RECURRING ISSUE 2017
BEVERLY
by Lina Frunck
WAY OF DEVOTION
by Holly Knight
ZOOCATION
DAWN PATROL
by Miriam Deprez
by Melody Davis
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ABOUT The Argus is a student-run, non-profit, visual journalism magazine dedicated to showcasing students’ investigations and unique perspective of local and international issues. DECLARATION All opinions and views expressed within are those of the authors and do not represent those of the editorial board of QCA, Griffith University. CONTRIBUTORS We will always welcome anyone who feels they can contribute to the exciting future of our magazine be it through material or expertise. Please pitch your ideas only (no attachments) to submissions@theargus.net.au. COPYRIGHT All content is copyright of the contributors and must not be copied or reproduced without premission of the creators. FIND US www.theargus.net.au www.facebook.com/THEARGUSQCA twitter:@theargus_qca Subscribe to our RSS feed for new issues and content. 2
ISSUE 1 | 2017
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR The Argus is a visual storytelling magazine run by Queensland College of Art (QCA) students. Now in its ninth year of operation, we are still receiving high quality submissions from a wide range of photographers. We welcome you to explore new stories with this 2018 issue of our online magazine. These stories are a discussion about humanity and the rituals that recur in our lives. Throughout the magazine the interpretation of this changes. It begins with dedicated lifesavers patrolling beaches at dawn and then a typology of the people they do it for; beachgoers. And it ends with a range of single images that offer to tell a story of their own to those who choose to explore them. The diversity in these stories is what motivates The Argus to share them. We are curious to learn more about our war veterans, about artists expressing creativity through tattooing or why people are protesting in the streets. We are intrigued as to what motivates people to travel long journeys to become soldiers or devotedly perform rituals to deity’s. Our curiosity is satisfied within the telling of these stories. Storytellers are age old and it is in the sharing of their tales that we begin to understand one another. Thank you to the artists and people who continue to share and explore the stories of our society. I would also like to thank the editorial team for their consistent hard work in producing amazing work in this issue. A special mention to Dr. Kelly McIlvenny for her encouragement, support and vision in running another successful year in The Argus. Enjoy and explore. Zara Tansley, Managing Editor
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IN THIS ISSUE
DAWN PATROL
BEACH CULTURE
BORDERLINE TATTOOS
HIGHER LEVELS
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF LIONEL BROWN-
PAGE 36
BEVERLY
PAGE 48
PAGE 58
TINA MEYERS
BUNKER
WE WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT
PAGE 08
PAGE 66
PAGE 14
PAGE 74
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PAGE 26
PAGE 96
DAWN PATROL
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BEACH CULTURE
14
BORDERLINE TATTOOS
26
HIGHER LEVELS
36
BEVERLY
48
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF LIONEL BROWN
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TINA MEYERS
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BUNKER
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WE WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT
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SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HOPE AND SACRIFICE
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Melody Davis
Wenmi Liu
by Nathan Soutar
Collaborative Project
by Lina Frunk
by Jackson Seebohm
by Stephen Jigalin
by Samantha Manchee
Collaborative Project
Collaborative Project
ZOOCATION
122
WAY OF DEVOTION
134
QCA FEATURES
150
by Miriam Deprez
by Holly Knight
Photos by Queensland College of Arts (QCA) students
SOMEHERE BETWEN HOPE AND SACRIFICE
PAGE 110
ZOOCATION
PAGE 122
WAY OF DEVOTION
PAGE 134
QCA FEATURES
PAGE 150
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DAWN PATROL By Melody Davis
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The volunteers pause to debrief the day, whilst the early morning Beach Tractor smooths the sand and the sun continues to hide behind the horizon. With Cyclone Debbie recently passing through the Queensland Coast, the air temperature has dropped to 15 degrees.
Whilst Lifeguard duties have a slight pause during the winter season, the Dawn Patrol never rest. 365 days a year, every year, the volunteers arise at 4:30am in harsh conditions to connect and monitor the activity on the beach.
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Peter notes that one of his most memorable moments was a particular rescue on a stormy morning. “A jet ski was found without a rider so myself and my partner were requested out on the jet ski,” he says. "The life-saving boat found the rider but the boat broke down and went into limp-mode. They drifted to the mouth of the Seaway but couldn't see because of the huge spume from the waves. There were about 200 people including the media, watching on the wall. My partner David and I were called to set out on the jet ski to guide the boat in. But it was so rough and the boat was in such poor shape they put the rescued rider on the back of the jet ski. All you could see was David disappear into the mist at the Seaway entry as we all just held our collective breaths. He was gone for 20 minutes; it felt like an age."
