ED2 • VOL94 • 2023 SUGAR Consumerism is just like doughnuts (hint, its glazed) You’ll never guess where politicians hide their stash! 8. The Burrup Hub threatens Australia’s past, present, and future. Desserts are deception in Jade’s take on Grand Budapest Hotel The 42. Jennifer gives back to UWA by writing “half arsed Pelican submissions” and so should you, see page 38 for more!” Whatever happened to Boost Juice? 30. 32. 48. Deb applies Platonic principles to Greenday 19.
Why Volunteer? Make new friends Learn and develop new skills Improve your future employability Turn your passion into action UWA GUILD VOLUNTEERING One-on-one referrals to find your perfect opportunity Organised group volunteering excursions Volunteer job listings with over 200 nonprofit partner organisations Guild Volunteering Services Personal development opportunities Working with Children Checks and Police Clearance Volunteer hours transcript recognition [email protected] 6488 5891 fb.com/UWAGuildVolunteering volunteering.guild.uwa.edu.au Drop into our office weekdays from 9am-5pm, ground floor, Guild Village or contact us: Guild Volunteering connects UWA students to meaningful volunteering opportunities both on campus and in the wider community. Whatever you are passionate about, whether it’s environmental sustainability, animal welfare, homelessness or refugee issues, we are here to link you to changemaking organisations. Show your guild card and grab a piup pi a for offer applies to large pizzas only 165 BROADWAY, NEDLANDS 9389 8500 OPEN 5PM - 1AM FRI & SAT, 5PM - 12 MIDNIGHT SUNDAY, 5PM - 1AM WEEKDAYS WWW.BROADWAYPIZZA.COM.AU PIZZA Broadway WE WANT YOUR OLD PELICAN MAGAZINES! The UWA Student Guild wants to complete our collection (back to 1930) because there are gaps. If you, or your parents, or even your grandparents have copies stashed away – before you throw them away, please consider donating them to the Guild Archive! Please contact the Guild Archivist, Melissa Hetherington for further information. [email protected] +61 6488 2832 $13.95 PIZZA Broadway $16.95 Studies have shown that eating Broadway Pizza makes you three times smarter! Pelican Fact 2
Holly torial Angie torial Presi torial I like sugar, but something about it sets off alarm bells. Perhaps it is because I was raised within a world that prioritises health and was constantly warning me of the ‘dangers of sugar’. I vividly remember sitting in a van, parked at school, hanging out with a giraffe* who was encouraging me to eat fruit and not cake. As a result of this giraffe induced fear reinforced by my nurse-heavy family, I was never really a fan of binge eating candy. The thought of that much sweetness hitting my tongue, and the crunch of it, makes my teeth feel loose. I feel the same way about people, I really can’t handle the ones that are soooo sweet. Maybe I am jealous of the way their personality manages to addict so many people? Or maybe I am scared that underneath all that sugar is something less appealing? Hopefully one day I will overcome this fear so I can stop pretending that black tea without sugar doesn’t taste like dirt. Sugar is great, sugar is addictive, but I think sugary people are often vindictive. Roses are red sugar is sweet, Guild President Geemal thinks Pelican is neat! Busy as a bee getting jobs done left and right, he goes to bed tired holding his Pelly Mags tight. When he is stressed he gives them a read lets out a sigh and says, “Man these are just what I need.” So if you’re student and you’re feeling kinda blue grab the latest copy, it’s the smartest thing to do! ~ Definitely Geemal Several addresses—and versions of myself—ago, I was undertaking my still favourite activity of listening to podcasts and cooking. The podcast was Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert (which I highly recommend) and the guest was Matthew McConaughey; Matthew advised journaling during the good times, he said “there’s a science to that satisfaction,” (imagine cute accent). This piece of advice sticks with me because it is shockingly simple yet extremely apt, at countering the negativity bias we humans superimpose everyday onto our pasts, presents, and futures. This edition functions similarly, it is the ‘anti-negativity bias’ or ‘gratitude practice’ edition. We have to focus, however counterintuitively, on what we do have, because once we do we realise it is as pervasive as sugar. With love, Angie The Pelican Magazine team acknowledges the Whadjuk Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of the land—Whadjuk Boodja—on which we live, write, and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise their continuing connection to land, sea, culture, and community. Show your guild card and grab a piup pi a for offer applies to large pizzas only 165 BROADWAY, NEDLANDS 9389 8500 OPEN 5PM - 1AM FRI & SAT, 5PM - 12 MIDNIGHT SUNDAY, 5PM - 1AM WEEKDAYS WWW.BROADWAYPIZZA.COM.AU PIZZA Broadway WE WANT YOUR OLD PELICAN MAGAZINES! The UWA Student Guild wants to complete our collection (back to 1930) because there are gaps. If you, or your parents, or even your grandparents have copies stashed away – before you throw them away, please consider donating them to the Guild Archive! Please contact the Guild Archivist, Melissa Hetherington for further information. [email protected] +61 6488 2832 $13.95 PIZZA Broadway After retiring as editors, Pelicans naturally transition to cows. Pelican Fact 3
