Flycatcher 4th Edition

THE CDU STUDENT MAGAZINE ISSUE NO. 4
2017

F LY C AT C H E R

DRY SEASON EDITION

FAILBOOK | DATING DOCTOR | DAIQURIS F LYC ATC H E R | 1

2 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

Image credit: Keith McGuinness

CONTENTS

4 Internship | Kathleen Lai 25 The Alchemist | Lexene Burns
5 Green Art Daiquiri | Elvey 26 Love & Poppies | Monica Jane
6 To Coin A Phrase | Jennifer Macdonald 28 Welcome to the Anthropocene? | Lindsay Hutley
8 Failbook | Dylan 30 White Privilege and the Struggles of Travel Without it | Veronica
9 Acting Lessons by Correspondence | Will Crawford
10 Apples and Art | Matthew Grant Toral-Granda
12 Bad Cops, Bad Cops | Marcus Macdonald 31 In Totem | Helen Pereira
13 The Drabble | First Kiss 32 Revolution | Thomas Piekarski
14 Darwin Dating with the Dating Doctor 33 A Guide to 'Pop-Up' Food Trucks | Libby Larsen
15 Territory without a Responsible Minister | Will Crawford 34 Committing Graduates to a Sustainable World | Martin Carroll
18 Lighting the Pass | Jeremy & Stephanie 36 Flycatcher Quiz | Phoebe Robinson
20 Swimming with the Tide | Carol Saffer
Front cover designed and illustrated by:
Mayse's Corner Tegan Jackson
22 The Reproducing Expectation | TM Jackson
23 Lone Birds | Yo Bell F LYC ATC H E R | 1

EDITORIAL Hey there Flycatchers,

tweet @flycatchernews W 
facebook.com/flycatchermag elcome to our 4th edition! We are continually excited
flycatcher.com.au by the talented student and community writers who
[email protected] contribute to this growing publication, showcasing everything
Copyright © 2017 Flycatcher from photography and news articles to creative prose.

Flycatcher acknowledges the Larrakia people as the owners and This edition’s feature is an article written by Will Crawford,
custodians of the lands and waters upon which this publication Chair of the Environment Defenders Office (NT) Inc., on
is produced. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the the complications surrounding the environmental impact
lands on which all CDU campuses and centres are located – assessments conducted, or rather, which failed to be conducted,
Kungarakan, Arrernte, Jawoyn, Wurundjeri, Gadigal, Mirarr, preceding the construction of Port Melville in the Tiwi Islands.
Warumungu – and pay our respect to their elders past, present ‘The Territory without a Responsible Minister’ calls for the urgent
and future. reform of the Northern Territory’s environmental assessment
procedures.

I must admit, I always feel like a drink or two after processing
NT politics, so why not try out Elvey’s Green Ant Daiquiri
recipe? Beware – it has a bite!

Don’t forget to check out some of our ongoing columns
like The Drabble, our short fiction/non-fiction section; Mayse’s
Corner, featuring female writers on current gender topics; and
you can’t forget the Flycatcher Quiz!

In the last few months since the Wet Season edition our team
has been looking at ways to make Flycatcher grow – reaching
more students and the community more frequently and more
effectively. And as a small team of volunteers, sometimes that
feels like a really, really big job.

BUT – we can see it on the horizon. We are in the middle of
negotiations to get one of the RED 2 offices on Casuarina Campus
classed as a “Student Media Space” where Flycatcher and other
emerging student media can work on their publications. We
hope with a more permanent location you guys can find us, meet
us, write with us, or harass us. It’s all about engagement, right?

We are also looking at publishing special edition themed
“zines” between the three main seasonal editions. This means
more opportunity to publish the works of emerging writers,
poets, artists, satirists, photographers - as much as we can handle!

And we need your help. Tell us what you want. Tell us what
you don’t want. If there is something you want to do but you
aren’t sure how to start – get in contact with us! The whole world
is your stage oyster! (That’s right, isn’t it? Maybe I should brush
up on my idioms...)

I’d like to give a special thanks to our guest illustrator for
this edition, D'Arcy Ellis. We’ve featured some of D’Arcy’s digital
drawings in our previous editions. Remember the Bogan spirit
animal? We loved it too!

D’Arcy is an undergraduate student of environmental science.
His illustrations combine quirky pop-styled icons and strong
muted colours to create the visual delights you will see alongside
‘Poppies and Love’ and ‘Lone Birds’ in this edition. You can check
out more of his work at darcyellisart.com

From all the team at Flycatcher and its contributors, we hope
you enjoy this latest compilation of student and community
writing. We are always open for feedback, volunteers, submissions
or just a good old chat, so hit us up on Facebook, Twitter, or
Instagram, or just flick us an email!
 
All the best in your endeavours,
Phoebe Robinson
Undergraduate Editor

2 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

MEET THE TEAM

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JENNIFER MACDONALD is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Flycatcher. She moved
UNDERGRAD EDITOR from Melbourne to Darwin four years ago to complete her PhD in Indigenous Land and Sea
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Management and is currently in the joyous ‘write up’ stage. She is passionate about creating
ILLUSTRATOR a space for people in the Territory to develop their skills and confidence in publishing their
COMMUNITY EDITOR work. When she’s not at CDU you can find her alphabetising her book collection, railing
COPY EDITOR against the wet season mould, or being walked by her dog Maru.
ALICE SPRINGS SCOUT PHOEBE ROBINSON is a CDU undergraduate currently studying her Bachelor of
Communications, specialising in public relations and marketing. She recently worked with
Darwin Theatre Company as a social media manager and has been involved in youth projects
Grind Online Magazine and LAUNCH. Although born in Perth, Phoebe travelled to Darwin
as a six-month-old and considers herself a born-and-bred Darwin local.

ADRIANA DA SILVA is an undergraduate student at CDU studying a Batchelor in
Communications. Having lived in Darwin for the past 15 years, Adriana brings to the team
her graphic and web design skills. She has gained past experience in the creative field through
independent learning and has worked with clients to design content such as event posters,
invitations and short videos.

TEGAN JACKSON recently completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts and Industry, majoring in
visual arts. Her background is in fine arts, namely painting and drawing. In 2012 she received
a scholarship to participate in the Dobell drawing program at Sydney National Art School,
where she learnt experimental drawing. She then spent time in Melbourne studying fine arts
at Deakin Uni before transferring to CDU in 2014 and now calls Darwin home.

​JEREMY GARNETT is celebrating his eighth year in Darwin, and is a freelance editor,
publisher, poet and improvised dancer. An Organiser of the Darwin Fringe Festival, he
coordinates and volunteers for both it and the Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival, whilst working on
a number of other creative projects. He brings 11 years of customer service experience, editing
and  database management skills to the Flycatcher team.

AMANDA LILLEYMAN is in her final year of her PhD on migratory shorebird ecology in
Darwin Harbour. For the last six years she has focussed her research on shorebirds and is
considered a local bird expert in Darwin. Amanda is interested in science communication and
community engagement as ways to improve public accessibility to important science research,
and to have positive outcomes for biodiversity and the environment.

WENDY TALEO has come on board to scout for talent for Flycatcher among the students
and staff at CDU in Alice Springs. If you’re studying or working in Alice and are interested
in submitting to Flycatcher, you can see Wendy for inspiration and support. Her details are:

Learnline Developer and Trainer T. 8959 5249
HE Building, Room 1.07 E: [email protected]
Alice Springs Campus

Flycatcher is the student magazine of Charles Darwin University (CDU), produced by
Flycatcher Magazine Incorporated. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the
views of CDU, the printers or the editors. Flycatcher is printed by Uni Print. All writing
and artwork remains the property of the creators. This collection is © Flycatcher and
Flycatcher reserves the right to republish material in any format.

F LYC ATC H E R | 3

INTERNSHIP
By Kathleen Lai

Nowadays, students are feeling more pressure to build up 3. Welcome any challenges – When I first started out, I
the best resumes with the most work experience in order was thrown into the deep end; into jobs that I have never done
to be even considered by employers after graduating. I’ve also before and had no idea how to approach. It was daunting and I
been feeling this pressure as I near the end of my undergraduate was afraid I would give the company a bad name, but I would
course, and have been hustling to utilise all the opportunities I eventually figure things out and accomplish them. Looking back,
have as a university student (including writing for Flycatcher). I being challenged is how I learned to adapt to my surroundings
recently finished a stint working for a local publication as a work the fastest. As someone who is a bit competitive, I would try to
experience student/unpaid intern for one of my units, which has keep to the same pace as the normal employees around me, and
given me great insight on why they are so great for people like by doing that, it was almost like I was one of them.
me. From my own experience, I definitely think internships are
valuable in letting you experience a career field first-hand and 4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – I had never been in an office
helping you build new skills. Thus, here are my tips for those who environment prior to my internship so it was a new experience
are looking for an internship or are about to start one: for me to have my own desk with a computer and a phone. Once
I was assigned my first job and was told that I had to call around
1. Don’t be picky – One of the best pieces of advice I was given for information, I was excited to get started. But when I reached
by a senior employee at my internship, was to never say no to jobs for the phone in front of me, I quickly realised I didn’t even know
− no matter how small or mundane they are. I admit that when I how to use it. It seemed like such a stupid thing to ask help for,
was choosing where to do my internship, I assumed that I would and I was hesitant, but it wasn’t stupid at all (and I wouldn’t have
automatically get into wherever I called. My misconception was figured it out on my own). Asking for help was so much faster
that because I lived in Darwin and companies were so small, than sitting there deliberating. Instead of wasting time, I was
they would welcome free help. But I was wrong, and it took a able to make a call and do my job. I would apply that mindset
lot longer than expected to finally organise an internship after to anything that I would need help with while I was there – big
reaching out to several different places. or small.

