VOICE
Volume 3
NOV 2023
FROM THE EDITOR “It seems impossible until it is done” – Nelson Mandela. The first time I truly felt a need to persevere in university was the day I walked into Foundations of Wellbeing as a nervous first year. I was fresh out of high school and eager to do well, but I had heard a rumour about this class which had be nervous. A rumour about a 10km run. Now some of you are smiling as you read this because you know exactly what I’m talking about. As the first class began and we were greeted by the unmatched enthusiasm of Jason and Darren, I noticed myself, and my peers, had begun to relax. But as the weeks progressed and the 10kms loomed, my heart started to pound once more. Looking back, I feel ridiculous. I had nothing to be scared of. Everyone was so focussed on getting it over with that they had no time to judge anyone else’s ability (or in my case, lack-thereof). But at the time I thought (quite dramatically) that there was no chance I could finish the course. A few weeks before when we completed a mere 4kms I felt like the walking dead. How would I face 10? And a larger, even more ridiculous fear also loomed. Would my slowness make me late for work? (The horror!).
Ironically on the day the threat of rain and being late for work gave me an ability I didn’t know I had and crossing the finish line right beside a seasoned runner felt like a dream. Apparently, the surprise was not only mine, as other finishers who knew of my usually poor performances looked on in poorly disguised astonishment. To this day, for some unknown reason, the smile on Darren Morton’s face as he read my time is one of my proudest achievements. As I write this many students are sitting their HSC exams or are writing the last lines of their final assignments for their degrees. When I think of how impossible their journeys must have seemed at the outset, I cannot imagine how astonished they must be to see the finish line fast approaching. In honour of our soon-to-be graduates, this issue is centred around the theme of perseverance, and the publications team hope that reflecting on how much you’ve achieved in your time here will give you the courage to face whatever lies ahead. As wiser souls than me have intoned, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts” – Winston Churchill.
Zoe Cochrane Editor
Acknowledgement of Country Avondale University acknowledges our Sovereign God as Creator and Provider of all things. We respectfully acknowledge the Awabakal and Darramuragal people as the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live, work, study and worship across our Lake Macquarie and Sydney campuses. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations People.
ASL Publications would like to acknowledge the Awabakal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we lived and worked while making this publication. We thank them for protecting this coastline and its ecosystems, and we recognise their continuing connection to land and waters. We exist on stolen land, and we acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to elders past present and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations People present today.
disclaimer Our aim is to provide a platform for students and staff to share their thoughts, ideas, and their experiences in the world through their own Christian perspective; everyone’s Christian experience is different, and we want to acknowledge that. 'Voice' is an extension of the minds of the student body at present, not the views of the institution.
Get in Contact ASL Publications Zoe Cochrane – s20068404@student.avondale.edu.au Bailee McLeod - Bailee.Mcleod@avondale.edu.au Security Phone: (02) 4980 2333 Extension: #333 Email: security@avondale.edu.au Avondale University Church Pr Norman Hurlow – Norman.Hurlow@avondale.edu.au Pr Morgan Vincent – Morgan.Vincent@avondale.edu.au Phone: (02) 4980 2272 Extension: #272 Email: collegechurch@avondale.edu.au Located: in the main foyer of University Church Open: Monday – Thursday from 9am – 5pm & Fridays 9am – 12pm Wellbeing Centre Phone: 0403 478 994 (SMS preferred) Email: counselling@avondale.edu.au (appointment queries only) Located: the counsellor’s office is situated in the Wellbeing Centre Counsellors Lana Hibbard (lead clinical counsellor) Jonathan Gould Our counsellors offer confidential counselling to students experiencing a range of academic, mental health and personal concerns.
pages to follow thevoiceavondale
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Get to know our Contributors You can tell a lot about a person by their favourite childhood movies/TV shows. If you’ve never seen any of these suggestions, check them out!
ZOE
BELLA
SAMARA
TAELON
Working on Campus By Zoe Cochrane
Every day I arrive on campus for classes I will almost always be greeted by the sight of students toting vacuum cleaners and carts of supplies, hurried baristas and speedwalking ASA members sporting classy polos. Chances are, you’ve seen them too. Work opportunities on campus have blessed generations of students whose expenses, class materials, and student debts are accruing to an amount we try to ignore as long as possible. And for many, this work isn’t just for a little extra in the bank, it’s a lifeline. You’ve probably never considered what work was like at Avondale before we had electricity. Or what types of jobs students applied for when cafes and other institutions weren’t a part of our campus. But our predecessors needed work just as much as we do, and you may be surprised to discover what kinds of jobs they completed.