Contents Edition 2 Sugar Cultural Comments: 8. The Burrup Hub: Why Does it Need to be Stopped? Anya Sill Environment 12. The Sweet and The Sour: Fashion Edition Maia Steele Claire Nelson and Selina Al Ansari Pop Culture and Fashion 32. Seeing Through the Glaze of Consumerism Chloe Pester Politics 48. The Legacy of the US Candy Desk Chas Underwood Politics Creative: 6. Chocolate Milk Aishath Sara Arif Literature and Creative Writing, poem 7. Strawberry Ice Cream Aishath Sara Arif Literature and Creative Writing, poem 14. Tea Party Dorian Winter Visual Art 15. Visions of Cake Dorian Winter Visual Art 16. Jellies Christopher Mariotti Literature and Creative Writing, poem 21. We’ll eat jam until we die James Stanwix Literature and Creative Writing, poem 34. Plain and Simple Patrick Eastough Literature and Creative Writing, poem 35. Sweet Times! Patrick Eastough Literature and Creative Writing, poem 36. Windex Eva Cocks Literature and Creative Writing fiction 37. Burnt Toffee Literature and Creative Writing, poem Personal: 10. A Love Letter to Heartbreak Udhaya Senthil Kumar Voice 38. UWA Take Me Back Jennifer Axolotl Voice Interview: 22. Ask the Experts: Drug and Alcohol Use on Campus Holly Carter-Turner Voice Sport: 40. The Perth Scorchers’ Ashton Agar Declan Mason Sport The views expressed within this magazine are not the opinions of the UWA Student Guild or Pelican Editorial Staff but of the individual artists and writers. My parents taught me to read purely so I could read this magazine. Pelican Fact #history #local 4
Edited by Holly Carter-Turner & Angela Aris Design & Layout by UWA Student Guild staff member Alexander Sinclair Sub - Editors Reviews: 17. A Review of Sing Street: Sweeter Than Irish Cream Darcy Wilson Film and Production 19. The Australian Idiots: A Sweet Tribute Deb Broad Music 20. Local Music Highlights Ethan Dodson Music 42. Wes Anderson’s Visually Mouth-Watering The Grand Budapest Hotel Jade Wallwork Film and Production 46. Review of Porco Rosso: Sweet Bacon! Ben Marshall Film and Production Entertainment: 24. Horoscopes Holly Carter-Turner Entertainment 26. Sugar Crossword Angela Aris Entertainment 27. Pelican Colouring-in Holly Carter-Turner Entertainment 52. Taboo Solutions Entertainment Analyses: 28. The Bitter Truth about Sugar’s Impact on our Health David Paik and Alifa Rupkatha Science 30. The Struggles of Businesses on Campus: What Happened to Boost Juice? Tobias Langtry Campus Affairs 44. Renewables are Good but Nuclear is Better Emily Norman-Murphy Environment Campus Affairs Dionne Sparks, Tobias Langtry Economics Lana Pavlovic Entertainment Joe Chen Environment Abbey Wheeler Film & Production Aleena Flack, Aron Morris-Black, Patrick Eastough Literature & Creative Writing Aishath Sara Arif, Alexander Lwin Music Ethan Dodson, Deb Broad Politics Jack Cross, Lilli Coulson Pop-Culture & Fashion Claire Nelson, Selina Al Ansari, Maia Steele, Science Alifa Ayman, David Paik Sport Declan Mason, Alex Mikhaloff Visual Arts Derrick Loo, Arya Beltaine Voice Aleeya Tamandl, Ava O’Sullivan, Talina Buckingham Media & Artists Alsace Thompson, Alyssa Lewis, Sarah Tan, Takoda Laidley, Talola John, Udhaya SK Ten out of ten sub-editors recommend reading Pelican! Pelican Fact 5
When I think of you, I see you holding your chocolate milk with the same familiar hands that cradle the lens. All those rainy days against damp green leaves, posters of past selves and restless pigeons. The sunlit curtains, old, coral walls and weeping palm trees. Memories lulling like the end of a song to the scent that lingers on your favourite raincoat, dipping past my knuckles and over my eyes. Chocolate Milk Aishath Sara Arif Sara is a poet from the Maldives exploring nature and nostalgia while living in a big city. Pelican Fact It is recommended you feed freshers choccy milk for their first six months before moving onto solids. 6
All you can eat Neapolitan ice cream scooping down the lines away from pastel pink for reasons unsound and yet now all around are hues of berry red in the air and over flesh too sweet for milk teeth a sweetness I didn’t need. Strawberry Ice Cream Aishath Sara Arif Does strawberry ice-cream actually taste like strawberries? Pelican Fact 7
