Art by Natalie Thompson

Minding Your Mind

Mindfulness and Why You Should try it

‘M

indfulness’ is a word that sounds nebulous and of indeterminate meaning. You might think it sounds hippy, and something that stoners would do. Don’t think that. There’s all kinds of definitions on the web, but mindfulness generally entails being fully aware of what you are experiencing as it is happening. Not closing yourself off from your emotions. Narcissistically, perhaps, I’ll describe how it’s helped me. Historically I’ve dealt with negative emotions by shutting them out, pretending that they don’t exist. ‘What you refuse to acknowledge can’t hurt you’ was my logic. Yeah… about that. If emotions are metal, the mind is a magnet. What I mean is – emotions, howsoever denied,

and however long they are denied for, have a way of cropping up again. Ever been around a crush and tried to suppress the nerves and act normal? Doesn’t work for long, does it. Eventually you spurt out something stupid and your inner monologue says “what the hell was that…” while suppressing negative emotions worked for me for a number of years, eventually I ended up with an army of negative memories and emotions assailing me on a regular basis, and it took more and more effort to deny them my time. Earlier this year, I’d had enough. I tried mindfulness: I decided that I would take a Trojan horse into the great city of Crappy Emotion…ville. I decided to confront my emotions. Acknowledge them, like you would with your room when it’s become so messy that walking to your bed

is more dangerous than telling a torts professor that a duty of care is owed in the abstract, without any scope or content (RTA v Dederer is one of my favourite cases and I make no apologies for that). Dealing with emotions rather than suppressing them took a lot out of me at first – I had some miserable days. It took energy to confront each emotion, and ask why they were there. It was worth it, though. I’m a more ‘emotionally active’ person now, and less afraid to ask why I’m feeling what I’m feeling. I feel happier, and emotionally healthier. I feel more human.

If you can’t, accept that you can’t change it and move on, thinking positively. Same deal with sadness. If you’re sad, ask why. If it’s because of your grades, or because a date didn’t go well, ask what you could do to change that. Should you have done those ghastly constitutional law readings? Should you have avoided making a derisive joke about your date’s Mum (I was only trying to be witty)? Then you can move on from those emotions, and deal with situations better in the future. People around you will also appreciate you being more in touch with your emotions.

We’ve all heard that you shouldn’t bottle up your anger. But you shouldn’t bottle up any emotion. If you’re feeling stressed, ask why, and if you can change what’s causing you stress, change it.

If you shut out your emotions, give mindfulness a try. If you don’t, make a mental note of the word ‘mindfulness’; it could really help you out some day.

Interviewed by Kelsey Montgomery Art by Elysia Gelavis

An Interview with Linda Black

Criminal Law Barrister. UWA Law Alumini. Why you were interested in practicing in criminal law I wanted to pursue a career that was exciting, interested, involving dealing with real people. I also wanted a career that would enable me to spend time in a court room. I always loved the idea of a doing a trial before a jury and that remains my favorite part of my job. What interests or hobbies do you pursue to keep work/life balance in check? My children are the greatest balance for me as I enjoy their company immensely and actively involve myself in their lives. I have a beautiful boxer dog who I walk and cuddle every day. I love all sport, music, theatre, movies and spending time with family and friends. The key to keeping the balance is to never let your work life be the most important thing in your life. As a barrister, how do you balance family commitments with the demands of the legal profession? Its really hard. The nature of the work I do means that its seldom left at the office. I have the support of an incredible husband and parents. I just accept the fact that my life is busy and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a juggling act. The key though is taking every holiday I can and nearly always with the kids. We have massive debts but have been on so many incredible holidays throughout the world together. Those memories will last forever.

What kind of hours do you work? It depends very much. During a trial week I will work 6 long days a week although Saturdays will be less than a full day. On a non trial week I probably work a fairly average 45 hour week. Do you have to work from home? I don’t have to but I do. I get paid whether I work at the beach, in a café, in the office… I choose to work from home sometimes as I can better balance time with my children. I often save my work until after they go to bed. Are there any pressures you face as female barrister that your male colleagues may not have experienced? How do you cope with these challenges? I think female barristers have to work a little harder to prove themselves. I also think people expect more from women in relation to being a ‘good parent’. Feeling guilty for not working and then feeling for guilty for working is a common theme for many woman lawyers including me. I cope with it by acknowledging these things and then remembering how lucky I am compared to woman of old that I can have the best of both worlds. I cope with it by simply being the best I can and most importantly the key is not to be oversensitive. As a woman don’t get offended, outraged or feel victimized. I guess I just say to myself that I am perfectly good at what I do and it doesn’t matter if there are sexist people out there. The truth is our profession has come along way and much of the support I have had has come from men in the profession. How do you handle unexpected situations that are extremely stressful? I am a very laid back person and the key is to stay calm. Every problem can be solved by calm logical reflection. You need to tell the court there is a problem and give yourself time to think through a solution. Calls to professional friends for advice is always recommended.