2. Always look for work to do – As the inexperienced intern, I Overall, I think my internship was one of the greatest learning
was often overlooked by superiors whenever jobs were assigned. experiences I have ever done in my whole course. As a student
Therefore, if I wanted work, I had to search for it. It made sense, unsure of what I wanted to do after I graduated, it really gave
since the purpose of me being there was not to wait around to me more insight into what my future career could look like if I
get paid like a normal employee. I was there because I genuinely decide to go down that path.
wanted to learn. If I ran out of jobs to do, I had to ask around  
for more – and the more work I got, the more I was building my Kathleen Lai is a communications student at CDU with a
skills. passion for writing and adventure.

4 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

Green Ant Daiquiri
By Elvey

This Territory take on a classic cocktail is the perfect refreshment for
a warm build-up evening while you wait for your ant bites to heal.
The ants give a delicious citrus tang that is surprisingly similar to a more
traditional daiquiri except that it not vegetarian friendly and is significantly
more work. Serves 8.

Ingredients
Approx 4 green ant nets produces enough for 8 daiquiris
White Rum
Water
Sugar

Step 1
Collect green ant nests. To collect them place a plastic bag
over the nest and cut the branch. Try not to put too many into
one bag to avoid getting bitten too much.

Step 2
Spend the next 20 minutes pulling green ants out of your
clothing.

Step 3
Put the green ants in the freezer to kill them humanely. You
can freeze them for only a couple of hours and they’ll go to
sleep but they’ll wake up again while you’re making daiquiris
and bite you. This happened repeatedly to us.

Step 4
Shake all the green ants into a bowl. Tear open the nests and
shake everything in. You could separate the larvae out if you
want but we just threw the whole lot in.

Step 5
Pound the ants with a mortar and pestle until a green liquid
starts to build up.

Step 6
Squeeze the crushed ants into a cup. A dark green/grey liquid
will ooze out. This is concentrated green ant juice.

Step 7
Soak the juiced green ants in a little bit of hot water and mix
with the mortar and pestle until the water turns green/grey.
Strain into the green ant juice. Repeat until the juice mixture
tastes a bit like lime juice.

Step 8
Fill a mixer (or thermos) half full of ice then add 2 parts green
ant juice, 4 parts rum and 1 part sugar syrup. Shake and serve.

Elvey, like most folk with one name, is something of an enigma. A mild-
mannered programmer by day, multi-lingual socialite by night, Elvey

recently visited a cat café whilst holidaying in Japan.
Illustrations: Tegan Jackson

F LYC ATC H E R | 5

TO COIN A PHRASE
By Jennifer Macdonald

In a workshop I attended recently, the presenter shared an in the felt quite possibly caused mercury poisoning in the hat-
anecdote about when the British parliament released an makers, with symptoms including slurred speech, tremors,
extensive report into domestic violence. The final line of the stumbling and even hallucinations.
report read something like: ‘as a rule of thumb, we do not condone
violence in any form’. The contemporary and accepted definition  
of ‘rule of thumb’ is a means of estimation in the absence of exact Over the barrel
tools of measurement. What one can presume the authors of
the report didn’t realise, however, is that the possible historical Meaning: To be helpless and under someone’s control.
origin of the phrase was as an English common law that allowed Origin: There are two possible origins of this phrase and,
a man to beat his wife with a rod, so long as it was no thicker than again, they come from the 19th century. The first is from when
his thumb. There is much disagreement and discussion about the misbehaving prisoners were routinely strapped to barrels and
accuracy of the historical basis for the phrase, but whether or flogged. The second is related to the practice of draping drowning
not the phrase is derived from an early form of spousal abuse, victims over a barrel to clear their lungs of water. While the
it has entered (rightly or wrongly) into the lexicon of domestic flogging metaphor appears closer to the meaning of the modern
violence. The use of it in a report condemning all forms of use and is therefore more likely the origin, both practices seem
domestic violence was not an entirely well-considered decision. highly unpleasant and should be avoided at all costs.
 
Idioms such as ‘rule of thumb’ are common expressions that Take the piss
have become part of everyday speech. They are often said with Meaning: To ridicule someone or something.
little thought, rolling easily off the tongue and into sentences. The Origin: One theory on the origin of this term is that during the
word idiom comes from the Greek idios – ‘one’s own, peculiar, 13th century in Medieval England, urine was used in the process
or strange’. And the meanings of idioms are often strange, miles of fixing dye to wool. Someone’s job, surely one of the worst in
away from the literal meaning if the sentence was to be taken on history, was to trample wool knee-deep in barrels of stale urine.
its grammatical merits. The urine had to be transported up the canals in England to the
wool mills in the North. It’s been said that, because transporting
Humpty-Dumpty discusses semantics with Alice in Through urine was not lucrative or particularly glamorous, when the
the Looking Glass and proclaims: “When I use a word … it boatmen were questioned as to what they were transporting
means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.” they would lie and answer “Wine”, and the disbelieving response
Alice fires back with “The question is… whether you can make would be “No, you’re taking the piss!”
words mean so many different things?”  
Cat’s pyjamas
If, like Humpty-Dumpty, we know what words and phrases Meaning: A person who is the best at what they do.
mean, do their origins matter? Should we know where idioms Origin: This is one of my favourite idioms, because I love the
come from if we’re going to use them? Or should idioms be image of a cat in flannelette pyjamas. The phrase was popular in
banished from writing altogether? I’m inclined to answer yes the 1920s with flappers and hipsters, along with a load of other
to the latter, mostly because they make writing sound informal nonsense phrases used to denote excellence, like the bee’s knees,
and a little bit silly. But I would agree that they can add a bit of the spider’s ankles and the snake’s hip. All equally delightful
flair and humanity to your writing. It’s nice to make people smile in my opinion. My sage advice is to bring them all back. Less
occasionally. “you’re awesome”; more “you, my friend, are the clam’s garters”.
 
In any case, to ensure none of us makes such a gaffe as So there you go. You have been warned. Using an idiom is
the authors of the domestic violence report, here’s a couple no piece of cake – it can all go pear shaped quickly. Don’t bite off
of interesting idioms, with their current meanings and their more than you can chew or you’ll get yourself in a right pickle.
possible strange origins. Although, whatever you decide to do, it’s really no skin off my
nose.
Mad as a hatter
Meaning: A colloquial phrase for someone who is crazy or a Jennifer Macdonald is the Editor-in-Chief of Flycatcher and is
currently finishing her PhD at RIEL.
little bit insane. Illustrations: D'Arcy Ellis
Origin: A possible explanation for the phrase suggests a

historic connection to the hat-making trade. In 19th century
England, mercury was used in the production of felt, which was
used to make hats that were in vogue at the time. The mercury

6 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

F LYC ATC H E R | 7

Ever read an article describing how ostracised you became once you stop drinking; how our culture – the Aussie
way of life – is consumed by the fragmentary need to consume all alcohol in sight? What! You haven’t? Check your
Facebook feed.
I’m rolling with this story, but in a very different light. Mines about yours truly; Facebook.
Facebook has been around since 2007, well that’s when I remember it. Back then, it wasn’t as consuming (from
memory) and generally, a mere blimp in an otherwise dismal social media network. Myspace on the other hand –
Oh My God. How times have changed.
It’s been 5 months since I decided to switch off and deactivate my account, despite Facebooks attempts to tell me
if I added more friends I’d feel more “connected.” Or if I added more pages I liked I’d get “more” from Facebook.
I’m sorry, but exactly what do we get from Facebook? I guess that’s the question I asked myself when I started
deactivating my life from the 21st century digital world; or part thereof.

Part One – The Empire Strikes Back
At the moment I deactivated, I started to struggle. Not in the sense you might think. As soon as I hit that
‘deactivate’ option, my phone inundated me with notifications. “Please login to Spotify”; “Please log into Tinder”;
“Your login to Snapchat has been disconnected.”
Holy shit. The two words that ran into my mind. You don’t realise it, but as part of our need to simplify our lives,
and because Facebook has become so ingrained into our everyday lives, we link it into everything when creating
new accounts or profiles – well I did.
Seriously, Tinder!? Ok, as a gay dude this shit is important to me. Facebook just denied me one of two avenues I
use to hook-up. At this moment… WTF, FFS and other profanities began, along with a long list of Google searches:
“Can you have a Tinder account without Facebook?”, “My Tinder stopped working, why?” If you’re still wondering –
no, you can’t have Tinder without Facebook. There goes my dating life.

Part Two – The Last Jedi
“Oi, Man! Have a go at that video on Facebook”
“Dylan, did you see that viral Movie trailer?”
Friend: "Hey, can we go see that Split movie?”
Dylan: “WTF is Split?”
Friend: “Haven’t you seen it all over Face… oh shit yeah...” *queue rolling of eyes*
And so brings me to part two. The transition from being in the collective digital bubble, to having that bubble burst
and the continued questions, opinions, and requests for at least 3 months. I say the first month was the hardest.
The barrage of Why can’t I see you on Facebook, or Why did you delete me, to the Can you go back on Facebook
so I don’t have to send you screenshots? It’s hard to disconnect, because everyone is connected and as such you
must be too.
It’s hard. Don’t get me wrong. When something big happens you have to rely on the more traditional (yet digital)
methods to keep aware of what’s happening in the world. When your friends start talking about the latest viral
video, or you’re sitting at dinner and EVERY F**K is on their phone – yeah it’s hard. But I have something to tell
you…

Part Three – The Last Hope
You still have Messenger. Messenger tells you birthdays and lets you set events and reminders. This is your lifeline
to the Facebook world. Use it wisely young Padawan.
Overall, it is hard. You feel disconnected. But, I push you to try it for 7 whole days. You’ll be surprised with how
much you accomplish when you’re not distracted by the ‘fake news,’ ‘click bait.’ or ‘that latest viral video or trend’. I
ask you this as a final thought piece.
Go back two days. Do you remember all the bullshit articles you clicked on and read? What were they about? Was
it useful? Will it change your life? No?!
Give this a try - it’s just 7 days.
What’s the worst that could happen?

