UNIVERSAL Edition 30
FREE
THROWBACK
From The Editor Reflecting on our past achievements and lessons learned are an essential aspect of progressing into the next chapter of our lives. This is also true in our case, in the progression and evolution of our magazine. Yes, you read the front page correctly; reminiscing about the good ol’ days prompted the KYSS team to reflect and then step into the future as the Universal team. The team felt that we needed a name which better represented who we are and what we do, hence the exciting metamorphosis to the selected name of Universal. This magazine is for all young people in the City of Kingston- people with different interests, different life stories, different hopes, different dreams and different talents. Fear not, despite a new name and a new logo, we are still the same team, with the same vision to produce an excellent, informative, inspiring and interesting magazine. We would also like to take this opportunity to honour all of the contributors throughout the history of the magazine and the hours and energy that have been poured into the publication, to bring it to where it is today. In this Throwback Edition, we focused on celebrating and remembering our childhoods through articles such as Once Upon A Time
and The 2000s. Classic movies are featured in Tim Roberts’ 90s Movies and Nonoka Minami’s Tribute To Hayao Miyazaki. The injustices of our past were acknowledged in Xia Rain Tiligadis’ piece History Walking Right By Us. Write ups of the Ink About It and Lil’ Flicks awards nights also feature in this edition, highlighting the incredible talent our Kingston youth community exerts in writing and film making. We hope you delight in reading our Throwback Edition. It provoked me to walk down my own memory lane, and I hope it prompts you to reflect on your past experiences and accomplishments. Don’t forget to let us know what you thought about the magazine via our reader survey. The first ten people to read the magazine and complete the survey will receive a free Village Cinemas movie voucher!
Enjoy!
Mikaela Copland
Interested in joining the team? ...Or looking to submit some work?
Please contact Paul on P: 1300 369 436 E: paul.corb@kingston.vic.gov.au
UNIVERSAL Edition 30
FREE
THROWBACK
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The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views, values and official position of the City of Kingston or any of its officials, representatives or employees
Cover design by Zach Ayman
Kingston Youth Services and the Universal team acknowledge the support of the Victorian Government
Contents THE CITY WE CALL HOME
COMPARISON
ONCE UPON A TIME
BACK TO THE PENNY ARCADES
Written by Melly Zhao Designed by Jessica Watts
Written by Mariah Abdou Designed by Sammar Bassal
Written by Alayna Hansen Designed by Sammar Bassal
Written by Jack Crowe Designed by Sammar Bassal
VINTAGE MEMORIES
WRITING FROM THE PAST
WHAT LIES BEYOND THE FOG?
Captured by Mikaela Copland Designed by Zach Ayman
Written by Tessa Petrie Designed by Jessica Watts
Written by Joshua Ratten Designed by Sammar Bassal
A TRIBUTE TO HAYAO MIYAZAKI
THE BEST 90s MOVIES
WEDNESDAY ADDAMS
DEVIL IN DISGUISE
Written by Nonoka Minami Designed by Sammar Bassal
Written by Tim Roberts Designed by Nicole Matthew
Illustrated by Radhika Grenside-Hansen Designed by Joh D’Costa
Written by Ella Mairs Designed by Sammar Bassal
THE 2000s
INK ABOUT IT 2016
THE SILVER FOX
HISTORY WALKING RIGHT BY US...
Written by Matthew Duigan Designed by Sammar Bassal
Written by Xia Rain Tiligadis Designed by Sammar Bassal
INK ABOUT IT 2015
LIL’ FLICKS 2015
PICTURE THIS 2016
Written by Lucas Brearley Designed by Sammar Bassal
Written by Xia Rain Tiligadis Designed by Sammar Bassal
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Written & Designed by Joe Eddy
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INTERNATIONAL YOUTH SILENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016
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BATTLE OF THE SOUNDS 2016: FRIDAY FLASHBACK
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THE CITY WE CALL HOME WRITTEN BY MELLY ZHAO DESIGNED BY JESSICA WATTS
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f you had to pick one most special day during the year, what would it be? Undoubtedly, many will say it is their birthday. While we all remember our own birthdays, and our own family heritages, let’s not forget that the city we live in also has an identity of its own. In celebration of the 180th birthday for Melbourne on the 30th August 2015, I asked people about the first thing that came to mind when Melbourne was mentioned. Some pictured the gorgeous beaches and others said the easy-going lifestyle. People also spoke about the popular tennis grand slam, the fact that Melbourne has often been awarded the title of the world’s most liveable city and the friendly locals. It is these factors and more, that make Melbourne so appealing worldwide. Melbourne was born almost two centuries ago; it looked vastly different back then. The appearance of Melbourne has come a long way since its beginning when John Batman and his party first made landing on the banks of the Yarra River. Batman recorded his first impression of Melbourne at the time in his diary on the night of the landing. He wrote “About six
miles up, found the river all good water and very deep. This will be the place for a village.” At that time, Melbourne was not a particularly appealing place; unfertilised soil, meagre supplies of necessities, its first migrants were convicts, and it was a long distance from other establishments. It was regarded as an unpleasant place to be. In 1851, Melbourne became one of the world’s richest cities, due to the discovery of gold that brought migrants from all over. Suddenly the population of Melbourne skyrocketed, and modern Melbourne slowly started coming into shape. Without these changes, Melbourne would probably still be a little-known rural community. So much has changed within the last 180 years. The first Australian coffee shop opened in Melbourne in 1837, the first feature-length Australian film was shown in 1906, and what is now one of the world’s oldest and largest tram networks was established. Melbourne is a beautiful city that we are proud to call home. If you are like me, and feel that whenever you return to Melbourne after time away, you can’t stop marvelling at the sky that seems clearer than anywhere else and you savour the cool air which seems fresher than anywhere else, then congratulationsyou are a Melburnian! The city is peaceful, yet has a sense of vibrant energy at its heart. It is happy and fun, and yet it can also be solemn and a place of reflection. It is easy-going, and yet it can also be a mad rush to navigate. It really is one of a kind, and in my opinion, you shall never find another city in the world that comes remotely close to what Melbourne means to each and every one of us who live in it. Yes, indeed Melbourne has become a crucial part of our identity and we will continue to grow together with it. So enough about all the extraordinary developments in the last 180 years, and all the reasons we love Melbourne. What do you think the next 180 years will bring? I think I’ll just leave that to your imagination… Information on Melbourne sourced from: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/ batmania--the-city-that-never-was20150828-gjadz6.html. The Age article - Happy 180th birthday, Melbourne: Remembering Batmania, the city that never was. Melbourne illustration from: h t t p : / / m a h a n i d e l b o r r e l l o . co m / t a g / melbourne/. Arts Centre illustration from: http://melbournalia.com.au/products/ lewispostcardsset
COMPARISON
Mariah Abdou Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est and Jessie Pope’s Who’s For The Game? are both very distinctive poems with an influential meaning behind each one.Who’s for the Game? is a poem designed as propaganda to encourage men to join the war movement. Dulce et Decorum Est is a poem which displays the nitty-gritty happenings of war, and was written as a response to Pope’s poem. This poem was also addressed to the British public and depicted realistic views of war. While both poems have the same theme of war, the contentions of the writers are completely opposite.