The Dawn Patrol arrives rugged up, despite it being April. "For me it has been the absolute highlight of my life, it truly has been. Every single day when I’m watching the sun rise, I am so thankful to be on that beach, to be doing what I do. Each sunrise is new and unique. It will never get old to me; it keeps me healthy, fit and active. As long as I can meet the requirements, I'll keep volunteering until I no longer can. 80 is not the end, and I strongly encourage anyone who has retired to consider volunteering. It filled a hole in my life that I spent years trying to fill. It truly is the highlight of my life." Whilst his team member pauses for a restroom break, Peter discusses his memories of surf life-saving. He looks to the horizon at Nobbys Beach and describes a recent rescue, where two women, aged in their 20s, went swimming at dawn and soon became lost at sea. About 6.30am on the 15th of February 2016, a surfer alerted dawn patrol lifesavers of a board washed to shore that he had seen one of these women carrying. The incident sparked an immediate land, sea and air search. Shortly after the search kicked off, Peter found the two women clinging to one surf board out the back behind a large swell. The girls were left unharmed but clearly shaken. “This is why we exist as a Dawn Patrol, for incidents like those. Those girls well and truly could have lost their lives that day. That really cemented why I do what I do.”
“Then suddenly, out of the spray he appeared, riding down these huge waves with the rider on his back. Everyone was cheering." “It just epitomises the selflessness of this organisation. It’s such a tough call to put your body and your life on the line like that. But time and time again I see these guys do it.” “It’s an honour to walk the beach with them.”
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BEACH CULTURE By Wenmi Liu
When it comes to Gold Coast, Australia, beach culture is always a topic worth talking about. Gold Coast is a place where people love and feel happy. It is big enough to have everything you need, so you do not have to go anywhere else. Meanwhile, it is small enough to have that local and natural feel.
Surfing is a huge part of the beach culture. It is easily accessible and consistent waves attract national and international surfers of all ages and skill levels. Overall, the beaches here foster a vibrant assortment of surf culturerelated industries. Known for its expansive stretches of sandy beaches, people treat the beach here as their city’s playground. Sun, sand and waves: life’s a beach on the sunny Gold Coast.
“In the 1860s, the white settlement reached the shores of Gold Coast. Soon the residents began to embrace the benefits of bathing and the sea and the iconic aspect of the Gold Coast lifestyle was founded. At the end of World War II, Australia’s beach culture continued to evolve and with the range of natural wonders that existed in the hinterland. The Gold Coast’s beach continued to grow in popularity.” (Travelonline.com) The wide range of beaches available here are what truly sets the Gold Coast apart from other places. People can really be themselves here with the coastlines they’ve got to enjoy, not to mention the relaxing atmosphere and mix of weather.
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BORDERLINE TATTOOS By Nathan Soutar
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Timothy Sharp, a heavily tattooed/modified Head Chef in Brisbane’s West End, put all of his efforts into what he loves despite his appearance and the stigma in society.
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several tattoo studios have been home to Quail’s unique style, from Coolangatta to Tweed Heads. Finally, she has settled down at Borderline Tattoos in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast where she has been working at for the last 13 years. When asked if she still enjoys the job as much now, she responded with an enthusiastic “F**k yes, it’s incredible that I can do what I love every day and work with amazing people, doing what I love.”
Quail is a well-known tattoo artist currently performing her art on the Gold Coast as a part of the Borderline Tattoos’ crew of artists. For over 24 years, Quail has been tattooing across the world. After first realising in the late 80’s to early 90’s that her chances of being a tattoo artist in her home country of the United States were small, she moved to Germany. Once in Germany, after saving money for years with her husband, they opened their first tattoo studio in Hamburg under the name of Holistic Tattu, followed by another shortly after.
By spending most of her days in the studio helping around and expressing her love for the art, Jess managed to join the Borderline crew as an apprentice to later becoming the second female artist to take residence in the shop as an artist.
After working in her beloved studio in Hamburg for over 10 years, Quail moved to Australia to experience the culture and to get away from the business and styles of Germany. Since moving to Australia,
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HIGHER LEVELS
Text By Kingston Kaisa Photos By Dylan Crawford, Stephen Jigalin, Jim O'Reilly and Ruby Pascoesw
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The flooding caused by the cyclone left over 650 homes damaged to the point that they were deemed uninhabitable. Victims and their families directly affected by the floods faced displacement from their homes, loss of their property and tragically the loss of their loved ones.