Dylan is an openly gay dude who is using this article as an opportunity to pick up because Tinder needs Facebook and he
doesn’t have it.

8 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

ACTING LESSONS BY CORRESPONDENCE
By Will Crawford

Carl: Welcome to the Australia Council-funded regional or Madness”, where you have to guess whether the actor was
performers’ podcast “Acting lessons by correspondence: preparing for a role or undertaking a recreational pursuit.
a 10-step guide to more expansive character acting by Hugh
Grant”. Did Daniel Day Lewis mistakenly join a crochet gang in
preparation for his role in Gangs of New York?
I’m Carl Crawford and today we are joined in Sydney by Cate
Blanchett, the world-famous NIDA trained actor and former Did Matthew McConaughey mistakenly lose 19 kilograms in
Neighbours star. Cate, welcome. Now today, Cate will share some 2 months by eating only foods beginning with Q in preparation
of the tricks and techniques that she has developed in her 4 walk- for Dallas Buyers Club?
on roles at the Lassiters café in Neighbours.
Did Lindsay Lohan mistakenly spend 2 years in acting classes
Cate: I’ve done a few other things Carl, but I’m thankful to to prepare for Mean Girls?
have started on Neighbours. But that was a long time ago.
Cate: Mmmm not sure.
Carl: Now Cate, I heard you warming up out the back Carl: All true, sorry you lose, and sadly that’s all we have time
of the studio and popped my head back there and you were for Cate. We look forward to hearing from you next week when
in the laneway doing those high pitched vocal scales and that we cover gesture and body language using the following case
choreographed dancing with that dog. That was amazing. Tell me studies and tips from screen luminaries:
more. Pierce Brosnan: Clip your consonants and cock your head like
a chicken when delivering serious or bad news.
Cate: I was actually being attacked by a Rottweiler, Carl, and Lindsay Lohan: Act like a 15-year-old in all your roles and
was crying for help. hope that no one notices.
Liam and Chris Hemsworth: Work on your pecs and look
Carl: Wow great acting, I really thought you were dancing confused when delivering serious or bad news.
with the dog. Now Cate, people in the acting game talk about Liam Neeson: Work on your pecs, look irritated when
‘method’ acting, where they live the part for a few months. Do delivering serious or bad news and only take roles that involve
actors do this because they don’t know how to act or is it that your family getting kidnapped to justify said irritated look.
Edward Norton just doesn’t have any friends? Ed Norton: Stammer and stutter when delivering serious or
bad news.
Cate: I’m not sure about that Carl. I think you are referring Russell Crowe: Work on your pecs and roar angrily when
to the Stanislavski method approach, or the method approach. delivering serious or bad news.
Stanislavski calls on the performer to experience the life of the Kirsten Dunst: Smile and be cheery and hope that no-one asks
character in order to occupy the mind or head of the character. you to do roles that require the delivery of serious or bad news.
That’s all from me and till next time, thanks Cate.
Carl: Wow, I heard that in preparing for Gladiator Russell Cate: Thanks Carl.
Crowe used method acting and killed 7 extras in rehearsal.
Will Crawford is a lawyer for the Northern Land Council. He
Cate: Unlikely Carl. Method acting is more about trying to recently resumed his stand-up comedy career after a 15 year
understand how the character feels and thinks in order to shape absence from the stage.
a performance.  

Carl: You mean like Jim Carrey in the Mask? He really lived
that character.

Cate: Mmmm perhaps.
Carl: Now Cate, we’re going to play a game called “Method

F LYC ATC H E R | 9

ARTIST PROFILE APPLES AND ART
Artist Profile: Matthew Grant

Iconsider myself a very curious and excited artist when it aspects I focus on, and if I am lacking technical skill in any areas,
comes to not only creating art, but in everyday activities and there are always artists to refer to who have mastered that aspect
observations. There’s such a joy in creating something so visually in their work.
and conceptually strong when you mix your artistic expression
with whatever else that stimulates you. I found that healthy eating The most prominent medium in my work is watercolour
and running has been the largest inspiration for my work lately mixed with ink and acrylic. I find it challenging and fun fusing
and most recently, I created a body of work for an exhibition their properties and realising a powerful visual element within
entirely on apples. I knew such an original subject wouldn’t bore their mixture. This all comes back to my art teachers pushing the
me given its large and versatile presence in society, so the creative need to experiment and have fun with all the materials accessible,
process never ceased and I was constantly gaining insight into the which always leads to the project being an exciting experience,
relationships surrounding the subject. If I represent something with ever growing results.
in so many different perspectives and directions, then I know it’s
possible to make it personal as well as relatable. Photo caption (below): Matt Grant with Henry Smith, VET
Lecturer in Visual Arts in Alice Springs, on the opening night of
During the intense creative process, I always take a look at Matt’s first solo exhibition.
how artists approach an idea. Their methods towards building Image credit: CDU Office of Media and Communications.
strong concepts and developing skills are the most important

10 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

F LYC ATC H E R | 11

BAD COPS, BAD COPS

By Marcus Macdonald

When I was seventeen my friends and I went to see the are unknown to you, language is a barrier, and the integrity of a
third Pirates of the Caribbean movie. I was not much of a police force is seriously questionable. In Zimbabwe, I find myself
social go-getter as a teenager, so I would jump at every invitation giving the police a wide berth. As expected, the general populace
extended to me. A movie? And there are even going to be girls are overwhelmingly friendly and helpful, but the authorities are
there? The fact that the enjoyably silly romp of the first film was frequently surly and unhelpful, with stories of police corruption
followed by a rather turgid second instalment, I was in. Before swirling in my mind to keep me on edge.
we could indulge in the Disneyfied world of pirates, the projector
in the cinema broke. Then after that forty-five-minute delay, we I stumble out of the bus at the Harare bus station positively
were treated to the three hours of execrably dull, nonsensical elated to be on foot after five hours in a bus from Masvingo which
dross that is Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Feeling felt more like twelve owing to the terrible pot-holed road and my
disheartened, my friend and I trudged home as the movie had sizeable backpack jammed in between my knees. Determined
dragged on so long that the buses had long finished. to save the taxi fare and stretch my legs, I march through the
rubbish strewn streets of Harare following Google Maps to my
As we were walking home through the shopping strip we hostel. Ignoring the taxi and kombi drivers, having to literally
noticed police cars on both sides of the road, parked facing palm off a particularly insistent beggar who is not even ten years
the wrong way. A clearly inebriated girl was being wrestled by old, I am striding confidently through a cracked and broken and
a policeman onto the bonnet of the car, screaming “Whaddya half-lit African city long after sundown.
f***en think ya doin?” We resolved to keep our heads down and
remain inconspicuous but as we reached the train station a police There are no cars in site so I cross the road ignoring the red
car pulled up with a screech. An overweight officer with a look light and then realise halfway across there is a soldier with a large
on his face akin to that of a snarling pitbull emerged from the car. gun on the other side. Surely, it's OK? The most minor infraction
if even that. But they are notoriously corrupt? And then…
“Get the f**** out of here or you're all arrested” he screamed.
“If I see you in the area in five minutes you're going in the divvy “Hello my friend!”
van.” He waves at me to stop.
“Hello,” I reply with a nervous smile.
“But…” “Where are you going?”
“I don't give a f****, no excuses, people are smashing windows “Err... just to the hostel.”
and raising hell, get on the train and get the f**** out of here.” “You live there?” he looks puzzled.
Gesticulating at a poor soul on crutches being assisted by his “No, I'm just staying for a few days”.
friend “I don't care if you're limping get on the train!”  “And then you go home?”
We tried again to remonstrate with him that we didn't even “No, then I go to Mozambique.”
live near the train but he threatened us again with an immediate “You live in Mozambique?”
and almost certainly unlawful arrest so we slunk chastened “No, I am just travelling.”
into the train station to take a pointless train ride to the wrong He looks even more confused but his furrowing brow cracks
destination. into a broad grin.
I've had an irrational fear of police ever since, with a “Well, enjoy your travelling my friend!”
constricting feeling in my throat developing every time I see the Turns out he just wanted to know what was going down. Nice
boys in blue, despite my innocence of any crime major or minor. guy hey?
This in spite of plenty of encounters with perfectly reasonable
policemen just doing their duty as best they can. When travelling Marcus Macdonald is currently travelling in Africa and is
this anxiety only gets worse in countries where laws and customs sending dispatches from the field.

12 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

Furtive glances across airport queues. A THE DRABBLE
scattering of nature nerds try to pick each
other out amidst the crowd. I see her and hope FIRST KISS
that my intuition is true.
We're at a high school social and the
The redness of the earth becomes more classically deep conversation of the early
vibrant as we descend and converge in the teenage years unfolds: “Do you want to go out
desert. I give a sneaky smile as she approaches with me?” “Yeah OK.” “Yeah cool.” “OK cool.”
and I learn that we’ll be working together for
the next month out amongst the sandy spinifex We sway awkwardly, surrounded by dozens
plains. of other couples swaying awkwardly. "Should
I kiss her?" I think to myself, not really sure
Camping out under ghost gums and how to start it. The music breaks and we stand
sparkling skies, we share pastel sunrises around with our friends. At some point, her
unfolding over lime green bursts of post- friend says to me, "You should kiss her." We're
fire growth, fiery sunsets shimmering out dancing again. "I should definitely kiss her,"
over vast salt lakes, desert rain squalls with I think now. I lean in, faster than I expected,
accompanying rainbows, hard yakka setting up throwing my face into hers. Her mouth opens
sites to document the deceivingly diverse life and our tongues reach out, not really sure
of the outback and the rewards of countless where they're going. It looks so much simpler
special encounters with all kinds of critters. in movies. At some point it ends, we look at
each other and smile, and we re-join the rest of
And all the while, slowly getting to know the dance floor in awkward swaying for another
each other whilst plucking prickly burrs from song or two. Then we lean in again, not quite
our dusty feet, waiting for our washing to dry, as fast this time, with the confidence of two
getting woozy in the fume-filled shed fixing 14-year-olds who have just had their first kiss.
tyres, dissecting each other’s musical tastes on By Elvey
rickety rides in rusty Hiluxes, and in our down
time, scoffing down endless tea and fruit cakes, F LYC ATC H E R | 13
attempting to obliterate each other in every
card game imaginable.

