THE FUTURE’S EDITION ISSUE #06 NOVEMBER 2018
@ e a s t wo o d_ we s t f ie ld
ORIAL
S HAR E YO U R VO ICES Dear readers, this is it! The final issue of the Voice for 2018. Sad face emoji! It has been wonderful engaging with you and your voices this year and our team hope that you have taken something, whether that’s a piece of advice, a laugh and a snort, or a win in our comps, from this year’s Voice that will stay with you as you go out into the big, wide world and help you to remember them good old times at Avondale. We’ve themed this issue the Future’s issue for just that purpose. Some of you will be graduating and leaving this Weetbix -smelling nest while some of you get to keep on sniffing the breakfast cereal next year. Either way, we are all moving on to the next step in our journey’s and that can be a scary step to take. But know this, your time at Avondale will be some of the best years of your life that will create friends for life, friends you can lean on and turn too and most importantly of all the Ultimate Friend who will be with you wherever life may lead you next. Our mission this year was to discuss purpose, encourage growth and inspire vision in you, our readers. Most importantly, we wanted to share your voices and ignite a whole new season of God-lovers ready to share His Voice into the world. And we hope that we have. So farewell and bon voyage dear readers, And if I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight. Kayla
EDITOR Kayla Carter ASSISTANT emmerson grey GRAPHIC DESIGNER Minah Bocchino Images sourced from pexels.com COVER ART/ PHOTO James eastwood Thanks sunny days afternoon naps an awesome team No thanks good things that end naps that end stressful exam week
04
K AY L A C A R T E R Kayla loves chocolate and dark chocolate and is hoping that this semester doesn’t make her stress eat to the point of having to actually use her gym membership.
EMMERSON GREY Sometimes I think my life could be a really hilarious sitcom, then I realise that eating, watching hours of Netflix and running into every inanimate object isn’t classed as entertainment. Thank goodness I’m going to succeed with my stable Arts degree.
KEMY OGENDI Kemy is a chronic over-sharer, a lover of laughter and a proud sweet potato enthusiast (baked, roasted, doused in coconut cream… you name it, she’ll eat it)
B E N LOW E I’m procrastinating so hard right now its incredible.
regulars 12
wo/man
14
#avondalexp
20
interview
22
t h e c h e at s h e e t
24
COllege church special
features jac banquet
6-9
say it like you meant it
10
competent guide
18
05
Jac Banquet 2018
Jac Banquet 2018
say it like you mean it Kemy Ogendi
In Sweden, people don’t typically say “how are you?” - well, not in the way that we do. They don’t say it in casual greetings (As in: “hey, how are ya? How’s it going?”) In the Swedish language, when someone says “hur mÃ¥r du (how are you)?” they mean it. They’re saying, “hey, how are you? Like really, how are you?” So, accordingly, people typically save that question for close friends and family, they save it for conversations where someone can ask the question and mean it. I have a friend called Linda, she’s my own personal Swede, if you will. She was telling me that in Sweden, someone would be taken aback if a complete stranger said, “how are ya?” Simply because, in that language, “how are you?” is an intimate question, too personal for casual conversation. She told me that the word “mÃ¥r” relates to wellbeing, it takes the phrase, “how are you” and gives it deeper meaning, “how are you feeling?” “How are you doing?” If I was just greeting someone in passing, I could say “hej” which means “hello” or “hej hej” which means “hey” – but in Swedish, there’s one phrase that you handle differently; “hur mÃ¥r du?” - “How are you?” - this one holds weight, it means something.
HOW ARE YOU? Last year 3,128 people died from intentional self-harm in Australia. These are people that we knew and loved, beyond statistics. I’m no stranger to the mental health struggle, most of you aren’t either. So, next time we ask someone “how are you?” let’s take the time to mean it, to let them answer and listen as they do. Hey! if you or someone you know needs help at any time, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (it’s there 24 hrs a day!)
10
wo Carter 1. As our editor and chief for 2018, what has been the best part of being editor this year? The best part about running the Voice is being able to connect with so many amazing writers and share their Voice with the Avondale community! Also, my team! They are the bomb! 2. What are your plans after graduation? The longest nap ever. Also find a job I guess. 3. What does a successful future look like to you? Doing something that makes you happy. 4. How do you spend your least productive day? Netflix and eat. 5. What is the craziest/funniest thing that has happened during your time at Avondale? Getting sprayed with water and flour for our initiation in first year!
