The Voice Issue #1 March 2021 by Voice

VOICE

march 2021 | ISSUE NO. 1

Editor’s voice THE YEAR OF YES! It hasn’t been easy. These past months have felt like a healing period. And of course, I know it’s not all over, but I can’t help but look at this coming year with blind confidence that it can only get better. The overwhelming amount of ‘quiet time’ that we’ve had has given me the opportunity to really think about this year’s four Voice issues. I see growth for the better, muchneeded change and many late nights. Throughout the planning period for this coming year, my bright-eyed team has been such a blessing. From their willingness to take on my blind enthusiasm to being very patient when I pose to them outlandish ideas. They have gifted to me their very rare spare time and offered their many talents to be exposed to all of you, so be kind. I pray that these years issues fall into the hands of many anxious firstyears, excited second-years, struggling third-years and tired fourth-years and make it the smallest bit better. I also pray that each and every one of them remembers to say yes to each and every opportunity that comes their way. Because, as all fourth-

years will tell you, this is a memorable place that only comes around once in a lifetime. So, embrace ‘Avonjail’, embrace the exhaustion, embrace the quiet times and the overwhelming times and make it your year for YES! SALLY-MAE

CONTENTS .

02.

EDITOR’S VOICE

04.

CONTACT INFORMATION

06.

CONTRIBUTORS

08.

INTERVIEW WITH A PASTOR

10.

PLANT HACKS

12.

MESSY MEDIA

14.

WO/MAN

16.

THE OGS

18.

WELLNESS WITH SAM

20.

ARTPROJECTS

22.

THE UNPRESIDENTIALDEBATE

24.

#AVONDALEEXP

26.

BAI’S CORNER

28.

IN HIGHSCHOOL

30.

THE FORUM

GET IN CONTACT. SECURITY: Phone: (02) 4980 2333 Email: scott.hill@avondale.edu.au COLLEGE CHURCH: Phone: (02) 4980 2272 Email: collegechurch@avondale.edu.au Or message the College Church Facebook Page. CHAPLAINCY CENTRE: Pr Brock Goodall Phone: 4980 2283 Email: chaplain@avondale.edu.au Located: The rear of College Church near Café Rejuve. COLLEGE COUNSELLORS: Phone: 0403478994 Email: counsellingclinic@avondale.edu.au

Our counsellors offer confidential counselling to students experiencing a range of academic, mental health and personal concerns.

PAGES TO LIKE . The Voice College Church ASL Student Association Avondale University

Avondale sport We are ella boyd we are watson Cafe Rejuve

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CON TRIB UTORS

Assistant Editor EDITOR & cheese

SALLY-MAE HERFORD Sally-Mae is a fourth year secondary Visual Arts and English education student who really just wants to be sleeping in and complaining about how she didn’t get enough sleep. As well as dark chocolate covered pretzels, Sally-Mae loves breaking the fourth wall in the A24 feature film that is her life.

BAILEE MCLEOD Bailee is an English and Visual Arts Major, who is ‘no, not doing teaching!’(and yes, she’s considered it). If she is not doing yoga or drinking coffee, she will be at the beach with a good book or listening to The Lumineers on her way to the shops.

Graphic designer

JACINDA RALPH Jacinda is a Bachelor of Arts student studying Communications, Graphic Design and Human Resources. Half of her diet consists of banana bread or peanut butter, and she loves a good hammock sleep with lots of blankets.

Interviewer & Photographer

JASMINE RINGROSE

Jasmin is in her final year of studying International Poverty and Development studies. She is frequently asked to say; “fish & chips”, “deck”, and “pig/peg” #KiwiThings. She loves all things artsy and would be quite content living out her days doing pottery.... in a little studio...by the beach.

Guest Writer

CASSIE SAUNDERS Cassie is a fourth year Primary Education student who really just wants to get paid for doing arts and crafts. Coffee is a thrice a day essential so you’ll usually find her at a cafe procrastinating.

Photographer EMILIE JACKSON Emilie is a second year Art, English and Business Secondary teacher. She likes eating blueberries, can be convinced of most conspiracy theories, thinks 45 minute naps are the most effective, tends to avoid butterflies and if given the choice would have her life narrated by David Attenborough.

Guest writer AMITY BRADFORD Amity is a fourth year Secondary Education student who really should own shares in a conditioner company considering how much she uses for her hair. Amity is a marshmallow obsessed country bumpkin at heart.

Wellness writer SAM WHITE Sam is a student studying Counselling with a minor in Communications. She has a passion for reading and psychology. Spends the majority of her time working at Rejuve or with her nose in a book.

Guest writer JAY BORROTT Jay is in his third year of Primary teaching. Most people call him legend, though he calls himself Jay. He thoroughly enjoys a well organised cupboard and can often be found at KFC most evenings despite having the rear end of a dinner plate.

Interview with a pastor

FIRST THINGS FIRST, I HAVE A HABIT OF SHORTENING PEOPLE’S NAMES, SO, IS IT PR NORM OR NORMAN?! WHAT DO YOU PREFER? Either or… I will answer to both. For convenience, let’s go to Norm.

WHAT IS YOUR OFFICIAL POSITION AT COLLEGE CHURCH? Hmm…Yes, official

sounds so formal. But in the spirit of disclosure, the government and my employer would officially call me a Minister of Religion. My role in the College context is to serve as Lead Pastor for our team and church community. What that looks like as a position in the kingdom/governance of God is more like a chief servant of our College Community.