The final evening arrives and we celebrate
the trials, tribulations and general good times
of doing fieldwork in such an amazing place.
Customary sunset tinnies are cracked up on
the hill and after a campfire feast we naturally
gravitate towards each other and wander back
towards the top as deep hues of pink and
purple fade over the horizon. We lay down on
a slab of sandstone, its remnant heat radiating
up through us, helping to keep us warm as the
temperature plummets while we watch the
stars appear. We edge closer, our sun-cracked
lips meet, and we are engrossed in each other,
savouring every second before parting ways
the next day. We make grand plans for crazy
adventures and get giddy thinking about what
may lay ahead.

Once we had partly adjusted to being
back in the ‘real’ world though, nothing really
eventuated. Distance, time and the trivialities
of life did their thing and this led me to ponder
the influence of place on the feelings and
relationship dynamics present between people.
Perhaps the feelings we had for each other
were intrinsically connected to a place we both
fell in love with and the experiences that were
shared there. When we left, maybe we left
behind some of what was kindled between us
too.
By Billy Ross

Darwin Dating
with the Dating Doctor

Send in your dating, sex and relationship questions

Dear Dating Doctor,
I’ve just started seeing a guy and he’s quite sweet and nice but I’m scared we’re rushing things as we

went from dating to that comfortable relationship stage within a matter of weeks. He’s become my ‘instant
boyfriend’ just add kisses. I wasn’t sure what I wanted when I went into it, but I very quickly realised that I
did not want an instant relationship. But I do want a serious relationship. This guy had really ramped things
up and within a few weeks I found that I was totally comfortable around him, a little too comfortable.
Somehow we missed out on that exciting, lustful stage; and who doesn’t love a bit of lust and tension!? How
can I slow things down but still progress this relationship?
Regards,
Almost-taken
 
________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Almost-taken,

The beginning of a relationship, whether the intention is to build something long-term or keep some
casual fire burning is an exciting time where there should be fireworks and glitter. I can see how you feel like
you’ve missed an important step in building the foundations of something great. It sounds to me like you’ve
skipped the honeymoon period and jumped straight to ‘come over babe, just flopped out on the lounge’
stage. Let’s be honest, that ain’t sexy!

So you’re still keen on this guy but you need to let him know to slow things down. You need to add some
mystery and chase to the equation. As the BOSS of your lovelife you get to decide how these things play out,
and girl, you got this. Let’s look at how many nights you have sleepovers – has this boy practically moved in
to your house?! What, he doesn’t have his own rental? Kick him out or say no to multiple-night sleepovers!
Find you and your boo eating in or getting take-away too often? Nup…! Go out to a beautiful dinner looking
so smoking that he’ll have to call the burns unit. You’ve got to keep your own in any relationship and don’t
give away all of yourself to somebody just because they expect it.

Ok but in all seriousness, it’s easy to fall into something comfortable, especially if it fills the desires of
both parties. What worries me here is that you might find yourself bored or as if you’re wasting your time
with this person. When you hang out with him you should feel as though that’s a great use of your time and
enjoy the moment, rather than questioning the dynamic and if you’ve rushed things along too quickly.  

But….. if all else fails and you find yourself getting bored when this honeymoon period should be all
sparkles and ice-cream, then it might be time to reassess your compatibility with him and what you want from
him. If you are looking for a long-term partner, then consider this guy’s qualities and how they align with
your own. Can you have fun with this person? Share stories and highlights or your life? Can you also depend
on this person for emotional support? If you still feel like there’s no spark AND minimal compatibility then
maybe it’s time to accept that he’s not a great match. If your expectations of a relationship are FIREWORKS
then go for that bang!
Regards,
Dating Doctor

14 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

FEATURE ARTICLE

THE TERRITORY WITHOUT A RESPONSIBLE MINISTER
By Will Crawford
Chair of the EDO NT

The Chair of the EDO NT, Will Crawford, shares his thoughts on Port Melville and the failure of the
NT’s Environmental Assessment Regime

In October last year the Environment Defenders Office (NT) in 2003 for the export of woodchips for forestry on Melville
Inc. (EDO NT) represented the Environment Centre Northern Island. The forestry operation changed hands in 2004 when it
Territory (ECNT) in Federal Court proceedings against the was acquired by Great Southern Limited. In 2007 the Port was
Commonwealth Minister for Environment (Environment closed down by Great Southern Group and in 2009 the Group
Minister). The ECNT challenged the approval given for the was placed into administration. Sometime in late 2013 Ezion
construction of the Port Melville (Port) development on Melville Offshore Logistics Hub (Tiwi) Pty Ltd (Ezion), a wholly owned
Island (one of the Tiwi Islands). Although the ECNT was subsidiary of Singaporean-listed logistics company, Ausgroup
successful in its initial Court action, the then NT Government’s Limited, acquired the Port facility.
chaotic response to reports that construction had commenced
without environmental or ministerial approval highlighted The backdrop to this unfolding drama is the Tiwi Islands,
disturbing deficiencies in the environmental protection regime which have a rich natural environment and are home to a
that currently operates in the NT. significant number of rare native and migratory species.
   
Background The Proposed Port Melville and Marine Supply Base
development
The Port and the wharf facility were originally constructed
In February 2014, Ezion submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI)

F LYC ATC H E R | 15

FEATURE ARTICLE

to the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority it now considered that the upgraded Port Melville could be
(NT EPA) for a major redevelopment of Port Melville including managed in a manner that avoids significant environmental
the creation of a   marine supply base to support and fuel impact. This was despite the fact that the proponent Ezion had
large vessels. The NOI included a proposal for a new wharf, a not supplied an EIS or public environmental report.
warehouse, workshop, a 150 person accommodation village,
a woodchip stockpile area and fuel storage featuring multiple EPA Failure to Refer the Proposal to the Commonwealth
tanks which were 16 metres high and 30 metres in diameter to Minister under EPBC Act   
hold 10 million litres of fuel each.
Section 69 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
In a media release to the Singapore Stock Exchange in Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) allows an
September 2014, Ezion stated that it was in the process of agency of a state or Territory that is aware of a proposal to refer
developing a 30 million litre tank farm for the purpose of meeting the proposal to the commonwealth Minister for a decision as to
the distribution requirements of the oil and gas multinationals whether the action is a ‘controlled action’.  It is unclear as to why
that are operating in the Timor and Arafura Seas. the NT EPA did not refer the action to the Commonwealth.

By the time the NOI was submitted in February 2014,  
construction work on the Port side was well advanced. Federal Government Investigation & initial decision
 
In June 2015, the Commonwealth Department of
“There is no responsible Environment (Department) conducted an investigation into
minister for signing off on a the project. It found that provided the Port’s operator met 12
conditions set by the Department, the operational activities at
port development” the Port were unlikely to have a significant impact on a matter of
environmental significance. The Commonwealth Environment
Legislative Framework Minister at the time, Greg Hunt, concluded that the project was
Under the Environment Assessment Act 1982 (NT) (EA Act) not a controlled action if undertaken in a particular manner (i.e.
in line with the 12 conditions) and hence did not trigger the
the purpose of a NOI is to provide information to the NT EPA requirement for further assessments under the EPBC Act.
to assess whether the action requires assessment and whether a  
referral is required to the Commonwealth. Environment Centre’s Litigation

The NT’s environmental assessment procedures are found in In February 2016, the EDO NT on behalf of its client, the
the EA Act and subordinate Administrative Procedures. In short, ECNT, filed proceedings in the Federal Court contending that
following upon the receipt of the NOI the NT EPA must first the Environment Minister’s decision under section 75A of
decide whether or not an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) the EPBC Act that the activity was not a controlled action if
is required to be produced by the proponent.  If so required, the undertaken in a particular manner (and thus not subject to the
NT EPA must then provide an assessment report (Environment assessment regime of the EPBC Act), was reviewable under the
Impact Assessment (EIA)) to the NT Environment Minister Administrative Decisions Judicial Review Act (Cth) (ADJR Act)
about the proposed action. After receiving the report, the on the basis that the decision was an improper exercise of the
NT Environment Minister must forward the report to the Environment Minister’s power.
‘responsible minister’ (Responsible Minister) for his or her
consideration. Finally, the ultimate responsibility for approval, As part of the legal action, the ECNT made an application for
and any conditions imposed upon an approval, lies with the a Maximum Costs Order (also called a protective costs order).
Responsible Minister. The application was to limit to $10,000 the maximum amount
  of any costs ordered in the event of an adverse costs finding.
NT Failure to Identify the Responsible Minister: This was an important application because a costs order that
might have followed an unsuccessful challenge of the Minister’s
One of the chief flaws in the EA Act is that the Responsible decision would have left the ECNT at risk of insolvency. The
Minister is not properly identified in the legislation. On 6 May Commonwealth ultimately consented to the application. Had the
2015 the then NT Environment Minister, Gary Higgins, stated order not been secured, the ECNT would not have proceeded
to the press: “there is no responsible minister for signing off on
a port development” in a legislative “loophole” which meant the "This order was ground-
Port Melville project was not pulled up for its lack of an EIA. breaking because as far as we
Accordingly, it appeared that the planning laws had allowed are aware, it is the first order
the Port to be constructed in the absence of an EIS and formal of its kind in the Federal Court
ministerial approval of the process. made in favour of a community

The Chief Minister at the time, Adam Giles, held “port environment group."
developments” under his portfolio responsibilities.   However
his office denied he was responsible for the Port Melville facility with their claim. This order was ground-breaking because as
because it was considered private infrastructure, not a port and far as we are aware, it is the first order of its kind in the Federal
that the only declared port at that time was the Port of Darwin. Court made in favour of a community environment group.
Likewise, the Planning Minister, Peter Chandler, did not accept
he was the Responsible Minister.
 