“Every Problem Can Be Solved By Calm, Logical Reflection . . . Calls To Professional Friends For Advice Is Always Recommended”

Any other advice for students? Don’t worry about what tomorrow will bring. Enjoy every moment of your studies and let the future take care of itself. If you want something enough you will achieve it. Surround yourself with strong positive people and never be afraid to admit failure and weakness. Being a lawyer can be stressful and difficult but it can also be an amazing exciting career path. Just relax and enjoy the journey.

Words by Jarred Prior Law Graduate, ex-Profesional Basketball Player (Wild cats)

Words by Emily O’Keeffe Legal Officer Trainee at State Solicitor’s Office

A View from the Other Side

spent my first year out of uni working as an associate, so my experiences may be quite different to those of a young lawyer at a firm. Looking back, I have great memories of challenging, interesting work and lovely colleagues – but as one of my former fellow associates reminded me recently, it could be a bit stressful and tiring in the thick of things.

Starting out, the key challenges were the same as for any new job – my experiences as an extremely clumsy, inexperienced waitress actually prepared me well for life as a newbie associate. You feel out of your depth, you have to ask your colleagues a lot of questions, and you make a few mistakes and have to redo things... Except this time I tended to take my mishaps more seriously. I felt like I had studied law for six years, and surely I should know better. But I reminded myself that, really, in any new job you have to cop a few nerve-wracking months of swimming upstream. And nothing could be worse than spilling a full tray of drinks on a table of tradies at their Christmas lunch. And I survived! I tried to take constructive criticism on the chin, build genuine working relationships and have a laugh with colleagues. I also tried to get some sleep. I found a lack of sleep could easily sneak up on me and render me a fairly useless human around 3pm in the afternoon!

After I got the hang of things, I guess the main sources of stress were busy periods and tight deadlines. However, I was mostly able to organise my time according to my productive periods. For example, I could leave work on time when my brain was truly dead to make it to yoga, but get in early the next morning or do a bit on the weekend instead. If you can, and have a supportive workplace, I would definitely recommend taking these options. And, I know it’s been said before, but it was important for me to prioritise non worky things I enjoyed during the week too: good food, regular exercise, housemate dinners, a language class, and of course Netflix. I tried to make things non-negotiable, even if it was just one yoga class or run a week at times. If I kept up with life outside of work, I felt more prepared and willing to do the late nights when they were required. (In saying this, I, being a fairly lazy person, did not feel the need to run marathons or learn Finnish during my first year of work while studying at College of Law – although some people will thrive on this.) Anyway, all I can really say is, we all muddle through. Everyone’s in the same boat and everyone’s a battler in their first year out – even if they don’t admit it. And, importantly, I hope that most of you will enjoy your job! Sadly, I feel like that’s a surprise to some people. Getting paid to use your law degree is pretty awesome, especially if you froth the law (as I think most of us secretly do).

Eat, Sleep, Ball, and Repeat

n 2009 I started playing professional basketball for the Perth Wildcats as a fringe player. Training would normally take 7 hours a day and would comprise of weights, training, shooting, and recovery. As I was a fringe player, this was all on top of my own full time study (law) and part-time work. There was no night time partying at nightclubs (unless by partying you mean reading, and by nightclub you mean library). It was a hectic time, but what I learnt from it was how to organise and take care of myself.

Rob Beveridge, our head coach, was meticulously organised. We were all provided with monthly schedules that set out the times and dates of every team meeting, training session and road trips. This fine level of detail made it a lot easier to plan out my training, playing and studying schedules. Rob also made me take days off of training during exam periods and followed my results closely - it really helped having someone I respected so much keeping track of my progress at uni. As I’m sure you know, law school takes a lot of work – a lot of reading and a

lot of studying. I can remember the countless nights spent with my study group – most days we would study from around 3pm to 9pm. Balancing study with a sporting career was tough – I’m sure all of you know what I’m talking about, because even now when I’m not playing professional basketball it can be a struggle to balance relationships with work, and finding enough time to just eat, sleep, or play ball can be hard. The thing is, I don’t think anyone has the perfect arrangement – we’re all figuring it out as we go. Now that I’m working in law I understand how important it is to take care of your wellbeing. I know that making time to see my friends, because they’re the ones who care about me and know what I’m going through. I’m trying to use those organisational skills I learnt from Rob to manage my time and make sure I know what my priorities are. I was very lucky to have been a part of an NBL championship winning side - it was without a doubt the busiest and most stressful time in my life. What made it possible for me was my support network, aka, my friends.