Australians are no strangers when it comes to dealing with floods. But even with some of the worst floods happening within recent years, it is easy to forget how much devastation they cause. Earlier this year, cyclone Debbie hit the coast of Queensland, bringing with it torrential rain and winds. 39
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Three Days after being evacuated on April 6, 2017, residents slowly wade back to the homes in Depot Hill to survey the damage and begin the clean up.
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BEVERLY By Lina Frunck
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she says. That was on the Tuesday. By Thursday, it had paralysed her breathing muscles and they did not think she was going to make it through the weekend. “It was that bad that I couldn't swallow and my girlfriend, and my boyfriend I had at the time, said they gave me an eye dropper, dropping water into the back of my mouth so I wouldn't choke,” she recalls.
Beverly Norton has been given the last ride so many times that she has lost count. “I don't think I can do this again, it’s like everyday you’re fighting to stay alive,” she says. Beverly’s story starts when she was 18 years old, working as a dress designer, milliner and florist — always using her hands. Her fingers would frequently become paralysed and each time, it would be a month before she could use them again. It was rheumatoid arthritis. “After about 10 years of this, the doctor said ‘look you gotta change your profession, I can’t keep saving your fingers’. That's why they're all bent,” she points out. “On the average of every six years, I worked it out, I get a new diagnosis of something else. So rheumatoid arthritis was the first hurdle I had to jump over,” Beverly explains. Next came Lupus. Then Scleroderma. The next diagnosis was Sjögren’s syndrome.
The neurologist at Beverly’s hospital commissioned 27 neurologists from all around Australia to work out what was happening to her. “They had no idea at first what I had.” Beverly was the first documented case of Sjögren’s peripheral neuropathy in Australia. Her doctors were horrified, claiming that nobody knew anything about the condition. “There were only 40 cases in the world and there were only 8 living. All the others had died”. Beverly admits that she was horrified too. “You don’t realise you’re dying until they call your family in and you think ‘oh God, I’m dying’,” she says.
“It’s dry eyes and dry mouth. It started off with my eyes starting to feel gritty; that was first stage Sjögren’s.” It was years later that Beverly’s doctors realised that second stage Sjögren’s mimics other diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. She had had Sjögren’s syndrome all along.
Sjögren’s syndrome is a part of a larger disease group, called autoimmunity. The term covers over a hundred chronic conditions, including both common and rare ones. Diabetes, for example, is an autoimmune disease. What all these diseases have in common is the deviant immune system. Its job in the body is to protect you - your cells - from harm.
In 2000, Beverly reached the third stage: Sjögren’s peripheral neuropathy. “I got a virus that started in my immune system, killing off my peripheral nervous system,” 50
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was three months or three years. “I came to Byron bay to spend my last days with my daughter, but my daughter wasn’t willing to let me go, and so I kept going”.
But in autoimmune diseases, the immune system instead starts attacking your body’s own cells. It is the trojan horse: you have trusted your immune system to be a friendly companion, but it deceived you.
Beverly had always been the strongest one in the family, and so when her disease took a turn for the worse, she and her daughter went to therapy to learn how to cope together. “Last year when I got sick again, it would have been so easy to just let go and die.
There is no cure for autoimmune disease and treatments vary depending on what cells are affected. Doctors in Australia are only taught that Sjögren’s syndrome is dry eyes and dry mouth with some organ involvement. “Some organ involvement? All organ involvement,” Beverly states.
Once again, Sharon said ‘don’t die Mom, I can’t cope yet!’”
Beverly can no longer produce saliva, which started a series of complications that led to her voice becoming broken and husky. She had contracted the vocal cords and squashed them, making them swell. Doctors had to scrape the swelling, which was done incorrectly, and she lost her voice completely. Beverly had to learn to speak again, and once she did, her voice was not the same. “It felt really terrible, for the simple reason that I was always singing,” Beverly shares. “I was always running around, singing all of the songs, teaching my daughter the songs from different movies and then we used to sing them together.”
“So I didn’t die, I came back,” Beverly states. After a lifetime of learning how to stay alive, Beverly has pockets full of advice to newly diagnosed patients who struggle to find information. She runs The Australian Sjögren’s Syndrome Association (TASSA) on her disability pension. It is the only organisation about Sjögren’s syndrome in Australia and she receives no government funding. Beverly continues on in hope that her journey, being the guinea pig of Sjögren’s syndrome, will help future patients retain some quality of life.
