VERSE
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY.
It was and always will be Aboriginal land.
Verse Magazine acknowledges the Kaurna, Boandik and Barngarla First Nations People as the traditional custodians of the unceded lands that are now home to the Univeristy of South Australia’s campuses in Adelaide, Mount Gambier and Whyalla. Verse Magazine respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. Verse Magazine also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia.
EDITOR’S LETTER
It’s with an abundance of enthusiasm and a great deal of pleasure that the Verse Magazine team present Edition 60. Your explosion of creativity has been meticulously condensed into this 60+ page magazine.
This spring edition is bursting—or perhaps I should keep descriptors to the theme Blossoming—with a rich and diverse array of creative pieces in all forms and genres. We’ve curated these works to pique your interest and inspire your own creative journey.
Colour was undoubtedly our objective after the arduous wintry months; although wet and relentless with blustery southerly winds, the chill invited opportunity for many artists and wordsmiths to happily shut out the outside world while snuggling up with red wines, hot chocolates and undoubtedly, design tools to master more radiating works. Thus, submission pieces were plentiful!
In this edition, Verse Magazine presents a crossword challenge, a USASA ‘hoodie’ prize for one lucky person to soak up the last of the winter chill in comfort, a Spotify play mix and, of course, the short story writing challenge with a fresh prompt to spark further creative flow.
Edition 60 celebrates prose works from writers such as Alex C, who sums up the season beautifully through their short story writing composition: “Winter has finally released its cruel clutches” and “the cold desolate skies that wept are now gentle murmurs.”
Another that caught our eye was Jimmy Ngo’s poetic piece, which impeccably depicted an apple seed’s journey and gave audiences a new perspective to view compost, seeds, apples, and tree leaves - we know you will enjoy this!
Shifting the pace to oil and pastels, painter Mia Nguyen, a Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine student, shares three compositions on paper and the ideal hobby when needing a break from study.
While endless works are worthy of acknowledgment, we assure all of you, fortunate enough to be published, that curating this edition has been a delightful journey, thanks to your contributions.
Sadly, we must mention that our next edition will be the last for 2024. This means our team and project will hand over the reins for next year. So, with that said, we are pumped to put forward an unforgettable final magazine from team ’24.
Keep an eye out on our social pages—we will have some exciting news before our final sign-off!
Wishing you all a bloomin fabulous spring.
Melissa
Chimmi Chimmi by Manjari
I Do by PLUM
Breaking News by flowerovlove
Close To You by Gracie Abrams
August by Taylor Swift Glue Song by beabadoobee, Clairo
Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter
Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish
BLOS SOM
A SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
THAT TRANSIENT FEELING
WORDS by Diane C
Permanence was never my thing, Always craving what’s fleeting.
I fear for my roots to start growing, One foot always wants to keep moving.
Being in places I don’t know yet Saying hi to people I’ve never met.
Swapping stories of joy and pain, Knowing that life is but a game.
When I’m gone, will they forget? Doesn’t matter, nothing to regret.
Taking comfort in the unknown, My story continues to unfold.
Will I ever stop and settle? Maybe life could be better.
But my heart is calm knowing, That I can just keep on going.
Free as a bird, it’s all I’ve got, Hit the road, I am all packed.
Who knows if I’ll be back.
“The poem captures a feeling of impermanence, movement, and the comfort found in the unknown.”
MOON WORK
IMAGES by Hanah Williams
“Moon Work” is a series of 13 prints developed using eco-aware etching and intaglio printmaking techniques developed during my research degree. Comforted by the reoccurring full moon every month during the project, it became a key motif and something that remained constant throughout the project, even when the world was in a state of turmoil and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.In my practice, I use repetition as a means of unravelling ideas, self-reflection on process, and learning about different aspects of my etching plates. Each moon was unique, featured different etching techniques requiring a range of printing processes.”
WORDS & IMAGES by Avneet Hunjan
MY DAISY DAYS
“It can be hard sometimes being a university student, but some hobbies can come in handy; it keeps me going! I love to make beaded charms and jewellery. I like to sketch, especially making portraits. Whenever I see anything pretty or aesthetic, I take a picture to keep a memory.”
“These three pieces are part of a scrap book collection. “Worm Time”, an abstract comic about what its like to be created”
“These three pieces are part of a scrap book collection. “Worm Time”, an abstract comic about what its like to be created”
ILLUSTRATION by Madison Haynes
ILLUSTRATION by Madison Haynes
IMAGE & WORDS
by Mia Nguyen
DELICIOUS EATS
Watercolour and white ink on paper enabled this creative piece. Inspired through a family gathering that shared delicious Vietnamese cuisine.
Delicious Eats is a celebration of the “importance of family through artwork.”
FROM MAY TO ME
Disclosure: gender, race and sex themes may be confronting, although unintentional.
WORDS & IMAGE by A’lantagon
When I have nothing to say, I judge others.
The universities in England seemed to have alienated this group of international students. This is an absurd interpersonal relationship.
Today I want to talk about May, a Birmingham engineering student who gave himself an English name that sounds like a girl.