Dulce et Decorum Est is Latin for ‘It is sweet and right’. This is an ironic statement referring to Pope’s Who’s for the Game? It also states ‘Pro patria mor’ at the end of the poem which combines with the title to translate as ‘It is sweet and right to die for your country’. This line is making a mockery of Pope’s poem and views. The title Who’s for the Game? was chosen by the writer to portray war, like a game and competitive entertainment for all to enjoy. Dulce et Decorum Est speaks of fatigued soldiers struggling to crawl through the thick sludge of the landscape. “Knocked knees” illustrates that the soldiers were so close together and “coughing like hags” describes their exhaustion due to illness. These statements show that according to Owen, war is quite the opposite of the game described by Pope. The line “Who will give his country a hand?” from Pope’s poem attempts to depict war as simply ‘helping out a friend’. This attempts to influence the reader to view war as a small and effortless task. The poem Dulce et Decorum Est gives us a glimpse of the tragic reality of the First World War. Some horrific tragedies took place and these were graphically depicted in the poem. Soldiers suffered. Soldiers died. The poem does not shy away from depicting the true horrors of war. The author states that anyone who witnessed the brutality of war would not declare the lie that it was sweet and right to die in the arena of battle.
Who’s for the Game? doesn’t acknowledge the abominable deaths which befell soldiers constantly. The poem also doesn’t describe the danger that the soldiers had signed up for. The lines “Who’ll grip and tackle the job unafraid? And who thinks he’d rather sit tight in the stand?” attempt to convince the reader that it’s better to be in the playing fields, to lend a hand and help out their country rather than sitting on the proverbial bench. We realise however that war is not fun and games. Soldiers leave family and friends behind and often fight in foreign nations and they die, often in brutal and cruel ways. War is not a game. The few soldiers who did arrive home were left in a constant state of fear, with ongoing emotional and psychological trauma. They would never be the same. They were scarred- physically, emotionally and psychologically. Having witnessed and experienced such morbid and nightmarish events, it often took a long period of time for soldiers to heal. Post-traumatic stress disorder affected many, leaving them numb and disconnected from society. Pope’s poem states that going to war is fun and a show. The old die, but it is sweet and right to die for your country; a lie passed down from one generation to the next. It is my opinion that Pope’s perspective on war is naïve and sheltered. Owen’s response is a wake-up call to the United Kingdom and to the world. As there were no televisions back then, people never saw what actually happened in war. Owen’s poem definitely changed the attitudes and opinions of many on the whole notion of war. The revolutionary message of Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est was certainly perspective changing. From comparing the two poems we can gather that war is a brutal and cruel endeavour, not to be pursued as entertainment or adventure. It is far more than merely lending a hand for a friend. Everything is sweet,everything is right, or so they said. http://resources0.news.com.au https://storybookstorage.s3.amazonaws.com
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WriTTen by AlAynA HAnsen
nce UpOn A Time
Bedtime, when we were younger, was never a pleasant experience. The incessant pleading, tantrums, scrambling into hiding places and refusing to brush our teeth – parents have heard it all before. And for us, the villains of the whole escapade, our rebellion would result in one of three possibilities: no dessert after dinner, a stern reprimand or the pacifying, gentle scapegoat of a story. Now, as the ‘Z Generation’ thriving on an ever-increasing buzz of social networking sites as our daily reading material, it’s nostalgic to recall the likes of Elma the Patchwork Elephant, The Rainbow Fish and Where the Wild Things Are; stories that were summoned as an effort to sooth our cantankerous behaviour, but were possibly teaching us more than we could imagine. Even as far back as the Brothers Grimm, Aesop and Hans Christian Anderson, fairy tales and fiction have both delighted, awed and terrified young children into being their best angelic selves, just in case Baba Yaga came in her chicken-legged house and devoured them. But since we’re the kids of the 90s, we’ve modernised the traditionally violent and often gruesome plot lines into a happily-ever -after adventure, topped with gossamer threads of spun sugar and true love’s kiss. Yet the morals behind each story still ring crystal clear to the truest believer, and with a little help of pixie dust, can be a humourous ‘How-to’ guide to the lives we lead as young adolescents.
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snOW WHiTe Let’s begin with our first Disney Princess, Snow White. Like most animated beauties, she’s effervescent, innocent and happens to speak fluent animal. Though her story epitomises the classic battle between good and evil, with just a sprinkle of loyal four foot tall sidekicks and a spoonful of the dashing Prince Charming, the modern morals of the story remain as bright as day. Vanity, in extreme cases, isn’t going to get you anywhere (except maybe chased off a cliff in a storm, like the Evil Queen). ‘The Fairest Of Them All’ is basically a competition of who’s got the best contour kit, selfie technique –not to mention a Magic Mirror – and the most likes on Instagram. But who said she had any friends and was invited to frozen yoghurt outings? Comparing yourself constantly to the beauty of others will not only rally the green-eyed monster of jealousy, but probably make you feel like you’ll never be good enough. And yes, the beauty standards we hold in society are literally ridiculous (We’re no Victoria’s Secret models here). Like Snow White, embrace the freedom of being young and the person you’ve become. There isn’t anyone else like you in the world, and if someone is going to try and steal your heart for love, at least make sure it’s pure and pumping at a normal rate of 100 beats per minute, not hardened and congealed by spite. Don’t take poisoned
apples from strange women. It’s not exactly a good idea. cinDerellA Cinderella dressed in yella, went upstairs to kiss her fella…. but maybe it wasn’t as easy as it all sounds. Poor, plain, forced into slavery by her evil step-mother (Is there not a pattern already happening here?) simply because she could screw everything up for her own daughters and their chance with another Prince Charming. Despite the typical snarky villain desperate for a royal status, and the loss of a Louboutin along the way, Cinders manages to marry the man of her dreams with a little help of “Bibbidi-BobbidiBoo” and the glittery glam of a Fairy Godmother. Now if we traced this back to one of the many versions of Cinderella, particularly that imagined by French author Charles Perrault in Cendrillon (1697),the moral of the story appears that success will be achieved if you are gracious and have the blessing of your parents.Seemingly, these qualities are ‘priceless’ and of ‘even greater value’ than beauty. Okay, so getting the ‘blessing’ of Mum and Dad can be incredibly frustrating at times- it usually ends in door slamming, grounding, screaming matches or all three – and they’ll never completely understand how it is to be a teenager growing up now, when their heydays were void of modern technology and featured psychedelic disco music.