Farm Life Calling all students with a green thumb and a love for wildlife! In Avondale’s early years the college was almost entirely selfsufficient. But the amount of food needed for the students and staff was significant, and they also desired an excess to sell in the community. All that gardening didn’t do itself, and an army of students found work in the dairy farm, vineyard, orchards, and fields behind the dormitories at Avondale. In the mornings, students would assemble at the back of the dorms and tend to their flourishing apple and pear orchards. Behind the girl’s laundry room, some readied smokers and netted suits to tend to the beehives which provided the college with almost a ton of honey throughout their many years of service. Those wanting to avoid the bees tended the large flock of chickens which pecked around the orchard.
Potato crops, dairy cows, and fields of leafy greens were all at risk of flooding, so in good times and bad, students could be found on their hands and knees in the dirt or herding cattle to higher grounds. It was hard work, and back strains and limb injuries were common, but can you imagine the satisfaction of having fresh milk and vegetables in the cafeteria every day? It’s safe to say the farm workers definitely enjoyed the fruits of their labor.
The Knitting Mill Are you good with needles and thread? Well, this work may have been for you! In 1952, Avondale began a textile business. New knitting and sewing machines were bought from Melbourne and installed in the common area of the girl’s dorm and at Preston Hall. Students knitted cloth and sold this fabric and finished garments to church members and interstate. While this industry didn’t flourish, for a while, many students who had recently immigrated from Europe and Asia postwar found valuable work in this textile mill.
Timber With the vast stretches of bush surrounding the campus it’s no wonder that Avondale built a timber mill and carpentry service which provided work for many young men during their time at college. Working primarily on timber milling and joining, the factory was a valuable place for learning practical skills whilst making money. Wood from this mill was also used to build parts of campus and extend others, in particular, College Hall. When orders were completed, the students sweated through the loading process, and products would then be driven through the town to their destination on a truck much like the one pictured below. But beware, practical gentlemen, this job was one of the most dangerous on campus!
The Press Those with an eye for journalism, writing, and the arts, look no further, this job may have been for you. My own office sits within a seldom-noticed warehouse on campus which may look drab on the outside but used to hold an immense printing machine.
The old press building prepared, printed, bound, and distributed religious and academic materials to the college and other institutions as early as the 1910s. Ironically, both male and female workers wore complicated, fashionable dresses and suits whilst working with ink. Can you imagine what washing day was like? Stains galore!
At times showing up to another day of work on campus can feel like an insurmountable task. The pressure of study and social activities can douse our desire for manual labour. But the next time you show up for your shift, spare a thought for the dirty, back-breaking, dangerous, and complex working lives of your predecessors. Perhaps your job isn’t so bad after all.
MESSY MEDIA
The Art of Curating Oddly Specific Playlists Have you ever been scrolling through your music playlists, searching for a song that emulates a specific feeling or reminds you of a peculiarly specific scenario? From 'Songs that sound like a cowboy having a breakdown', to, 'For the times you feel like a gelatinous blob who exists outside of reality', there is a music playlist to match that niche feeling you are searching for. Curating oddly specific playlists is an art form at the peak of perfectionism. In its simplest form, it is the act of delicately selecting songs with a distinct element that connects them to each other- transporting the listener to a specific place, time, or feeling. In other words, it is the understanding of a 'vibe' translated into a collection of music. Ultimately, the goal is to produce a cohesive playlist, where each song effortlessly transitions to the other in a sort of "sound movie". Although the concept of specific music assortments has existed since the invention of genre itself, platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify have fostered an underground culture of hyper-specific playlist curation. Today, they act as public art forums allowing for collaboration and sharing among those searching for the same kind of "sound movies" as other users.
These meticulously crafted compilations of sonorous oddities are the playgrounds of the discerning curator- they could be as delightfully offbeat as, "you're driving to your favourite beach but the sun is stuck in your eyes", or as playfully hypothetical as, "for starting spontaneous pillow fights in public", no prompt is too specific. The key is to strike a delicate balance between relatability and peculiarity, crafting an auditory sequence that invites the inquisitive listener to find familiarity while also tantalising them with hidden meanings and untold stories. So, why you should begin curating oddly specific playlists? First and foremost, it is an avenue of creative expression and a celebration of individuality. It provides you the opportunity to be a master storyteller, strategically weaving together a tapestry of sounds to create a holistic picture that is authentically you and unbound by the rules of the ordinary. Indeed, the first rule of this art form is that there are practically no rules at all. With that said, it is imperative to identify 'the vibe' that will influence the playlist's content. Identifying moments in your life that have made you feel a significant or specific emotion and narrowing it down to its key elements is a great starting point.