WE KNOW YOU ARE JOINING US FROM GATEWAY, BUT WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU PASTORED WITHIN AUSTRALIA OR EVEN GLOBALLY? Like others

on campus I have made the journey from Avondale School Campus (Gateway Church) down the road to Avondale University College Campus. Before that, I served for 11 years at Papatoetoe SDA Church in South Auckland, New Zealand. Yet, when I talk you will most likely pick up a slight South African accent, where I served as pastor for Abundant Life Mission Group in Dundee, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa in 2006. In 2005, I had three churches in my first year of full-time service as pastor of Strand, Somerset West & Hermanus SDA Churches in the Western Cape, South Africa. So for those who follow Rugby Union, it has been a TriNations journey so far!

WHAT LED YOU TO MINISTRY? I always wanted to be a Doctor. That was my ambition since

primary school. However, numerous encounters, a discontentment at a reality I faced and, if I am honest, a girl led to me enrolling in a Bachelor of Theology at Helderberg College in Somerset West, South Africa. The girl, you may ask? Well, I got the girl and now we are in our 17th year of marriage, blessed with two beautiful kids, Noah (6) and Ava (3).

WAS THERE A PARTICULAR MOMENT YOU FELT GOD PROPHESY THIS OVER YOUR LIFE OR HAS IT BEEN SOMETHING YOU HAVE ALWAYS FELT CALLED TO DO? The discontentment. Many of my high school friends walked away from faith in

God. Why? What caused this? How come they decided that faith or trust in God was no longer an option for them? Was faith or belief in God no longer credible, reasonable, rational or sustainable? What could I do to help young people transition their faith from being an idea or custom or philosophy to being a relevant lifegiving power that leads to vitality and purpose in their lives?

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR AND THE PASTORAL TEAM’S VISION FOR COLLEGE CHURCH OVER 2021? This year is the year of “RE”. God is in the business of RE. God

redeems, renews, restores, reconciles, reconnects, rebuilds, resets, reignites…etc. The question is: what do you need God to “RE” in your life? What do we need God to “RE” on campus? What do we need God to “RE” in our community? My hope and my prayer is that as we invite God to do what only God can do in us that we all will experience REVIVAL in 2021.

NOW FOR THE IMPORTANT QUESTION, ARE YOU A COFFEE DRINKER? IF YES, WHAT IS YOUR BREW OF CHOICE? I do appreciate the antioxidant-rich natural brews

that are served at Cafe Rejuve by our amazing team of helpers. As for the brew of choice, well that depends on the time of day and company I am in. So hit me up for a cuppa to find out.

YES, WE COULDN’T AGREE MORE! LET’S PROPHESY THAT REVIVAL ON CAMPUS THIS YEAR! THANKS, PR NORM, WE’LL SEE YOU IN REJUVE FOR THAT CUPPA.

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Plant Hacks Cassie Saunders

Plants are one of the best ways to bring colour and life to your room at College. Plants help purify the air, boost productivity and reduce stress; which is excellent for study environments. Purchasing one or two plants (or three or four or even more) from a nursery or Bunnings is a cheap way to brighten your dorm room. Start adulting and move from fake plants to real ones in a few easy steps: 1.Buy plants that require little to no work. These include trailing plants, small shrubs and succulents. 2.Keep plants in their plastic pot. Instead of buying plants and potting them directly into a cute pot that you bought at Kmart, keep them in their original plastic pot; sit that inside your Kmart pot. This will make it easier when watering because you can lift it straight out of the pot, and water can drain out the bottom. If you do repot your plant, be sure your new pot has plenty of drainage. a. HOT TIP 1: Put a few large pebbles at the bottom of your pot to allow water to drain away easier so your plants don’t get root rot. 3.Water when necessary. It’s super easy to tell when your plants need water, just push a finger into the soil, if your finger comes out clean your plant is

thirsty, if you have damp soil on your finger, leave the plant alone. When watering, place the plant in a sink or outside and pour water in. Plants can have dry patches in their soil, so be sure to pour water around the entire surface. Don’t let your plants become bone dry and wilt, the sudden water shock can cause your plants to die. Between watering, you can spray your plants using a spray bottle. Enough to wet the top of the soil and leaves can be a great boost for plants. a.HOT TIP 1: Put your plants in the shower and turn on the cold water. This will help to clean your leaves and water them. Leave them under the direct shower for 5min and allow to drain completely for easy watering. b.HOT TIP 2: Spray your succulents and cacti. They’ll be happier with a spray instead of wet roots. 4.Location in your room. Different plants need different amounts of light and water. It’s easy to research whether your plant requires a shaded area or direct sunlight. If you notice your plant has burnt tips on the edges of leaves or is turning yellow/brown, try to move it to a new location and don’t water it. Don’t be afraid to cut off a yellow leaf or burnt edge! 5.Bug problems? If you find that

you’ve got some little bugs flying around your plant, your soil has become a hosting ground. Allow your plant some sun time to dry the soil. If you notice white bugs on your leaves, create a solution of dish soap and water in a spray bottle, spray directly onto the underside of the leaves, or cut off the leaves with bugs. Insects can travel quickly and infect your other pots, get onto the issue sooner rather than later. If you’re worried about anything, Google is your best friend. Plants usually come with a little tag which describes the required water and sun amounts for plants, keep them by pushing them inside the rim of the pot so you can refer to it later. I’ve overwatered, under-watered, burnt and caused root rot in many plants; you learn as you go. Just be aware that once you buy one, it might be hard to stop! Cassie’s recommended plant choice for a college room: -Devils Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) -Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) -Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera) -Zebra succulent (Haworthia fasciata) -Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) - Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) - Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) Enjoy plant parenthood!