May. His family has an important beginning to define his 20 years of life, but I don’t know his family. This part of him in my eyes is what I see in the chaotic city of Birmingham. Just like his dormitory is located in the suburbs far away from the city center, he himself is still a corner student who is separated from the bleak and hard-working life in the city.
I remember walking with him in the hot city center, Indian Christians preached noisily with loudspeakers, with fat and plump Muslim women coming over to ask for money or hand out flyers. We shuttled under a huge parade composed of rainbow flags. The six colours of the rainbow and those young white arms and legs were rendered extremely bright by the dazzling sunlight. When another group of Muslim families were traveling, the generation gap between immigrants was so obvious. The black robe on the slender and petite Muslim girl obviously couldn’t cover the white canvas shoes on her feet. She boldly took the sample from the snack stand and looked playful, elegant, and not the so-called “tiger”. This is completely different from the shy and bloated Middle Eastern women in the eyes of her parents and grandparents.
The cute foreign girl failed to dispel my contempt for the British middle school students I saw on an unknown day. I said to May, “look at the student in a suit passing by. The brown curly-haired boy is holding the ugly white girl with freckles, and the white boy behind him, whose face I can’t remember, is holding a black girl with many piercings and long dreadlocks with a high-chested girl. I hate it, this is really the so-called diverse and open ending of Western high schools.”
May sighed helplessly, “I know you don’t like their homosexuality.”
I interrupted. “How can I be homophobic? Am I not a very open person? Haha! Although, I am a selfhealed leftist, but...”
May just accepted it.
I don’t want to recall that night. However, I did. I was lying on his bare mattress, and he was lying on the floor. What profound things did we talk about — nothing!
I remember what he said. He didn’t like the Soviet Union. He liked the MP5 submachine gun. He was confused and wanted to find some direction and look at everything. But he didn’t care about the reform in reality. He only cared about the lightsaber toy worth 3,000 yuan given to him by his ambiguous friend.
He seemed to tell me that he thought he like boys. I couldn’t tell what this meant. I just subconsciously felt that he was also influenced by the rainbow colour. He was not independent. He described the past winter when he relied on a handful of coins to survive the next cash withdrawal in the Korean supermarket and the astonishing 1,000 pounds he mentioned made me feel contradictory; instantly dissolved in the neatly stacked cigarette boxes in his draw.
“Britain is the only Western country that makes me feel real, because I am there in person, and all this finally becomes a so-called feeling. Where is the confusion? I don’t know, the northernmost of them is the strange shadows under the blue night of Edinburgh, and the southernmost is the dangerous streets of London,” May said.
“I only know, that in the nights of minorities who don’t know whether they are delivery workers or street thugs at one o’clock in the middle of the night. I watched men and women in the bar and I felt that I lacked participation and felt invisible.”
“Do they not care about my foreign identity or my yellow skin?”
May is just a middle-class student who is unemployed. Guess that’s what they call it in English. The right-wingers are more righteous now, and any Western country has become a late Roman empire. But what’s the point — I left the study of politics and philosophy, and less than the 18 months I spent in this country, seemed abstract and
dull. I thought that Amit, the only friendly British Indian in the political class, still had British prejudices against me and was leading a selfish and refined university life.
What am I?
In front of all the political students, I have nothing to do other than play in a puddle of mud. Should I continue to be indignant about the white girls in this country being defiled by Islamic or big black penises?
This is ridiculous. Who am I?
Am I qualified to label these strangers? But I seem to feel a little refreshed by staring at their stereotypes.
But May, didn’t insist on continuing, so I thought. He insisted on doing his job despite his failing liver and kidneys. He did his homework. He drew blueprints. He wanted to make a real MP5 submachine gun. He was braver than me, but did he fight against his alienation? Before he completely ignored me because of his girlfriend’s mess, the monologue that has resonated with me the most was:
I’m already looking forward to it. I will become just like you: work, family, fucking big TV, washing machine, car, CD player and electric can opener, healthy, low cholesterol, dental insurance, mortgage, first house, casual
clothes, suitcases, three-piece furniture, DIY, game shows, junk food, children, walking in the park, 9 to 5, good at golf, car washing, sweater selection, Christmas for the whole family, indexed pension, tax exemption, cleaning sewers, muddling through life, looking forward, until the day I die.
It’s that monologue. . . “Choose life mate!”
“There’s nothing to choose” May said. “I didn’t have that kind of timely enlightenment.”
After reading it, I just wanted the Scottish high school girl to lie about her age and have sex with me. Of course, I also think that he felt his destiny from this movie, which is to continue to be a middle-class office worker, with a little sports hobby, just like his father.
Later, I watched the sequel of this movie — 20 years later. The Scottish high school girl was the smartest one. She ran out to sleep with bad boys at night and became a good girl during the day. She rebelled within the framework of the rules and never betrayed her class. 20 years later, she was a lawyer with a high income inherited from her father.
“It seems that I have to choose this path, a painful choice!” May said.
The Scottish high school girl also reminded me of a Welsh girl; during the summer which I have not had any contact with now for 500 days. I thought, she and I were from the same class! But is it really so? Is it so?