Words by Cassie Ferrier

A guide to mental Health Services for Law Students If You feel like you’re not coping with something - be it Study stress, relationship Issues, or personal problems - the best thing you can do is to find someone who you can talk to and who can help you - family, friends, or a trained profesional - They Are Willing And Able To Help With Just About Anything!

For Fast And Easy Access Online, Head To:

Help is always available. If you are not yet ready to speak with someone in person, but recognize that you may need some assistance, these services are great because they’re all free and anonymous.

Headspace - http://headspace.org.au/ - 1800 650 890 Reachout - http://au.reachout.com/ Beyond Blue (Depression) - 1300 22 4636 Butterfly Foundation (eating Disorders) - 1800 33 4673

Thanks to the UWA Student Guild for Providing this information

If you need help in an emergency, call these numbers

Lifeline - 13 11 14 Crisis Care 9223 1111 Salvo Care 9442 5777 Uwa Mental Health Emergency On Campus - 1300 555 788 UWA Security 1300 555 788

Need To Chat To Someone in the Law School? If you’d prefer to talk to someone in the Law School about law related issues start with Your Blackstone Reps, and the Dean for students.

Blackstone - a friendly bunch of people who can help you navigate the university’s policies and procedures - send them an email, or talk to them in person if you need help - http://blackstone.asn.au/

The Wellness Doctrine (Jerome Doraisamy is also a great book to read - it discusses a lot of issues that specifically affect law students and young lawyers

UWA Law School, Dean for Students - They get stuff done. Talk to them about everything from special consideration applications, to enrolments, to complains against other students/staff. They’re there to support you. Prof. Holly Cullen (6488 3441).

The Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation - they’ve been developing a set of wellbeing guidelines for firms to adopt - they are a great place to keep up to date with what the wlegal community is currently doing about Wellness. http://www.tjmf.org.au/

Where To Take Your First Steps:

What More Can You Do?

Uwa Medical Centre – Gp’s And Mental Health Nurse (6488 2118) These Guys are a one stop shop for figuring out what to do - they Will Be Able To Refer You To The Service That’s Best Suited To You.

Uwa Counselling & Psychological Services - A free service where you can talk to a triage of proffesionals and figure out what to do next. No need to book, just turn up for a session between 10:00-11:30 or 1:00-2:15 any day during semester

Uwa Student Guild – Student Assist Officers - 6488 2295 - talk to them to find out more about the services UWA offers

Always remember you do not need to face things alone. The following services are the best first points of call for help – all you have to do is ask!

Prevention Is The Best Medicine. So Get Involved – Take Steps To Ensure You Are Feeling 10/10, And Can Support Others To Feel At Their Best Too. Do The Uwa Health Promotion Unit – Mental Health First Aid Course Get Involved With Blackstone Volunteering And Uwa Guild Clubs Write for Blackbird - email the Editor at blackbirdeditor@blackstone. asn.au for more information on how you can get involved.

Most importantly - if you think something in the law schhol should change, or if you have a great idea for something Blackstone can do to improve your wellbeing - LET US KNOW!!

Words by Liam Elphick Art by Elysia Gelavis

Coming Out as LgBti

The truth is that I didn’t just blurt it out without thinking. This was at age 21 after some years of soul-searching and deciding whether I actually did want to come out, as I knew from age 16 that I was gay. I don’t like to admit it, but I spent a good two years trying to suppress those feelings. Trying to convince myself that I was just curious and that eventually the urges would go away. But of course they didn’t, and eventually I had to come to terms with the fact that I was attracted to the same gender. That was not easy by any means, and trying to hide my sexuality while I came to terms with coming out was without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. I would find myself resisting all urges to check out guys in every context. I would go out of my way to avoid discussions about which girls any of my mates were attracted to, so I wouldn’t have to feign interest. And I’d just shut down any suggestion from friends or family that I should go on a blind date with a girl who “you would definitely like”. This whole time, I was hiding my true self, and I suffered some pretty serious mental health problems as a result. Coming out was without a doubt the best, and hardest, experience of my life. By the time I had told everyone, which took some six months, I felt like a new person; my real self. What really hits home is that you no longer feel like you’re living a lie, and spending most of your life hiding who you are. You finally feel like you’re living your own life, and not one that anyone has forced upon you. It is a relief, and you feel like you are stepping into a brand new world; one which you can’t wait to take on.