Messy Media Amity Bradford

THE ULTIMATE HORSE GIRL MOVIE REVIEW “The story that I want to tell you cannot be found in a book. They say the history of the West was written from the saddle of a horse, but it’s never been told from the heart of one, not till now”. Spirit: The Stallion of the Cimarron is a 2002 animated adventure film that follows the life journey of Spirit, a wild stallion captured during the American Indian War by the United States Cavalry. During this time, Spirit meets a Native American called Little Creek, who he befriends and escapes the Cavalry camp after a battle of wills with the Colonel. Together, Spirit and Little Creek work to outsmart and outrun the United States Cavalry in an iconic canyon chase, complete with an impressive leap to freedom. This film has a rotten tomato rating of 70% and was nominated for Best Animated Feature in the 2003 Academy Awards. As none of the animals in the film speak aloud, facial expressions, body language and the occasional neigh serve as the only horse communication. The film is told from Spirits perspective, with his inner thoughts are narrated by the one and only, Matt Damon. The dialogue is not complex (although I can’t imagine a horse having extremely complicated thoughts) and appropriate for all viewers with a G rating. I would

argue Damon’s work in this film is arguably his best voiceover work. However, given that his role is primarily voice acting, it does not take away from the fact that this film is a cinematic masterpiece. This film captures the landscape’s seasonal beauty and dynamic natural elements of water, earth, and fire. The traditional handdrawn 2D graphics in this film are phenomenal, especially for the early 2000s.

eventual trust sees Spirit develop a special bond with Little Creek. I only have one issue with this movie as the sceptic in me questions the logistic of Spirits giant leap of faith. How did Spirit jump 200 meters of open-air to the other side of the canyon with such a little run-up? How did he do it with Little Creek on his back? Is he actually Pegasus from Hercules reincarnate? I guess we’ll never know.

The soundtrack of Spirit is insane, by far my favourite element of the entire film. Canadian musician Bryan Adams and award-winning German film score producer Hans Zimmer work to produce an iconic, fifteen-track movie score. The music resonates beautifully with every theme and emotion that the storyline conveys. This musical cohesion allows the journey of emotions in Spirit as you watch the movie.

This movie offers a lot to appreciate; the sweeping vistas of the American West, majestic canyons, herds of buffalo migrating over the great plains, wild horses breaking across riverbeds and more. This is a visually stunning film that may be too predictable and politically correct for adults. However, it should serve children well as it is only 86 minutes long. This is a perfect movie to watch if you’re babysitting, want to listen to a killer soundtrack or are a horse girl at heart.

There is an unmistakable theme of loyalty and the need to return home to protect your loved ones. This is an admirable trait for a horse with eyebrows; however, this sense of loyalty and family gets Spirit into more trouble than he initially imagined. Spirit eventually learns through his ‘romance’ with Rain (a horse, lol) that it is okay to trust humans and that he actually needs Little Creek’s help to escape. The realisation of this mutually beneficial relationship and

WO / WHAT STORY DOES YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS TELL ABOUT YOU? My mum will

never miss an opportunity to talk about my childhood days when I loved to create music videos. Ask her for video evidence. On second thought, please don’t.

THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP EVERY DAY IS? Knowing that I get to go back to sleep at the end of the day.

WHAT IS THE BEST/WORST GIFT YOU’VE EVER GIVEN/RECEIVED?

My friend bought me tickets to a One Direction concert in 2015 and it’s still the best gift I have ever received.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Famous on TikTok. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG OFF TRIPLE J’S HOTTEST 100 2020 LIST? Every song by Spacey Jane. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TV SHOW? WHAT IS IT? Yes! The Office. I could re-watch it forever.

HAS THERE BEEN A PARTICULAR ADVENTURE OR EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD AT COLLEGE SO FAR THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET? So

many. Pro tip: spontaneous decisions always turn out to make the best memories.

Margaret Graham WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING HERE AT COLLEGE? Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)

DO YOU LIVE ON OR OFFCAMPUS? WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE? I lived on campus during

my first semester and it was so much fun! I prefer living at home now because I enjoy being able to eat and sleep at my leisure.

IF YOU COULD BE ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Princess Aurora, so I could sleep for 100 years.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU MEET? Harry Styles. WHAT SONGS ARE INCLUDED ON THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFE? The entire “So Fresh” discography.

/ MAN Ooo actually Samson too, he’s probably bigger than ‘The Rock’ right?

WHAT SONGS ARE INCLUDED ON THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFE?

Lol, probably a whole heap of slow sad love songs. Oh and Maverick City Music for sure!!

WHAT STORY DOES YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS TELL ABOUT YOU? It depends

Alfie Moses

on who you ask! I am a saint in all of my auntie’s eyes, but my mum says differently.

WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING HERE AT COLLEGE? Bachelor of Nursing.

I’m not much of a gifted person so I wouldn’t know for sure. Maybe a hug? You can figure out if that’s a good or bad gift because I don’t know. I like using the ‘my presence is the present’ line!