I watched as I could not enter this life. It was just a non-existent British fate that was gradually fading away. The vanity of the old university. The secondgeneration rich, who were troubled by philosophy. The sophisticated girls who were devoted to study, and the more dog-witted and cynical students; the cute girls, met by chance. They were all sentenced to death with a piece of paper and became my illusory invisible fantasy. I have been away from the UK for 6 months. All my memories and summaries are the same, but they are inexplicably complementary to the remaining memories of this country.
What am I? I don’t know. But recalling this depressing story, I can’t start the next story that has not yet become, a story.
“This poem charts my personal growth over the course of a short intense love affair. In my therapists words, a real blossoming.
Drawing from the theme of blossoming I hope it offers a sense of the transformation and gift that this relationship has been”
WORDS by Sanusha S Sritharan
I was, through your eyes a nymph roaming primeval lands across limestone groves and windswept shores. Under your wandering hands, contours of swells and curves an unfolding topography of desire. Nourished by the rain of your love, a bud unfurling, the reservoir of wants no longer damned, blooming under the midnight sun.
Oh sweetie, j‘ai osé, open when ready.
Standing atop a hill amidst sultry rainforest, breath suspended, a butterfly, black and blue, alights on my hand and then, flits away, bruising into my skin lessons of fleeting beauty and the freedom of letting go.
The seasons turn at last, the rich hue of cobalt blue, insects wilting, the trilling of my body singing for you taking flight, a pocket universe collapsing upon itself severing the orbit of us. But, in your open palm, ungrasping a blossom, unwithered.
And so I stride free, with the gift of seeing the fae within, a woman stepping into my wild. Dancing fire within my belly solid ground my bones bubbling springs my blood eternal sky my breath a crown of ferns upon my brow, in my mind, the litany: I am worthy I am beautiful I am enough
I am worthy I am beautiful I am enough
FLORA & FAUNA
ILLUSTRATION by Sheydin Dew
Winner of Edition 60: Most Creative Entry!
Last spring, there was a girl.
Last spring. Barely a year ago. Barely a breath ago. There was a girl.
The cold desolate skies that wept are now gentle murmurs, an illusion of the past. Fluffy clouds have come along. They part here and there and a sliver of turquoise blue peeks through. Behind it all, the fiery sun creeps through the gaps apprehensively, uncertain if the wintery blankets would return. After a few pondering moments it makes up its mind and rushes forward. Laughter from the people underneath resound through the atmosphere. It is a joyful moment. Winter has finally released its cruel clutches. However, the sun’s brilliant arms never reach the window panes of her room. Its absence is undoubtable; frigid air climbs everywhere to occupy whatever it can, the previous season selfishly residing in the dark corners.
On the walls, a pitiful excuse for a wallpaper cling to the unmerciful plaster in haphazard chunks, faded into blankness.
There was a girl.
A thick blanket suffocates the body underneath, scared that its owner will abandon it in this lonely place. Its fear stops any heat escaping, forcing them to become little meek droplets. Unbearable. Abhorrent. Her mother would say Get out, get out and stop moping. Her mother isn’t here. Instead, emptiness sighs and strokes the mess of tangled hair drooping from the bed’s edge. Those strands are so still it resembles a sculpture more than something human. A sudden growl echoes from the hollow stomach into the vast open. The captive monster is angry, hunger getting the best of it. More pathetic grumpy noises ensue. It hasn’t been tended to for a while, but
the owner doesn’t seem to hear it. Or maybe she’s simply forgotten. Oh master, oh master! Hath thou left me for good? The monster claws at its prison again with anguish and fury, having found another reason to despair upon.
Last spring.
Closed buds had begun to blossom into pretty, mature things. Sweet, sickly scent of pollen and fragrance permeate the crisp morning air, as though an alarm clock and minty toothpaste had embraced. A ravenous gardener comes along to nip away the late buds. They’re an eyesore that disturbs the beautiful bushes. He’s eager for perfection. The blade of the oversized scissors pierce through the young green stalks, producing a nauseating crunch. The cut is cunningly neat that you might not notice the missing bud. However, look closely and you’ll see the fluid run from the beheaded neck. Shiny and fresh.
Today.
It’s quiet, saved for the occasional shout or yell from outside. The noises are so distant their silent afterthoughts make you doubt it happened. The world on the other side of the window is another universe, untouchable. A utopia? It’s beautiful and welcoming, but she wouldn’t dare dream of it. Her mind bleary and her soul, a shell of what it once was. The edges are crumbling into a never-ending pit. A utopia would be nice, all blissful and happy.
Last spring, there was a girl.
Short Story Writing Challenge
WORDS by Alex C
WORDS & ILLUSTRATION by Jimmy
Ngo
Little Seedling, Great Apple Trees
My little seedling, what is it that you desire?
To bear fruit like the great apple trees?
To shade animals like the great apple trees?
To see the world like the great apple trees?
Do I inspire you?
Do my leaves glisten in your favourite colours?
Do my branches house your favourite birds?
Do my apples…
Do I ask too many questions?
The world is not kind to budding seeds. You will be trampled.
You will see your siblings whittle away. You will want to hide back into the Earth.
But, my little seedling, you will grow.
Shaped by rain, set in earth, seeking the sun, you will come to realise that you were always as great as the apple trees, My little seedling.