Beverly’s story was not over yet. After nine weeks in the hospital, she was released to the care of her daughter — who was told Beverly would need constant care for the rest of her life. What the doctors did not know, however, was whether that
“It’s been the most amazing journey, even though it was painful. Painful being killed off and painful coming back. But yeah, it was amazing,” Beverly says. 53
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF LIONEL BROWN By Jackson Seebohm
Lionel Brown sits on his bed at Wesley Mission Chermside, May 4 2017. Lionel, 91, was the oldest known volunteer at Wesley before having to part with his beloved responsibilities due to ongoing health problems. It still does not stop Lionel from getting around, aided by his walking cane, to say good morning to every single one of his fellow residents, before doing his morning regimen. Lionel is a very fascinating veteran of World War II and he has plenty of stories to share. He loves going to church and has a strong love for singing hymns. 59
I was lucky enough to spend a few days with Lionel and document his life at present. The stories he shared offered a stark contrast to the walls within which he found himself. At the tender age of eighteen, Lionel answered the call to war as most boys did in that time. During the throes of WWII, he served in the Australian Navy in the defence against Japan. These days, as a devout man of God, Lionel can often be found with his Bible that he keeps firmly at his bed side.
Lionel was a volunteer at Wesley up until last year when he had to cease due to health reasons, but that doesn’t prevent him from contributing and lifting the spirits of all who surround him. Throughout the day, after his routine morning stretches, Lionel enjoys walking the passages of the Wesley, greeting staff and residents alike. It’s also for this reason that his favourite time of day is when all the residents gather in the lunch room together at midday, as he is surrounded by the friends he holds dearly. 60
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TINA MEYERS By Stephen Jigalin
Every Monday and Wednesday Tina Myers brings warm conversation and light heartedness to the residents of Knowles Court Aged Care community. A dedicated volunteer of four years; Tina originally began volunteering following the passing of her mother, who had been a resident there. Tina had developed strong relationships with staff and residents during her mother’s stay and could not see that relationship ending. The staff at Knowles Court sing her praises, yet Tina is humble about her contribution, saying that her role is to “fill the space where staff don’t have time to sit down and talk.” But it is more than that… a kind word, a warm touch or a cuppa when it’s needed. It all means so much to the residents who have the pleasure of her company.
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Ninety-one year old Joy White takes time out from dancing to pose at Knowles Court, Sinnamon Park, 19th April 2017. Despite suffering a stroke 10 years ago Joy show little signs of slowing down and is always ready for a dance.
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Every Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm Happy Hour gives the chance for residents to have a sip on their favourite drink, socialise and snack on some warm food.
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BUNKER
By Samantha Manchee
Clive ‘Tex’ Riley 69 YEARS OLD; AFV PRO UNIT, MILITARY POLICE; DEPLOYED TO VIETNAM IN 1969 FOR 12 MONTHS ON HIS 22ND BIRTHDAY;WAS IN THE ARMY FOR 21 YEARS AFTER DEPLOYMENT; DIAGNOSES OF PTSD WAS AT LEAST 21 YEARS AFTER DEPLOYMENT. 75
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Through environmental portraits, ‘Bunker’ visually discusses the stigma that is attached to post traumatic stress disorder in veterans. During war, the men and women of the armed forces protect the freedoms of their country. When they return home, many are faced with PTSD, for which there is little support. Manchee’s work links the safe space of the bunker in war to the safe space they inhabit now from wood-working sheds, to feeding the birds, to lawn bowls in order to raise awareness for the ongoing issues Australia’s armed men and women face, and to reduce the stigma associated with asking for help.
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TEX Tex enjoys a stout with chips and feeds the birds every afternoon at about 3:30pm; an hour later, he walks his dog, heads home to fix tea and watches television.
I like the stout, it is good for you. In England on a pension, you can get a free stout of the daytime, that’s what I have been told. I don’t get drunk, I just relax and talk to the dog; she's a good friend who looks after me.”
“I just like the birds; I sit here and relax and watch them. I’m not sure if it’s therapeutic, I just sit and enjoy myself. If you go looking for reason why you do a lot of things, you probably wouldn't do it. I don’t drink until the afternoon; I have three or four stubbies while I’m doing this. I then walk my dog, cook tea and have a couple of red wines.
ALAN “I get immense pleasure out of woodwork. I cannot imagine life without it. Another important aspect is the satisfaction of creating some objects and keeping the mind active in the design of different products. It is also a challenge to come up with new designs that are more complex to try to improve my skill level and become more inventive.
I don’t look for a reason why I do anything, I’m sort of beyond that. Live from day to day. If I enjoy doing something, I do it: if I don’t, I don’t do it. If I don’t feel like getting out of bed, I don’t, because there is no reason to.