DO YOU LIVE ON OR OFFCAMPUS? WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE? Home for me is

Queensland but for the semester I will be living on campus. So far it’s been pretty awesome, got heaps of friends to do fun, dumb stuff with and studying obviously.

IF YOU COULD BE ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? I’m still not

sure about which ones when it comes to the fictional and non-fictional, but I think fictional is made up, if I’m wrong don’t hate. I would be THOR!! Because Chris Hemsworth plays the character.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU MEET? Chris Hemsworth obviously….

THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP EVERY DAY IS? Sleeping in. WHAT IS THE BEST/WORST GIFT YOU’VE EVER GIVEN/RECEIVED?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Can I still play in the NBA? WHAT IS YOUR AVOURITE SONG OFF TRIPLE J’S HOTTEST 100 2020 LIST? ‘So Done’ by Kid LAROI, like who broke him sheesh

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TV SHOW? WHAT IS IT? Yes, I do, there are

heaps to choose from and I’m indecisive so yeah.

HAS THERE BEEN A PARTICULAR ADVENTURE OR EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD AT COLLEGE SO FAR THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET?

Ooo heck yasss! Footy with the boys every Saturday after church at the beach, and the Qld team absolutely wrecking them.

TheJen PetOG’s rie In my two and a bit years of being at Avondale, four words come to mind to describe Jenifer Petrie’s vibe: calm, orderly, sophisticated and composed. If you are a student, you may have seen her around, in Café Rejuve, her office (located in College hall), or just walking around campus – which would have been a result of a meeting she was either going to or leaving from. On a sunny Thursday afternoon during the January break, I was able to catch her in a quiet moment between meetings to ask her a few questions, get to know her a little more, and get her opinions on a few controversial topics voiced by students.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF? Ok, so my name is Jenifer Petrie; I am married to Kevin Petrie and have two children. One of them is married, is a registered nurse, and is starting their life in Coffs Harbour. I also have a daughter –Dana, a teacher at Ipswich Adventist School in Brisbane. Both children came through Avondale College and loved their experience. It is where they found their vocational calling and cemented themselves spiritually. They both had great Avondale experiences.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PASSIONS/ HOBBIES AND INTERESTS? I am passionate about the hospitality area, getting

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people together. I love the food, having people around the table and providing a wonderful dining experience. I love going out walking with my dogs, sunset strolls along the beach, knitting, interior design and reading when I can get the chance.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE SPOT? I tend

to try places like Trinity Point or Newcastle because it reminds me of the Melbourne vibe. Before coming here, we lived in Melbourne for six years, and I just loved the food and café culture. I find that Newcastle is my Melbourne fix in terms of the food and the cafes.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION HERE AT AVONDALE? My position is

Director of Student Life Services. It is a department set up to support and enrich the students by providing a range of nonacademic services and amenities. So for us, that looks like three threads that come out of student life services. These strands are called ‘life after five’, which incorporates social life, sporting life, and another little pocket called ‘learn to thrive’. This consists of counselling, equity, tutors and our new student mentors program. The entire concept around this is to connect the students to the Avondale community, which leads to connecting to the Avondale

experience. While we recognise that academics are essential, we also realise that it is important to have a life outside of that. We feed into these social hubs that we have created, for example, College hall and the study area outside of the bookstore (which isn’t quite finished – but are working towards it). We are working to develop these student hub spaces, and we encourage students to get together, meet and connect. We wanted to achieve a multi-purpose space to help facilitate that community.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR PREVIOUS POSITIONS? I initially came to

College in 2014 as the girl’s dean, I then came back in 2016 to do that same position, and then in 2017 to be the director of student life services. But before Avondale, I was in the public university sector, working in accommodation and student life, which I was a part of for 17 years. I find that this role is familiar territory.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST WHILE WORKING AS THE GIRL’S DEAN? I loved

working as the girl’s dean for Ella Boyd; I enjoyed being witness to the student’s transformation. Seeing someone coming in as shy, reserved and not too sure what they are capable of, then seeing them blossom and finding platforms where their voice will be

heard, developed, and they can use that. The next thing you know, they are up the front and leading out – using their talents. Helping the girl’s and their transformation process come through and then going out and making a difference in their world I found special. Another thing that I particularly enjoyed was sharing the joys of those who had their significant other pop the question, or for those sharing that they got a job, I thought it was really lovely to be a part of that.

WHILE BEING AT AVONDALE, WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORIES? Recently, in

this particular role, it’s things like graduation, it may seem a bit odd, but just sharing in the joy with students when they get their certificates and get through. For some students, I have been privy to their stories and their struggles, and I feel like that silent proud parent going you did it, you got through – so those moments stick firmly in my head. Other memories would be just seeing people being transformed through the spiritual programs, in particular, Festival of Faith. Seeing them decide they want to commit their life to God, using their talents and abilities, seeing them step and make that commitment brings me a lot of joy.

