‘Activism has no age,’ a cry to Sydney and Illawarra high school students as they gather at this year’s ecological symposium. Waverley College hosted the event, which focused on the effects of plastics and microplastics in the waterways. Guest Speaker Dr Marjorie O’Neill MP stated that she has a particular passion for environmental issues, that it ‘runs in her veins.’ “We are all responsible for the state of the future,” Dr O’Neill said “Activism and seeking change have no age limit; we are all responsible for making a change.” Dr O’Neill said that the email writing workshops were a valuable…
Author: Alice Baker
Walking through a crowd of sweaty bodies, the sun’s heat blazes past the lone cloud, teasing with a shade that never comes. As you scan the crowd, glittery bikini tops paired with chunky boots mingle with a variety of three-piece fruit shorts, button-ups, and bucket hats from Jay-Jays. To the untrained eye, this might resemble a beach scene. But as you lift your gaze from the slightly dusty, discoloured grass to the main stage, it becomes unmistakably clear: this is an Australian music festival. Such scenes, though, are increasingly at risk as major festivals such as Splendour in the Grass…
The federal government announced in its 2024 budget that $8.6 million will be dedicated to enhancing accessibility and inclusion at live music performances. The cancellation of the Australian Music festival Groovin the Moo and other festivals due to poor ticket sales has left music fans disappointed and home-grown acts with fewer opportunities to showcase their talent. Australian Indie musician Otis Wishart has been trying to move up in the industry and says the contracting music festival scene is a setback. “The cancellations kind of say that Australia is not a profitable place to perform,” he said. “Festivals are formative for…
Indigenous representation at executive level is decreasing in the AFL, falling from 87 in executive roles to 71 in just four years, according to latest figures. Australian Football League (AFL) chief executive Andrew Dillon said the importance of having all people represented in the team and is aware of the decline but is not alarmed. In conjunction with Reconciliation Australia, the AFL hosts two rounds dedicated to the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Indigenous woman and recipient of the Nanga Mai award and the Northern Beaches Young Person of the Year (2021), Steph Evans said the Indigenous rounds can be a “little…
Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, travel and tourism have surged to their highest rate since 2019. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released data on the arrivals and departures of international travellers, revealing the impact of border closures on the decline of travel. Nothing was going to get in the way of London-based traveller Jodie Hall, who was determined to explore the world. “You learn so much more travelling than you ever would at uni, just try and find jobs along the way to get you to your next location and it should work out fine,” she…
The ground was glowing, shades of yellow and orange so bright they hurt your eyes. As the yellow reached higher, the colour grew dimmer. Just orange. A dark orange. That orange faded into the black of the night sky, a haze covering any remnants of the stars. A beautiful sight, if it wasn’t someone’s home turning to ashes. In 2019, Australia recorded its worst bushfire season in history. Unprecedented weather conditions and a severe drought led to 7% of New South Wales erupting in flames. Fast forward to 2023, and the NSW government has predicted this summer to consist of…