I’m involved in woodturning at Queensland Woodturners’ Society at Greenslopes. I attend one day a week with hands-on activity and at least once a month with demonstrations by experts in field.
I love the little birds. They amaze me. They can be there, something will scare them and they fly into the tree then straight back to feed again or lined up along the fence.
I attend the ‘Make and Do’ shed at Loganholme for a day about every third week to be able to complete different types of wood projects.
I used to feed the kookaburras; used to chuck them the left over cat food.
Most days I am home in my shed, working on my projects.
When I moved here, the magpies would surround me so I chucked them a bit of mince and everything came. Now they all come at the same time for a feed because they know when they're getting it. If I am late they go somewhere else.
Being involved in these activities is stress relieving, gives me an interest, and is also very therapeutic. It has become something I look forward to daily. 78
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Alan Loxton 1ST BATTALION, B COMPANY; DEPLOYED TO VIETNAM IN 1971 AT THE AGE OF 23; OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD 11 YEARS AGO.
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Michael ‘Gundy’ Manning 69 YEARS OLD; GRUNT FOR 6TH PLATOON, 2ND COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION; CELEBRATED HIS 22ND BIRTHDAY IN A VIETCONG BUNKER WITH A TIN OF POUND CAKE; DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD 8 YEARS AGO. 82
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Woodturning started as a three hour per week course when I was a patient in Keith Payne Unit, the Psychiatric area at Greenslopes Hospital. It was seen by Department of Veteran Affairs as a good way to be introduced back into society and to be given an interest to occupy one’s mind.
Kai plays rugby league and is very good at it; I never miss a game and I always take photos. He is growing into a great young man and I am very proud of him. Ivy is a whirlwind and never stops talking and smiling, and I never tire of it. I manage my PTSD with the love I have for those two kids.
I became involved in woodwork and woodturning after the Physiotherapist I was seeing at Greenslopes Hospital suggested that I needed a hobby as part of my recovery of PTSD. That was about ten years ago, when I was discharged from the hospital.
My father lived until he was 80, so I am not going to waste what time I have left on the negative part of life. My grandkids keep me going. I have three kids which have all grown up with good jobs and two grandkids so my life is full.” STEVE “I find drinking coffee to be relaxing. It has become a normative part of my life. It allows me to sit and think as well as sit and watch. By drinking coffee, I have become a people watcher; it allows me to see who’s around and what type of daily discussions and types of people are moving through the area where I live.
An aspect that cannot be overlooked is the companionship that is enjoyed with like-minded people with similar interests. It is amazing to witness the generosity of experienced people who are only too willing to share and assist less experienced and less knowledgeable members.” TERRANCE “The maintenance of my PTSD is twofold: one is my lawn bowls which I play twice a week and I enjoy the company for a few drinks afterwards.
My coffee routine has two very basic goals, the first is to bring me into the day. Due to my diagnosis of PTSD and other issues, I have to take a number of medications prior to going to sleep. The initial morning coffee provides a bit of a stimulation for me. I have no reason as to why, albeit I understand that coffee is a stimulate and affects people in different ways, however, my morning coffee has become part of my morning routine.
The second and main reason is my two grandchildren: Kai, who is 14, and Ivy, who is 4. I visit each weekend and always take a gift. If you can’t spoil your grandkids, then what’s the point?
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Terrance ‘Hippo’ Hippisley 67 YEARS OLD; 1ST BATTALION, B COMPANY; DEPLOYED TO VIETNAM AT 19 YEARS OF AGE; DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD AT THE AGE OF 47.
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Steve McCrohon 2ND BATTALION & INFANTRY OFFICER; DEPLOYED TO RWANDA IN 1995, DEPLOYED TO EAST TIMOR IN 2001 BOTH DEPLOYMENTS WERE 7 MONTHS; WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD IN 2009.
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This isolation was my own doing. I didn’t want to see people or talk to people; I hated what I saw as an intrusion into my life when someone wanted to talk to me or want me to do something. This feeling alienated me from social groups, friends and family. I had no relationship with anybody apart from myself. I could spend days in my house or at other places with no one as company.
I make the coffee, I sit on my balcony, look at the river and the rowers, and think the day will be good.
It allows me to slowly wake up and feel better about myself. This is not a fool proof solution and there are days when I am unable to break the cycle of the ‘black dog’. Some days are just unworkable and regardless of the stimulation I am unable to fully come to grips with some of the day’s activities or routines.