Times have certainly changed since then. With a concerning increase of drug use, assault and mental illness along with other social issues, it’s important to touch base with your family about anything that’s worrying or making you uncomfortable. Maybe they’ve got a new partner, you’re feeling alone at school or your exboyfriend won’t stop messaging you; your parents may not have the answer right now, or tickets to the next music festival to make you happy, but they’ll give it their best shot. If your relationship is rocky, talk to a sibling, your best friend, a guidance counsellor at school or even the team at Kingston Youth Services. They could just be your Fairy Godmother in disguise. Besides Perrault’s self-help morality, Cinders probably should have listened to her spirit guide and ran home before curfew, lest she should be turned back into a pumpkin instead of the coach. Take care when you go out with friends and don’t feel like you’re being a party pooper if you say no to things that make you uncomfortable– your fairytale night out might not end so happily-ever-after if you agree to everything. RAPUNZEL Next up we’ve got good old Rapunzel. So that girl knows how to spin a fishtail plait with all the floral trimmings, but is she really learning anything cooped up inside the tower with only the forest animals for company, and a grumpy old hag who yanks on her hairdo all the time? Sure, she’s got great accommodation, Wi-Fi reception and all the
Netflix she could ever need, but is this how she wants her whole life to play out? The answer is undoubtedly, a guaranteed NO. GO OUT AND SEE THE WORLD. Facebook,Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram can be addictive – it’s a social media profile that isn’t going to update itself. But your teenage years are more than twenty eight likes on your latest picture of a sunset. It’s about seeing that sunset in all its glorious shades of pastel pink and brilliant red with your own two eyes, not through a camera lens, and remembering it for yourself, not for your four hundred and thirty six friends back in cyberspace. It’s time to take a step outside your own tower and make it count. In Disney’s animated movie Tangled (2010) reprising the classic storyline, Rapunzel yearns for a life outside of her four walls and away from Gothel’s oppressive exploitation of her magical hair. Along with swashbuckling hero Flynn Rider, she crosses the Kingdom in search of her treasured lanterns, becoming resilient and following her dreams no matter how difficult the journey. She wouldn’t have discovered herself if she had remained in the tower with only a chameleon to ease out the deafening silence of isolation – she needed to carve her own independent path. Now this isn’t another self-help lesson, and you don’t need to take these morals as gospel, but fairy tale authors and animators are certainly winning the gold stars for their ‘How-to guides of being humble and decent human beings’. Villains, though we can be sympathetic to their plight, never really achieve their ultimate goals due to their narrow-minded and
selfish outlooks, consumed by malice and a blistering need to avenge personal injustices no matter how corrupted they become. Maleficent is defeated by a sword to the heart, the Evil Queen falls off a cliff, and Cinder’s wicked stepsisters have their eyes pecked out by pigeons. Moral of that story is, being nasty doesn’t get you anywhere, unless you want to be chased by birds. Yet for the fictional heroes that inspired our modern generation, like Mulan’s modest self-sacrifice and preservation of honour, Belle’s compassion for the Beast and Merida’s courage in the face of danger in Brave (2012), the battle against adversity is valiantly fought and successively won despite all trials and tribulations. You just have to believe in yourself and take a running leap into the world of your imagination.
Images sourced from: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/485192559833836290/ (Tinkerbell) http://www.pngall.com/cinderella (Cinderella) http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/t (Rapunzel) http://2.bp.blogspot.com/ (Snow White)
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Back To The
Penny Arcades
Jack Crowe Once upon a time, before we were addicted to Candy Crush and paralysed by neck cramps caused by looking down at our iPhones, there was another generation of gaming and devices. From the year 2000, we have created multiple versions of devices such as Wii, iPhones, Xbox and PlayStation that have affected our social interaction and academic performance. Our minds have become so addicted to the virtual screens that we take reality out of our memories. Even back in 1972 when the first game console, the Magnavox Odyssey was created, we became distracted and forgot all about the things that mattered most. Adults in the modern day are checking Facebook instead of watching their kids play sport. Our devices have become the excuses for not doing chores and homework. Before this, we possessed a better connection with reality. We were able to entertain ourselves with a different form of gaming.
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So, I plead to humanity - bring back the penny arcades! A penny arcade was a facility of gaming, yet not like our modern day Galactic Circus or Totally Game. A penny arcade was a small, yet fun hang out full of nonelectrical arcade games. Upon entering, you would pay to receive arcade coins or tokens. You would then insert your coin into one of the arcade games to play. If you won, you would be rewarded with more coins. An example of an arcade game is the electrifying machine. You place one of your hands on a handle and the more you lift it upwards, the more ‘shock’ you receive. Initially I was worried about the potential intensity of the shock. But not to worry; once I tried it, it just felt like a supreme version of pins and needles. Another example is the famous classic game Pinball which operates when a ball is
launched to a certain location, depending on how much force you apply. When launched, you must try and get the ball into a specific hole. Penny arcades are super fun. Yep, there still are some around! If you’re lucky, you may have a penny arcade within your area! The closest that I know of is located in the new Port of Echuca Discovery Centre, a village that engrosses you in its past.
what it feels like to live in the moment. Going to a penny arcade could even inspire you to create your own type of game. We cannot merely hide our memories in our phones; we must keep them alive in our minds as we live through the best gift of life. Reality.
The Port of Echuca’s shops and attractions are a reminiscence of the olden days where you can find a blacksmith and some of his interesting creations and you can take a wondrous tour on one of the boats such as the Mary Loo. The captain will tell you all about the crafting of the boats and the history of the Murray River. With my experience when visiting the Port of Echuca, I learnt that it isn’t just a great holiday destination, it is very educational too. In the Port of Echuca, the penny arcade is located in a fudge shop. The penny arcade also contains an old movie theatre! If you want popcorn for the movies, you need to win some in the old fashioned claw game, where your objective is to try to position the claw to grab a packet of popcorn. And trust me, none of the games are rigged. With the popcorn claw game, my brother and I only played it twice and had collected three packets of popcorn! While you’re there, don’t forget to purchase some fudge; it’s absolutely mouthwatering and taste bud friendly! I encourage you to visit a penny arcade. From my experience, they are very interesting, with variety of games to play and are definitely more enjoyable than playing Minecraft on your laptop! My brother and I spent almost forty minutes in there! Put down your gaming controller or device, and remember
Images sourced from http://allentyronejohnson.com/allwin-pennyslot-machines-for-sale/ http://www.rubylane.com/item/125252090762/Advance-Shock-MachinePenny-Arcade-Electric
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Vintage Memories Mikaela Copland
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Writing From The Past Written by Tessa Petrie & Designed by Jessica Watts
I enjoy going over all the old stories and poems I’ve written; it is almost as if something once so familiar feels like it is still part of you, but also part of something else. It is as if you are revisiting how you once thought and felt, only to discover new things you didn’t see before. I suppose it could have something to do with my preoccupation with the past. From the way people used to think and treat others, to my unusual love of classical and ‘bad’ eighties music, the past has always fascinated me. Below is a short piece I wrote when I was in Year 8. Reading over all my old work for this edition brought back so many memories, the good, the bad and the forgotten. Year 8 for me was a time where I wrote extensively, forming my own opinions and style which fuelled my passion for writing. By including this story for you to read I hope you can relate my words to something of your own past.