For example, is there a time where you have experienced 'The Whipgraft Delusion', the phenomenon in which you catch your reflection in the mirror and get the sense that you're peering into the eyes of a stranger? Or perhaps you have experienced the postdistraction effort to recall the reason you're feeling particularly anxious, or angry, or excited, trying to retrace your sequence of thoughts like a kid gathering the string of a downed kite? These are feelings that could generate a curious array of sounds with distinct elements. Exercising this scenariospecific emotional recall will help you develop the complexity of your playlist as you begin to identify the core concept of the vibe you are trying to portray and how particular songs demonstrate this. You have mastered the art form if you can uncover the fundamental strangeness of being a human being - all the pains, demons, vibes, joys, and urges that are humming in the background of everyday life - uncovering the forgotten corners of the human condition through sound compilation. This can be made more potent through manipulating the modes of order for the oddly specific playlist; it can be designed to be played by shuffle, carefully song by song for the greater good of the vibe, or alternatively, both, so that you get the same vibe either way just different interpretations of the vibe. There may be a song that makes you feel a particular way that could be used as a starting point. The benefit of song suggestions through the algorithms of today's music platforms is that it enables you to expand your playlist with similar-sounding songs you may not have discovered already. Let's say you begin the playlist with the soulful buoyancy of Olivia Dean's, Echo – Live At The Jazz Cafe.
You will be bombarded with recommendations from other ‘neo-soul meets R&B’ crooners like Cleo Soul, Snoh Alegra, Orion Sun, Eloise, and without a doubt, SZA, who's song, Open Arms (feat. Travis Scott), could tie in nicely to begin developing a theme for the playlist. Hence, embracing the art of curating oddly specific playlists also opens up a world of musical exploration, offering a delightful sense of satisfaction when stumbling upon that one song that resonates deep within. Ultimately, the realm of oddly specific playlist curation is one with endless possibilities. In a world saturated with mainstream hits and predictable music assortments, the sanctuary of oddly specific playlist curation stands as a breath of fresh air. Just as music possesses a unique power to tap into the depths of human emotion, the crux of this art form is its poignant ability to narrow down and heighten this experience while also celebrating the individuality of the unconventional and artistically audacious. So, the next time you feel like organising a music sequence, embrace the art of oddly specific playlist curation and have some fun with it!
Taelon Steele VOICE team
WO/
How long have you been together? Too long. JUST JOKING. Just over a lovely time of 2 years. What are your nicknames for each other? We don’t really have ‘special’ nicknames for each other. I call him Lij, and he calls me Hols. What was your favourite TV show as a kid? I had so many, but I was OBSESSED with Wonder Pets and The Backyardians on Nickelodeon. What annoys you the most about the other person? That he loves to tease me and annoy me on purpose. What can’t you live without? Facebook Marketplace. It is simply the best thing Zuckerberg added to Facebook. What is your couple song? We have a few, but our first couple song is Ocean Low by Sam Wave.
Holly Staff What is a place you have always wanted to travel to? I have always wanted to travel to The Netherlands specifically for Amsterdam and the tulip fields. What was your first date? Our first date was during lockdown. So he bought KFC and drove down to my house, but he was too nervous to eat his burger. Then we walked around the park behind my house and watched the sunset. Do you believe in love at first sight? I think so? I don’t actually know. What is your favourite thing about the other person? My favourite thing about Lij is that he is peaceful. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s just how he is. What is the most fascinating fact you know? This is for my fellow rangas. Only 2% of the world’s population are red heads.
/Man
Elijah Lipman How long have you been together? 2 years and 2 months What are your nicknames for each other? Lij and Hols What was your favourite TV show as a kid? Prank Patrol What annoys you the most about the other person? Holly is very stubborn... What can’t you live without? Pepsi max What is your couple song? Ocean Low - Sam Wave
What is a place you have always wanted to travel to? Greece What was your first date? Eating KFC in the car at her house (it was during COVID). Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes What is your favourite thing about the other person? How caring and loving she is. What is the most fascinating fact you know? The Spanish national anthem has no words!
Un-Presidential Debate There often comes a point towards the middle to end of a course where students begin to question whether they’re doing the right thing. Do I really want to work in this career? Is there something else I want to do? Should I quit study and put my effort into work? Well, we’ve gathered together some representatives from Avondale and the working world to share their perspective.
The Uncertain ‘Almost Graduate’ There comes an awkward phase in uni life when people around you start saying the dreaded phrase, “Oh! How does it feel to be graduating soon?” Most of us give a rendition of “great!” or “exciting”, pretending that we have our lives together and are fully prepared for the cutthroat adult world. But in truth? I think that for as much excitement as we may feel, there is also fear. Having just spent thirteen years at school and another four at university, three quarters of our existence has been spent learning, and the thought that we must now navigate the world without lecturers or kind mentors to guide us through our many mistakes is scary. I think in some respects, I envy the confidence with which my full-time worker friends navigate this rocky existence. But would I trade in my time at uni to enter the working world sooner? No, I wouldn’t. I have loved the opportunity to study at Avondale. My time here has been far from the experience I expected, but more incredible than I ever hoped it would be. To have the chance to grow my knowledge and skills in a safe space without the pressures of the workplace has been a blessing, and the steady pressence of my lecturers appreciated. A valuable aspect of uni that I’ve found has been the way classes and socials bring you into contact with like-minded, passionate individuals, many of whom will be working in the same spheres as you. Building these connections now means I’ll have this network for the rest of my life. University life is also a great transition point to the working world. It gives us the chance to be independent but still have a safehold. The opportunity to slowly integrate into working life but have more time outside of it to grow our character, passion, and relationships. Ultimately, I feel it has preserved my youthful joy and sense of fun in ways a full-time worker finds hard to achieve. Would I have found my rhythm and happiness in another lifestyle? Probably, but I’ll be spending the next sixty years in the workplace. For now, let’s enjoy the fun!