IMAGES by Dharvy Bishnoi
BLOSSOM
WORDS by Aaro ILLUSTRATION by Mia Nguyen
A POEM
I want to blossom with a pretty smile, I want to take care of me like a caring child, I want to see others live a happy life, I want to see myself with them on a joyful ride, But—life? Life takes you on different tides, It gets really low and pretty high, And one day you would find, You will blossom even in the darkest times, If— you have the right people by your side.
ILLUSTRATION by Mia Nguyen
ILLUSTRATION
by Victoria Ng
WORDS by Natalie Hewitson
Tender Taken Breath
I am to live a life as a king.
To rule and watch for eternity over the people of this kingdom. To be alone upon a throne that was chosen for me before I drew my first breath. I have been a king from the moment my eyes first opened since I took my first step. Everything of mine has been fated to that of a king. A drowning, suffocating life that threatens to leave you upon a solitary pillar of duty. Strung and revered above all else like the stars that litter the night sky.
To see but never to be seen.
I have been a king for my whole life, and yet, as I lay here, chest to chest, legs intertwined and hearts beating in sync.
I find myself feeling so much more like the boy I truly am when you lay in my arms. The heat from your skin encases me, sending me into a honeyed state of content, as your breath washes over my collarbone, feeling my fingers trail along your bare shoulder, tracing the scars and ridges of muscles to tangle within your hair.
I do not feel the burden of the crown that has always sat upon my temple.
I do not feel the crushing weight of the
mountains that has suffocated me in the entirety of my duty.
Yet, the weight of you upon me keeps me afloat in the rushing waters that surround us, that threaten to drown me with the devotion of my people, who wish to ablute me from the dangers of the world around us. The sound of you sleeping so tenderly draws me from the eternal eremite life I was destined for. Draws me closer to you, my sun.
All I know is the warmth of your love in the quiet night as you draw a tender breath, creeping impossibly closer as if to seek me further, as if our bodies are not so intertwined, to sink within me as my heart beats for you.
And I find myself, wishing to the stars above us that they let us love like this for the rest of our lives, for as long as the gods will allow, lest I fight every person in this kingdom that would keep me from you.
I do not wish to know a single day henceforth without you, here, beside me, as my partner, as my equal.
I may be a king bound by duty, but here, lying with you, I am nothing more than a boy in love.
WORDS
by
Natalie Hewitson ILLUSTRATION by Evanthea Kyriacou
Lone Splendour
‘I love you’.
He laughs, a cruel heartless sound as he stares at her, the girl whom he has loved for most of his life, who, he was certain, would walk to the ends of the earth if it would please him.
She, who looks at him like he hung to the stars in the sky himself, as if he formed the earth with his hands, moulded and dug each river that swept through the land, as if he willed the mountains to rise around them. She, who has followed him with priestlike devotion, hanging on his every word like it was gospel.
She, who laughs and smiles at him like it is the easiest thing on this earth, as if nothing else could compare. She, who has burrowed herself in every fraction of his life, who acts like she needs him to breathe. She, who would rather die than to live without him.
She, who looks at him with such love, it hurts to look into her eyes, to see the earnest longing to care for him, to love him.
She, who is so ready to absolve all his sins, as if they would not dirty her own hands in the process.
He, who is so afraid of taking the leap, the dreadful drop into her waiting heart.
He, who looks at the stars above them, so not to see the hurt in her eyes, envying them, so far away from the pain of life, being able to watch, steadily, safely in the heavens above.
Being safe from the heartache of love.
He, who is so afraid of love, of the pain it brings, of the destruction it carries that he would rather live a dreadful life of solitude and loneliness then to die of heartbreak.
He, who is so afraid of her love for him that he wishes to run, to run and never return, lest he break her like so many have done before him.
He, who would rather spend his entire life in solitude, then to be here, with her and her love. To have her heart in his hands as he trembles and prepares to utter the words he dreads to say.
‘‘Don’t be pathetic’.
#Blog - Benefits Of Being Part Of A Student Society/Committee
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!”
This timeless saying holds particularly true for students, especially international ones. Our biggest challenge often lies in managing our time efficiently. However, with proper planning and execution, we not only achieve good grades but also gain rewards and recognition for our efforts.
Many of us wonder whether we should participate in extracurricular activities, such as joining student societies or committees. An active and engaged student society fosters a supportive learning environment and offers students an enhanced educational experience (Menzies, 2014). Let me emphasise the importance of these commitments.
Joining a student society or committee is more than just a way to occupy your free time; it can be a transformative experience that shapes your university life and beyond. Student societies provide the tools needed to engage students, keep them interested, and help them develop organisational skills essential for a lifetime of civic involvement (Loader et al., 2015).
As an active member of several committees, including the University of South Australia Student Association (USASA), the Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) of the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA), and the Financial Planning Club at USASA, I’d like to share some key benefits that have contributed to my overall growth:
1. Networking Opportunities
One of the most significant advantages of joining a student society or committee is the networking opportunities it provides. You meet like-minded individuals who share your passions and interests. This network can extend to include alumni and professionals who can offer guidance, mentorship, and potentially open doors for future career prospects.
2. Skill Development
Students develop their professional skills by engaging in organised service activities that benefit the community (Jackson, 2015). Being part of a student committee helps you develop essential skills for the professional world. These include leadership, communication, teamwork, and time management. Such experiences sharpen your abilities and prepare you for life after university.