The cold. That was the first thing I felt. As the warm blanket of the unconscious mind lifted, I immediately succumbed to the snow and the cold biting wind. I stood up, looked around, and began to walk. I let my instincts guide me to what I imagined to be a cold bitter end. In my mind’s eye I could already see my soul’s light fading into oblivion. Suddenly I stopped. Who was I? Why was I on top of this cold, harsh mountain? I struggled to get a glimpse of my currently evasive past. Somehow I understood that knowing who I was could save my life. It didn’t cross my mind that it could just as easily end it.
My blind stumbling brought me to a cliff. I looked down into empty space. Empty space that was ready to be filled. The jagged rocks at the bottom reached up like despairing hands trying to hold onto a sliver of hope, of life. Somehow this thought and sight seemed familiar. I stood deep in thought, feeling a tugging at my mind. Before I knew it, everything came back to me. I wish it hadn’t. Image sourced from: http://iconolo.gy/archive/ looking-past/247. Background sourced from: http://bgfons.com/upload/paper_texture299.jpg
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D I R CE TH A PL
INK ABOUT IT 2015
WHAT LIES BEYOND THE FOG? JOSHUA RATTEN
Life often takes us through the fog, Unable to see ahead. We may feel like we are roaming, Unsure of where to tread. Sometimes our road is blocked by snow, And we are forced to wait. Sometimes our view is shrunk by trees, But as we walk further, these troubles abate. As the going gets tough and the weather harsh, As the road turns to gravel, We are forced to remember a simple truth: This road continues on, regardless of our travel. Far too often we forget, That we have a great potential for change, Because from every fault line in our life, Can be born a brand new mountain range. And during the trek through a deep valley, The sides may seem too steep to climb. But if we look to where our feet stride, we will see, The creek that’s been beside us the whole time. Fed by the snow of our mountain peaks, This creek sustains our way, It will give us strength to our next mountain top, To which our journey must away. And once we reach the pinnacle, We will look back on our slog, And gaze forward and wonder, What lies beyond the fog?
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A Tribute To
Hayao Miyazaki
Nonoka Minami Hayao Miyazaki. The mastermind behind Japan’s most cherished films Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro. A Japanese director, animator, and founder of one of the most praised animated film studios in the world,
Studio Ghibli.
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In his teens, Miyazaki was fascinated by animated films. As a young man, he aspired to become a comic book artist. Although he was not sure of his career path, he had a clear vision that he wanted to produce work that inspired children and pushed the boundaries of what imagination could do. In April 1963, Miyazaki started his career in animation, at the bottom of the artistic hierarchy. He moved up the ladder by impressing all his co-workers with his vivid imagination and never ending story ideas, which we are now all witnesses to. This led to his first film, The Castle of Cagliostro in 1979.
Hayao Miyazaki’s films not only summarise my childhood, but my mother’s as well. Since I’m a film fanatic, I’ve tried millions of times to force my Mum into watching a film with me, but she’s gone as soon as the Universal Studios title rolls on. Yet, she has watched and praised Miyazaki’s films and describes how deeply embedded with culture and imagination they are, beyond anything she has ever seen.
One of the main reasons as to why I adore Miyazaki’s pieces so much is how they remind me so clearly of home. The destinations he uses are all fictional, yet he fills them with things that are commonly seen and known, and therefore transmits the feeling of familiarity. From the busy narrow roads and the cluttered wires of the utility poles, to the traditional bathhouses they all symbolise Japanese culture. Much like how slang and white sandy beaches symbolise Australian culture. These small details that probably go unnoticed to those who’ve never been to Japan are the reasons why his films are so relatable and why I hold them so dearly.
Miyazaki has created a signature throughout his films through his eye for detail. Not a single frame is wasted, for he draws out every specific feature from his original ideas. This is why his films can be easily noted as magnificent pieces of art. For fifty years he has lived his dream and delighted audiences all across the world. So let us look back on the magic he has invented; the feeling of pure joy and adventure. We have learned to value friendship, family and to be true to ourselves, lessons that Miyazaki’s films will teach for generations to come.
Throughout the years, animation was more to Miyazaki than merely a hobby or passion. Miyazaki felt as though he owed it to animation to prove once and for all that it could cater to all ages. Unlike other popular animators, he didn’t gain audiences through stories of happy and lovable characters. Instead, he relied on complex and detailed characters such as Sheeta (Castle in the Sky), who struggles to balance her identity as a princess with her desire to be just like any ordinary kid who plays tag with their friends. Miyazaki puts his characters through real life
obstacles; Satsuki (My Neighbour Totoro) had to take on a motherly role for her little sister Mei, due to their mother falling ill. The frustration and panic Satsuki feels throughout the film is so relatable to us older sisters and a powerful sentiment regarding the unpredictability of life. Audiences can relate to and connect with Miyazaki’s strong, yet flawed characters, and therefore become immersed in his stories. Hayao Miyazaki is able to effortlessly create lively atmospheres, and yet add so much sophistication. This is how he managed to allure audiences into his vivid world. Miyazaki’s films have the tendency to always leave a lasting impression on me. I’ve recently re-watched Castle in the Sky and as each scene played out, little aspects gave me flashbacks of my younger self, absorbed in his films. For example, the egg on toast breakfast that Sheeta and Pazu shared, still remained in my memory from watching it ten years ago. This cements my belief that even in another fifty years from now, Miyazaki’s films will remain in my memories and embody my childhood forever.
Top Films by Hayao Miyazaki
Spirited Away: This Academy Award winning film is about a girl who is forced to move away to the suburbs and stumbles across a world of ghosts, witches and spirits. The artistry in this film is out of this world (pun intended), clearly demonstrating the high level of attention this man puts into his films. One of the scenes that comes to mind is where Chihiro is magically pulled into Yubaba’s room, and we get to see flashes of each room, all with astounding imagery. This shows that Miyazaki isn’t about creating flashy and extravagant scenes to boast about. Instead, he seeks to create little gems throughout the film that contribute to the ultimate masterpiece.
My Neighbour Totoro: A story of two sisters who move to rural Japan and discover a nearby forest inhabited by magical woodland creatures. This movie has a very simplistic concept, where it’s all about the characters. The emotions illustrated by these characters are subtle yet powerful, allowing us as the audience to read their emotions clearly. Miyazaki’s twist on expressing emotions in his characters is refreshing, for we rarely see subtle expressions in animations. The slight smiles, hugs and looks that linger for that extra second on screen are how the characters convey their bond with each other and how we as an audience resonate with our own relationships. The music also plays a major role in conveying emotions as it hints to us of happiness, sadness and other emotions. I automatically connect with the film in how the two sisters are constantly butting heads and yet, like most siblings, we just naturally forgive and restore the relationship with one another. I watched this film every other day with my little sister throughout our childhood and it really made me cherish having a sibling.