Over time, and a better understanding of what was happening to me, I was able to use my moments of drinking coffee as a way of getting used to people being around me. I didn’t need to be involved in their lives or their discussions, but I got used to what I termed as my ‘pretend social group’. My ability to sit and enjoy the stimulation of the coffee and just watch and listen. Over the years I have maintained this routine but have also been able to enjoy these moments with others. My family and close friends understand my situation and don’t place too many demands on me, however, I find the moment of enjoying a nice coffee with someone else a generally enjoyable experience these days.
My mid-morning coffee is my opportunity to leave my apartment and go and sit in my little corner of my local coffee shop. The ladies behind the counter have gotten to know me over a period of time and I no longer have to order my coffee. I turn up, pay, grab the morning paper, sit down and one of the ladies will bring my coffee to me. I don’t have to converse with anybody and on most occasions I’d prefer not to talk to anybody. However, this coffee time provides great opportunity for me. I get to leave my apartment, sit, and watch others. I find that at this point I am in a good position for any other activities I need to do for the rest of the day. I have always been a coffee drinker, but never used the activity as a form of rehabilitation until I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2009, and it wasn’t a normal part of my day. The whole coffee event was developed over a number of years. I was not well and was quite isolated from society.
In the early years I tended to drink too much coffee; this had a negative effect on me. I was, at times, too stimulated, particularly in the evening and this would affect my sleep patterns. I would find the effects of my medication fighting with the stimulating effects of too much coffee and then my health problems would increase.” 90
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WAYNE “I have a need to be doing something that is, or I feel, is significant and that I need to do. Being a volunteer, it allows me to leave or not turn up on days when things aren’t going too well. There is no pressure at the moment that I am getting from being a rural fire fighter. For me, it is limited as I am still in training. Each Tuesday night is our scheduled training night. Any fires or requirements outside of this is limited for me due to lack of rural fire fighting experience. I want to go, but this puts other qualified members under more pressure as I am still required to be supervised even though I have life and other experiences behind me. It has, I would say, so far been therapeutic as I’m not seeing myself as being a burden on society but being an active participant. I have to get used to less disciplined personalities and bite my tongue at times. About five to six months ago, however, I started thinking about what to do for long term; SES or RFS. I decided that I had done enough walking through the bush looking for people, and placing tarps on roofs did not really appeal to me. RFS, I saw as more exciting. It could be the fact I still want to be confronted with danger and be confronted by things that are not received well by most of the general public.” 93
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Wayne Lampard SERVED IN 2/4 RAR, 6 RAR, 8/9 RAR, SCHOOL OF INFANTRY, 51FNQR, NORFORCE AND THE WO&NCO ACADEMY; DEPLOYED TO SOUTH EAST ASIA, BOUGAINVILLE, EAST TIMOR, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN; DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD IN 2012. MEDICALLY DISCHARGED ON THE 22 OCT 2014 NOT FIT TO WORK.
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WE WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT
Text By Helena Cazaerck, Alexander Hendricks, Miriam Deprez and Tessa Fox. Photos By Miriam Deprez.
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Protesters in Moscow call for second Russian Revolution Silent protest with sneakers A bit further away, a man with a pair of sneakers around his neck leans against the wall. A child stands next to him, probably his son. Suddenly two police officers turn to the man and a handful of Muscovites start filming. The reason why was not immediately clear. However, it turned out that this was some kind of silent protest, when the officers forced the main into the police van. The sneakers referred to a recent scandal Youtube blogger Alexander Navalny revealed about Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev.
“We are not here because we expect change. We are here to show that we can all see the corruption, that we all know about it and that we will not remain silent.” Ten minutes after two and Tverskaya Square is almost empty. A few journalists wait patiently on the side. One of them, a local Russian reporter, thought it would be an uneventful day. “I don’t think there will be a lot of protesters. There will be some, but since it is an unauthorised protest, most people will stay at home,” he said.
Alexej Navalny In a recent video Navalny ousted sneakerfanatic Medvedev for embezzling tax payer’s money. Navalny’s 30-man strong Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) traced down Medvedev online-order revealed that the Prime Minister owned several mansions and other luxurious properties. One of these was apparently only used for his pet ducks. Therefore, many demonstrators mockingly flaunted rubber ducks.
The Russian government had already forbidden opposition-leader Aleksej Navalny’s protest. “Those who show up are therefore very restricted. No battle cries or pamphlets are allowed. It will be over in half an hour.” When he was asked about the 5000 people that had signed up for the protest on VKontakte, the Russian version of Facebook, the local reporter laughed. “No, this is going to be a farce.” Passersby look like tourists. Men, women and children, wearing hats and holding selfie sticks. Nothing to suggest that the same crowd would rage against the police in the adjacent square. A few minutes later, the Moscow thoroughfare Trerkayastraat, was fully packed with more than 10,000 demonstrators.