3. Building a Strong Resume
Employers greatly value candidates involved in extracurricular activities. Active committee membership demonstrates initiative and a well-rounded skill set. It also shows employers that you can balance academic responsibilities with other commitments, a highly sought-after quality in the professional world.
4. Social Engagement and Community Building
Higher levels of social activity and social integration have been associated with better cognitive functioning (Barnes et al., 2004). University can be overwhelming, especially for international students who are far from home. Joining committees fosters a sense of community and belonging. You meet new people, make friends, and create lasting memories. These social connections make your university experience more enjoyable.
5. Leadership Development
Nobody can teach you leadership; it is something you must learn principally from experience (Adair, 2007). Student societies and committees offer numerous leadership positions, such as President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Event Manager. These roles help build essential skills that can kickstart your professional life.
6. Cultural Exposure and Diversity
Universities are melting pots of different cultures, ideas, and traditions. By joining committees, you learn about various traditions, viewpoints, and lifestyles. This exposure broadens your horizons and fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of diversity.
7. Personal Growth and Confidence
Stepping out of your comfort zone to participate in or lead a committee can significantly boost your confidence. Facing challenges and achieving success contributes to personal growth. You learn more about your strengths and weaknesses, develop resilience, and gain a clearer sense of direction.
8. Making a Difference
Many student societies and committees focus on making positive impacts through community service, advocacy, or raising awareness of important issues. Being part of such initiatives allows you to contribute to causes you care about and make a tangible difference in society
9. Enjoyment and Fulfillment
Last but not least, being part of a student society or committee is a lot of fun. It provides a break from academic pressure, allowing you to engage in activities you enjoy. The fulfilment from being involved in something meaningful and the joy of shared experiences with fellow members is priceless.
The benefits of being part of a student society or committee extend far beyond your time at university. The skills, experiences, and relationships you build can have a lasting impact on your personal and professional life. Whether you’re interested in sports, arts, academics, or social causes, there’s likely a student society or committee that aligns with your interests.
Get involved and make the most of your university experience!
References
Adair, J. E. (2007). Develop your leadership skills (Vol. 37). Kogan Page Publishers.
Barnes, L. L., Mendes de Leon, C. F., Wilson, R. S., Bienias, J. L., & Evans, D. A. (2004). Social resources and cognitive decline in a population of older African Americans and whites. Neurology, 63(12), 2322-2326.
Jackson, D. (2015). Employability skill development in workintegrated learning: Barriers and best practice. Studies in higher education, 40(2), 350-367.
Loader, B. D., Vromen, A., Xenos, M. A., Steel, H., & Burgum, S. (2015). Campus politics, student societies and social media. The Sociological Review, 63(4), 820-839.
Menzies, J. L., & Baron, R. (2014). International postgraduate student transition experiences: The importance of student societies and friends. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 51(1), 84-94.
BIRDS
IMAGES by Anadi Sharma
BLOSSOM ARE
WHERE YOU PLANTED
Observing the Crown and Anchor Hotel
It’s Wednesday night and the evening air is crisp biting at my skin, but the crocheted scarf, layered jumpers and doubled up socks in my boots make it worthwhile to adventure out to the cold for a midweek pub visit. On the corner of Grenfell Street and Union Street, The Crown and Anchor Hotel sits. The beloved pub fills the east end with a contagious buzz. Bursting in and around its doors with people, it feels as almost half of Adelaide share the same Wednesday evening location. Some people stand, some of them share a chair, some of them walk up and down bumping into friends. But there is not a single person without a glass in hand. It would be rude not too, as Wednesday teases for a good night offering its weekly deal of $3 schooners and free entry to see a line-up of local bands. Groups exchange conversation:
“Do you want a schooner?”
“Should we check out the bands?”
And so, the familiar Cranker lingo begins.
The building is a traditional colonial style, placed on corner position and running along the hustle and bustle busy Grenfell Street, sweeping around to the quieter backstreet side of Union Street.
A chalkboard hangs on Union Street displaying “This Week at Cranker!”
Hosting an array of events altering each week, Monday: Pool competition, Tuesday: Cranker Comedy and tonight, Wednesday: Nocturnal Animals play alongside The Yellow Wallpaper and Alright Psycho. The outside setting is full of worn round tables surrounded by plastic chairs covered in band stickers and graffiti tags. Tables are crowded with beers, forming a ring of dark and pale ales to summon the space. From beers, beers, beers followed into syncretised cheers, the people of Adelaide begin to sink in and hibernate here for the night; seated among strangers or strangers who become friends. Eavesdropping into conversations beside me, I glimpse into the lives of the people of Adelaide.
“I can’t believe I have work in the morning, this is my 7th beer.”
“The meaning of life is 42! The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy taught me that.”
“The guy I went on date with on last Tuesday is studying to be a lawyer, but I swear he has a criminal record.”
“Remember when we went to Tasmania, we should really book another trip soon!”
WORDS by Emily Hannon
“
SAVE THE CRANKER —
The pub is getting the love it deserves.
“My mother was asking how you were man.”