HAVE YOU SEEN A CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY BETWEEN GENDERS SINCE OPEN DORMS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED? I found this an interesting question; from my perspective, I would say no. The purpose of open dorms was to create an alternative meeting place for residential students. So I guess with that now being

cancelled, girls can still bring their girlfriends into Ella Boyd, and the Boys can bring their guy friends into Watson (now it has since changed with the COVID restrictions), so that aspect hasn’t changed. When I look at Avondale with what we have to offer and create spaces to connect, we have quite a few of these spaces outside the res halls. For example, in Watson Hall, the foyer is a public space, so guys and girls can still meet there and hang out. We have beautiful spaces around campus, and we are developing these student hubs now. We have ‘Snack Shack’ that opens right through till midnight, and I see the Auditorium as a connection point. From my perspective, I feel they are not disadvantaged because there are so many other options.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON SPLITTING THE DORM AND FOOD FEES FOR ‘ON CAMPUS’ STUDENTS? IS THIS SOMETHING THAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT SOON? One of our visions,

as part of the overall arch of Student Life Services, is to provide accommodation options that meet the student’s needs. We very much advocated strongly to create independent living options for students, so think of the student cottages, Ella house, and Watson house. Another thing that we realised is important if you want to attract students to live on campus, you need to provide accommodation options. I have been advocating very strongly for that very question behind the scenes to split the accommodation from the meal package, not forcing everyone through the same accommodation package.

With our recent renovations in the Ella Boyd kitchens, I feel like it’s a step in the right direction to get that setup. In my response to your question on whether I think it’s something that students can expect shortly, I am hopeful.

FINALLY, WHAT WOULD BE SOME TIPS/TRICKS THAT YOU WOULD GIVE STUDENTS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE ‘ULTIMATE AVONDALE XP’? In our last interviews

for student leadership in 2021, one of the questions I asked the students was “, we talk about this Avondale experience, what is it, what does it feel like and what it means to you?” What came out of that very clearly was the sense of belonging and connectedness, and I thought that was incredible. To get the ultimate experience, I think, is to come and live on campus, even if it is just for one semester because there is so much happening there. I would also say to get involved! I know for many people, and even I would have found it hard to do that. Back to my younger self, I would be way too shy and embarrassed because I didn’t have the confidence to get up there in things like singing or playing a little piano. College has a lot of opportunities to get involved through sport, spiritual programs and even with your friends exploring new places like New Castle or Sydney Central, going to Catho’s or even just the 2 am Macca runs. So yeah, I would say if you can live on campus and get involved as much as possible. Make the most of it because your years here will go incredibly quickly and embrace the good stuff while it’s here.

Wellness with sam SILENT SUFFERING AND THE DANGERS OF ASSUMPTIONS In high school, I found it difficult to do simple tasks because of how depressed and iron-deficient I was. I avoided doing my homework and putting effort into my schoolwork because I saw it all as meaningless. To my parents, teachers, and friends, I was lazy and unbothered. I was often consumed with watching YouTube and napping. I wish back then that my teachers, peers, and my family were willing to look deeper into why I acted this way. Why I would break down over assignments and completely give up on studying for exams. This is a common dilemma, is it not? No one else can experience your life or feel your emotions. We feel isolated and ignored when we are suffering, as though we are the only ones who struggle. Making assumptions based on surface-level behaviours, facial expressions, body language, and appearance is very harmful and can cause these feelings of neglect and separation. There are ways to reach the root of these things in a kind and supportive manner which create a better conversation between strangers, friends, and family. It can be hard to notice when a person is struggling if they display happy characteristics with facial expressions and body

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language. At times we can fall under a false impression that a person’s behaviour is an indicator as to what they are feeling or thinking on the inside. People are not always projecting their true emotions on their face, but in reality, could be wearing a mask. In an episode of ‘Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations’, Oprah speaks to Malcolm Gladwell about his book ‘Talking to Strangers’ and Gladwell brings up the dangers of assumption when reading a stranger’s physical representation. Gladwell brings up the horrifically tragic case of Sandra Bland who was a victim of police brutality and took her own life in her jail cell two days after the incident. The police officer made a harmful judgement based upon the colour of Bland’s skin and the tone she took with him when asked to put out her cigarette. The Officer assumed that Bland was argumentative and threatening, which resulted in her arrest and shortly thereafter, her death. Gladwell points out that we see people and make an instant conclusion about them instead of taking the time to dig deeper and understand one another. People suffer in silence daily and perhaps be too scared to speak up out in fear of being a burden or genuinely not knowing where to start or who to talk to. What we can do as a community is be more compassionate and less quick to judge. Having a genuine

heart to heart with someone can lift their mood and even be an encouragement for them to reach out and get the help they need. The senseless case of Sandra Bland brings to light the extreme consequences of assumptions and serves as a reminder to us that talking to strangers and even our friends and loved ones genuinely and open-minded can have better outcomes. Many people will show their inward emotions openly most of the time but for some, this isn’t as easy. We need to consider that people suffering in silence will tend to isolate themselves or mask what they are experiencing. There is no and never will be feelings of shame about what you are going through and as humans, we all have highs and lows, and for some those lows last a very long time. Let your peers know they are heard, and their feelings are valid. Avoid gaslighting or invalidating someone who is trying to express their feelings as they may begin to suppress their emotions and no longer seek support. Although you may not relate or understand what they are experiencing, it does not mean it does not hurt them and we don’t need to understand, we just need to listen. As we all invite a brand-new semester in 2021, let’s start off with open arms to strangers and friends and let them know that here at Avondale, you will not suffer in silence.

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The Unpresidential Debate Danika Fatnowna and Jeremy Borrott ‘spill the tea’ (or flat white!) on what spot on campus is the most studious place to hustle and get that essay written: Rejuve or the library.

