Australian Identity

Apex Legends Battle Royale gaming has a new player

How to:

Treat Acne We are more than the stereotypes

Everything you need to know

By Rebecca Heape

“Got cravings?” Girls were told all

across the world to #suckit by

@flattummyco when a metallic pink

billboard promoting the company’s

appetite suppressant lollipops was

placed in Time Square last year. For

those who don’t know, appetite

suppressant lollipops limit your desire

to eat food. This often leads to weight

loss which can be harmful to developing

teen bodies.

People immediately took to twitter to

call out the outrageous billboard and

wildly criticise @flattummyco for body

shaming. The Good Place actress,

Jameela Jamil, asked, “Have we

actually gone mad? Even Times

Square is telling women to eat less

now?” This however did not stop

influencers, such as the Kardashian

family, from promoting the product and

guiding young minds to eat this sugar

filled lollipop instead of nutritious food.

We just have to accept ourselves - the

good and the bad. Our quirks are what

make us who we are. Do not allow

yourself to crumble at the words of and

opinions of others.

Instead of letting hurtful opinions affect you, surround yourself with people who lift you up. Try to eat less sugar and more meals that have nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables. Exercise is also a key to good health. Remind yourself about what is truly important, and remember that your uniqueness is what makes you, you. Just be yourself; if anyone tries to bring you down because of it, tell them

to #suckit.

The Butterfly National Helpline 1800 ED HOPE

Email support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

Got Cravings?

This isn’t the first time it has

happened. For years girls and boys

have been body shamed, but what

can we do when this is the norm?

How do we deal with this?

Comparing yourself to your peers is

far from healthy. We’re all growing

and changing at different rates.

Using methods such as appetite

suppressant lollipops will not help

either because it just deprives you of

important nutrition.

ISSUE 4 THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

Page 2 Issue 4

Never judge a book by its cover –

a phrase we use frequently,

despite rarely practising it.

The front cover of Australia’s story

has bushrangers, terrifying

animals, barbeques, and people

wearing thongs and boardies. The

story inside, however, is one rich

with history and culture. Many

stereotypes have been attributed

to what it means to be Australian;

but do these really represent us?

Does the diversity and

inclusiveness of our people create

an identity of its own, or will we

always be known by these limiting

stereotypes?

Terra Australis, a land of myth, a

place to start anew. People from

all corners of the world travelled

here, in search of a better life.

Approximately 200 years ago, the

first European settlers arrived in

Australia, and ever since then,

their descendants have inhabited

the land. However, far before they

had heard whispers of Australia,

the Aboriginal peoples - the

original owners of the land -

resided here.

Blood has been spilled on the soil

we walk on; on the sun-warmed

sands which we hold so dear.

Blood of the Indigenous men and

women of Australia. The British

ravaged Aboriginal culture,

stealing their land and children.

However, over the years we have

taken steps to change our ways;

we have promoted inclusiveness.

The past cannot be undone, but

we can try to make the future

better.

In the 21st century, 60% of the

Australian population is of

European descent. The remaining

40% consists of mixed races,

cultures, religions and

backgrounds. Facts and stats

aside, even those who have only

ever known Australia as home,

find it hard to fit in because of their

race or colour. They are

categorised under minorities and

at times, even cast aside.

Nevertheless, it is the Australian

Dream that we all be free. As

Martin Luther King Jr. once said,

“We may have all come in different

ships, but we’re in the same boat

now.” This is the society we strive

for, where equality comes first. Is

that not the goal we have been

chasing for millennia? History has

its fair share of glories, but the

best are the steps towards

equality.

You could say Australia is a

country without an identity, that

the people here are of such

diverse backgrounds that there is

no singular face that will represent

us as a nation. We can also

connect to a sense of place. A

place where we strive to give

everyone a ’fair go’. A place where

the value of mateship runs

through our blood and the courage

and endurance of the ANZAC

spirit dwells within our hearts. It is

the soil where memories are

buried deep.

Perhaps that is all we need to

know about the Australian identity

- it is a feeling, a connection.

Perhaps it is time to throw away

the stereotypes and focus on our

shared love for this country. Let us

not allow only the barbeques and

golden tans to define us. We have

formed an identity all of our own,

one based on the content of our

character rather than just the

colour of our skin.

Who are we? By Suhaila Quazi

Page 3 Issue 4

Page 3 Issue 3

age 2

By Kayden Carter

Since the release of H1Z1 and

PUBG, the Battle Royale genre of

gaming has steadily grown and has

created quite a name for itself.