EPA Decision that No EIS Required

In October 2015, the NT EPA remarkably announced that

16 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

FEATURE ARTICLE

The submissions to the Court argued primarily that the Minister approved the Port expansion project as outlined in the
Minister’s exercise of power was uncertain because particular variation, finding it was not a controlled action. A spokesperson
manner conditions 1, 2 and 4 - designed to prevent detrimental for the Environment Minister stated that the supply base at
environmental impacts -  were vague, ambiguous, unenforceable Port Melville is not likely to have significant impact on the
environment. This is despite an EIS or an EIA not having been
"Environmental assessment completed. Further, because the new decision made no reference
processes in the NT need to the 12 conditions imposed upon the project under the first
urgent reform." Environment Minister’s decision, these conditions no longer
apply. Despite this, the project is now of a substantially smaller
and not identified with requisite certainty (ADJR section 5(2) scale than the one first approved and the documentation provided
(h)). Additionally, the ECNT advanced grounds that the Minister by the proponent to the Minister is of a far higher quality than
had no evidence before him that the conditions would have that which was provided before when the original decision was
the requisite effect of reducing impacts on matters of national made.
environmental significance to something less than significant.  
Need for Reform of Environment Assessment Act 1982 (NT)
On 21 October 2016, prior to the matter going to hearing,
the Commonwealth consented to orders requested, namely that The stand out moral of this story is that the environmental
the decision by the Environment Minister that the project was assessment processes in the NT need urgent reform. The EDONT
not a controlled action because it would be undertaken in a is glad that this reform was a key platform that the current
particular manner was invalid. The decision was quashed and Gunner Labor Government took to the last election and one we
referred back to the new Commonwealth Environment Minister understand is progressing. It’s important to note that a similar
Josh Frydenberg for a decision. Essentially what occurred process was begun under the previous Labor government, but
was that the Minister conceded he had made a legal error. was never seen through.

The Variation Proposal by Ezion Obviously, some glaring requirements for reform are to
On 24 November 2016, Ezion wrote to the Commonwealth rid the process of sectoral approvals, removing the need for a
Responsible Minister at all and to include penalty provisions for
Department to vary the original proposal by halving the vessel companies that fail to comply with the new statutory framework.  
berthing numbers from the previous proposal of 480 vessels
per year to 233 vessels per year. The reason cited by Ezion was This reform must be a critical priority for the Northern
that changed regional operating and market conditions had Territory Labor Government in the second half of this year to
prompted the reduction. address this issue and to prevent the reoccurrence of the circus
that became the ‘Territory without a Responsible Minister’.
Subsequent Ministerial Approval
In December 2016, a delegate of the new Environment Will Crawford is a lawyer for the Northern Land Council and
the Chair of the EDONT.
Image credit: Keith McGuinness

F LYC ATC H E R | 1 7

Angels of the Undertow LIGHTING THE PASS
Poetry by Jeremy Garnett
Deep within this faded earth Artwork and Photography By Stephanie Martin
Microscopic echoes carve wings in the walls
www.stephanie-martin.net
of time, www.jeremygarnett.com
Etching impossibility
In fissures deep, beyond the reach
Of tiny lithe spelunkers wrought in wriggling

contortions,
Darkness sparks in shades of black

Deep within this faded earth
Spectral creatures of extrasensory perception

Dream illuminetic dreams
In the very void of sunless chasms,
Farther from grasp than a bat's poignant

pinging,
Sight itself defies conception
Deep within this faded earth
The off imagined figures of fractal appetite

Manifest in factual forms
In the pure pressure of ceaseless night
Desires bloom, whispering of whims unwit-

nessed.
Fading auroras linger here
Deep within this faded earth
Descending water droplets on the brink of

understanding
Hesitate in refracted joy
In the embrace of compression
Unseen dreams of cosmos spark bright in ut-

ter gloom
Creating space where none exists

Deep within this faded earth
Creation exists in the phantasms of the un-

witting
Ignored by all, yet existing still

Mystic Vision

Mystic dreams born of cosmos.
Ghosts of essence, of faded glory,
rise from the sainted depths of chasms deep.
From deep within a sunless world
in knowledge caught and bound to form --
The whispered whim of fractured thought

ruptures here, upon the frame.
Upon the pane of clarity;

breaking forth to burst in brilliance
iridescent globes of spirit

reality once, till cast asunder,
Now forgotten, they waft away
In refracted twilight on eve of day

18 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

F LYC ATC H E R | 19

SWIMMING WITH THE TIDE
By Carol Saffer

It was a warm Sunday morning when I sat in front of the fellow students who constantly raised the bar.
computer. Pot of coffee to my right. The Australian Magazine I was addicted and wanted more. Not more of the same just
with a full back page advertisement about Charles Darwin
University on my left. I had noticed these adverts over the past more. I left CDU at the end of my first year when Swinburne
couple of months, intrigued but not really sure I would do University in Melbourne offered me a position in their MBA
anything about them. That December day in 2010 was different. I course. I leapt again into the deep end. No dipping my toes in the
browsed the CDU website to get an idea of just what was needed water; this was a sink or swim decision.
to enrol. A big move for someone who had left school in 1968
after four years of high school education. After three long years of part-time study at Swinburne, I
sat in my last class for my MBA. It was a bittersweet moment.
Three hours and another pot of coffee later I put the finishing I reflected on fellow classmates who worked with me – it was
touches to my Personal Competencies Statement. I was taking always fun, interesting, challenging, and most importantly,
the plunge, submitting an undergraduate application. Why was rewarding. I wondered what would I have done without my
I doing this? As I sweated over the details of my career and past lecturers who encouraged, facilitated, pushed, listened to what
achievements, I asked myself this question over and over. I was a I had to say, and read numerous pages of assignments, while I
business woman who established a successful IT business in the constantly questioned my sanity and my confidence. I have to say
fashion industry over 20 years ago. Why was I thinking about it was the most exciting three years of my life. But it didn’t end
‘going back to school’? Again, I pondered this when I received there. In September this year I will complete the final unit of a
notification from CDU that I had been accepted into a Bachelor Master of Journalism at Monash University.
of Commerce degree.
What started out as a response to an advert in The Australian
University was different from high school back in the 60s. nearly seven years ago changed my life. As Kev Carmody and
This time online study meant I did not hang out in the quadrangle Paul Kelly say “from little things big things grow”. My lightbulb
with the other kids. I listened to lectures on my phone each moment was when I realized I had a wealth of knowledge and
morning on my daily walks; while driving to work each day, and experience that I could take to the Board Room. This gave me the
instead of watching TV each night. I tried to imagine what my confidence to apply for and achieve Non-Executive Directorships
lecturers looked like from the sound of their voices. I wondered on two Boards. This was definitely not on my radar when I
how the three students in my group in the Business Environment walked into my first MBA class.
unit felt about communicating with me via email instead of over
a coffee. I was the only first year student sitting the Introduction I am now embarking on a new career, one that leaves the
to Legal Studies exam in Melbourne. fashion industry to its off-shore future. It is time now for a
livelihood in journalism that builds on the writing and research
At the completion of four units in my first year I had the skills I developed and embraced wholeheartedly at three
answer to that initial question. I was doing this because I loved it! universities across three different degrees.
I found my vocation. I wasn’t studying because I needed a degree
to launch my career. I was studying, as Ruth Ostrow puts it “to However, I can honestly say that where I am today, I owe it
fulfil our potential and express all the wisdom bursting out of us; to my first year of tertiary education at CDU. My gratitude goes
to follow a dream that makes our heart sing, even while making out to the lecturers and students who launched me into the ocean
a living or raising kids”. of education; for giving me a taste of what was out there above
the waves; for providing me the paddling skills with which to
In hindsight, I realised that I craved and relished the challenge navigate and for teaching me how to keep my head above the
of self-improvement and change. I wanted to show myself that water.
I could do this. Later I understood, oh so clearly, what Ernest
Hemingway meant when he said “there is nothing noble in being Carol Saffer lives in Melbourne, travels frequently, loves a
superior to your fellow man: true nobility is being superior to deadline and suffers a life-long obsession to write for The
your former self ”. Of course, he wasn’t talking about competitive Economist. She is a CDU Alumni.

20 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

MAYSE'S CORNER

Mayse’s Corner is a supportive and inspiring space for women to discuss issues
related to women and modern feminism, and a place to explore what it means to be a

woman in the 21st century.