The Burrup Hub: Why Does it Need to be Stopped ? Anya Sills In WA’s North-West, dirty energy conglomerates are gearing up for a fossil fuel expansion that will come at a devastating expense to Aboriginal cultural heritage and the environment. Murujuga (also known as the Burrup Peninsula) is set to become the site of a series of interconnected fossil fuel projects— known collectively as the Burrup Hub. The construction of this Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) project led by Woodside but in partnership with Shell, BHP, BP, Chevron and others—involves the construction of two new giant offshore gas fields, and other petroleum oriented facilities such as onshore fracking sites tailored to exporting the gas. While Woodside have a misleading reputation as advocates against the climate crisis, their proposed Burrup Hub will take the cake as the most polluting gas project ever to be developed in Australia. The prospective lifespan of the Burrup Hub is fifty years; this length of time combined with its high emission intensity places the lifetime carbon footprint of the Burrup Hub at approximately six-billion tonnes of CO2. If carried out, the Burrup Hub will become Australia’s largest source of pollution: creating the equivalent of New Zealand, Bolivia, Ireland, and Norway’s emissions combined. The moral obligations of big businesses and governments to maintain a habitable climate aside, Australia is bound by the Paris Agreement to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Research shows that the Burrup Hub— as it is proposed—is entirely inconsistent with this goal and breaches international climate guidelines to which Australia is signatory. The impending devastation posed by this project reaches beyond its promise to pollute; World Heritage nominated site Murujuga is home to approximately one million pieces of Aboriginal rock art, over fifty thousand years old. It is the world’s oldest and largest collection of rock art and it includes the first recorded depiction of the human face. Chemical emissions from LNG projects degrade the surface of rock carvings posing a substantial threat to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. Within this region, Woodside has already been responsible for the destruction of five thousand pieces of rock art and the removal and dumping of a further 1 700; such desecration of First Nations history and spirituality must be prevented. “The proposed Burrup Hub will take the cake as the most polluting gas project ever to be developed in Australia.” Pelican Fact WA’s carbon footprint is about three times what Australia is legally allowed to 8 emit in order to comply with the Paris Agreement.
If not for the humans, do it for the pelicans. Extending beyond these two issues are severe consequences to the health of marine life, ecosystems, and the community. To properly assess the destructive cost of the Burrup Hub would require a much longer article. Indeed, many such reports already exist but beyond awareness must lie action. Here is the good news, The Burrup Hub is not yet set in stone. According to the Conservation Council of Western Australia (CCWA), “Complex environmental assessment processes are still underway, and approvals are yet to be granted for the most significant . . . aspects of the project.” Sufficient capital too is yet to be raised in order to sponsor the fifty-billion dollar mega project. Other pressures facing Woodside are two Supreme Court legal challenges brought about by the CCWA; The Traditional Custodians of Save Our Songlines are also actively campaigning to protect Murujuga. It is vital we hold the government and fossil fuel companies accountable for their crimes against the environment and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage because the future of Australia is not theirs to jeopardise, it belongs to all of us. Become Involved: Additional Information on the Burrup Hub Project: www.saveoursonglines.org/ www.ccwa.org.au/burrup-hub# saynotoscarborough.com.au/who-we-are/ greens.org.au/magazine/what-youneed-know-about-burrup-hub act.greenpeace.org.au/woodside-campaign climateanalytics.org/ media/climateanalyticsburruphubwacarbonbudgetreport-feb2020.pdf “If carried out, the Burrup Hub will become Australia’s largest source of pollution: creating the equivalent of New Zealand, Bolivia, Ireland, and Norway’s emissions combined.” Pelican Fact 9
Udhaya Senthil Kumar A Love Letter to Heartbreak For the longest time, ‘sweet’ was the adjective I wanted to describe my life with, at least beyond the common ones like ‘happy’ and ‘accomplished’. My ideal life was this syrupy honey-drenched dream I could drown in. Most of us have similar dreams, unrestrained and fanciful, and born of a younger age… Some people do manage to ground themselves, find a balance maybe, between realistic and indulgent dreams. I was pathetically serious about mine though, convinced— even beyond childhood—that there was something greater waiting for me. I was equipped with nonchalant confidence, not offensive or cocky but downright baseless. I was certain that everything would somehow someday work out for me simply because I am the centre of my story, and it was convenient to believe I would stumble upon a series of coincidences that would bridge the gap between reality and fantasy. This is the confidence I was armed with when I turned eighteen—only to be dealt a set of blows in my personal life that were so cripplingly devastating, in hindsight it is almost comical. After a depressive episode in Year 11, I lost an early offer to my dream university that crushed my chances of meeting the entrance requirements, and in the same year I had to deal with the death of a friend. These uncontrollable, irreversible losses left me facing the difficult task of acceptance, that no amount of ‘sugar’ would be able to neutralise that acrid taste in my mouth. Disappointment is an intolerably vulnerable feeling to submit to. It is already horrific to engage with wanting something desperately, but having to admit my plans after high school had fallen through because of my failure felt akin to being flayed alive, skin peeled back to reveal raw nerve. It left me exposed to doubts about my convictions and talents, which only added insult to injury. While the human heart has only four quadrants, it will shatter into millions during heartbreak. Pelican Fact 10