No matter how intelligent, intriguing or bland, the people around behave in new and fascinating ways. Observing people out at the pub is like watching animals escape outside of their zoo enclosures. They’re vulnerable and also seem to run wild.
Above the main entrance the glowing symbol of the pub’s logo: a boat anchor and a crown sitting on its body is displayed. Accompanied by the personalised tag “the home of cold beer and amplified music” inviting you in. Peeking through the pubs arched windows and glass doors, the inside is full of bodies moving around the pub, from lining up at the bar to playing pool and chatting together seated on high bar stools. It goes without saying, that peeping in from the outside allows you to gauge the perfect time to order a pint without becoming a sardine amongst the sea of thirsty people. It’s a case of timing when striking the courage to grab a beer and move to the entrance; a slight push of the door, the music blasting from inside feeds out of the place momentarily. But before officially stepping into Cranker’s floor, we step aside for people migrating outside. Holding the door open for a boy balancing three schooners in an impressive triangle formation to gift to his friends. Followed by four bandmates moving their music equipment from the pub to their van parked across the street. Repeated Thank yous are exchanged as my door duties pass on to the stranger behind me.
Entering into high ceilings the original light fixtures fuse out ambient lighting to the pub. My feet guide me through the pub’s wet and sticky wooden floorboards to place myself on a rounded old barstool. The unattractive cream and red paint colour is only noticeable to me now looking past the array of signs, stickers and picture frames on the walls. The paraphernalia in the pub is steeped in history, notes of money from around the world cover one wall, most likely signifying the multiple backpackers who have stopped to enjoy this venue on their travels. The wall beside is film photos capturing smiling faces and the rosy cheeks of customers and staff. Visual points of interest striving to maintain its identity and authenticity, compared to new bars coming into play in the city, nothing beats this old pub feeling and essence.
To the right of the pub, two pool tables sit always occupied by scary men that seem to treat the game as an Olympic sport. Pushing past the pool table territory, the sacred space of the women’s bathroom awaits. The walls are covered in graffiti tags and stickers parallel to the outside chairs. A roller coaster of emotions journaled onto the walls, angry messages from “Benny is a cheater, I HATE MEN!” to motivational quotes like “live, laugh, love, I know love exists because I exist, and I am full of it.” It is quite the view seated in the cubicle. A front row seat to gaining insight
“
There is stories in the bones
of this pub…
into the secrets, confessions and statements from cranker goers.
The pub sits to the right of main entrance and stretches around the corner outside the doors of the band room. The usual array of band posters and upcoming gigs on the pub walls are replaced by “SAVE THE CRANKER” campaigns. More than ever, the pub is getting the love it deserves and with the recent plans of new development, the pub is threatened to become extinct. There is character, history and stories in the bones of this pub — 170 years of it.
The band room is secluded to the back of the pubs flimsy French doors guarding the space, yet the music still sneaks through the cracks filling into the pub. The walls are black; apart from one which has a mural of two skeletons playing guitars, partnered with block letters— “170 years of Cranker.” The band room is an intimate setting, the stage sits knee high and those performing on stage connect with the audience by chatting and shaking their hands mid set. The room is infinitely buzzing from the tranquillity of live music and audience’s presence. The band’s melodic sound is delivered by the guitar theatrics, eccentric bass lines, blistering drums, powered by vocal elasticity of the lead singer which charms the local crowd. Not a single person in the crowd stands still, from nods of satisfaction to dancing and forming a mosh pit. Looking around the hue lighting strikes the stage and bounces around the room illuminating the familiar faces of my friends. Standing next to my best friend, her
face is lit by a crimson glow that makes her look euphoric.
The diversity and space is comforting, no matter the age of those within. It’s the perfect place to watch the people of Adelaide in their local habitat. Different aesthetics fill the space; alternatives to the average Joe’s but everyone seems to be authentic to themselves. Yet a reoccurring pattern between them seems to be one, shoes, Doc Martens are generally on display. They’re non-pretentious and fit into the relaxed aesthetic of the bar. There isn’t exclusion in the space — it feels as though everyone is here on their own terms to enjoy Cranker’s atmosphere. There is a sense of comfort in such a public space. They say, “home of where the heart is,” yet a sense of home occurs on a Wednesday night in an ancient pub on a gloomy Adelaide evening. Personally, it may be the pub’s interior and atmosphere that reminds me of Ireland and visiting old Irish pubs when I was young. Maybe it’s watching the bands perform, and this experience affirms my love for music. Maybe it’s being huddled around a table with my friends, sharing stories and soaking each other in mutual love. Maybe it’s the bar at arm’s reach and the alcohol talking that makes you so effusive about the place. But like the cultural landmark that it is, this pub holds a lot of memories within its walls as a hotel and bar, as a space that connects itself to me and so many of my friends.
IMAGE by Justin Joji
IMAGES by Lauren Finch
“Coming from America, city art installations are rarer than you might think. In my first week living in Adelaide, the gentle glow of the “Illuminate” light installations immediately caught my eye. Drawn to their beauty, I had to see them up close. The pieces captivated my imagination, and I found them truly amazing!”