12
6. What do you hope to be invented in the future? YouTube with no ads. 7. If you had to assemble a group of people to avenge crime, who would be in your team? The girls from Level 2 Ella, 2016! Cause, She Gone! 8. Do you have any advice to current students? Start assessments early, don’t take the magical dirty dish roller for granted, and make as many friends as you can. 9. If you had to describe your college experience using 5 words, what would you say? Essays have killed my brain. Or on a cheerier note: Best years of my life. 10. What is a legacy you want to leave at Avondale? I want to leave a legacy of kindness and love.
man Robinson 1. What do you hope to be doing in the future? I hope I’m happier and kinder and more comfortable in my own skin. 2. The girl/guy of your dreams is in front of you what is your opening line? Probably not be able to stop smiling and speechless. And hugs. 3. If you had to play one song on repeat for the rest of your life, what would it be? Currently rockin’ out to “Perfect” by Anne-Marie but Taylor Swift never gets old. 4. What do you hope will be invented in the future? Time travel and Hibernation to slow life down so space travel is possible. 5. What do you think will break the internet? Losing the human right of free speech & communication.
6. Describe yourself in 3 words: Caring, outspoken, creative 7. How do you spend your least productive day? Hanging out with my friends or Netflix 8. If you could do anything and get paid for it, what would you do? Doing what I love and being me. 9. Favourite Brooklyn Nine-Nine quote? *Watches Pilot episode while writing this* … “Let the wasting of time begin!” Haha there’s too many good ones. “That’s how we do it in the nine-nine.” 10. What is a legacy you want to leave at Avondale? Gandhi said, “Be the Change you wish to see in the world.” I hope to be known as a catalyst for kindness and positive change everywhere I go.
13
#avondalexp
@hindles_
Gu id e Ben Lowe On the 8th of June the Telegraph reported that out of all age groups, 18 to 25-year old’s “have the most negative outlook on the future.” I guess we have good reasons to be more than a little cynical. It’s not like the future of the economy, politics and the standard of living look particularly bright. And at this stage of life, there’s so many choices to be made, choices that impact the direction that our lives take, the people we meet, where we work, live and the list goes on and on. It seems almost unfair that we would be forced to make these decisions in our current unpredictable world without knowing the entire outcome of each choice that we make. All of these factors combine to result in what is often a confusing, disorientating time for us as students. Am I studying the right degree? What am I going to do with my degree when I graduate? Will I find a job that I like? All these questions and many more swirl and circulate in our minds to the point where it stresses some of us greatly. The Bible offers a solution to the often-stressful process of making big decisions about the future. It goes like this “Remember the LORD in everything you do, and He will show you the right way.” (Proverbs 3:6 GNT) Later on in Proverbs, Solomon writes, “We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go” (Proverbs 16:9 GNT) In my opinion, this takes the pressure off us enormously. If we remember God, pray for guidance in our decision making and make practical, logical plans, the Bible promises that He will guide us to where He needs us to be. But I guess the question that we all face is do we want to go where God leads us? Because ultimately, we have the choice to forget Him in our decisions, and to reject His leading in our lives. And the truth is that at times God may lead us on a confusing journey. However, He has far more wisdom and knowledge then we do. He doesn’t see things the way we do. He sees things from a heavenly perspective. And sometimes He does lead us on a to a place where we don’t particularly want to be, but I assure you that it is to achieve a greater purpose that we may never have envisioned. So, you might be reaching the end of your time here at Avondale College and looking toward the future, a future that may seem uncertain. Or if you’re like me you might be back next year, but still a bit daunted by the thought of where life leads after college. I want to encourage you to trust in the Lord, trust that He has a plan. Trust that His purpose for your life will prevail. The safety of the traveller lies in the competency of the guide and throughout history God has proven himself repeatedly to be a competent guide.