Having the dregs of my dream slip away so suddenly, without anyone to acknowledge the brilliance of my aspirations, was a terribly cold shock. For a long time this immense—and imagined—disappointment eclipsed the possibility of real sweetness in my life; I could hardly imagine going back to my rose-tinted reel of dreams. What I had failed to realise is, it is precisely these disappointments which allow dreams to remain vivid and untainted in the imagination. I thought of Plato’s cave allegory* and recognised I could hold onto that saccharine dream and indulge in it recklessly without the toothache it would bring in reality. In her 2015 collection of short stories, Pond, Claire-Louise Bennett writes about the “perverse” way it is the things she did not get in life that kept her alive—and this is exactly the word: perverse. This crushing failure was needed for me to relish freely in the dearest, most delirious of fantasies. This juxtaposition is nothing new, explored by artists for centuries. Vanitas still life artworks from the Dutch Golden Age for instance, feature brilliantly coloured fruits and flowers yet they reveal the slightest hint of rot—death upon closer inspection—insects grazing on the fruit, broken glass, an unlit candle; a reminder maybe of the cyclic nature of life and death, of sweetness and sourness, of dreams and disappointment. This is the reminder I want to convey in this article, not in the ‘everything happens for a reason’ or ‘better things are coming your way’ sense, but because as humans we need contrast, both physically and metaphorically, to identify and navigate the quality of life. A descriptive ‘X’ is defined as much by what it entails as it is by what it doesn’t. Of course, this does not make disappointment sting any less, not in the moment or even in hindsight. But it does allow you the thrill of luxuriating in your wildest desires a bit longer—in the shadowed crevice of your mind. And when those long awaited crystals of sugar finally dissolve, effortlessly on your tongue it will surpass anything your imagination could ever have conjured up; it will leave you with a pulsing ache in your gums . *The men in Plato’s cave allegory are fascinated by the flickering shadows cast by fire of the world outside, meant to highlight that what we perceive with our senses is only a shadow of actual knowledge about the world. In 2019 Australia procured nearly 2 500 tonnes of honey. Pelican Fact 11
The Sweet and The Sour: Fashion Edition Maia Steele, Claire Nelson, and Selina Al Ansari Do you want to know what to wear in 2023? What is hot or not? Well, you have come to the right place—welcome! This list of unsolicited opinions comes straight from your three favourite Fashion and Pop Culture editors. Join us as we (very loosely) forecast the ‘sweet’ and the ‘sour’ current fashion obsessions. Low Rise Jeans (Maia) These have been making a comeback as a signature of ‘y2k’ fashion: loved by many in 2023 and inspiring current trends. However, I have to say, this is a sour one for me. Maybe I am biased as I feel I cannot pull them off… but I say let’s leave this one back in 2005 with Paris Hilton herself. Monochromatic Outfits (Maia) Now I’m a sucker for good colour coordination and I think monochrome outfits are genius. If you aren’t familiar with the term ‘monochrome’—it is essentially when you dress in a single colour, taking inspiration from the wiggles (in the best way)! If you give a pelican a fish it will probably like it. They’re quite fond of fish. Pelican Fact 12
Micro Miniskirts (Selina) This even shorter take on the mini skirt is probably one of our ‘least wearable’ trends. Sure, these teeny tiny skirts look amazing on models and in photographs, but many of us don’t feel comfortable actually wearing them out. It feels like this piece of clothing was created for a very specific body shape—which is not sweet at all. In saying all of that, if you want to rock one, you most definitely should! #Balletcore (Claire) Tulle, ribbon, lace, and frills—the internet is OBSESSED. Incorporating the beauty and elegance of this highly technical art form into your everyday wardrobe has become immensely popular. For inspiration look to Euphoria’s Cassie Howard; or simply add ballet flats, a bodysuit, and a wrap cardigan to your outfit and harness your inner Tara Webster! Statement Gold Jewellery (Selina) The best trends aren’t limited to body type, gender, age, budget, or aesthetic (if you buy the fakes that is). Chunky gold statement pieces come in all shapes and sizes— thick gold hoop earrings, gold chains and assorted gold rings. They are the perfect addition to any outfit, whether that be hoops and a smart casual blazer, or a chain with your #sk8rboi outfit. Comfort Over Style? (Claire) Before you get your panties in a bunch— hear me out. These solid, rubbery, inanimate objects are a nightmare for anyone suffering with trypophobia! Yes, I can admire their collaborations with Christopher Kane and Balenciaga, but unless you are out lounging by the pool or recreating a scene from Baywatch please leave your Crocs and Jibbitz in the corner of your wardrobe. If you give a pelican a hat it will probably bite you. They don’t care much for fashion. Pelican Fact 13