REJUVE, THE PLACE TO BE I’ve always had an instinctual aversion to air conditioning, getting into trouble and quiet spaces. For this reason, I have developed some avoidance behaviours that lead me into only comfortable and familiar situations. These behaviours include diligently following rules, driving with the windows down, and studying in Rejuve instead of the library. If you do not know, Café Rejuve is the Avondale University College watering hole. You can get your caffeine fix, socialise with your fellow peers, or put your headphones in and hustle on that overdue assignment. Need a cheeky 5-minute break? Have a friendly chat with one of the baristas, a lecturer, or a fellow hard-working student. The library is Rejuve’s austere older sister. Rejuve will charm your socks off, take you on a date, and have you begging for more. The library will tell you to shush at the cinemas during the ads. It wasn’t too far into last year’s 22

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second semester when I attempted to make use of the library. Now, I understand the current climate we live in and that health and safety should always be the priority, but that silent scold I received from behind the desk when I did not remember to hand sanitise cut me too deep. I like to consider myself a reasonable person, so I didn’t yell out, “I literally just sanitised my hands in the foyer” in the middle of a silent library. Instead, I capitulated and subjected my hands to another spray of sanny. Overwhelming feelings of guilt and annoyance crushed my dreams of being a studious library girl. I’ve never been reprimanded in Rejuve, but I have finished assignments, studied for tests, and had some of the best banter Avondale can offer. You may not always get the exact coffee you ordered, but you do get some good effort… keep trying Hobson. Our little college café may seem modest and quirky upon first glance, with its charcoal walls, orange accents, and plastic ferns, but a quote I read on Google sums up the magic of Rejuve quite well, “The big moments are the

tiny moments. The breakthroughs are often silent, and they happen in the most unassuming places.” I’m gonna say that Rejuve is one of those unassuming places.

- DANIKA FATNOWNA

REJUVE, SCHMEJUVE The human brain - not to be confused with the human, Brian - is capable of developing some of the most steadfast convictions, albeit seeded in utter lies. The mind boggles over trivial matters such as toilet paper orientation if sleeping with socks on is a trait of a psychopath or just straight insanity, and whether statements like ‘being alone is empowering’ is the encouraging mantra of a strong individual or the helpless cry of a recluse desperate for companionship. Regardless of who you are or the scientific facts you may have, your opinion will always be questionable to some and outright wrong to others. However, there is one topic that deserves more attention than it gets. There is too much concentration on silly things, like whether you are supposed to indicate off a round-a-bout, and not the real issues of the world: studying in the library is far superior to studying in Rejuve. I am a firm believer that the best defence is an even stronger offence. Thus, Rejuve Schmejuve. I can hardly comprehend one of the busiest and noisiest spaces on campus being an ‘optimum study environment’. Rejuve is just a place for perception management. The real reason people go to study in Rejuve is in the hopes that someone saves you from having to endure one more draining moment researching the bes ways to pass an exam you haven’t t

studied for. I imagine that the type of people that go to Rejuve to ‘study’ are the same types of people who go to Maccas for the ‘salad’…sorry mate, you’re not fooling anyone. I pivot now to point out some benefits of the fountain of knowledge that is the Avondale Library. As soon as you walk through those glass doors, you are hit in the nostrils with a profuse smell of wisdom that can only come from a weathered compendium. Not to mention, the library provides many-a-study room with a range of seating so you can pick and choose those key people in your life you want next to you as you expand your brain and better your mind. Not to mention, the view from that middle study room…absolute stunner! Few have realised that some of the books in the Library actually help with study. Studies have shown that studying in study spaces with books people have studied to write could assist in better study… at least I imagine. Good luck getting the answers to question 14 B from the inside of a coffee cup. I have also been told that you get a great vantage point from the quiet study spaces down to Rejuve to spot those newly formed couples that plague the campus. This means you’re not only learning about your field but also about your peers - #AvondaleXP. You’re getting the inside scoop on all the ‘haps’ before it gets leaked in an impromptu and not-so-secret dorm room get-together. If this has made you question your place of study, good! Support your local and grab that coffee from Rejuve but then make your way to the library. Wake up and smell the books.

- JEREMY BORROTT

#avondalexp

keep tagging #avondalexp pics to be featuredeven if it’s a fav avondale memory or throwback!

the voice

Bai’s Corner ‘SO, NO ONE TOLD YOU LIFE WAS GOING TO BE THIS WAY…’ “When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year”. Could the FRIENDS theme song BE any more relevant for such a time as this? In fact, I do not think it has ever not been relevant and if you have a differing opinion, bite me! The endless jokes aside, we are living in a completely different world to what we imagined at the beginning of the new decade. It’s safe to say that we did not know life would turn out this way (controversial opinion: Big Brother definitely knew). One thing we, as a global collective, have all struggled with over the past year – and I assume will continue to struggle with – is our everyday freedoms. Our physical freedoms we were used to holding were grossly challenged and changed in 2020. Due to travel restrictions, we could not visit friends and family who lived a certain distance from us, and travelling interstate was risky business. Activities like going shopping or going to the cinema were taken away for a certain amount of time. These things we abided by so we could #staysafe as a nation. Just when we thought it was all over, second waves of that dreaded virus we won’t name crashed on the Northern Beaches in Sydney, and our European friends are still currently experiencing much worse. In Brisbane, there was a hasty lockdown to contain the new UK strain of the virus. Will we ever