Alexej Navalny was the driving force behind the protest and Russia’s most outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin. The opposition leader was clearly not satisfied with the government’s lax response to his Anti-Corruption Foundation’s revelations in their Youtube 98
Thousands gathered Sunday afternoon on the 26th of March in Moscow to protest against the government.
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in the bud earlier this month, when a Russian court reopened a 2013 case and sentenced Navalny to a suspended fiveyear prison term. Because of that, the Russian law forbid him from practising any public function.
video, which has since been taken down. He described his outrage on Navalyn’s VKontakte-page: “13 million people have seen our video, that is 9% of Russia’s population. What does the government do? Nothing! In every developed country this would have led to the resignation of the government. In Russia, the authorities think that they can just ignore this. Maybe we should make ourselves a bit more visible in the streets!”
Navalny is appealing this sentence, citing it is a politically motivated decision and promises to keep up with his plan to challenge Vladimir Putin in the upcoming elections. Public support is obviously a desirable gift. Moreover, FBK is the only NGO in Russia that investigates corruption. Differently said, no one controls the opposition.
This call for action made thousands of citizens hungry for justice. But not all protesters expect answers from the government. Vladislav Murashkin, one of the protesters, laughs when he is asked if he thinks that the government will listen to the protesters. “Do you really think the government is going to give back its stolen money? We are not here because we expect change. We are here to show that we all see the corruption, that we all know what is going on and that we will not remain silent.” According to Vladislav a radical change in the government is the only solution.
Second Russian Revolution Meanwhile, a sea of police officers flow out of their combat vehicles, while protesters shout slogans like: “Supporters of thieves, traitors to the country. We want a Russia without Putin. Shame, shame, shame.” Over and over again police divisions in the shape of triangles penetrate the crowd. Demonstrators are violently torn apart, carried away and arrested. A girl, no older than sixteen years old, tried to break free from the hands of five heavily armed agents. An old man is dragged away on his knees.
Another protester,student Olga Myalkina, is convinced that Alexej Navalny is the perfect leader of the Russian opposition but doubts whether he should lead the upcoming revolution: “It is still unclear for me what his motives are. Does he actually want to improve our lives or is he just hungry for power?” Olga refers to Navalny’s recent ambitions to run for president in 2018, which were nipped
The enormous gap between rich and poor in Russia made the fact that the political elite are buying expensive yachts and palaces from embezzled taxes extra painful for Olga and her fellow protestors. “The media tell us that Russia is doing 101
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is not only a battle against corruption, it is an outcry for fair elections. I want next year’s presidential elections to be fair and transparent, but that’s impossible in the current situation,” Natalia said.
well, but people are starting to realise the truth; more and more Russians can’t even feed their own children properly. Even with an education and a full-time job, you might not have enough money to live a comfortable life.”
Olga agreed with Vladislav when he said that if the government will not listen to the people, it is time for a new government. “The government suppressed the rights of the people. People who publicly speak the truth, ask questions or demand justice are persecuted. This must change.”
This year it has been exactly been 100 years ago that the Russian Revolution changed Russia and the world forever. Many protesters agree that history will repeat itself. Natalia Demina stressed the importance of these protests, “This
Pushkinskaya square turns into a scene full of anger and desperation.
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After a few hours of shouting and tear gas, and more than 800 arrests, including Alexei Navalny, it is perfectly clear that the local journalist who predicted a ‘farce’ had underestimated the Russian opposition.
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SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HOPE AND SACRIFICE
Text By Mikaela Ortolan, Collaborative Project By Gina Cawley, Stephanie Wu & Mikaela Ortolan
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For over 200 years, Gurkha soldiers have been nationally recognised for their strength, bravery and discipline. The soldier’s determination and loyalty led to their alliance with the British Army around 1815. Nowadays, each year, thousands of young men aged between 17-and-a-half and 21-years-old, travel from all parts of Nepal to compete in what’s known as the toughest selection camp. “It is better to die than to be a coward.” Candidates are selected based on a number of requirements, including medical, personality and fitness tests. Out of the thousands who apply, only around 150 make it through the full 12day selection process and join the British Gurkhas Army. For many of these men, becoming a Gurkha is a childhood dream. Aside from the stability the British Government provides for each soldier and their families, there is also a strong desire to fulfil the legacy of their ancestors. This work explores the transition these young men undergo in order to become a Gurkha. It provides an insight into their motivations and the physical and mental hurdles they are required to overcome. Documented here is the journey they take from Kathmandu to Pokhara, where the final part of the selection process will begin. 112
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ZOOCATION By Miriam Deprez
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Where the wall meets the glass is the only place out of the wind and frost; But it means closer to the indifferent eyes and the endless tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tapping, that becomes the metronome for the rocking. Rocking, back and forth, back and forth, that only stops when replaced by pacing. Pacing with frustration. Pacing with boredom. Pacing to distract from the tapping. Tap, tap, tap. A quick glance through the glass, to meet the apathetic gaze of onlookers with a silent plea for freedom. A glance around the frosty brick enclosure looking in vain for a way out. Then to sit back down in despair. Rocking. Back, forth, back, forth, back, forth. All day. Every day.