The Money Man In our world today, university certificates are highly sought after. In school they make it out that you have limited options outside of being a tradie, working meaningless customer service, or going on to further study. Speaking as someone who has tried and given up on uni to pursue working full-time, I have to say it has some awesome advantages. As a NSW Fire & Rescue call officer, I work my dream job doing my best to prevent and protect the state and its precious communities from danger. And the best part? I get to do it now, not after 3-4 years of uni. I find that without the pressures of study, assignments and exams I have more time to work and therefore have more money to do events, little trips, and other fun social stuff! There’s the bills of course, but I don’t have to balance my funds with uni costs. At universities you may do placements or internships to get ‘on the job’ training. But how many do you complete? One? Two? Within my line of work I get the chance to learn on the job and gain “work placement experience” now and more frequently than I would in a uni degree offering 2 - 3 week placements. I found that at my time at Newcastle University and other online alternatives, some organisations or groups of people had a certain agenda and pushed global issues in a way which inflamed tension and conflicts within the university community. I find that in my workplace we generally don’t have this issue, and without a forced agenda people seem willing to discuss things more openly and with respect. Personally, I never felt that studying was for me. All through school my assessments were lacklustre, not through lack of trying, but through learning difficulty. By getting to learn by doing, failing, making mistakes, and working alongside my peers, I feel more confident about my job and interact with its various elements better. I feel my knowledge, learning and skills are put to test in real time, allowing me to find what works and test theories easily. I wouldn’t say to quit something you love. But working full time has given me an incredible perspective on the world I didn’t find during my time of study.
Wellbeing Sometimes, as the end of semester looms and the panic over big assignments and exams gets bigger it can be hard to see the finish line. If you find yourself feeling this way don’t worry about being alone in the struggle, stress and exhaustion are common at this time of year. Below, are some suggested tips from experts to take hold of perserverance during these tough times.
1.
Fight the Fear!
5.
Sometimes the fear of failure paralyses us, but through failures and hard times we often learn the most lessons. When we view ‘failure’ as a learning opportunity the word doesn’t seem so scary! 2.
Set Realistic Goals
If you’re aiming for a goal don’t do it alone, consider who your support network, your friends, family and peers who can guide you along the way.
6.
Often we set goals too big to ever achieve. Instead of changing everything overnight, consider planning out small, achievable goals for each day. 3.
Uncover the Resistance
Take Exercise Breaks Your mind is fresher when you get some fresh air, and better yet, get the heart pumping! Pick a track at Avondale and lace those sneakers!
Mind on the Prize Keep your mind on the prize. When your goals are at the forefront on your mind, it’s harder to leave them by the wayside.
7.
Reward Yourself To encourage yourself along the way, make a list of rewards you can strive for.
What holds you back from success? When you can name the resistance it loses some of its power.
4.
Strong Foundations
8.
The Why It’s not always the ‘talented’ which make it, but the ones who always keep in mind the reason why they do it.
The Creative Space
Angst Drip, drip drip.
She holds me near
Rain oozes from my swollen eyes.
But has never felt further
Feels warm and cozy
I cower in ignominy
But is cruel in disguise.
As I grasp at her composure.
Crack, bang, boom.
And then her voice, a calming stream
Thunder clutches my throat.
‘Just breathe, that’s right’, a soothing dream
The struggle to breathe
I begin to bask in her ethereal light
Ineffable to emote.
As she whispers quietly, ‘It will be alright’
Beating my shoulders like whips The water no longer drips. My desultory thoughts race As I drown in an abyss of disgrace.
Samara Bentley VOICE team
JOIN THE TEAM! If you’re interested in joining our team in 2024 we’d love to have you! Contact us to express your interest at: thevoice@avondale.edu.au
Submissions! Read something you like? If you want to contribute to the next issue, we'd love to hear from you! VOICE is always looking for student content to publish. Whether that be Creative Writing Opinion Pieces Arts/Media Photography Student Life Reviews Miscellaneous etc. Got ideas? Send us an email!
VOICE