ILLUMINATE ADELAIDE
INTERVIEW: An Op-shop That Had Gucci Shoes, Kicks Off To A Flying Start
Visiting Wollongong University on the outskirts of Sydney was all it took to spark a new project throughout USASA campus stores. With the ‘cost-of-living’ crisis on people’s agendas and a surplus of items needing to be repurposed, considering an op-shop with affordable retail items seemed a no-brainer.
Worn-out Gucci shoes acquired by some lucky fashion queen were snapped up within an instant once placed out front of the City West store. Perhaps the luxury Italian fashion label dismally positioned into the faded leopard print slides caught the attention of one in-store shopper, but speaking with shop manager Louise Doyle, the price point would have been hard to resist.
With prices between $3 and $20, USASA’s new op-shop and offerings guarantee something for everyone, from clothing, shoes, and books to homewares and professional workwear. As Louise and I chat about this exciting new venture, she notes that business wear, such as jackets and formal pants, can be particularly beneficial for job seekers preparing for interviews.
The store’s products’ affordability and variety make the op-shop a compelling choice for all shoppers. However, time-poor students will benefit the most if they are on campus and have time to pop into a USASA shop.
As USASA’s team busily sort out this week’s delivery, Louise points out that increasing demand for warm clothing, particularly menswear and blankets, is very much needed.
“We even have requests for puzzles and board games,” Louise shares before pausing for a moment’s thought as though scouring a shopping list; “stationery, personal care and cosmetics are always handy, too!”
“Is there anything you don’t need,” I amusingly interrupt.
“Used underwear! Definitely not required!” Louise laughs.
While it’s not only second-hand items that are available in-store, USASA’s supporting partner for pre-loved items, Save The Children, viewed collaborating with UniSA as a win-win solution to offload quality stock for bargain prices.
“We have donation bins placed outside our shops and in the foyer at City West’s Jeffrey Smart building, but without Save The Children, the op-shop initiative would not have been possible.”
“This week, Supre trackie pants were
Interviewer Melissa Raymond
Interviewee
Louise Doyle
“ This week Supre Trackie pants were delivered with the tag on, so they know they are brand new!
delivered with the tag on, so you know they are brand new.”
I asked if all UniSA campuses will have an opshop. “At this stage, we just have City West and Magill, but soon, we hope to open City East and Mawson Lakes.”
Today, the eleven USASA employees have little spare time because they are heavily reliant on volunteers to establish the new offering. The team comprises a mix of USASA volunteers and employees keen to sort out weekly donations. They happily sift through stock, eagerly awaiting the free pizza and grilled cheese aromas about to overtake the room. The positive vibe is infectious, making everyone feel welcome and part of a community.
Keen to find out how students can join the fun, I ask if more volunteers are needed.
“All UniSA students can sign up to volunteer through the USASA website, and from there, we put out a weekly call for students to add their names to the roster. This is a more flexible approach to suit busy schedules.”
I recall recently completing the UniSA+ Award program, an extracurricular leadership course, which has just updated the volunteer requirements to sixty hours. I think this would have been ideal and a time-saver, as I could
have volunteered and scoured the op-shop for my favourite items, such as second-hand books and vintage collectables.
Louise is not new to the op-shop game, she happily ran Save The Children for over six years. Keen to continue helping others in need while mixing with other like-minded people, she excitedly joined the USASA team last May.
“Another thing!
Save The Children are always looking for more volunteers too, and it’s a great place to meet new people and work in a safe environment.
The first step is to message their text line (0419 698 344) with the words, “volunteer opportunities”
RISE AND GRIND!
By Jade Woollacott | @jade. woollacott
Semester two is upon us and On The Record has scouted out some of the cheapest coffee in and around Adelaide to get you through the rest of the year.
Uni students are no strangers to caffeine, but it is no secret that the price of a good cup of coffee has soared.
When OTR last looked at Adelaide’s affordable coffee in 2018, prices were closer to the $4 mark, but now it feels lucky to find anything under $5.
Worse still, earlier this year CityMag reported Adelaide’s coffee prices are only expected to rise.
Of course, alternative milks incur an extra charge and, as a general rule, iced lattes tend to cost more.
Nonetheless, OTR has compiled a list of some of Adelaide’s most affordable — and aesthetic — coffee spots where you can get your caffeine fix for under $5.
Whistle and Flute
136 Greenhill Road, Unley
On the cusp of the CBD’s south, Whistle and Flute is hidden on the ground level of one of Greenhill Road’s corporate-looking buildings. An oasis amid the 9–5 grind, this cosy cafe is also within reasonable distance of UniSA’s city campuses.
Small coffee: $4.50
Small iced latte: $4.50
Alternative milk: + $1
My Grandma Ben
5 Third Street, Bowden (Plant 4 Bowden)
My Grandma Ben is a sustainable pioneer nestled among the mini market scene of Bowden’s Plant 4. Because of its unique, sustainable philosophy, this cafe does not offer takeaway services to reduce waste. However, you can take a reusable coffee cup or, even better, set up shop for a short study session only a short tram ride west of UniSA’s city campuses.
Small coffee: $4.80
Small iced latte: $5.50
Alternative milk: + 80c
Love your coffee? Affordable brews for Adelaideans.
