Future Creations - Issue No. 5 (2021)

Future Creations a zine for young people, created by young people.

volume 5 — summertime

Acknowledgement of Country We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the country on which we are able to learn, create and grow; the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that experience and enjoy this zine.

This is a safe space for all people Whatever the colour of your skin, your background, your gender identity and expression, ability, age, religion, sex, or sexual orientation, we hope that you can find enjoyment in our publication. You are just as welcome in this space as any other person, and your time is very much appreciated.

Enjoy!

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Email your name and address to youth@mrsc.vic.gov.au

‘summertime’ by Elizabeth Morrell

Seashells

By A.J. Eddy

I still have them—the seashells you gave me all those summers ago. The ones you collected the day we spent at St Kilda beach.

I still remember the feeling of the damp sand by the rolling waves, my feet sinking with every step. The salty water that crashed against my legs, making the sand stick to my skin. I remember the feeling of sand between my toes that we’d have to wash off before putting our shoes back on. The weather was cool but the sun was warm as it beat against our skin.

I would wade among the shallow water as you ran back and forth along the beach, gathering seashells and slipping them into my bag when you thought I wasn’t looking.

I remember walking out along the pier and seeing the penguins huddled among the rocks and overeating on chips for lunch before walking back along the beach.

It wasn’t some grand adventure, but that day meant a lot to me.

I still have all the shells you gave me; the dark grey one with the soft pastel blue underside, the one that looked half white and half orange on the top but is peach on the underside with spots of purple that make it look like a vibrant sunset, and the one with rings of white, grey and dusty purple on the top, but underneath it’s opalescent. I have the others too, big ones and small—I kept all of them.

I put them somewhere safe and sometimes I forget about them, but they always seem to catch my eye on a bad day, reminding me of the day we spent on the beach; the smell of the salty sea water, the sound of the rolling waves, sitting on the edge of the footpath and watching dogs walk by, and the warmth of the sun as it shone on us.

I remember how much I smiled that day.

I can’t wait to see you in the summertime.

Untitled by Anonymous

Memory

By Annelise Keirsten-Wakefield She sits on the rocks, toes tickling the surface of the water as it washes up towards her.

Further down the beach the pier stretches out towards the horizon, bringing memories of sticky fingers after a day of eating fairy floss, grubby hands on the rails, rough boards under bare feet. The pier has changed a lot. The paint on the stalls has been touched up, and it’s busier – more children running around, more parents, more couples holding hands and teenagers gallivanting.

“Golden Sunset” by Elizabeth Morrell

It still has that summer magic – the kind that makes you feel invincible, that makes you want to jump off the end of the pier from five metres up, makes you want to eat three ice cream cones and then run into the water, and back out, and again, until you’re part of the beach itself.

She’s separate from it now, though, listening to the waves splashing up on the rocks. The sun is high in the sky, and where the water settles in the divots of the rocks it glistens and winks. Her fingers are as insubstantial as smoke where they trace the edges of rockpools.

She sits for hours, toes in the water. If someone were to look out to the shore, they would see nothing but rocks leading out to the sea.

“Macedon by Twilight” by Elizabeth Morrell

Summertime Word Search F U N S T S W I M M I N G V O

T S W E L T E R I N G H C B U

R X S A N D C A S T L E A U T

A I T R A V E L R O C W S T D

P C O S I R B I E O R H T G O

R E R U V X E N L R E X B R O

S C I E I E A G R C A V R S R

W R E R C S C A M P I N G U S

B E S M E P H E O C O H U N V

C A H L O O S L U A T S M F B

R M S A T O U T H T E U F L A

E H M H O L I D A Y S M X O X

L B R O S H G R I N G M T W R

A W A T E R M E L O N E P E E

Beach

Outdoors

Sunflower

Camping

Pool

Sunshine

Fun

Relax

Sweltering

Holidays

Sandcastle

Swimming

Hot

Stories

Travel

Ice cream

Summer

Watermelon

X S U N S H I N E A V R L R G

The Youth Chronicles D E C E M B E R

2 0 2 1

To our dear readers,

NEWS YOUTH CLINIC

The Macedon Ranges Youth Clinic is a free service for people aged 12-25 who want to talk to a GP and a registered nurse about medical issues that they may not want to talk about in front of their parents. The clinic provides a confidential service for young people to access support and information on their physical, mental and sexual health.

The Youth Clinic operates between 4:30pm and 7pm during school terms at 1/65 Robertson Street, Gisborne, and is still operating through COVID. You do not need a parent, guardian or adult to accompany you.

The program is also offered onsite at Gisborne Secondary College, Sunbury Downs College, and Kyneton Secondary College.

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

Macedon Ranges Shire is taking part in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, starting the 25th November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and running until 10th December – Human Rights Day. It’s an international campaign run by organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

The global theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism is: “Orange the world: End violence against women now!”

Support for women: Centre for Non-Violence 0354 303 000; Safe Steps 1800 015 188 Support for children: Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Support for LGBTIQA+ community: Rainbow Door 1800 729 367 Support for men who use violence: Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491

We know times have been trying lately and the past two years have been difficult for many of us, but we wanted to say well done to everyone who has fought through these trying times, who has shown strength, kindness, courage, compassion, and a sense of community.

We’d also like to thank you all for the support you’ve given us while we find our feet. Thank you to everyone who has submitted pieces to the zine—we hope to see more of your wonderful works in upcoming volumes.

Keep your head up and stay strong!

Here’s to hoping we get a new start.

Thank you, from the Future Creations Zine Crew,

Annelise, AJ, Izzy and Liz