Images Sourced http://studioghiblimovies.com www.foureayed-monster.blogspot.com movies.disney.com http://chrissie-zullo.deviantart.com/art/A-Tribute-to-Hayao-Miyazaki436341587 www.frequency.com
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Written by Tim Roberts
The Best 90s Movies The 90s featured some of the most wonderful movies of all time, producing an endless amount of brilliant movies in just a decade. Whether you’re fan of drama, comedy, action or even a bit of horror, the 90s catered for all. But what are the ultimate best films produced in the 90s? Here is a list of what 90s movies I believe are the greatest, whilst taking into consideration the popularity and meanings of of those those films. films. meanings
Dumb and Dumber: A hilarious comedy about two friends regarded as ‘stupid’ in society. The two main characters Harry and Lloyd depart for a long journey from Rhode Island to Aspen in order to return a money packed briefcase to its owner while being pursued by a group of criminals. This flick is funny because Harry and Lloyd make decisions most of us wouldn’t even imagine, leading to a chain reaction of humourous consequences. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective: A foolish detective, played by Jim Carrey, who specialises in finding animals launches a search for a missing dolphin, the mascot of a football team. This movie is fantastic because the main character is out of his comfort zone, oblivious to the dangers that could emerge in his quest. Home Alone: An eight year old, portrayed by Macaulay Culkin, is accidently left home alone by his family when they depart for a Christmas vacation. The youngster endures an encounter with burglars and does everything in his power to defend his home. This movie is excellent as a young child sets up traps for the crooks resulting in hilarious outcomes; I remember watching the Home Alone series on numerous occasions when I was a youngster. Liar Liar: Yes, another film featuring the comical Jim Carrey. This time Carrey stars as a lawyer named Fletcher Reede, whose lying antics (acquired from his job) have a negative influence on his relationships. His lying habits change when his son Max makes a birthday wish; he wishes that his Dad cannot lie for 24 hours. Remarkably the wish is granted, resulting in Fletcher struggling to perform his job and hilarity ensues.
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Mrs. Doubtfire: A Robin Williams classic, where he stars as a recently divorced man, who is devoted to his children. His ex-wife has custody of the children, so in order to spend more time with them, he decides to dress up as an old lady and apply for the job of children’s nanny. Sounds funny, right? With Robin Williams dressed up as an old lady, whilst also trying to juggle two jobs, the film guarantees many laughs!
Happy Gilmore: A film explosive with laughter; renowned actor Adam Sandler plays the role of Happy Gilmore, a failed hockey player who turns to golf in a bid to save his grandmother’s house. An absolutely cracking classic. The Truman Show: With his fourth appearance on my list, I believe it is safe to say Jim Carrey is a comedic icon; this time he portrays a salesman who discovers his whole life is indeed a TV show. This is brilliant because for an extensive period of time, he is unaware the world basically revolves around him; every little embarrassing thing he does is seen by everyone. Groundhog Day: A fantastic film where Bill Murray plays the role of Phil, a weatherman who discovers he is stuck living the same day over and over. In the beginning Phil views it as a negative, then starts seeing it as a positive and takes advantage of the situation. Forrest Gump: One of Tom Hanks’ greatest acting performances. He stars as a slow-witted but kindhearted man who embarks on many different adventures and impacts many people. This is a feel good movie always worthy of a view. The Shawshank Redemption: A masterpiece demonstrating courage and hope. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins are the main stars of the film. An innocent prisoner serving a life sentence (Andy) forms a friendship with another prisoner (Red) and does the best he can to adapt to life in prison. Titanic: Based on the tragic true story of the Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as seventeen year old Jack Dawson, a poor artist who falls in love with a rich passenger named Rose (Kate Winslet) on the doomed ship. This movie is fantastic because it is full of emotion and demonstrates the extent people will go to for love.
Good Will Hunting: An inspirational film starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Will Hunting (Damon) has the IQ of a genius but works as a janitor. A professor discovers Will’s talents when he witnesses him solve a difficult Maths problem. Will gets arrested for assault and must attend sessions with therapist Sean Maguire (Williams). Schindler’s List: Based on a true story, Liam Neeson stars as Oskar Schindler, a businessman who employed Polish-Jewish refugees in his factories resulting in over a thousand refugees being saved from the Holocaust. A truly meaningful and inspirational movie. The Lion King: In this Walt Disney classic, a lion cub named Simba, destined to be a king, searches for answers to the past, makes some intriguing new friends and seeks justice for the duration of this enjoyable animated, family drama and comedy. Jurassic Park: A group takes a tour of an island theme park filled with dinosaurs created by prehistoric DNA. While the facility is deemed safe, the dinosaurs break loose and hunt the tour group, creating an action packed flick with its fair share of thrills. Overall, it was an awesome decade of movies. This list included passionate, meaningful, inspirational, feel good dramas and comedies. It is never too late to give these delightful films a watch. How many have you seen? Images sourced from: http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/ files/styles/article_640x430/public/truman_ primary.jpg http://www.titanicuniverse.com/wp-content/ uploads/2009/10/titanic-movie.jpg http://images4.fanpop.com/image/ photos/19100000/Sandler-in-Happy-Gilmoreadam-sandler-19142891-800-600.jpg http://static5.businessinsider.com/ image/515dc9dd69beddd307000007/thenand-now-the-cast-of-jurassic-park.jpg https://www.intellihub.com/wp-content/ uploads/2015/02/2079121875_26bcc40631_o.jpg http://img.lum.dolimg.com/v1/images/ character_thelionking_simba_a4161276. jpeg?region=0,0,450,450 http://static4.businessinsider.com/ image/53299c686da8118352b8ed72-480/ shawshank-redemption.jpg
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RADHIKA GRENSIDE-HANSEN PRESENTS
WEDNESDAY A D D A M S L A Y O U T B Y J O H D’CO S TA
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ER N N U P R U
INK ABOUT IT 2015
DEVIL IN DISGUISE ELLA MAIRS
On the coldest of days and the frostiest of nights, It covers the ground in a blanket of white. It brings along with it a menacing chill, That wafts through the mountains and valleys and hills. Delicate patterns and intricate swirls, Are formed in the crystals that sprinkle the earth. Sharp to the touch, yet pretty to the eye, A well-disguised devil that descends from the sky. As it drifts from above it lets out a small sigh, Whispering a warning as it cascades from up high. A gentle crackle can be heard as it sets, Popping and hissing with perilous threats. If you walk in bare feet you’ll be chilled to the bone, By thousands of flakes that have no exact clone. Like fine icing sugar it clings to the trees, Leaves slush on the roads and peppers the breeze. Although it is scary, it is angelic too, A curious song, both joyful and blue. Take a look out your window and soon you will know, There is nothing more haunting than fresh autumn snow.