Tea Party How many sugars do you like in your tea? Digital (Procreate) Dorian Winter Here I depict a gradient of black tea from milky to milk-less to allow the viewer to embrace the beauty of all tea preferences. 14
Visions of Cake Digital (Procreate) Dorian Winter This artwork takes on the Korean lunchbox cake trend and is a vision of what the artist would make (if he had better baking skills). Inspired by the maximalist cakes of the 1950s, I’ve chosen to adorn a bright purple sponge cake with ruffles, shells, and little pink bows. 15
This is a reminder to call someone you love. Pelican Fact Christopher Mariotti Christopher likes to read and write magical realist texts, often found fangirling about Sylvia Plath. Jellies Death isn’t sweet. If anything, Death tastes of umami: hard to place, hard to describe. Yet I remember the jellybeans We ate on the drives to you, And the cafeteria muffins, and The gummy bears I licked To stick to my skin like glue, Until death formed a sugary glaze. In those days I organised The jellybeans into colours. I forget which ones you liked. And once, I got to finish your cup Of acid-green jelly, pressed close Between the bed and IV drip And stained my memory and my lips With sucrose. Death isn’t sweet. If anything, Death tastes of umami: hard to place, hard to describe. Yet I remember the jellybeans We ate on the drives to you, And the cafeteria muffins, and The gummy bears I licked To stick to my skin like glue, Until death formed a sugary glaze. In those days I organised The jellybeans into colours. I forget which ones you liked. And once, I got to finish your cup Of acid-green jelly, pressed close Between the bed and IV drip And stained my memory and my lips With sucrose. 16
There are few teachers I’ve gotten along with better than my old English teacher Mr. Burbidge: a kind-faced man who taught both English and the creative writing elective, he was someone I just instantly clicked with. If he wasn’t giving me feedback on my writing of juvenile stories of war and gangsters, he was more than happy to have a deeply intellectual discussion about the historic significance of Green Day’s nineties album Dookie. However, the biggest impact he had on my life was introducing me to the film Sing Street. It was during a discussion on music that Mr. Burbidge showed me the trailer for the Irish coming-of-age musical written and directed by John Carney. Due to the fact that I was in the school music program and a selfproclaimed “aspiring filmmaker”, he assumed it was a film that would appeal to me. I went home and watched it that night, and to this day it remains one of my favourite films. A Review of Sing Street : Sweeter Than Irish Cream Sing Street follows a young Irish musician named Conor Lawlor as he attempts to form a high school band during the economic downturn experienced in Ireland in the eighties. Consequently, Conor’s father (played by Game of Thrones actor Aidan Gillen) pulls him out of his current school and enrolls him in Synge Street CBS. It’s there that Conor meets his future bandmates, along with Raphina— the model he’ll eventually sail to England with to escape the poverty of 1980’s Dublin. Watching Conor grow from an awkward teen, trod on by all those around him, to a fully-fledged defiant young rockstar is supremely compelling. In his on-screen debut, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo plays Conor with a combination of fresh-faced innocence and youthful defiance that instantly makes you sympathetic. Whether it’s navigating his first relationship with Raphina (Lucy Boynton, who Darcy Wilson Good teachers really do make the world go round. Pelican Fact Christopher Mariotti Christopher likes to read and write magical realist texts, often found fangirling about Sylvia Plath. 17