‘Fortnite Battle Royale’ was one of

the most popular games of the year

in 2018, making millions of dollars in

just months. It seems like all other

types of games have been dropped

in favour of Battle Royale gaming.

Behind the ‘Orange Justices’ and

‘Winner Winner Chicken Dinners’,

there has been a desperate fight for

dominance between games such as

‘PUBG’ and ‘Fortnite’. Apex

switches up the regular Battle

Royale formula with gameplay only

available in squads of three. While

this is a welcome change for some,

it can be frustrating. Without friends

to play with, you can be stuck trying

to coordinate with teammates who

don’t understand your actions.

Games such as Fortnite, however,

allow single player gameplay as

well as two player gameplay. Even

with extra tools to help prevent this,

it can still be annoying.

Nevertheless, another signature

part of the game, the character

roster, is a well thought out feature.

Game Review: Apex Legends By Respawn Entertainment & EA Games

2019 | Battle Royale | PC

While in other games a character

selection invites advantages and

does not allow you to play with a

particular character that you like,

Apex allows you to play as anyone.

Apex can provide players with a fun

and enjoyable experience that beats

most other Battle Royale games.

Apex Legends is an innovative, fresh

game that most gamers can enjoy.

With a uniquely balanced character

roster and team-based gameplay,

Apex is definitely a game to pick up

and play.

Do you have something you would like reviewed? Let us know! Suggestion box can be found in the RIRC (music, technology, films, games, you name it!)

Page 4 Issue 4

Pop Music is Silently Dying

By Rose Wallis

Ariana Grande’s most recent album, Thank U, Next, is

currently the most popular album in the country. It holds

the number one, two and three spots on the Billboard

top 100 list. This monopoly seems wrong, right?

Unfortunately, I believe that current pop artists’ music

have become a case of quantity over quality.

Pop music has always been designed to reflect the

popular sound of youth culture. When pop first became

a significant part of the music scene, artists were hired

based on talent to produce a constant stream of hits.

This has not changed much in over half a century, but

with an ever increasing focus on profit, corruption has

set in. The aesthetic value of the artist’s image has

become the main focus and one of the only ways to

succeed in the industry.

New music videos and social media platforms have

made pop more about the image of the performer, not

the music itself. Talent has almost nothing to do with it.

It is more likely for a ‘traditionally attractive’ man or

woman to be hired, than an incredible singer with less

aesthetic appeal – The Voice has taught us that. Almost

all well-known pop singers like Mendes, Swift and

Styles are very attractive people. Perhaps they are

talented singers, but if they were overweight or

unattractive, would they still have made it to the top as

quickly as they did? Pop has become an image-based,

homogenised genre. Consequently, it has become

increasingly bland, repetitive and image-focused. Pop

music is a dying genre that has been silently rotting

from the moment ‘good’ music changed from Michael

Jackson to Britney Spears.

Modern Pop is Not Failing Us

By Mannix Showell

Modern music is not dying, it is simply evolving. The

changes in modern music are a result of trends and

cultural shifts. The notion that modern music is dying can

be put down to juvenoia – the idea that the ideologies,

trends and culture of young people is not ‘correct’. Back

in the 90’s, the music industry was struggling, but if you

ask anyone from that generation, they will argue that it

was a golden era with musicians such as The Red Hot

Chilli Peppers, 2pac and Nirvana. Music is not dying, it

is just changing.

The simple fact is: to say that modern music is dying, is

to say the taste in music of our generation has died.

Musicians cannot make music that people don’t want to

listen to, just las a business cannot make decisions that

do not make money.

To say that modern pop music is dying, is to have a

problem with this generation’s perspective. It is easy to

assume that in twenty years or so, music will be

scrutinised and the music of today will be glorified. The

trends in music are a reflection of the youth, and a

person’s opinion of whether music is good or bad is just

that – an opinion.

If you prefer older music, that is okay; if I prefer modern music, so be it. However, current chart toppers are merely a reflection of the audiences they are designed for. Music is not dying, it is just changing.

Topic 1: Is Pop Music Dead?

Page 5 Issue 4

The Day We Remember

By Caleb McGiffin

On the 25th of April, against all cultural divisions and

contrasts, our nation comes together to commemorate

the sacrifice that brave Australian soldier made to

ensure our safety. It was at Gallipoli, in 1915, that part

of our Australian identity was born.

Being as multicultural as we are, what it means to be

Australian can be hard to pin point. However, the

answer can still be found in the ANZAC War Memorial

in Canberra.

On the 25th, we reflect upon the devastation of war.

What it means to be Australian, the ideology of

mateship and a fair go, was founded eternally in the

bloodied trenches upon the Turkish shore.