IL LUSTRATIONS: TEGAN JACK SON F LYC ATC H E R | 2 1

MAYSE’S CORNER

THE REPRODUCING EXPECTATION
By T M Jackson

As a little girl, I was given baby dolls and encouraged to name frustrating that most people make assumptions instead of asking;
them and be their 'mother'. These dolls had their own little "Will you have kids?" or "Do you want kids?”
prams, bottles and clothes. Now that I am a grown woman in
a long-term relationship I feel the social expectation to have I have spent the last twenty-three years of my life assuming
children. that having kids is what I wanted. I even have a list of baby
names saved in my phone. This is because the idea of not having
This year for the first time I came to the realization that I may children was never really presented as an option to me. I knew
be perfectly happy never having a child. My whole life so far, I’d I had the choice but it still didn’t really feel like it was a decision
assumed that I’d want them one day, and that I would know when I could make. Your parents and your partner’s parents expect to
the time was right. However, each year that I get older I feel less be grandparents at some point. Children are seen as your legacy
and less desire to have my own child. Don't get me wrong, I still on this earth; they carry on your name and traditions. If the line
feel the urge to nurture and love babies. Kids bring me joy. I get ends with you it feels like you’re letting everyone down.
so much satisfaction from loving the children that already exist
in my life - such as nieces and nephews - that I don’t feel the need It shouldn’t seem unnatural that a woman chooses herself
to have my own. over entering motherhood. I don’t want to endure the pain and
damage to this body that I’ve so slowly learned to love. I don’t
When speaking to other people who hold a different opinion want to become dependent on anyone else, no longer having
about having children, many have said that in a way, I’m being my own money to spend freely. I don’t want to be loved second
selfish by choosing to live a more indulgent lifestyle instead of by my partner. I want to continue to be committed to a job I’ve
going into motherhood.  I understand this view, but in my eyes spent years studying, volunteering and doing an internship for. I
people who choose a childless path are in fact making a massive don’t want to sacrifice the best things in my life.
contribution to this world. It’s well known that the planet is
overpopulated.  No matter how sustainable you teach your At the end of the day I think becoming a parent would be
offspring to be, encourage them to ride a bike, not use plastic very fulfilling and would be a wonderful thing. However, there is
bags and be vegan, the truth is they will always consume precious an alternative lifestyle. For me, not having children is becoming
resources. more and more appealing. I won't say I’ll never have children
because I don’t believe in closing doors in my life. However,
It is obvious to me that the opinion I hold is unpopular. I it is my life and I want to live it and enjoy it  my way without
repeatedly hear comments like: "when will you have kids?"; judgement and pressure from people who have a different view.
"I think you would make a great mother"; "when are you and
your partner starting a family?" and the weirdest one: "I think T M Jackson is a post graduate who loves all things arts and
you'd look good pregnant". I know people mean well but I find it crafts and being fabulous.

22 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

MAYSE’S CORNER

LONE BIRDS FFLLYYCCAATTCCHHEERR || 2233
By Yo Bell
He sees them
and vice versa
Them, him
 
Marauding birds
all risky business

Flying low, almost breasting
Swollen with rain
 

Bear up like a gentleman and pick one
The single man must get a doll
Any lone bird will do
There’s no law against it
 
But whatever you do
Avoid the cockatoos
To come to this
is to come to a foreign land
 
What you want are
little hints of birdsong
fresh and uncompromised
‘Hello’
‘My apologies’
‘I’d love to’
‘Of course’
 
If you hear squawking know
This is no love nest

Written using a collage of words by Elizabeth Jolley and a
1950s guide on how to keep a wife.

IL LUSTRATIONS: D'ARC Y EL L IS

24 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

THE ALCHEMIST

By Lexene Burns

In the laboratory of mind, mixing the elixirs of the mountains,
the lakes, the eternal breath of fire into the bowels of beingness.
Starting with the sunshine of the crystal caves' prisms of the meaning of life;
and throughout the writings of old times find the door key to crystallize all together;

seeking the opening to future shores.
In the caves of crystals given all light and all night to see more colours flourish,
mixing brews of mind with the old truths as free as their golden hand-shakes,

we, the alchemists of time beacon all together our destiny.
With earth now the best or the beast without the head of man,

the indescribable will be scribed and the beast freed.
Going forward sees all seasons change and the earth created anew.
Every man, woman and child created of their capacity to see their own alchemy,

will create more alchemy for visits in their own right of mind.
These are the truth times and as we go of these passages
of many mind-truths in books read and scriptures told,
forget not our efforts to give our importance of mind
the light of going forward as the truth is in our heart;

to give the oldest entities of all tested time the many truths,
as the mortal caress of our own knots to free will echo many truths to give;

and go with our eastern rhythm capacity or troth not to free chemists,
or the oldest alchemist in having prisms create
and prisms go forward to light all caves.

This is Lexene Burns' first submission of her poetry anywhere. She has been a resident of NT for 29 years and began writing
after retiring from the CBA in 2012. This poem was written last month as Lexene flew home on a flight, after cataract surgery

on both eyes. The word alchemy caught her attention as she read the in-flight magazine and started the flow of words.
lexeneburns.com

F LYC ATC H E R | 25

26 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

He loved the way she looked at him. Her big eyes stared life where Peter was always in charge. Belle knew he could be soft
intensely into his. Not a bad intensely; he knew she and gentle though, and she would support him when he seemed
communicated a lot with her eyes. They were glassy and frozen emotional or vulnerable. And that time was now. He had just told
over with the formation of tears. Peter held her tight to let her her that he wasn’t coping with his mother’s illness and that he was
know that everything would be okay. His news had upset her seeing a counsellor about it. Belle felt selfish for feeling so upset
more than he was prepared for. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon about it. She felt like she had failed him because he couldn’t turn
as they sat on the verandah of their home in Torquay and spoke to her about it. But Peter needed her to be strong and to help him
softly of their woes. This wasn’t the first battle that Belle and Peter through this. Belle knew that and so she composed her emotions
had faced. and said he was the strongest man she knew, and that he always
worked out ways to land back on his feet.
Belle had worked in the same environmental law agency for
almost eight years now. She loved what she did, but she was tired Despite the fact that Peter was going through some emotional
of it. Working with an all-male team was challenging for her, as difficulty, he was able to help Belle in the next step of her career.
she had to manage far more than the work. Not only were the Belle decided that she wanted to take the case she was working
men speaking over the top of one another but they also took on and represent her client as a sole-trading lawyer. She had just
things too far when one colleague made a personal attack at Belle; taken on a new case in which a poppy farm had come under
that she was not capable of running big legal cases. She explained scrutiny for its environmental impact, and the lack of planning
to Peter that night that she wanted to get out of the business. She around the property given its recent expansion. There had also
had stuck with it long enough because she cared too much about been several investigations around its uses and the distribution
the environment and fighting the good advocate’s fight − as she of pharmaceutical opiates. Belle was enjoying reading the
often reminded herself. But she was at a point in her life where background to the case, because it had so many facets to it. Belle
she needed to be away from the drama and politics that drove hatched a plan so she could represent her client without being
big business. She knew she could work on her own and run a tied to her law firm and she knew once they accepted that she
business. She just needed her decision to be backed by Peter. could leave the law firm. She gave some thought to going over
it with her friend Jack, a well-known barrister. She had known
Peter was always sensible, yet assertive enough that people him since her undergraduate days of law. They studied together
knew he couldn’t be walked over. That was something important and worked in the same big city, though Jack had focused on
to him because growing up, Peter was never enough of this or commercial law, which had set him up nicely in life. Jack had
enough of that to his Dad. His Mum, on the other hand, adored become good friends with Peter since he and Belle met four years
Peter and always praised him for being so considerate of his family ago. That gave Belle more reason to contact Jack about the case,
and their needs. He grew up in a small house with three sisters as she realised that she could ask Jack to reach out to Peter, too.
that always seemed to be closer to each other than with him. It
didn’t bother Peter too much because he was always working That week Belle met Jack at one of her favourite cafes and
out ways that he could keep the family strong and together. He they discussed the case, which she was now familiar with. Jack
held that pressure on his shoulders as his Mum was sick and not had just returned from an extended international holiday and
getting better. It was a role he had given himself. Of course his was looking for a change of scenery.   Jack was curious about
Dad didn’t expect it, but that didn’t matter. Peter wanted to show the case but knew there was risk involved. He believed in Belle’s
him that he could take charge of things. ability and legal knowledge that she could do this but he worried
that the workload would take a toll on her while she tried to
Peter loved the ocean. He visited every day so he could swim. support Peter. And just as Belle was starting to have her doubts
He was so connected to the endless horizon. It was a place where about venturing into the legal world as a solo female lawyer, Jack
anything seemed possible he thought – if you could look as far suggested they work on the case together.
as you can see, then your own thoughts and ideas seem endless.
It was the perfect analogy for his relationship with Belle, which They spent the next few hours discussing the case, and after
was not without its flaws. Belle also loved the beach so she didn’t four more coffees, they agreed that the two of them would start
mind when Peter suggested that they buy their first house only up their own law firm - BJ Law.
one block back from the coastline. They thought of it as their
holiday house, but it was in fact their only house. It was one of Amanda Lilleyman spends most of her time working on birds
the games they liked playing with each other. Belle thought life and is currently writing her PhD thesis. She decided she wasn't
was always too serious, so she set to role playing characters and writing enough so she started doing creative writing. Or maybe
lifestyles she wished they had. The games extended to their love thats just called procrastiwriting..?