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THE
The 2000s. The noughties. The ‘00s. This decade is so obscure that we haven’t even come up with a universal name for it. Perhaps it hasn’t been long enough for us to start truly appreciating the decade that was characterized by MSN, So Fresh compilation CDs and too much denim. Reminiscing on this decade in which I grew up in, I see it as both a time of embarrassment and sweet innocence. I was born in the nineties and while I’d very much like to categorize myself as a 90s kid, there’s no denying that I’m a 2000s kid through and through. But to be honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I never actually used MSN or MySpace, however I felt incredibly cool and rebellious whenever I signed into my Hotmail account during school. In my quest for uniqueness and just being popular, I came up with many online usernames that I used across several social media platforms. These are the same usernames which now make me cringe uncontrollably. Back then, meeting up with a friend on Club Penguin after school really was the highlight of my day. I’m sure many would agree. Furthermore on out-dated devices, I was sad to see that the Tamagotchi lost its popularity after the four or so years where it was the technological must-have for every primary school-aged child. Mine was zebra-striped and it had the infrared connection capabilities, which really was some next level stuff back in 2005. I loved trying to create a family which stretched back generations and was devastated when I found that my electronic pet had passed away. Who would have thought that a tiny egg-shaped capsule with a black and white pixelated screen could trigger so much emotion? Like numerous others, the last decade saw me amass a large collection of trading cards. Those were like currency back in the day. At my primary school, Yu-Gi-Oh cards were among my friends’ and my own most prized possessions. Seriously. I kept them in a locked box, which I have spent the last four years searching for. As you might imagine, the cards were banned from our school for a period of time and you’d occasionally witness some pretty shady deals going on. It was all to get that ultimate deck, one of which I am yet to obtain. I still need to find the last piece of Exodia (I had already collected the four limbs before my collection was so cruelly thrown out). If you have no clue what I’m talking about, I apologise. I occasionally let myself go when I’m reminiscing. The game and the trading cards that came with it were things that both formed friendships and broke them, especially when the ‘no trade-backs’ rule was in effect.
words/design/photography by joe eddy
The 2000s was a critical decade for technological advancement. Look to the late 90s and you’ll see guides on how to connect your computer to the Internet. Even now the sound of dial-up is so clear in my mind, as is the pain of waiting what seemed like hours for the computer to connect. Post 2010, we now have WiFi, touchscreens, smartphones, and self-driving cars on the way. Throughout this decade, there were a multitude of gadgets that today are outdated and almost laughable, but also hold special significance for those who grew up with them. You were the coolest if you had a mobile phone and if you had a flip phone pre-2007 you practically ruled the school. Rmembr wen ud go out of ur way 2 txt lyk dis??? :). Pretending that you couldn’t care less about proper grammar when texting was the best fun. My trusty Nokia brick phone served me well and I was sad to see it go. In six years, I’ve never had a more reliable phone. The 2000s will always hold a special place in my heart. Questionable fashion and the lack of good technology aside, I will look back on this decade as the one in which I spent my childhood and was carefree, until the day that I forgot my Club Penguin password and never got it back.
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Kingston Youth Services and Kingston Libraries present
NK
ABOUT IT
WRITING COMP THEME
HERO
Write a short story or poem!
13-17 18-25 AGE GROUPS
ENTER NOW
Entries close 15 October 2016
HEAPS OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS Winners published in Universal Magazine and on Kingston Libraries’ Website. Write a [G] rated short story or poem up to 1,000 words. Works must be original and based on the theme of HERO. For more info and to enter, please contact Paul Corb m paul.corb@kingston.vic.gov.au or drop in to Youth Services at Southland
ENTRY FORM AND MORE INFO kingstonyouth.org.au
W ER N IN
INK ABOUT IT 2015
THE SILVER FOX MATTHEW DUIGAN
The silver fox flickered across the surface of the frozen lake in a flash of glistening fur and sparkling eyes like chips of sapphire. The thin film of snow that had settled over the ice crunched silently beneath the fox’s padded paws, but otherwise the silence that pressed in against the woods was stifling. The early morning sun was just now lighting the distant line of the horizon and casting the few lingering clouds in a tapestry of vivid purples, yellows and oranges. The curious rays of light danced across the frozen landscape, causing mist to rise from the warming snow and rainbows to flicker amongst the forest of icicles that hung amongst the forest itself.
tendrils of refracted light coiling back and forth before it, those crystalline eyes glinting with expressions unknowable.
The light chased the darkness playfully across the sky, snuffing out winking stars one by one until only the full moon hung stubbornly in the azure sky, defiant till the very end. Skirting along the shrinking fringe of night was the Aurora Borealis, ribbons of light that snaked and curled around the darkness like the cosmic exhaust trails of a thousand shooting stars.
Those iridescent blue eyes gazed down into the layers of equally dazzling blue ice and stared hungrily at the salmon locked firmly in place. The fox didn’t have time to wait around for breakfast however. It knew something important was happening with the heralding of dawn, but it didn’t know what. Perhaps more pressing than the approaching anomaly however was the clear and present danger currently pursuing the silver animal. The fox had not detected the scent of the predator for some time now; the strong aroma of pine
The fox paused and raised its pink nose up to the swollen mass of the moon and the
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The animal’s fixation was interrupted as a gust of wind sighed over the lake, drawing a chorus of groaning protests from the trees as they swayed in rhythm to the gentle caress. Almost as if in response, the surface of the lake reciprocated with an excited crack. The fox flinched instinctively, a snarl rippling across its muzzle like the opening ridges of a clam shell to reveal pointed ivory teeth. The expression softened almost as soon as it began as the fox realised it was in no danger.
needles and other morning scents were proving distracting. A lithe shape shifted amongst the shadows surrounding the tree line on the opposite bank of the lake and something supremely confident and powerful padded out onto the ice. The snow leopard slinked forward with raw sinewy grace, its camouflaged fur failing to disguise the athletic strength of its sleek, bullet shaped body. The beast seemed neither excited nor interested in locating its prey, merely curious – with a calm certainty about its unflinching gaze that told the fox it would not be escaping this time. The leopard’s large emerald eyes flashed hungrily, the only warning of its intent, just before that powerful body coiled every muscle in preparation. The fox shot off the mark in a starburst of powdered snow at the same time as the leopard exploded forward in a blur of pumping legs.
flesh stretching across thick, flexing muscles. The grizzly bear had not yet seen the silver flash of fur as the fox slinked behind its lumbering mass and slipped into the hollowed centre of a rotted log. The snow leopard however, had just blundered directly into the beast’s path. The bear’s scarlet eyes darkened like identical flaws in a pair of rubies, a moment before it revealed a jaw-full of jagged teeth and cut loose with a reverberating roar. Already moving too fast to do anything other than attack, the leopard sprang forward and the two predators clashed in a blur of gnashing jaws, glinting claws and thrashing limbs. Just as the fight was winding down and the leopard was slinking away, bloodied and defeated, further into the woods, the sun finished its agonisingly slow ascent above the tree lined horizon.