gives an excellent performance as the troubled muse), finding new and interesting ways to express himself through art, or fighting a never-ending war with Brother Baxter, you’re always rooting for Conor to succeed. It would be a crime not to give Jack Reynor the attention he deserves as Conor’s brother Brendan. He acts as Conor’s mentor, introducing him to everyone from Duran Duran to The Cure. The relationship between the two provides the film with its emotional core, which sets it apart from others of the coming-of-age genre. It’s clear that being the eldest child of a loveless marriage weighs heavy on Brendan’s shoulder, articulated beautifully in a scene where Brendan screams at Conor, “I was a fucking jet engine!” Brendan has many of the film’s most quotable lines, including “No woman can truly love a man who listens to Phil Collins.” Despite bearing the brunt of his outbursts, it’s clear Brendan loves Conor. At the end of the film Brendan aids Conor and Raphina in their attempt to sail to England on the petite family boat. After a heartfelt goodbye, Carney cuts to a reaction shot of Brendan gleefully celebrating his brother’s success at what he never could do—depart for England. Despite knowing he won’t escape crushing poverty, Brendan is ecstatic that his brother will; even writing about this moment gets me choked up. Despite strong performances and a solid screenplay, Sing Street doesn’t coast on this alone. The soundtrack is top-notch, including hits from Duran Duran, Motörhead, The Cure, and more. The original music also deserves special mention, while the fictional band’s early music has its own charm (‘The Riddle of the Model’ is certainly something) later tracks are genuinely good. My personal favourites are ‘Drive it Like You Stole It’, ‘Up’, and ‘Brown Shoes’. The narrative following the growth of the band and musicians’ is one of the highlights of this film. The shot choices of John Carney and cinematographer Yaron Orbach’ imbue the film with its own sense of visual charm too. While the school and Lawlor family home carry a sense of drab pessimism, the sprawling hills and oceans of Dublin have a majestic wonder that symbolise possibility outside of the characters’ current situations. Furthermore, the handheld cinematography employed during the ‘final school performance’ gives the scene a sense of energy that makes me wish I had tickets. Overall, Mr Burbidge hit the nail on the head with his recommendation! This sweet, bordering-on cheesy, adolescent film still sits in my list of all time favourite movies, standing out boldly against the backdrop of bleak thrillers and dramas. If you’re having a bad day I implore you to watch Sing Street, it’s sweeter than Irish cream. I give it 5 out of 5 Pelicans. The iconic Sing Street drums were originally going to be bongos. Pelican Fact 18
Deb Broad A Sweet Tribute I entered Badlands bar at 9.00 p.m. and absorbed the dark-punky atmosphere. Standing above the dance floor I was reminded of The Cavern Club in Liverpool where The Beatles found fame. Dark and curvy corners were highlighted by soft neon lights and there were cleverly arranged stalactites hanging from the ceiling. The crowd was eclectic, containing various age groups and dress styles. Most people were aged in their early twenties, but I was surprised to see I was not the only person aged over fifty at the bar. The Australian Idiots were about to start playing their Green Day tribute. I am a huge Green Day fan and to be honest I was sceptical about another group of musicians’ capacity to truly bring the sounds of Green Day to life; their music has an unmatched anarchic punk-rock vibe. I watched a YouTube video of Green Day performing on Goat Island a few days before, just so I could get a good idea of the comparison to the live sound. I was not disappointed. The Australian Idiots are talented players with a huge energy and they work together as a team on stage. A source—who will remain unnamed—once said to me, “Tribute bands are like musical prostitutes. They do it for the money, not for the music.” But in this case it was clear: the men on stage were here to celebrate the music of Green Day. Yes, they did dress loosely in ‘costume’, adopting Green Day’s trademark looks, e.g. the black eyeliner of Billy Joe. But also the songs were perfect reproductions of Green Day originals. This led me to ponder Plato’s claim that all art is imitation. And if imitation is honouring the original: a celebration of sounds. People filed onto the dance floor, I sat back and watched while my feet tapped to the beat. The emotion in the room rose and fell with every chord; these guys knew how to play, and how to keep a crowd moving and entranced throughout an entire performance. They played all the favourites: ‘American Idiot’, ‘When September Ends’, ‘Good Riddance’, and many more. The unique sound was there, held together by some excellent guitar, bass and drum work. The mixing was spot on, and the attitude of the men on stage reflected and fed that of the crowd. The anti-establishment messages in the lyrics were delivered in true punk-rock fashion, passionately and skillfully. Everyone left on a musical high, sweetly satisfied. I now know what a tribute band looks like: a group of very professional musicians celebrating some great music, AKA The Australian Idiots. The Australian Idiots The Greek God Idiotes only exists for those stupid enough to believe in him. Pelican Fact 19