F LYC ATC H E R | 2 7

WELCOME TO THE ANTHROPOCENE?
By Lindsay Hutley
Goodbye Holocene, hello Anthropocene. Let’s give a warm
welcome then. And we sure did in 2016, the hottest year 37 WGA expert panel members, only three are social scientists,
yet the fundamental characteristic of the Anthropocene, is
on record, the 4th hottest in North Australia (Bureau of purportedly due to the evolution and action of human societies.
Meteorology). The Anthropocene, or the ‘age of humans’, is a Involvement of the social sciences would better determine why,
proposed geological epoch that, in theory, reflects human impact as well as how, human activity is impacting the planet and help
on the Earth. As the US is now pulling out of the Paris climate define a new ‘age of humans’ from more than a Western-scientific
agreement of 2015, things will get warmer. They certainly will perspective on its own.
politically, and the naming of ‘The Anthropocene’ is a growing As these are geological eras, for an epoch to be declared,
part of this debate, as it is recognition that we as a species, like significant changes to the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere,
microbes started 3 billion years ago, are ‘terra-forming’ the and lithosphere must be reflected in the stratigraphy, or rock
planet. strata. Is this possible in 200 years of industrialisation? Should
Our current epoch (the Anthropocene hasn’t officially been the boundary be marked in the 1600s, when agriculture rapidly
accepted yet), the Holocene, is around 11,700 years old and is expanded, shifting atmospheric chemistry, and began a process
considered a climatically stable, warm, interglacial phase of the of population growth, habitat destruction and species loss,
current ice age, a period of rapid growth and expansion of the alteration of streamflow and sedimentation dynamics? The 1950s
human species. This epoch has now ended, according to the is of a human lifespan, and such a marker relegates thousands of
anthropocenists, via the Working Group on the Anthropocene years of human impact and considerable anthropogenic change
(WGA), a 35-strong panel that has been in deliberations for 7 to a “pre-Anthropocene”. Change has been underway at varying
years on the existence of this epoch. As of August 2016, the WGAs rates for the last 10,000 years.
decided the Holocene has ended, In short, many geologists and
with the start of the Anthropocene social scientists are not all on-board,
beginning in 1950, the period of the "We need to get on with re- as the concept has been driven by the
‘Great Acceleration’ where the Earth’s engineering our economy, Earth system and climate scientists.
population growth, consumption and Is this a useful term, is there a
earth system indicators exceeded the governance, natural resource definable epoch boundary? Recent
natural variability of the Holocene management and wealth sedimentological analysis suggests

(Figure 1). However, the WGA’s distribution." that there is, and that we are seeing a
submission has yet to be ratified by geological foot-print in both sediment
the International Commission Stratigraphy (ICS), a body of and ice cores that is distinct in nature from the Holocene, a
the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) which critical component of any acceptance of the Anthropocene era by
precisely defines the series and stages of the International the ICS. A UK team lead by Colin Waters assessed sediment cores
Chronostratigraphic Chart, i.e. the duration of geological units drilled in the west Greenland ice sheet and found ‘novel materials’
that define the history of the Earth. and ‘technofossils’, waste products from the technological age
The concept, the name and its utility is hotly contested, including plastic particles, aluminium, concrete, polychlorinated
even by those who accept the term, the ‘anthropocenists’. They biphenyls and pesticide residues, and fertiliser residues. Such
argue over the actual date, or period where we can see distinct materials were not easily detectable in sediments laid down
change to the Earth’s systems over and above natural variability prior to the 1950s. Glacial retreat also resulted in an abrupt
of the previous geological epoch, the Holocene. Others question stratigraphic transition from proglacial sediments to non-glacial
the need for such a term, or question the lack of engagement organic matter, an important marker.
with social sciences when shaping the concept and deciding the Given this geological footprint, contemporary rates of
epoch’s beginning. Scourse (2016), writing in The Conversation, extinctions up to a hundred times the background (pre-human)
suggests that the concept has; extinction rate, well documented socio-economic changes , earth
system climate variables (Figure 1), and the recent submission
“… stimulated a redundant, manufactured, debate that from the WGA, there is a case to be made. Perhaps we are seeing

displaces more important scientific research and genuine the beginnings of Anthropogenic-like environmental change in

discussion on climate and environmental change. It is a fad, our region with mass bleaching of coral reefs in 2016 and again

a bandwagon, a way of marketing research as cutting-edge in early 2017, and even the globally unprecedented mangrove

and relevant. At its worst it can be seen as a disingenuous dieback that stretches 1000 km across the Gulf of Carpentaria

means of harvesting citations under the guise of serious coastline (Figure 2). These events are very likely due to a

endeavour.”
So the suggestion here is that the concept is largely pop- combination of climatic factors resulting in lethal environmental
science, we know enough already, and we don’t need a 3 year conditions, ‘tipping’ these ecosystems to a different state.
study and lengthy debates to determine that we are in a new era. Clearly an intervention from the social sciences is needed,
We need to get on with re-engineering our economy, governance, even though this is a geological framework. The nature of an
natural resource management and wealth distribution etc. Ellis Anthropocene changes this given the direct human causality a
suggest the opposite – that the process and debate is happening rigorous definition will arise, as well as use and promulgation of
too fast and that a more considered, transparent approach that is the terminology across more disciplines.
far more inclusive and captures perspective from social sciences;
anthropology, archaeology, history, sociology, geography, Professor Lindsay Hutley is a plant physiologist with RIEL at
palaeoecology, economics and philosophy is required. Of the CDU.

28 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

Figure 1 The Great Acceleration - how things have changed with human activity. Selected aggregated measures of socio-economic and
atmospheric variables (greenhouse gas concentration) from 1750 to 2010, with a shift in slope observed mid-20th century. Real GDP is
a macroeconomic measure of the value of economic output adjusted for price changes (inflation or deflation). Figure taken from Steffen
et al. (2015).

Figure 2 The shape of things to come? Mass mangrove dieback in the Gulf of Carpentaria, NT, during December 2015. Dieback has oc-
curred in extensive coastal strips along 1000 km of coastline from mouth of the Roper River, NT (14.9S, 135.4E) to Karumba, Qld (17.5S,
140.8E). This has resulted in ~7400 ha of dieback with the likely cause hyper-salinisation and water stress caused heat waves of 2015
driving lethal temperatures and high evaporation coupled with four well below average wets seasons along the Gulf coast plus elevated
seas surface temperatures (Photo: Norm Duke, JCU).

F LYC ATC H E R | 2 9

WHITE PRIVILEGE AND THE STRUGGLES OF TRAVEL WITHOUT IT
By Veronica Toral-Granda

Imight look white, but I am not. My passport says so. I am Australian. Or European. Or American. Or South African, but
among those millions of people in developing countries to back in apartheid times – now they also need visas. It is about
which freedom of movement does not apply. having ‘that sort of ’ white privilege, irrespective of the colour
of your skin. Darker coloured people with a white-privileged
I have been to all five continents – with the accompanying passport count – in theory – as white for travel purposes. Unless,
expense, stress, and time that applying for a visa brings. I have you are denied entry to your ‘white’ country of choice…
been to the United States of America at least 15 times. I have
lived, short-stayed, transited through, touristed in the East White people can travel on a whim. Had a break up, travel.
Coast, the West Coast, the Rust Belt, New England, and the Got a partner, travel. Fancy a change, travel. Got spare cash,
sorts. I even got a job filleting salmon in Alaska, which prompted travel. Got no cash, travel. We can’t. We need to provide proof of
by an overly stressed Mum and Gran, I never took. I have had funds, proof that we own some property, proof that we have a job
a US visa since I was 17… until now; when I am due to travel to come back to, proof that people love us and will miss us if left
to Ecuador transiting through Los Angeles. Airplane tickets behind for too long. Proofs. However, you may still have all the
bought, accommodation paid, red Mustang convertible ready to proofs and still not be granted a visa. We may have the proofs,
cruise around Hollywood; and no visa… but they have the whims.

So, five weeks before my scheduled trip to Ecuador – via the …and next year I will have to repeat this all over again. My
US – I started my paperwork to apply for a US visa. As I live in Ecuadorian children’s US visa will expire… so all expenses will
Darwin, I need to physically travel to either Melbourne, Sydney, be times three as a legal guardian has to travel with them to do
or Perth to attend a personal interview. I need to pay all expenses the personal interview. Hopefully someday, we will be darker-
myself: flights, accommodation, food. Half way through the skinned white-privileged Australian passport holders who can
application a question in the screen prompts me to smile. It says travel on a whim… Until then, better keep an extra piggy bank to
“Are you wishing to renew your visa within 12 months of its cover all of the expenses of being third-class citizens and an extra
expiration date?” to which I promptly said ‘YES!’, then it asks bag of hope and patience.
me if I have been ten-printed (fingertip scans of all my digits and
thumbs) answered with a loud ‘YES!’ too. “Are you an Australian Veronica Toral-Granda is a PhD candidate with RIEL studying
citizen or permanent resident” to which I sadly said ‘no’. Screen the link between human mobility and the arrival and spread of
goes back to square one. Back to being a third class citizen. invasive species in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

So it is not about being white skinned. It is about being

30 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

IN TOTEM The creature watches as the old woman squats on the muddy bank,
Her thin hand trailing gently over the water’s surface.
By Helen Pereira  
18th May, 2017 It’s been two sunsets now.
 
“This woman, she knows I’m here,
She knows I watch…and yet, she has no fear.”
 
The cool breeze brushes the woman’s skin.
She stops - and stares into the green water,
Fingering the shape close to her heart,
Its edges soft, intricate etching blurred from
Years of reassuring presence.
 
She raises her head and looks into the smoky haze
Of a dry season sunset,
Pink blends to grey.
 
“Will he come tonight?”
 
Everything is in order.
 
The rough shelter is home for now.
A tiny hand-built table -
A perfectly square envelope,
Woolly-butt flower - and a river stone,
Placed with care.
 
A low stretcher,
Soft blanket folded neatly at the foot.
One pillow, its worn linen case
And delicate embroidery intact,
Holds the hopes and tears of a lifetime.
 
The warm smell of wood smoke on the air.
 
Last days should be simple.
 
Her final gift is for the creature.
She wearily raises her aching body
And turns for bed.
 
The creature watches,
Waits until her eyes close,
The gentle rise and fall of her chest under the blanket.
 
Slowly, stealthily, it moves towards her…
Pauses,
Then turns - and heads for the river.
 
It slides its massive form
Down the muddy bank -
And with a swish, disappears into the dark water.
 
Not tonight,
Not tomorrow,
Not ever.
 
The treaty flows both ways.

Helen Pereira is a broadcast journalist, but off duty, an emerging
writer living in Darwin.

F LYC ATC H E R | 31

REVOLUTION

By Thomas Piekarski

It’s all spin, a global matinee—the news,
social media, television shows, chatter

that supposedly give life meaning.
 

When everything adds up to nothing
not even a ubiquitous dove,

the fury of all the king’s hordes
nor tug of heaven’s glove
will lift the crazed shaman
drunk on Ganges water
from his blistering ashes.

Thomas Piekarski is a former editor of the California State
Poetry Quarterly.