That was when the anomaly happened. ***
Centuries of imprinted animalistic impulses howled through the fox’s veins, the natural instinct for self-preservation gifting strength to its tiny legs which fired like pistons. Snowcapped pines whooshed past on either side, the lightly powdered mirror like surface of the lake giving way to snow encrusted leaves and underbrush. The leopard would eventually catch its prey, the fox knew that, but that looming unknown phenomenon would change everything.
Whatever it was. The silver flash was moving so fast it appeared to be skimming across the surface of the snow, its limbs moving so fast they appeared to be non-existent. Something hot and foul washed over the fox’s back and it jack-knifed to the right, just as the leopard’s dripping maw snapped shut over nothing but frosty morning air. Hardly breaking stride, the agile snow cat readjusted course as effortlessly as a hawk surfing a shifting air-current, slowing only briefly before launching back into a full tilt sprint.
I awoke with a start, surrounded by muddy snow and my disorientated looking tribespeople. The dream trial had ended and it appeared as though my spirit animal, the silver fox, had come out the other side unscathed.
I would remain Chief for another season. My memory of the dream was hazy, but I did remember it feeling very vivid, as always, almost as though it had not been a dream at all. My ambitious husband suddenly materialised from behind a tree up ahead. He was sporting fresh slash marks to his chest, like a bear had taken a swing at him. The sapphire blue of my gaze met the emerald green of his and we stood like that for quite some time.
I’d always felt there was something predatory about those eyes.
That evasive maneuver would not work twice. The fox was fast running out of options when something impossibly large rose to its full imposing height amid the shimmering sheets of mist. The beast towered above even the snow leopard, great scraggly rolls of fur and
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History is a winding road. It has rivets and gaps throughout its path, Forks and cliffs along the way. An adventure that surprises and captivates, With forgotten paths, and ignored signs. Do you know the name Claudette Colvin? I bet you don’t, but you’ve heard of Rosa Parks. History is blood red, with cuts and scrapes, The words scratched out with a knife, Crafted to tell a tale. Paris. The Eiffel Tower. Egypt. The Pyramids. Italy. The Colosseum. Greece. The Acropolis.
Xia Rain Tiligadis History Walking Right By Us...
Paris. The winding map of tunnels, telling a story ofthe blackest death. Egypt. The pyramids cradling the bodies of Pharaohs, and the secrets of Queens. Italy. A theatre made for art, paving the way for the battle cry of bulls. Greece. A temple to a forgotten pantheon. History is told in watercolours. The legacy of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli. The turn of an ankle, the curve of the body, The secret smile of the long dead, Carrying her secret joy to the grave, A tale we will never know, Walked past by thousands of tourists every day. We walk past culture, history, Every day. Too busy snap-chatting and making sure our friends see our every meal on Instagram, To look up and acknowledge the cities we live in. We tear down buildings with a longer lifeline than the ones swinging that heavy ball, To build glass sky-scrapers we can hide from the world in, We change and fix, We craft and change, We hide and keep covered in dust, The bits of history we dislike. Goodbye Flinders St Ballroom, The long forgotten sights of women twirling in their gowns, The sounds of the big band, The joy of a high society time, Gone and closed, To be reclaimed by the dust and nature it came from, Cradled in Gaia’s grasp. Give it another ten years. Soon, instead of visiting Olympia, The lines will stretch from street to street, The talk of the town, The newest iPad. Instead of asking for directions to the Louvre, In our broken simple French, The question will be: “Vous avez Wi-Fi?” (Do you have Wi-Fi?) Instead of gazing upon the birthplace of Aphrodite, Instead of looking upon the birth of Venus, We will look for the best angle for a duck-faced selfie. We walk through the valley of screens, Claiming our shadows with their light, Praying to the gods of tech, Squealing in delight for Fallout 4. Our creative juices used for cracking that level on Candy Crush.
Images Sourced From https://www.askideas.com https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com http://www.clipartden.com http://2.bp.blogspot.com
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Our sights turned from history, watching it pass us by. The genius artists, turned game developers. The masterpieces left to collect dust in the minds of their creators, Our screens capturing the mark of our souls, The oil mark left behind, the shape of a twitting bird.
2016 CALL FOR SHORT FILMS ENTER FOR FREE WIN $1,000 AND MORE GREAT PRIZES SUBMISSIONS CLOSE MONDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2016
SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER 2016, 6-9PM SEE THE GLOBAL IYSFF WINNER CROWNED AND MAJOR PRIZES AWARDED SEE THE TOP FILMS ON THE BIG SCREEN AT THE IYSFF RED CARPET AWARD CEREMONY
VENUE Kingston City Hall, 985 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin
With live accompaniment by US organist & composer Nathan Avakian on the 1928 Wurlitzer. Dress up roaring twenties style, live entertainment, BYO platters.
TICKETS Full $15 / Youth (20 & under) $10 / Finalists $5 BOOKINGS 9556 4440 / kingstonarts.com.au
FOR INFO VISIT KINGSTONARTS.COM.AU OR CONTACT IYSFF@KINGSTON.VIC.GOV.AU
LUCAS BREARLEY
INK ABOUT IT 2015 WRITING COMPETITION AWARDS NIGHT On Thursday 29th October, the Ink About It 2015 Writing Competition Awards Night was hosted at the Shirley Burke Theatre by Kingston Youth Services. I found myself sitting in a large room surrounded by nervous entrants accompanied by their excited, proud parents. As with all Kingston Council events, I was immersed in the friendly atmosphere and was made to feel at home as I waited in anticipation for the ceremony to begin.
Over one hundred people attended the Ink About It 2015 Awards Night at the Shirley Burke Theatre
The Ink About It competition gave entrants the opportunity to write interesting, engaging and family friendly short stories or poems of any theme relating to the winning image from the Picture This competition. The ceremony celebrated the hard work of those who had entered and all of the entrants received a certificate as commendation for their efforts. The top three entrants, as voted by a panel of Kingston Youth Services staff and young people, received incredible prizes including gift vouchers worth hundreds of dollars, magazine subscriptions and for the winner,
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the offer to participate in a creative writing short course with Holmesglen TAFE. Hosting the event on behalf of Kingston Youth Services and the Fuse Productions team was the entertaining Paul Corb. Encouraging the crowd to feel relaxed and comfortable, Paul challenged the guests to ask each other questions and to speak with at least one person they didn’t know. To get us going, he started by outlining a few interesting facts about himself, as he did with all the people he introduced to the floor. We all discovered that Paul puts chilli on almost everything he eats, loves soccer and basketball, and thinks eagles are amazing creatures due to their considerably superior vision. From there he promoted Kingston Youth Services, highlighting the amazing services they have to offer such as counselling, recreation and project based groups and a drop-in centre at Southland. Paul then welcomed the talented guitarist and vocalist, Mackenzie Cavarra. A few interesting facts about Mackenzie were outlined, such as his fondness of salami and olives on pizza, and his love of singing in the key of D Minor. The crowd listened intently to Mackenzie’s wonderful music, which was followed by a speech from the then Mayor of Kingston, Cr Geoff Gledhill, who likes dolphins, pasta and the AFL. Cr Gledhill spoke about the importance of events such as Ink About It, and the benefits of community participation in these events. Furthermore, he encouraged young people to express themselves, be it in writing, art or even sport, as these avenues provided opportunities to learn,
grow and succeed. The City of Kingston aims to facilitate this expression by running competitions and events, provides us with Youth Services and also maintains things we may take for granted such as public football ovals, basketball courts and skate parks. To conclude his speech, Cr Gledhill introduced the then Junior Mayor, Jasmine Warber, who likes McDonalds, ice skating and puppies. Jasmine spoke about the variety and quality of the submitted poems and stories.