Local Music Highlights Ethan Dodson Band: Spice World Album: There’s no “I” in Spice World Genre: Folk/Indie-folk Label: Tenth Court The album There’s no “I” in Spice World is an exercise in range. Spice World shows that they are just as comfortable inhabiting the slow, jangly, tortured spaces of ‘What a Pity What a Shame’ and ‘Trouble’ as they are in the upbeat, though admittedly still melancholic, space of ‘Dying to Go.’ Apparently recorded in an afternoon, the band presents a rough around the edges collection of songs brimming with charm. Though only released in January, this brilliant album will remain one of my favourites of the year. After attending the Sullivan Hall album launch l can now say Spice World are not only one of the best local recorded acts but also one of the best live acts I’ve had the pleasure of watching perform. You can listen to the album Spotify @ Spice World and you can find the band on Instagram @spiceworld______ . Can anyone else hear the singing? Pelican Fact Band: Claudie Joy Album: Songs From the Dust (Double Single) Genre: Indie-folk Label: Self Released For anyone who has seen a Claudie Joy performance the songs in this release: ‘Dragonfly’ and ‘Day by Day’, are most likely very familiar. I know that l personally, have been singing these songs to myself since first hearing them. Listening to them as they are presented now in Songs from the Dust, it is obvious how much care and thought has been put into the recordings. The culmination of numerous demos and performances, they are sharp and unhurried, two stellar examples of the songwriter’s talent. After this release I can only hope that Claudie continues to record and release more of the songs that fill her setlists. You can listen to Songs from the Dust on Spotify @Claudie Joy and the Joy Boys, and you can find the artist on Instagram @claudie.joy To keep up to date with the local music scene and for more highlights visit Pelican’s online magazine: pelicanmagazine.com.au 20
We’ll eat jam until we die James is an observational writer living in Boorloo, attempting to translate meaningful symbolism into simple poetry. James Stanwix Pelicans use jam to style their feathers. Strawberry works the best. Pelican Fact Walking with you then, Late, after a film, Something past ten, with Summer’s simple perfection Hung about our heads. Summer’s smell, like after rain, Only it hasn’t rained yet this week, And dusk’s orange—meek— But still somehow seen, Somehow sensed, Behind the stars In their clear black seats. Weeks pass and Summer dies with Month’s end. The trees, Like makers of jam Preserve the sky’s meek orange, And I know, in some months, The trees will be licked bare, Their apricot preserves lost, replaced By wind and the wailing moans Of winter’s rain and unrest. But I know, naturally, Bees will again sugar the trees, And again, the jam-makers will work, And again, the drippings of Summer will thicken and sit Neatly in pots of jam About our heads. And we’ll keep pots to spread Across winter’s dry months, We’ll let this time last, We’ll eat jam until we die. 21
Holly Carter-Turner This edition’s expert Emma Hawkins comes from UWA’s very own Shenton House, located on campus next to the UWA Tavern and Cameron Hall. Emma is one of our Health Promotion Officers and is responsible for helping with the facilitation of programs such as StepUP Bystander Training, Drug and Alcohol Counseling, and Mental Health First Aid Training. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Health Team if you’re struggling; there are links provided below. How do you tell a friend that they drink too much? It can sometimes be difficult when you notice that a friend’s alcohol consumption has gotten out of balance or that their relationship with alcohol has become problematic. This can put them at higher risk of injury and shortterm harms, as well as conflicts with friends, partners, and family. Reaching out to your friend in a supportive way is important and you always want to Pelican recognises that no experts, no matter how qualified, could possibly represent the views and experiences of an entire community; our experts instead represent one valuable set of experiences. Drug and Alcohol Use on Campus maintain that trusting relationship rather than come from an angle of judgement. Be honest about what you’ve seen, heard, or noticed has changed about their behaviour, and let them know you’re worried while making sure you are coming from a place of care and concern about their wellbeing. They may not be willing to talk about their alcohol use straight away but gently checking in over time and staying connected can make a big difference. Ask them how you can support them best, or whether they would like to talk to a health professional. Always keep the door open for future conversations when the person is ready and do your best to maintain your usual friendship. What’s the best way to get your drunk friend to stop drinking at a party? You tend to know your mates best, so approach them how you would want to be approached if the shoe was on the other foot, and in a way that they will likely respond to well without escalating the situation. Even saying something like, “Hey, are you alright? You seem a bit out of it,” can be enough to check in and have the conversation that will help you to work out what to do next. Your main priority is to keep them safe and get them home while also protecting their reputation. ask the Experts: Always remember YOUR body, YOUR choice. You decide what you consume. Pelican Fact 22