32 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

A GUIDE TO 'POP-UP' FOOD TRUCKS

By Libby Larsen

A  family dinner at a pop-up  food truck on the Darwin with picnic rugs, chairs and tables. For an easy midweek "value
foreshore has got to be one of the easiest and most fabulous for money"   family dinner, check these guys out. They also
ways to eat out with kids in these parts. You don't have to cook, frequent Mindil, Palmerston and Coolalinga markets.
the kids can play, and the sunsets are always glorious. And, this Wednesday Nights - 5pm to 8.30pm, Windsurfers Corner, Nightcliff
dry season, things are ramping up with new pop-ups literally foreshore (near Aralia Street)
popping up! The variety of cuisines on offer is mind boggling. So,  
here's information on the what, where, and when of a selection of Jetty and the Fish
food trucks for this dry season - be it breakfast, lunch or dinner.
  Since 2014, Kate and Grant have been cooking up "arguably"
The Salty Plum Cafe the best  fish and chips in town!  This little food truck rated as
Darwin's best restaurant for a while on Trip Advisor. Their fish
You can't beat the location of the Salty Plum Cafe overlooking tacos are my pick. Heading to the Darwin Surf Club on Friday
Fannie Bay. Matthew AhMat is back this dry season operating night and eating take away from these guys is a 10/10 family
from Thursday through to Sunday from 7am to 7.30pm.  So, outing in my book. They now do lunch at Nightcliff Jetty. Keep
you can head here for breaky, lunch or dinner and anywhere in watching their Facebook page for new locations this dry season. 
between. They do bacon and egg rolls, hamburgers, milkshakes Friday Night - 5.30pm to 8.30pm, Darwin Surf Life Saving Club
and the like. There are lots of bean bags to lounge on, cool tunes (Casuarina Beach)
playing, and lights at night. This is a winning combo for kids and Saturday & Sunday - Lunch 11.30am to 2pm, Dinner 5pm to 8pm,
parents.  Nightcliff Jetty
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 7am to 7.30pm, southern car  
park, East Point Reserve 
  Other “Pop-Ups” on the foreshore include: Cucina Sotto le
Haensel und Gretel  Stelle; The Box Jellyfish Café; Noi Pad Thai; The Rush'n − Hour;
Needle in a Haystack − Street Bistro; The Potato Man; La French
There's lots to love about Haensel und Gretel, a charming − Food Cart; Yummy Yianni's Greek Cuisine; Mitch & Mario
family-owned affair  which serves up homemade Austrian and BBQ Smokehouse; Harry’s Mobile Kitchen; and Jay's Coffee Bar.
German fare.  Ben and Kamala, the lovely owners of this new
little gig, hail from  Germany, and have lived for many years This is an edited version of an article from Growing up Troppo,
in Vienna,  so  their  Viennese Schnitzels are the real deal. You the brainchild of Libby Larsen. You can find details of all the
can find them on Tuesday nights at  Chapman Rd car park on other food trucks on the Darwin foreshore on the website -
Nightcliff foreshore, which is my favourite spot for families. They http://www.growinguptroppo.com. Check the Facebook pages
have lights and tables so it’s a cosy affair here.  Wir sehen uns of the food trucks individually for last minute cancellations or
dort! (See you there!) changes before you head out. The information here is a guide
Tuesday Nights - 5pm to 8pm, Chapman Rd car park, Nightcliff only and is subject to change.
foreshore
  Pop-up food truck Haensel Und Gretel
Ken's Crepes Photo credit: Libby Larson.

Erica and Anthony totally get what makes for an easy outdoor Go to: www.growinguptroppo.com
dinner with kids because they have 2 of their own. They have lots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growinguptroppo/
of options that kids love, and they also do a weekly sweet and Or follow on Instagram: @growinguptroppo
savoury special. Their location on the foreshore (at Windsurfers
Corner) is fabulous for families and they create a lovely ambience

F LYC ATC H E R | 3 3

COMMITTING GRADUATES TO A SUSTAINABLE WORLD
By Professor Martin Carroll

For what purpose does a university exist if not to be relevant to follow the science, one can hardly avoid the politics – such as the
the world’s major challenges and opportunities? Specifically, a debates surrounding President Trump’s recent announcement to
university should help its students prepare to operate effectively, withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement (a great
indeed with leadership, in addressing those challenges and many other examples could be added here).
opportunities.
That said, limited progress has been made in embedding that
To that end, in March 2017, CDU Academic Board Graduate Attribute into the student experience. A new approach
approved a new set of Distinctive Graduate Qualities. These are is necessary that is more focused and yet also more inclusive of
valued qualities that should distinguish all CDU’s graduates, different approaches.
irrespective of their course of study, from their contemporaries
at other educational institutions. To be introduced over time, The task now is to embed the concept of sustainability
they are designed to maintain and strengthen the position of throughout the many methods by which CDU students learn.
CDU graduates as among the most desirable in the country In some cases, this will be by way of improvements to the
(and, indeed, globally), as currently shown by the Australian curriculum. For example, CUC100, which most undergraduate
Government’s Graduate Outcomes Survey. students undertake, was redeveloped during 2015 and 2016 to
include a content focus on sustainability. Many courses have
These new Distinctive Graduate Qualities include that CDU specific units that focus on sustainability in the context of that
graduates are: discipline.

1. adaptable in complex, dynamic and challenging But not all learning needs to be formally assessed. Distinctive
environments; Graduate Qualities are also pursued through continual
2. committed to professionalism and ethical values; exposure to the factors that require one to critically reflect
3. appreciative and understanding of Indigenous upon their validity and significance, and act accordingly. As
Australians; and such, there are clearly opportunities to engage with the broad
4. committed to a sustainable world. theme of sustainability beyond the curriculum. Some of these
5. A fifth quality will be set by each individual student. extracurricular activities will be initiated by CDU staff; others
Each of these will require significant attention. This article will be at the initiative of CDU students. Indeed, this is already
will address just one: commitment to a sustainable world. The occurring, as with the CDU EnviroCollective and this Flycatcher
inclusion of sustainability sends two very clear messages. The Magazine.
first is that CDU recognises that sustainability (in its broadest
sense), resource scarcity and resource quality are real local & The goal is that, over time, the sustainability agenda will be
global challenges – even if one wishes to contest the causes of so widely and deeply embedded within CDU life as to ensure all
these challenges. The second is that it is the responsibility of each graduates had the opportunity to develop an informed, deep and
and every person to strive, within the opportunities afforded by abiding commitment to a sustainable world.  
their own work and personal lives, for a sustainable world.
This is not an entirely new position for the University to take. Implementation of all the Distinctive Graduate Qualities is
The list of Graduate Attributes (now replaced by the Distinctive now a priority for the University.  The full policy can be found
Graduate Qualities) set at the establishment of Charles Darwin at http://cdu.edu.au/governance/doclibrary/index.php. In the
University included, for higher education graduates only, the meantime, members of the CDU community with ideas about
notion of ‘social responsibility’ skills, incorporating “a sense how sustainability can be embedded into the student learning
of… sustainability”, within the core attribute of Citizenship. experience are encouraged to contact [email protected].
This was prescient, given that the sustainability agenda has
only increased in importance over time. Even if one does not Professor Martin Carroll is Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and
Student Services.

34 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

F LYC ATC H E R | 35

Image credit: Michael Aagaard

FLYCATCHER QUIZ

THE SEASON WHEN LOCALS WEAR JUMPERS AND THONGS

By Phoebe Robinson

1. Why do we see so many dragonflies 4. Which of these is one of the “10 Can- 8. Why is glass not allowed near our
at the start of the Dry? mandments” of the Beer Can Regatta? waterholes in national parks?

a. They think we can’t tell the a. Thou shalt not sink another craft a. To keep waterways clean
temperature difference b. Thou shalt not mock another crew b. To prevent rock wallabies from
b. They are looking for a one night with Monty Python insults arming themselves
stand c. Thou shalt not commit adultery – c. To prevent glass related injuries
c. Their food sources are about to die nothing really to do with the Regatta, d. To discourage bogans
d. They are following the tourist but it gives us an air of responsibility
crowd and respect 9. What is the fastest recorded time
  d. The craft shall float by cans alone taken to pitch a four man tent?
2. According to the Gulumoerrgin and a single blow-up thong
(Larrakia) seasons, what season are we   a. 2 minutes and 11.30 seconds
in now? 5. True or False: Wycliffe Wells is the b. 1 minute and 58.55 seconds
a. Gurrulwa Guligi (Big Wind Season) UFO sighting capital of Australia. c. 1 minute flat
b. Mayilema (Spear Grass and Goose a. True d. 57.85 seconds
Egg Time) b. False
c. Dinidjanggama (Heavy Dew Time)   10. Who was the first European to forge
d. Damibila (Barramundi and Bush 6. The Darwin Festival was born in the a path from Adelaide to Darwin?
Fruit Season) wake of Cyclone Tracy in 1974. What
  was it previously known as? a. Charles Sturt
3. How many lights make up the Field a. The Frangipani Festival b. John McDouall Stuart
of Lights at Uluru? b. The Desert Rose Festival c. Burke and Wills
a. 80,000 c. The Grevillea Festival d. Gilbert Rotherdale McMinn
b. 70,000 d. The Bougainvillea Festival  
c. 60,000   Bonus: If you venture onto the Adelaide
d. 50,000 7. Where did the NT get most of its River in a rubber dinghy, you are…
  international tourists from last year? a. Drunk
a. The United Kingdom b. Stupid
b. Germany c. Screwed
c. New Zealand d. Drunk, stupid and screwed
d. China 

Answers: 1(b). 2(c). 3(d). 4(c). 5(a). 6(d). 7(a). 8(c). 9(b). 10(b). Bonus(d).

36 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017

F LYC ATC H E R | 37

38 | DRY SEASON EDITION 2017