ourtyard Show makes us all do some crazy things, but I didn’t think that it would end up being where I would first come out. Leaning against the Law School building, trying to summon up the energy to get back to dancing for the last few songs, I thought this would be a great time to turn to my best friend and blurt out “I’m gay”. Quick as a flash, she responded with “I know, now can we go back to dancing?” To this day I laugh at her for her blasé response to possibly the biggest moment of my life, but funnily enough it actually gave me the confidence to come out to my other friends and family.

What made my experience so positive was that I had so many supportive friends and family members who accepted me for who I was, for which I am very lucky and eternally grateful for. It would be great if we could live in a world where there isn’t such a thing as ‘coming out’; where we don’t just assume everyone is automatically straight and then those who are of a different sexuality have to make a huge declaration of why they’re different. But while coming out remains a reality of life, there are several strategies that you can use to be a great ally and make coming out as positive an experience as possible for your friends or family members:

How To Be An Ally

The mental health and wellbeing benefits of coming out are phenomenal for those in the LGBTI community: but ensuring that friends and families are the best allies they can possibly be is the most crucial factor in creating a safe and open space where all of us can feel comfortable being who we truly are.

Be warm and accepting, but not all-knowing. The best responses I had from coming out were “that’s so great, how do you feel about it?” – but hearing something like “yeah I had to hide this mole on my foot from my friends for soooo long, I know what you’re going through” downplays the significance of coming out. Respond by being casual but not uncaring or questioning. One of the worst comments I received when I told someone I was gay was “oh really? That’s a surprise, you don’t seem gay”. Instantly being stereotyped as flamboyant or addicted to glitter because of your sexuality is not a great way to show someone that you accept them for who they are. By the same token, still treat the situation with a deal of respect and importance – being casual is one thing, but not caring is another thing entirely.

Don’t suggest that it’s a phase they’re going through or that they’ll “come back to being straight”. To have your deep and underlying feelings about who you are be instantly dismissed has an unbelievably negative effect on a person’s wellbeing.

Avoid telling anyone else about someone’s sexuality unless they’ve explicitly said that you can. It was so important for me to be able to come out directly to each of my close friends and family members, and to have this taken away wouldn’t allow me the chance to explain my feelings directly to each of them, in the time and way that I felt most comfortable with. Finally, ask them how they’re going. Have they found the experience to be positive, have there been any problems, what can you do to help? Knowing your friends and family are there for you and that you can go to them with issues, especially as you navigate through the new world you find yourself in, is so crucial to ensuring that coming out is a positive experience for all. The topic isn’t taboo, but it also isn’t the only thing that person is going through; striking the balance between those two extremes is important.

Words by Stefan Pawlak Art by Elysia Gelavis

Six million ways to live. Choose one.

oday in Australia one would struggle to find someone that doesn’t claim to know what hip-hop is, or acknowledges it as a legitimate musical genre, despite many heavy metal fans’ objections. Hip-hop today has become a global phenomenon, both a cultural and commercial powerhouse that dictates the way people dress, communicate, interpret their surroundings, walk and talk. Yet of late, hip-hop has been claimed by a group of psychologists in the United States to be an effective treatment for mental illness, such as schizophrenia and depression. How could this be so? How could music, especially hip-hop, something demonized in mainstream media and by conservatives as promoting violence and crime achieve this? To understand this claim the origins of the genre must first be explored. Hip-hop was born out of struggle and as result can be interpreted as a revolution of sorts. Hip-hop is a phrase likely derived from the African Wolof word, ‘hipi’ which means, “to open one’s eyes.” Further, in Old English, the word means, “to spring into action.” Hip-hop emerged in the early 1970s in the Bronx, one of the poorest and most violent areas in the United States. Latino’s and African Americans alike forged hip-hop to contain 4 key elements. Firstly, Djing, which consisted of playing and mixing records, combining them into one continuous stream of music. Secondly, MCing, which consists of rapping, rhyming and talking in a rhythmic pattern over a beat or song. MCing was heavily influenced by ‘The Dozens’, a game of one up’ing each other with ‘disses’. Thirdly, Bboying, commonly known as