Performer Mackenzie Cavarra providing the musical interlude between the speeches and the awards presentation
Before long, Paul returned to the stage; it was interesting to learn that the year 2015 saw the most poems submitted since Ink About It had been introduced into the community. There were a total of one hundred and four entries, almost double that of 2014, and a massive contrast to the thirteen submissions in 2013. It is also interesting to note that Heatherton Christian College delivered the most submissions- thirty six in total, and that despite the convenience of e-mail, the majority of entries were submitted by hand; some were even hand written. Cr Gledhill and then Junior Mayor Warber then assisted the Master of Ceremonies with the presentation of the awards; it was the moment the crowd had been waiting for. Third place went to the poem What Lies Beyond the Fog? by the ice cream loving Joshua Ratten.
unfortunately absent. Finally, first place went to the short story The Silver Fox by Matthew Duigan, who I was lucky enough to interview. Interestingly, Matthew was once a member of the magazine team Universal, formerly known as KYSS, and is now a writer by profession, with a degree in writing too! When I asked Matthew about his story, I was told that it was a tale of conflict and that the main concept was to not let your guard down. He also made a point of saying that his experiences with Universal certainly helped him win the competition and also helped him excel in his career. In fact, he has written two novels so far. The night was capped off with another great performance by Mackenzie, a presentation by two members of the Universal magazine team, some mingling, the distribution of light refreshments and Paul’s kind farewell. The night was a huge success, and a great opportunity to bring the community together and celebrate the talent and creativity of the City of Kingston’s young aspiring wordsmiths. I’m sure this year’s competition will be even bigger and better. For information on the 2016 edition of Ink About It, head over to kingstonyouth.org. au/inkaboutit or email Paul at paul.corb@ kingston.vic.gov.au!
Then Mayor Cr Geoff Gledhill with Winner Matthew Duigan and Third Place Finalist Joshua Ratten
Second place went to the poem Devil In Disguise by Ella Mairs, who was
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Lil’ Flicks
2015
Xia Rain Tiligadis Lil’ Flicks is a short film competition co-
ordinated by Kingston Youth Services, geared towards young up and coming film-makers. Entrants submit original films for the chance to win incredible prizes such as Westfield gift vouchers and for the winner, participation in a film-making intensive facilitated by the Victorian College of the Arts.
The Lil’ Flicks Screening and Awards Presentation Night was held at the Shirley Burke Theatre on Thursday 10th December, 2015. A record number of brilliant, entertaining and thought provoking entries were received; forty short films in total. Entrants, along with friends and family, gathered at the theatre to enjoy the screening of the ten shortlisted films and to celebrate the efforts and achievements of the young filmmakers. In 2015 we also saw a large number of films entered from one school in particular; Huntingtower Co-Educational Day and Boarding School. Mel Beal, Head of Media at Huntingtower stated that students spent six weeks working on their short films as part of a class project at school and encouraged each other to enter the films into the competition.
Lil’ Flicks 2015 Winner Trophy
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The third placed film, Street Food: A Gourmet Revolution, was a documentary style feature from the mind of Philip Chen. Sadly he could not make it to the
celebration, but his teacher spoke of his great activist-like passion and support for high quality fresh food. The film explored the bourgeoning street food movement in Melbourne, utilising backgrounds of gorgeous imagery, incredible street art, and diverse laneways that span the city. The film also transmitted the message that the street food movement was a fantastic addition to the city and could thrive if the small businesses were allowed the space and support to share their amazing food and beverages with the general public.
All of the 2015 Lil’ Flicks entries were strong, showcasing the immense creativity, story-telling ability and skill of the aspiring filmmakers. Some films brought forward powerful messages, other films gave us insight into the filmmakers’ lives with fun twists and humorous works of art. It has been a delight to see the competition grow over the years and to see the films improve and evolve as filmmakers develop their skills, gain experience and flourish in their ability to transfer the incredible stories from their minds to the big screen.
The films covered various topics and themes. The runner up film Nostalgia, created by Mariah Papadopoulos, was an incredible tribute to her grandfather, showing how dementia impacted him and those around him through interviews and sharing candid moments with family members. Mariah’s short film shone with the theme of strong family bonds, showing how challenging dementia was to live with for the individual and the family. This film stood out and tugged at the heart-strings. Mariah presented a challenging topic in a warm, sensitive and respectful way, honouring her grandfather and showing the love and care that surrounded him.
In 2016, Kingston Youth Services are collaborating with Kingston Arts, to cofacilitate the International Youth Silent Film Festival. Entrants need to select a piece of themed music from a prescribed list, and create a three minute silent short film that reflects the theme. Themes include comedy, action and thriller. For terms and conditions and to enter, please head over to kingstonyouth.org.au/2016international-youth-silent-film-festival.
The winning film of the night, Thief, created by Daniel Phillips, used the medium of stop motion, to tell the amusing story of one young person’s quest to infiltrate his classroom and obtain test answers by creating a miniature version of himself to pass through small spaces. The audience enjoyed it thoroughly. It was clear that a great deal of time, effort and talent had gone into the production of the film. Daniel outlined the painstaking process of setting each scene and his miniature character needing to be cut, pasted and then filmed, frame by frame. A piece of advice that Daniel had for those submitting their films in 2016, was that “even if you think the challenge is too big, do it!”
From left to right: Cr David Eden, Mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley, Audience Choice Award Winner Daniel Nieborski, First Prize Winner Daniel Phillips, Runner Up Mariah Papadopoulos, Huntingtower Teacher Mel Beal and Cr Geoff Gledhill
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Picture This 2016
Top 3 Finalists
WINNER (ABOVE)
APPARITION STEPHEN HATZIKIRIDZIS RUNNER UP (TOP RIGHT)
LAKE TEKAPO TESS MCCRACKEN THIRD PLACE (BOTTOM RIGHT)
ONWARDS JOSHUA RATTEN
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