get back the freedom we once had? That’s rhetorical because as if I, a 20-year-old uni student, can answer that question. Only time will tell friends. In the time of our youth, we see freedom as the feeling of growing up, gaining independence, and even rebelling. Freedom is coming of age. I think the children that are growing up in this new world during and post-pandemic could have a different perspective. They will see freedom as a blessing and responsibility. Something we may not have realised until now. Oh, 2020, the year that lasted a century. I mean, I am pretty sure I aged 10 years in April alone. Case and point: those wrinkles under my eyes and from my nose scrunch no longer completely disappear (LOL). Our sunburnt country came to a halt and all we could do was literally sit and see what was going to happen next. Coffee, memes and ‘socially distanced’ walks outside got me through those crazy months that whacked us in the face like the Whomping Willow. COVID-19 (oooop I said its name) wasn’t the only mind-boggling event to capture the planet’s attention. Christopher Nolan’s Tenet had us beguiled then confused for … well I am still confused now, and it has been over six months. In earnestness, 2020 identified that racial injustice was still prevalent, environmental change and issues were now on the back burner, and democracy was under threat. It was an absolute mystifying and, to a large portion, unjust year. As I am sure you would agree,

our autonomy as citizens of this country and of the planet was greatly challenged and altered thanks to the year that was. Here we stand well into the New Year thinking, ‘what the heck is going to happen next?’ Or is that just me? ‘So, no one told you life was going to be this way?’ Yeah, last year was not what we expected, and it is easy to get stuck on and pulled down by every negative event and moment that amalgamated into the year that was. Last year was a catalyst for change. As we move into this next season and year, I am letting go of the fear and negativity that I once held onto. I am choosing to be conscious of the thoughts and intentions that I am putting out into the world. I hope you can do the same. I hope we can realise the weight and significance of our freedom. Not just as citizens of Australia but of the world. No matter the amount you have, what are you going to do with your freedom? With freedom comes privilege and rhetoric that needs to be stewarded. What we do with our freedom is utterly important during this moment in time. There is power in freedom. Use it wisely. Use it purposefully. Use it for the greater good. Who knows what 2021 will throw our way. The 20s are unknown territory. But unlike Elsa, let us not be afraid to go into the unknown (don’t @ me, Frozen II is spiritually woke and hilarious). Do not let fear reside. I have faith in us. With freedom there’s hope, there’s revival. I can feel the winds of change. Let’s go! The best is yet to come.

In Highschool. In College. In Life. Sally-Mae Herford

In high school, looking back on the person I was; I confess, I barely recognised her. I genuinely believe most of us can sympathize that our high school years were our peek. I remember my grandmother telling me at the very impressionable age of eighteen, “oh Sally! You must get some professional photos taken of you; you’ll never be this pretty again.” As much as her comment will forever be a contributor to my deteriorating self-confidence, she had a point. In high school, much like Jack on the Titanic, you feel on top of the world, having survived tedious exams, unhealthy relationships, hormonal acne, friendship dramas and finally graduated, with still no real responsibilities for anyone but yourself. And then, you start applying for degrees or start your first job and slowly begin fading into the next phase of your life almost seamlessly. In college, a year down the road you begin to miss the early morning roll calls, waiting in line at the canteen, catching the bus with friends, the weekend sleepovers and the after school Maccas trips. This new phase holds a multitude of new experiences that now come with a lot more freedom. You realise you don’t have to get up for every early morning class if you don’t want to, you buy things that you’ve earnt with your own money, you no longer have to catch a bus or wait for your parents to pick you up, overprotective parents don’t need to know where you are every second and you start to realise the effects Maccas has on your body and decide to switch to the healthier choice, Subway. Granted these things are just the trivial surface issues, the top layer of ice covering a growing deepness, the outward exterior to keep up appearances. Physically you are growing, learning, experiencing but mentally you’re hurting, loving, and hating differently too. You become so much more aware of the ripple effects of your actions and how you have the power to change the lives around you. Sometimes what I miss the most about my high school years is the admissible selfishness. There you were at the centre of the universe, you were the main character, and everyone else was merely extras, sipping coffee and filling empty spaces in the background, your friends were the co-stars to the feature film that was your life. But now, you’ve started to realise that each person 28

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you come across is living a different life as full and vivid as your own and you begin paying attention to those lives, you laugh because they laugh, you hate what they hate, you love what they love, and you hurt cause they’re hurting. Not in a conformist kind of way, but in the way that you deeply care about these people enough to invest your fears, triumphs and loves in them knowing they have been through the same emotions and would do the same for you. You start to learn from other people’s mistakes around you and realise the advice you were given as a child actually held familiar merit. However, you still go ahead and make those mistakes again and again, just in case they happen to work the next time. In life, it is a terribly beautiful and painful thing, growing up, exposing your anxieties and weaknesses to the world, realising that you may be the background character in someone else’s life. And that it’s okay to be the co-star every once in a while. You can be the friend that sends the ‘are you okay’ text, the one who always shows up when someone needs compassion or simply the hype person in the background filling in space. As long as you remember that you are the main character in your story. It’s difficult reminding yourself of that every day. Yes, there will be many days that you don’t remember, but then those days will always be followed by magnificent sunsets, by someone remembering your coffee order, a positive reply to that risky text, a perfectly ripe avocado, or even an unsolicited hug from mum. The Bohemian-Austrian poet and novelist, Rainer Maria Rilke writes on these idyllic phases of adolescent life in his poem ‘Go to the Limits of Your Longing’ saying, ‘let everything happen to you, beauty and terror, just keep going, no feeling is final.’