“Life without dreaming is a life without meaning.” – Wale

breaking or break-dancing, where participants express themselves via movement. Fourthly, graffiti, known as tagging or writing which consists of an artist expressing themselves on public or private walls. Thus, for those most disadvantaged in society these elements of hip-hop became a way to channel their emotions and struggles, convey a world view, challenge the mainstream, have a political voice, belong to something and find a place within a society mainly geared towards white America. For the forgotten few, hip-hop became a channel of energy and hope. It is argued today that hip-hop gives someone struggling with stress or mental illness a sense of empowerment over his or her life. Hip-hop is an effective means of self-discovery and selfknowledge to allow one to tackle their own problems. Hip-hop itself has an intrinsic awareness of issues connected with mental health as many of the artists today talk of their struggles growing up as minorities or as poor, in violent and desperate situations. Hip-hop as an expression has become the survival of the fittest, for listeners it is inspirational to hear people in these positions succeeding and sharing their stories after surviving such harsh environments, full of both internal and external battles. Every human relates to this adversity. Adversity is forever present in life, it is how one deals with this adversity and moves forward that reveals true strength. It is times when your back is against the wall when you learn the most about yourself. Problems in life have to be articulated, and hip-hop uses language to express it in an engaging way.

For me, when I’m stressed, when I’m struggling with university or other pressures, nothing calms me like listening to some of my favorite artists. It gives me peace of mind. Even when I’m studying, I’ve always got headphones in, listening to music, especially hip-hop instrumentals. The rhythmic beats and consistencies calm me and allow me to focus on the tasks at hand. The reality is sometimes law school is overwhelming. I feel overwhelmed by the workload, by the pressure to succeed and the pressure to get a job. It’s a competitive environment and it feels cutthroat at times. Sometimes I need a break from the rat race, from always being career and grade orientated. I draw powerful happiness and balance from putting my headphones in and listening to someone else’s story or struggle in order to give perspective to my own. From hearing Kendrick Lamar challenge understandings of the N-word, from hearing Public Enemy tell me to ‘take the power back’, from hearing NWA protest police brutality, from hearing Killer Mike dissect the Reagan administration, from hearing Mos Def destroy the prison for profit system, from hearing

Tupac put forward his version of a ghetto gospel, from hearing the Fugee’s challenge political corruption. This is what motivates me in life and gives me purpose, the chance to give back and help those disadvantaged around me who haven’t had the same opportunities that I have. As lawyers or future lawyers we have an important role in society to help those who can’t help themselves, to be a voice for social justice, to be a voice for law reform and change to make our society more equal. Hip-hop gives me hope and motivates me beyond belief that we can make this world a better place. So, do what you need to have balance and serenity in your life. Go for a run, listen to Radiohead, put on the boxing gloves and hit the punching bag. For me, I love to immerse myself in a world of urban decay, street knowledge and most of all, empowerment, that is hiphop. REST IN BEATS J DILLA FEBRUARY 7, 1974 – FEBRUARY 10, 2006. 35

A Reason to Run

We all have a different reason to run, or some of us might be looking for some reasons to run. One of our law students shares 13 reasons to run.

Feeling invincible: Nothing compares to the feeling of finishing a race and checking and re-checking the distance on my GPS watch - knowing that I beat my head at its own game, that even though I wanted to 1000 times along the way, I did not quit, but that I gave it my all and then some more. It’s a kind of magic feeling. The chats: I love going for a run with my Dad or with my girlfriends and catching up on their latest news, listening to what’s on their minds, and letting out a bit of what’s been in mine. (Tip: Running at ‘talking pace’ is a great way to figure out your ideal training pace). To see more: We live in a beautiful city! Running lets you see more. I will never tire of the view of the river running along Mount’s Bay road or through King’s Park. And that’s not all! We have a beautiful coast line and infinite parks and lakes to run around. It’s also a great way to see the world - some of my favourite moments in new cities have been exploring with my running shoes on and my arms pumping