Joe’s Henley Beach
Esplanade, Henley Beach
Moving further west, you could not enjoy a coffee any closer to the ocean, unless you were in it, than at Joe’s Henley Beach. While this laid-back beach shack cafe offers a quiet reprieve from the hustle and bustle of busy Henley Square, it’s probably best to book if you’re planning on eating (or drinking) in.
Small coffee: $4.50
Small iced latte: $6
Alternative milk: + $1
Local Crowd
14 The Strand, Colonel Light Gardens
Local Crowd delivers exactly what its namesake suggests: a small crowd of friendly locals. Add on to that some decently priced, good coffee; photogenic food; some local products on offer; and the leafy green background of Colonel Light Gardens and it makes for the perfect coffee spot.
Small coffee: $4.50
Small iced latte: $8
Alternative milk: + $1
Peter Rabbit
234–244 Hindley Street, Adelaide
Located within what some call the “concrete jungle” of UniSA’s City West Campus, Peter Rabbit is a rustic garden refuge. With such a convenient location for City West–goers there is no excuse to pay more elsewhere
when a well-priced cup of coffee is on your doorstep.
Small coffee: $4.80
Small iced latte: $5.50
Alternative milk: + $1
Frankly Bagels
60 Belford Avenue, Prospect | 88 Magill Road, Norwood
Frankly Bagels know their way around a damn good bagel, but they also know how to make a cup of coffee that won’t break the bank. The original tiny cafe — if it’s even big enough to call it that — in Prospect has recently expanded to a second location on Magill Road. It’s quite literally down the road from UniSA’s Magill Campus.
Small coffee: $4.50
Small iced latte: $5.50
Alternative milk: + $1
Sublime Cafe
55 East Avenue, Clarence Park
Proudly female owned, the recently reopened Sublime Cafe in Adelaide’s southern suburbs sits next to the train line and only a short distance from the tram line. Besides providing an affordable cup of coffee, Sublime also claims they are home to Adelaide’s best bottomless brunch.
Small coffee: $4.80
Small iced latte: $6
Alternative milk: + $1
WINNER ALERT
Congratulations to Alex C. for their piece “Last Spring, There Was A Girl” Which one Edition 60: Most Creative Entry! A Shout out to USASA for providing this Edition’s prize; a USASA hoodie!
“ The cold desolate skies that wept are now gentle murmurs, an illusion of the past.
BLOSSOM
ACROSS
2. Archbishop Desmond Tutu stated, “My father used to say, ‘Don’t raise your voice. Improve your argument” (@ readersdigest) and if you can’t than that’s how …. goes
4. I start with the letter C. I can be bright, mellow, bold, dark or blurred. I can be created in many forms. The selection of this design element is nothing but the delightful choice artists refer to as…
DOWN
1. A sign of spring and thanks to a bee, as a flower I have the power to…
3. No thing, person, will of all gods and spirits can stop the energy within me…
5. Forever gone is the season before and spring is a chance for all seeking to…
6. Repair, renew. Life is all around it and you…
7. At times some people dread me, at times my sting will scare you, but for all the world’s greatest pleasures, without me, the world would be nothing but dull.
8. A moment in time like no other, beginning with the letter A and comprising 9 characters; once my thoughts are clear, I know an …….. is here. ((Across) 2. Life, 4. Colour, 8. Awakening, (Down) 1.
Bloom,
3. Flourish, 5. Renew, 6. Energy, 7. Insects)
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @versemagazine to stay updated on writing challenge prompts, competitions, deadlines, release dates etc. You might even see your own work pop up every now and then! Stay up-to-date and follow #Versemagazine!
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
USASA, because ultimately, it’s yours and is there to fight for and support you.
Hello, my name is Oliver Shephard-Bayly, and I’m your Student President for 2024.
It’s scary how quickly we’re getting to the end of the year, but I just wanted to reflect on how busy it’s been, everything we’ve been able to achieve and what’s next for the UniSA Student Association.
For those of you who might not know, the University of South Australia Student Association (USASA) has served students since 1994, providing the services students need, supporting clubs, making sure there are always fun events, and keeping the university honest.
It’s played a really important role and every UniSA student should be proud of the work of
I’m really proud of the work I’ve been able to achieve as first Magill Representative and now President. We’ve greatly expanded our well-being services, ensuring all students can access financial counselling and USASA/ University Financial Grants. We’ve secured significant funding for more student food welfare on campus (exciting announcement to come) and delivered new pool, foosball and arcade tables across campuses. Opened Op Shops. Seen larger and more significant events and more actively engaged clubs. And so many other small wins that deliver real material outcomes and improve the lives of students.
One really sad part of the merger is soon we’ll have to say goodbye to USASA. Although I can promise you our team isn’t slowing down and USASA will continue to do big things in 2025, eventually like many other things around the Uni we will have to say goodbye and while it exciting and a big opportunity it’s also bittersweet.
In 2026, we’ll have to say hello to a new student association. But it’s so important we build on everything UniSA Students love and are proud of about USASA. The new student association will be yours, and it’s important that you have your voice heard and fight for what’s important in its structure and services.
I can tell you, I will always continue to make sure UniSA student’s voices are heard and please reach out to me if you ever have a question or an idea. Student associations are yours and are always there for you, and it’s so important we keep it that way at the new university. Best of luck as you navigate semester five.
Thanks! Oli
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