CAITLIN CAREY: This is such a relevant topic

The Forum AUTHENTICITY AND SPEAKING OUT IN THE DIGITAL ERA

Lynnette Lounsbury and Caitlin Carey discuss how to steward authenticity and speaking out in a time when opinions are at our fingertips.

to me; it is something I have often been thinking about and delving into the past year or so. To begin, I believe being authentic means that what one believes is congruent with what one says, and what one says is congruent with what one does. How one acts should be a direct indicator of how they feel and what they believe. These core beliefs define us, and they must be true and substantial. This core belief could be as simple as AFL is better than rugby or as deep as believing in intersectional equality. In today’s day and age, it seems so simple for people to form beliefs as there has been an influx of quick and easy media for us to consume. Children, youth, and adults alike are forming firm opinions based on information they read on Facebook, Instagram or Buzzfeed, rather than journal articles, primary documents, or books. This can be incredibly toxic, especially when it comes to topics regarding politics and religion. In saying this, I do not believe social media (or media in general) is all bad. It can be an incredible platform to read about or see people that are different to us and hear their points of view. After all, one cannot make an informed decision if they only are aware of one choice. We cannot be knowledgeable about the world and form real beliefs if we do not experience anything outside of our “normal”. So, while I do believe social media can be a massive negative when it comes to making informed and knowledgeable decisions (and forming core beliefs), I do believe it has a place to broaden our horizons and see other points of view. Whether we agree with what we see or hear is irrelevant, it is important to hear it and learn more about others and ourselves. I stay authentic to myself by making sure my beliefs are well researched, well informed and realistic. As well as, ensuring that what I say and how I behave align with these core beliefs and values. This is definitely hard, and I find myself slipping more than I want but that’s part of being human and part of learning. But I whole-heartedly find it easier to stay true and authentic when I know I have a reason to believe what I do.

LYNNETTE LOUNSBURY:

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I agree with

Caitlin’s definition of authenticity – it is a strong connection between beliefs and actions, really living out the ideas that are meaningful to you and I find it is much harder to practice than it actually sounds. I have strong beliefs about social equality, the environment, and race and gender equality, but always speaking out, always making considered choices about what I purchase and how I live is time-consuming, emotionally draining and at times terrifying, and so living authentically is actually something that comes at a cost. I do try hard to stay flexible and to let empathy guide me. When I learn more about someone else’s life and situation, I allow my beliefs and actions to evolve to encompass this new information and understanding. I’ve learned that one of the most beautiful things is finding out you were wrong about something and being able to change. It feels like enlightenment and growth and it feels strong. I’ve actually found social media incredible for broadening my perspective. Of course, there is a lot of time-wasting nonsense on there, but I have tried over the last couple of years to specifically follow voices I don’t hear in my everyday life, particularly activists for under or misrepresented groups. I follow disability community activists, people fighting for racial and gender equality, people from the trans and queer community, body positivity activists, environmentalists, immunologists etc. I try to make sure I am listening to a lot of different voices and it has taught me a lot (specifically how much I don’t know about other people’s experiences!). It does regularly make me question my beliefs and I think that is valuable – we SHOULD question our beliefs if they conflict with evidence or if they restrict someone else’s freedoms or lives. I question myself daily and I really hope it makes me a wiser person. That said – there is some toxic noise on the internet as well and I do curate out anything that is dangerous or exhausting in its messages of hate, fear or of conspiracies with absolutely no basis in fact. I absolutely agree with Caitlin that evidence, experience and listening to the lived perspectives of others helps keep my beliefs as authentic as possible.

CC : Wow, Lynnette makes an incredible point. It can absolutely be time-consuming, emotionally

draining, and terrifying to live a truly authentic life. I find this especially true when communicating with friends and family whom I know do not share my views. The number of topics that are “off-limits” especially in the church, is astronomical. Something I have really struggled with recently is knowing how to be authentic when I think/know that my personal views do not align with my church or even the bible. Some topics that come to mind are racial equality, gender equality, sexual equality, these are topics that many churches are continually disagreeing over. So, what do you do when you love a church, but you are passionately for something that they are passionately against? I am still figuring out the answer to that question and many more, but for now, I am comfortable in the knowledge that God is the most important aspect of religion, not the church. And one does not need to agree with everything in order to be a member. I also believe this applies to any area of life, you do not need to have all the same beliefs/values as your friends, family, or colleagues in order to still be a “member” of the group. In fact, sometimes having differing views can be beautiful as you can learn so much from one another. Being open to learning about other people’s lives and experiences is vital in living an authentic lifestyle. As Jason Hinze loves to tell us EDUC students, we are all lifelong learners.

LL :Caitlin is right – it is hard to be out of alignment with people you care about. I do think being authentic in the face of disagreement is something you become more comfortable with over time. I have also learned that if you take on ideas and beliefs you are taught and don’t actively test them against evidence and experience, you can find yourself in situations where you are clearly in the wrong and hurting someone else because you never actually considered or understood their experience. I think the most important way to test an opinion in the end is against love – am I showing love in the way I act in this situation? Jesus actively broke many religious taboos to show love and I think it was his way of pointing out that nothing matters more than compassion for other people. I try to remember that when I speak, act, vote and give.

VOICE

The Voice Issue #1 March 2021

Articles inside

THE FORUM

THE UNPRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

WELLNESS WITH SAM

BAI’S CORNER

IN HIGHSCHOOL

MESSY MEDIA

THE OGS

PLANT HACKS