Therapy: When the stress of law school is at a high, or in response to the bad news that life sometimes deals, or simply when everyone is just ticking me off running forces me to take a deep breath. With each kilometre I can almost feel stress evaporating. I can pound my emotions on the the pavement rather than on the people around me. And there is also nothing quite like having a good cry while out on a long run (especially under a light winter drizzle). My health: Running keeps me in check. It reminds me to do the things that keep me healthy. To be a stronger runner I need to drink more water, eat well, sleep enough… I also started yoga to improve my running (I won’t get started on this recently found obsession of mine. I’ll just leave it here that in the last year that I have been practicing yoga, not only has my running significantly improved, I have been injury free, I have learnt to focus and relax at a level I never knew before, and nothing has compared to the peaceful night’s sleep I have after each yoga practice). ‘Me’ time: Running on my own is a great way to get away and spend some time on my own. Relationships: I’ve met some great people and made some important relationships through running. We all want to be a part of something, and a ‘runners’ community is an awesome thing to be a part of. The relationships I have with the people I love also benefit from a good run - I’m am 1000x more patient after a long run and a whole lot more agreeable For some sunshine: Fresh air, Vitamin D, and some endorphins a day keep the doctor away (remember to wear sunscreen when you’re out under the WA sun). Self-esteem: Completing every run is rewarding and boost to my self-confidence. As I’ve grown as a runner I’ve challenged my body, and I’ve proved that I am stronger than I think I am.

Problem solving: I have solved most of my law school problem questions on a run. When I don’t have an answer after hours, going for a run gives me some time out and a fresh perspective. Playing things out in my mind while I run helps me to see things differently and come up with a new solution.

Survival: Running keeps me feeling alive! It is also, I believe, the primary reason I have made it this far through law school and has helped me fix the cracks along the way.

Active wear: It’s an (my) excuse to wear my running clothes to uni every day.

Gratitude: I am grateful for a body than can run. I owe it to the Creator and to myself to use it and take care of it.

here is no question that completing Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUD/s) is an arduous task. BUD/s is a 25 week program that delivers young motivated individuals into the Sea Air and Land (SEAL) Teams of the United States Navy. The physical training consists of more than just normal running or swimming. The program is designed to push people to both their physical and mental limits, placing them in uncomfortable situations for extended durations of time. BUD/s rigour is notable and surviving the infamous “Hell Week” (where a candidate must perform physical activity on a 24 hr basis from Sunday to the following Friday) only guarantees your place at the next phase of training. Completion of BUD/s does not make you a SEAL; it is a standard that, if met, indicates that you may have what it takes to become a SEAL. During training we were cold, wet and sandy - things could always be better. However, they could also always be worse... In BUD/s, as in life, better or worse is really a matter of perspective. Misery Loves Company is carved upon a special log (called Old Misery) that is very large and very heavy. Old Misery is reserved for boat crews who need to demonstrate extra motivation or who need to better work together as a team. The pain of doing sit ups, and running with a normal log is quickly put into perspective if you are assigned Old Misery. At BUD/s physical capability is secondary to mental toughness. If I had to articulate the difference between successful candidates and those who quit, I would have to say it was their ability to employ perspective. Everything is temporal; there is a start point and an end point. Even if you were assigned Old Misery, there was eventually another evolution. If you could muster enough perspective to face the pain and discomfort for a second, the second eventually turned into a minute, the minute to the hour and the hour into something else. I am not suggesting that anyone should seek out their version of “Old Misery” in order to demonstrate that life can get worse however, I do advocate involvement in a pursuit that provides the opportunity to gain perspective on something other than oneself or ones work. I believe that active engagement in this way is an essential ingredient to wellness as it provides a relief valve for the stress that inevitably accumulates in our work and family life. Seek out activities that provide you with different experiences in order to cultivate perspective.

Words by Chandler Comerford USA Navy Seal

Misery Loves Company “When life was hard, a glance to the left or right was all that was required to feel assured that pain and self doubt was a shared experience . . . Knowing that you are not alone is perhaps the most powerful tool an individual can bring to bear when the going is tough”

Group activities wether it be swimming with a squad, joining a yoga class, playing a team sport or volunteering provide a great conduit to become immersed in things other than work. No one at BUD/s can lift a log alone. In fact there is not one evolution throughout the entire program where a candidate is alone – ever. Perhaps in this way training was easy; when life was hard, a glance to the left or right was all that was required to feel assured that pain and self doubt was a shared experience. Looking back, I smile when I think of BUD/s. I have also come to realise that the saying Misery Loves Company is very true. That being said – it is not the entire truth. Knowing that you are not alone is perhaps the most powerful tool an individual can bring to bear when the going is tough and the stress levels are high. Engage in activities that bring you into contact with others to remind you of this. Yes, Misery Loves Company however, in order to be fully expressed, so too does humour, compassion, determination and all of the elements that make up the Human Psyche.