The argument that zoos provide us with educational merit, is fast becoming less and less acceptable. Locked behind bars, worlds away from their natural climate, animals display emotions of despair, depression, anxiety and loss. Far from their liberated kin who are free to roam, and free to live. Zoos therefore face us with an obvious irony. Fascinated by their wild and wonderful qualities, humans have worshipped and feared animals since the dawn of time, yet it is this exotic nature that is stripped away once caged. It is within this paradox, the futile and cruel reality of animals in captivity becomes blatant.
Humans have been capturing animals for millennia, either for entertainment, or as an assertion of dominance. From the Samaritans in ancient Mesopotamia 4,000 years ago, to Aztecs in the Americas. Even to Alexander the Great was said to look after a great menagerie of monkeys and bears. The modern zoo emerged in the 19th century, designed to educate visitors and impart a connection to wild animals, but it is only recently we have begun to feel empathy towards the captives.
With 175 million people visiting zoos annually - able to come and go as they please - Zoocation is a response to how we use animals for entertainment and decoration, highlighting zoos as an example of man’s need to conquer and divide. Incarcerated indefinitely, forever waiting and watching. Forever pacing. Forever separated by glass.
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WAY OF DEVOTION By Holly Knight
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Singing, dancing, temple-worship, veganism and monastic-style living are the central practices of Krishna devotees. They follow basic principles of living simply, not accumulating materialistic goods, living with compassion toward all creatures, loving, sharing and living joyfully. All actions done by the devotees are done as a service to Krishna and not out of selfish motives.
A wave of warmth hits my face and spreads through my body as I enter the temple. The fireplace crackles in the corner while a deep rumble vibrates the room.
‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’
This project delves into the daily practices, rituals and routines of Hare Krishna devotees. I specifically photographed the Krishna community in Murwillumbah, the biggest community of the three in Australia. The Hare Krishna movement originated in India, and was taken worldwide in 1966 when ISKCON, the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, began.
My jeans and hoodie emphasise my outsider position among the vibrant saris and saffron robes which are scattered around the room; however, my camera permits me to be there. The devotees align on the left side of the room in preparation for worshipping the Deity’s and welcoming them to the new day. The clock hits 4.30am and it is time to begin the morning Arati. Eyes closed, arms raised, they begin singing and dancing. Drums and bells accompany their voices in a beautiful harmony, which although I can’t understand, I can interpret as love, devotion and adoration for the deities and Krishna. As the music builds the devotees begin swaying, twirling, and pacing from each end of the temple.
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Hyeson Juong picks leaves from the garden for the deities’ garlands, Murwillumbah, NSW, 12th August 2017. Devotees make fresh flower and leaf garlands daily for the deities as part of their service to Krishna.
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Krishna Rupa offers the ghee lamp to the lady devotees in the temple during the morning arati, Murwillumbah, NSW, 11th August 2017. All sacred items which are offered to the deities are then offered to all devotees in attendance.
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QCA FEATURES
PHOTOS BY QUEENSLAND COLLEGE OF ART (QCA) STUDENTS Each year The Argus has the pleasure of receiving submissions from current QCA students studying at Griffith University. We picked a range of the best single images that were submitted. This is just a taste of the up and coming talent that Brisbane and Gold Coast is producing.
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Jennifer Colverson 153
Christian Nimri
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Jennifer Colverson
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Homer Nemenzo 157
Dylan Crawford
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Dylan Crawford
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Michael Don
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Dylan Crawford 163
Share your story. Submit your work at theargus.net.au/submission
Many thanks to the
EDITORIAL TEAM DR. KELLY MCILVENNY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
ZARA TANSLEY
MANAGING EDITOR
HOLLY KNIGHT
PICTURE EDITOR
LEIF ENRIQUE SALINAS
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
LINA FRUNCK
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
KINGSTON SEINAFO FEALA
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
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