Their sacrifice marks a cornerstone in our history.

They did not die 15742 Kilometres away from home

just to be forgotten, and so we remember them.

We honour their memory by holding memorials every

ANZAC day, and observing a minute of silence as a

form of respect. Close to home, we can attend the

6:45 am memorial held on 58 Arnold Street, here in

Mount Gravatt.

These things are the least we can do to show our

respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice so

we may know what it means to be free.

Is your club doing something you want promoted? Let us know! Place your event and contact email in the suggestion box, located in the RIRC, and we’ll be in contact.

By Sara Au Duong

Page 6 Issue 4

How to Treat Acne Everyone wants to be rid of their acne as quickly as possible. However, the reality of treating acne is that it takes time and patience. In mild cases, that may mean a week, but for more severe forms of acne, it can take a few months. The upside is that you will see results if you are consistent. These are some of the best ways to treat acne, head on.

TREATING

Skin care products with ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can be effective for mild acne and you don’t usually need a prescription.

If you pick, pop or squeeze your acne, your skin will take longer to clear and you increase the risk of acne scars.

Keep your hands off your face as your hands carry germs and this may make touching your skin throughout the day cause flare-ups.

MAINTAINING

Cleanse your skin twice a day with a mild ‘soap free’ liquid and face cleanser that is acid and/or pH balanced. Ensure it is free of abrasives and alcohol.

Make sure to choose a moisturiser labelled ‘non-comedogenic’. These are specially tested on acne prone skin, so it will not clog pores.

INTERESTING FACTS

The make-up we use can affect acne, so it is wise to invest in a more breathable brand. If possible, avoid the heavier foundations. The mineral make-up lines of a non-comedogenic product are much lighter and allow the skin to breathe more. This allows the skin to clear faster.

Tanning damages your skin and some acne medications make the skin very sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light from both the sun and indoor tanning devices.

TIME FOR A DOCTOR?

If the products you have tried have not worked or your acne is leaving scars or darkening your skin, it is always best to consult a dermatologist. Severe acne, called cysts and nodules, can often extend deep into the skin. This type of severe acne is best treated by a doctor.

Where did Keith the

Kookaburra go?

By Mandy Yuen Keith the kookaburra has not been spotted or heard of for months. The school community is very concerned. For those who were here in 2018, you may have heard of the tales of the mischievous kookaburra, named Keith. However, for those who do not know him, Keith would often come extremely close to students in the playground, stealing food and other small objects from unsuspecting victims.

One time, Keith stole half of a sandwich that was being

enjoyed Caleb, currently a year 9 student.

Keith flew straight at Caleb’s head, causing him to

panic and drop the tuna sandwich. Many other

stories, involving Keith, were common in 2018.

However, in 2019, all traces of Keith seem to have

flown away.

So, where exactly did Keith the Kookaburra go?

Speculations include, Keith flying off to start a new

family due to recent changes in marriage laws,

continuing with his life of crime and theft abroad, or

perhaps following Mr Usher, the former principal of

MGH, terrorising yet another school, Cavendish

Road SHS. The likely explanation is the

jackhammering of the new carpark keeping Keith

away, and we don’t blame him. Enjoy your

sandwiches while you can, the carpark won’t be a

construction site forever.

Page 7 Issue 4

Air-

Signs: Gemini (May 21-June

21), Libra (September 23-

October 23), Aquarius (January

21- February 20)

If you’re an air sign, you’re a

born peacemaker. You also

love to communicate, becoming

frustrated when you feel you

can’t make yourself understood.

Your relationships, and the

health of them, really matter to

you.

Fire-

Signs: Aries (March 21- April

19), Leo (July 23- August 22),

Sagittarius (November 22-

December 21)

If you’re a fire sign, you know

what you want and passionate,

energetic and confident. Fire

signs are go-getters who want

to have fun all the time, and

usually have a big creative

streak.

Earth-

Signs: Taurus (April 20- May

20), Virgo (August 23-

September 22), Capricorn

(December 22- January 20)

Thank goodness for earth

signs. In a crisis, you’re the

ones people want to be around.

Earth signs are very grounded.

You take your time before

wading in, and you’re progress-

driven and calm.

Water-

Signs: Cancer (June 22- July

22), Scorpio (October 24-

November 21), Pisces

(February 21- March 20)

Water signs are nature’s

empaths. Water signs are

sensitive and in tune with the

feelings pf themselves and

others. You’re generally

emotional but that doesn’t

mean you’re weak; you’re able

to use your emotional insights

to great advantage.