Words by Ilana Hamilton Art by Natalie Thompson

greyhounds I

adopted my greyhound two and a half years ago-her name was Mousey but we changed it to Macie. We liked the ring of “Macie the Grey”. Later we discovered that her racing name had been “Miss Pickup”. She raced for just a year and was retired at 3 ½ years old. I never thought that I’d get used to that strange looking pointy nose but it now seems completely normal to me. Sometimes when she sleeps on her side her tongue falls out the side of her mouth. Then she’ll lift her head upright and that pink tongue will be poking out the side of her mouth. She has skin like velvet and muscles like steel. She loves to sleep almost 20 hours a day but when she runs she is lightning fast. Everyone is surprised to hear that a greyhound really doesn’t need much exercise at all.

Due to her background and training as a racing dog, Macie had a lot to learn about the outside world, she’d never seen steps before, or the ocean. It took her a while to get accustomed to her new surroundings. One of the most incredible things about Macie is her grounding nature, we call her our Zen dog. She has a beautiful calming effect on our home and those around her, unless she is in a mood to do her “zoomies”. Macie is so gentle, like many other greyhounds and wonderful with children and other dogs. She’s generally so laid back that her motivation for anything other than her favourite activities (eating and walking) is questionable. We’ve coined her motto: “What’s in it for me?” as you can see her mind ticking whenever you make a suggestion. Sometimes she gets a little playful and mischievous and entertains us all. The longer that she has been around the more trusting and affectionate she has become and she’s even learned to do a few simple tricks. We’re never sure though that she will come back when called if off the leash so we always keep her leashed when out for a walk. Macie is not the best swimmer; she tends to sink due to her large chest and almost absence of body fat. Now that she has her own life vest so perhaps she will have more fun in the water although I don’t think she’ll ever get to the place of enjoying kayaking with us like our little dog. Greyhounds are awesome!! The racing industry leaves a lot to be desired but the dogs are amazing and having one makes my life immeasurably better. The many ways that Macie improves my life are as vast as her quirky attributes. Her company and affection mean that I am never lonely. I’ve also discovered that she is a very good listener (especially if I don’t take her dreaming noises personally). Her antics make me laugh which is always good medicine and can remind me of the joy I might otherwise be missing. Her penchant for regular walks keeps me active and walking a dog often leads to sweet social interaction, especially when it’s a greyhound. An early morning walk is a great way to start the day before hitting the books. I know in my heart that adopting her has made a positive impact on her life and while I don’t often think about that, it brings me a great deal of joy and comfort. I always have a friend in my corner with Macie-a fan you might say. And having a dog makes me want to be a better person-that’s the powerful effect of unconditional love. Her affection and presence provide comfort, laughter, buoyancy of spirit and exercise. A well rounded mental and physical health package indeed!

The Nature Cure Words by Carina Marshall

grew up out in the country, on a farm. I was an only child until I was seven, and I spent most of my days roaming the countryside with my two border collie farm dogs at my side, free from adult interference. When I moved to Perth as an adult, I wasn’t entirely sure that life in the city was for me. There were so many people, and my neighbours were so close! My PhD research took me all over WA, through the Pilbara and the Kimberley, mostly way out of populated areas. I loved every minute of it, even the unpleasant parts (there were some scary moments in remote towns, and I nearly stepped on a death adder while too remote for any help to have gotten to me). When my children came along, there were a few years where going out into the bush was a logistical nightmare that just couldn’t be overcome. Of course you CAN camp with a two year old and a newborn, but thinking about the amount of packing and organization involved makes that mountain look pretty insurmountable. When my second child got to a manageable age, we bought a camper trailer, one of the fairly luxurious sort that has beds, a table, and a kitchen all inside. Finally we were ready to explore!

I discovered one of the secrets of parenthood in those trips. I won’t pretend that having kids is a joy every single day. But what traveling with kids will get you is the freedom to be completely in the moment. We once spent four hours catching tiny hermit crabs on the beach in Monkey Mia (my son smuggled one halfway home, only discovered when the horrible smell hit somewhere near Geraldton). We found yellow ochre in a gorge at Karijini and painted each other’s faces. We went snorkelling at Woody Island in Esperance and watched comb jellies flicker with eerie pulsating lights, while we exclaimed unintelligible things to each other through our snorkels. I came across a black and white sea snake while snorkelling with my daughter in Gnaraloo, and discovered that not only can I walk on water, but I can carry a child while doing it.