18
21
with
the Well-being Centre
Lana Hibbard
1. What is your role on campus? I’m one of the counsellors at the Well-being Centre. I am usually the first point of contact for a person seeking counselling support. Most of my time is spent offering one-on-one support to students or staff wanting to work on issues such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal difficulties, grief, trauma, or stress. As a support service, we play a role in helping people to arrive at or return to a place where they feel able to achieve their potential, contribute to their community and live as the person they wish to be. 2. What services do you offer? • Our most commonly used service is individual counselling support. • We also act as an information point. Students or staff can talk to us about how to support a person who is struggling, or about how to access other sources of help/ information regarding mental health and wellbeing. • We offer a career assessment and debriefing service. • We are registered to offer Work Development Orders. Those that meet eligibility criteria, can satisfy their fine debts with NSW State Revenue by engaging in counselling at the Well-being Centre. • We offer workshops on a range of topics when invited to do so. • Mental health support groups are avail-
20
able by request. 3. What are your opening hours? Monday to Thursday 9 – 4 (during semester) Friday 9 – 3 (mid-semester to end of semester) Hours vary outside of semester times 4. Is there a cost? All of our services are totally free! 5. How important is mental health? It’s a top priority! Your mental health includes your emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how you think, feel and act, including how you handle stress, relate to others and make choices. So, I see it as foundational. 6. What are some goals you (and the centre) wish to accomplish in the near future? • Get the message out to the Avondale community that there is a free, confidential, professional counselling service available. • To play a role in reducing the stigma and misconceptions around mental health and help seeking on our campus and in our community. 7. How can students be more involved with this centre? Besides accessing our services, students
can support our message, for example: • Make it normal to check in with others, asking ‘R U OK?’ • If a friend is struggling, encourage them to take action • Model and promote help seeking 8. What would you suggest to someone thinking about coming to visit the centre? If you are thinking about it, it’s probably because you or someone else has noticed you’re not doing so well. Come and find out what we can offer and then decide if you want to take it up. 9. Did you study at Avondale? How did you find this role? I developed a love for Avondale when I studied education here in the 90s. I later deepened that connection when I worked here as a lecturer for several years. Then in 2017 an opportunity came to serve this community as a counsellor. I responded to
the tug on my heart and have returned to a place that is enriching and familiar. 10. What do you do to stay positive in your line of work? My core passion is filled when I am able to facilitate growth in others, so I find my job pretty rewarding. Who doesn’t like a story of change, a before and after. I also pay attention to self-care, which for me means, maintaining contact with friends, eating well, reading for pleasure, noticing the beauty around me, practicing mindfulness, engaging in professional supervision, using stress reduction strategies, drawing on my natural tendency towards optimism, and asking God to direct my path
21
Th e
Sheet
As this year draws to a close and some of our 3-4 year college veterans are graduating (we salute you), we thought our final Voice issue should be focused on the future. The reason most of us are here in the first place is that we want to prepare ourselves for what’s ahead, to prepare our toolkit with a collection of techniques and knowledge that will help us in our dream career. There are also those who don’t know what the future holds, and that’s fine too! You’re here because you are looking forward and that’s the first step to making your future a successful one.
APPS Wunderlist (APP): Wunderlist enables you to plan out tasks, events and meetings in order for you to visualise your tasks and complete them without the constant stress of having to plan and remember each one. It also enables you to group tasks and create larger goals which might help you in planning for a career move that takes time and effort to build towards. iProcrastinate and Minimalist also have similar functions will more simplistic layouts. { 7.5/10 }
Mint (APP & WEBSITE): As all broke college students know, money is a harsh topic. If you are planning to save for an extravagant travel venture, tools for your future trade, a car or perhaps even just saving up for a night out at Tuggs (hit me up Hogsbreath), this app allows you: to track your spending, create an easily-followed budget customised to you and also, gives you tips on how to save. Beem It is also a really good app that has similar functions but allows you to send and receive money, and split bills *chaching*. { 9/10 }
Linkedin (APP & WEBSITE): If you haven’t heard of this social media platform - to be honest don’t worry I didn’t either - LinkedIn is similar to Facebook in layout but it is used in a more professional manner with the goal of networking, connecting with other businesses and allowing your employer to gain an understanding of your work ethics, personality and goals. Kind of like a legal employer stalking app. For your employers, this is very important so I would highly recommend making an account and building a stable, clean and thorough network. { 7/10 }
22
Emm’s Tip: There is never a “golden hour” for creating an amazing resume, but rather the perfect time to be organising your CV is right now. Get involved in volunteer projects, jobs, and student associations and get referees for each time. These extracurricular activities all add up to a comprehensive portfolio that allow your employer to see the practical applications of your character traits and educational pursuits.
Youtube I Will Teach You To Be Rich Firstly – yes that’s the real Youtube name, and yes, I’m prettyyyy sure he’s right. This man teaches you a huge range of important skills that are needed in order to obtain the job you want such as; how to prepare a CV (resume), how to better present yourself to an employer and also, how to best plan for your future business. This channel is perfect for those seeking to understand how to be a desirable and successful employee. { 8/10 }
p l ay l i s t s Audible For those days when you’re walking to class or simply taking a drive, this app is an awesome companion to teach you, entertain you and relax you. The variety of entertainment is only as small as your imagination, starting with history and ending with fiction, you’ll be set for hours. Plus, there are tonnes of promo codes to save you some coin so stay woke fam #igotyoubro. A book that is on my listen-list is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, an educational, slightly confronting and sarcastically salty novel on how to accept the swings life takes and develop a stronger and successful self.
23
@collegechurchau
@saltavondalecollege
P r e - O r d e r n o w : av o n d a l e a u s t r a l i a . s p i f f y s t o r e s . c o m This year the Jac book will be released on Graduation weekend. So order online now and choose to pick your book up from Student Services, or have it shipped to your home or the home of your friends and/or family.
Get involved
@ T h e V o i c e Av o n d a l e