Yes, I still want them to go away and leave me alone when we’re camping. But somehow, it doesn’t happen as much when there’s nothing else that I’m trying to do. I’m not trying to write a paper. There are no demands on me from work. The house doesn’t need to be held together through my sheer willpower. And by removing those critical distractions of daily life, just for a little while, I give us all the chance to stop and look around and experience the amazing things that the world has to offer. Since those early days, we have travelled all over WA in a series of campers. Every school holidays (if we aren’t overseas with family), we find somewhere to go for a week or two. We need the quiet spaces. We need to be disconnected from Facebook, phones, email, and the wider world. And we need the adventure. My daughter is now entering the teen years, and I suspect that we don’t have much longer of childhood roaming. That makes the next few trips especially precious.

By the time you read this, I will be far out of reach, about nine hours north east of Perth, sitting around the campfire with my kids and my husband. We will have a good adventure and some enforced down time, and we’ll come back to uni and the new school term refreshed and ready to go again. You may not be into the nature cure. The idea of sleeping without a comfy bed and risking your skin to the bugs might fill you with loathing and the urge to book into a five star resort in Bali. But make a habit of finding something that lets you slow down and let go of at least a few things. Have it be something that you can look forward to for the months before. Share it with someone that you love. Your work, your study, and your relationships will all benefit. And make sure you laugh at me when you see me after the break and I’m completely covered in mozzie bites and grumbling about camping in the rain. I deserve it. But I’ll already be planning our trip to the Kimberley in July, so it won’t bother me!

Recipies by Natalie Thompson

Rhubarb and Apple Crumble Ingredients

Filling 7-8 apples or pears 6 stalks of rhubarb 2 limes 1 thumb of ginger 1 quarter tsp of ground cinnamon 1 quarter tsp of nutmeg cloves Crumble 2 cups of plain flour 110g of butter (or dairy-free substitute like Nuttelex or olive oil) 55g of brown sugar Optional Extras Sunflower seeds Chia seeds Buckwheat groats Puffed rice Oats or other cereals.

This recipe is wheat free, gluten free, nut free, dairy free, soy free, and vegan friendly. You can use whatever flour you like (I’ve suggested using plain) and you can add whatever optional extras

Method Preheat oven to 180 C. Dice rhubarb and apples, juice the limes, finely chop the ginger Add all to a pot on medium-high heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally Pour into a 20cm baking dish For the crumble, mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, then pour in melted butter/oil and mix until it forms a breadcrumb like consistency. Spoon the crumbs evenly on top of the filling. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Recipies by Natalie Thompson

Rice Paper Rolls

Ingredients

Essentials: Rice paper (bánh tráng) Rice vermicelli (about a 1/4 packet) Mint leaves Crushed peanuts (If you have a nut allergy then ground sunflower seeds/pepitas or sesame seeds) Vegetables: 1 spring onion Handful of spinach or lettuce 1 carrot 1/4 red cabbage 1 red capsicum 1 cucumber Sauce: 2 cloves garlic 1 small red chilli Juice of one lime (alternatively half a large lemon/1 small lemon) 1 tbsp maple syrup Dash of wheat-free tamari (or normal soy if you don’t have tamari/ problem with wheat) Some other alternatives/additional sauces: hoisin sauce, tahini etc.

For this recipe you can use whatever vegetables you have - I’ve listed a few suggestions, but feel free to tailor this recipe to your own tastes.

Method Fill the kettle. Boil it. Put the rice vermicelli in a bowl and soak it in boiled water for a few minutes until soft, before straining and setting aside. Chop/slice/shred up all the vegetables – the finer the better. To make the sauce, chop the garlic and chilli very finely, scrape into a small bowl and add the tamari, lime juice and maple syrup. Fill a large shallow bowl with hot water. (as you make the rolls the water will cool so keep some hot water in the kettle to use when needed) Place 1 rice paper round in the water and turn in a circle until just soft. Don’t leave it in for too long because you will have a frustratingly sticky situation on your hands and nobody needs that… Take it out and place on a large plate and add the filling! I tend to start with the vermicelli first and finish with the crushed peanuts/sauce. (You can also just use the sauce for dipping later if you’d rather not put chilli in every single one) Wrap the rolls by folding in the top and bottom edges first before rolling left to right.

Take these broken wings and learn to fly, All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.