Depending on their situation, you may be able to grab you both a ‘spacer’ drink to slow their drinking down, or take a break and get something to eat. If their speech is incoherent or they’re losing their coordination, it’s probably time to head home; check in with them overnight. Something we often don’t talk about is checking in with a person afterwards. If your mate has been drinking heavily and has needed your help at several events, it might be time to have a broader conversation about how they’re going and how you can avoid it happening again. Why do you think drinking and drugs are still being glorified (e.g. hazing, parties, events) despite knowing they’re bad? This is a tricky one to answer because I think we all decide to do different things we know are unhealthy or unhelpful to us. In the health field we try not to label behaviour as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ per se—more so we would question, is this having a negative impact on this person’s health and functioning? I think as humans, we often try to seek new experiences, sensations, or to experiment— and this is particularly true in our uni years. We often use alcohol or drinking as a way of feeling more comfortable, sociable, and as a way of connecting with others, but over time drinking can become the key focus of an event which can increase the pressure for others to do the same. This can happen at certain events, in group or club situations, and is then introduced to new students which plays a role in continuing traditions over time; we may not even notice as this becomes less inclusive. I think as members of this community we all have a role to play in changing the culture if we notice situations are exclusionary or unsafe by questioning this when we see it. What support does UWA offer for students struggling with drug and alcohol use? We have a free and confidential Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor, Emlyn Chadwick, who visits campus each week from Palmerston community drug service. The service isn’t linked with your academic profile or Australian visa so it doesn’t matter if the issue relates to something that’s illegal. You can make an appointment with her to talk about your own substance use, or concerns about a friend, partner, or family. Appointments can be made through the UWA Health and Medical Services on 6488 2118, or below: If you prefer to get help from a non-UWA service or if you have someone that you’re supporting who isn’t a student, check out the list of Perth and non-metro community drug services. These services are free and confidential and provide a range of different treatment options based on the person’s needs: If you are supporting someone with a substance use issue, you may want to build practical skills to help. Register for a free Mental Health First Aid course with the UWA Health Promotion Unit on their website: https://www.uwa.edu.au/students/campuslife/volunteering/health-promotions Pelican Fact Please take care of each other and yourselves. If you are struggling, we recommend the services in this article. 23
Horoscopes Edition2Sugar Most people fit into one of two categories: those who eat all of their Halloween Candy in one sitting, and those who carefully stretch it out until the next year. They somehow end up being best friends. Leos this month consider which one you are and what the other kind may teach you, and how it applies to life beyond the candy bowl. Are you enjoying the spontaneity and fun of life? Are you making sure you aren’t being too reckless? Life and resources are a balance, consider if yours is flowing smoothly. Coincidentally, this month wants you to consider if you are making healthy choices. Could you afford to swap out those sugary snacks for some that provide better sustenance? Are you taking care of your body and mind and allowing time to rest and recover? Are you really studying or working where you want to be? Last edition we spoke about tackling problems, now it is time to establish new foundations to avoid them recurring in the future. Like a toddler determined to get lollies, your will power and drive are higher than ever this month and you’re ready to ride these highs straight to victory. While you may feel in conflict and not know exactly which path to follow, know you will steer yourself in the right direction when the time comes to choose. Release your ego and get ready to embrace new projects with confidence. One chocolate chip, two, three—all the chips… oh no the whole packet is gone! Taurians can often struggle with boundaries and learning when to say no, and take on more than they can chew. If you are currently feeling overwhelmed then take a beat to sort out which needs are a priority and which are okay to reseal and save for later. Have peoples’ sugary sweet exteriors been rubbing you the wrong way? Have you been left questioning who is actually being kind and who might be hiding their true colours? There is a chance that while you have been on guard worrying about others’ fake exteriors you have accidentally created one yourself. While it can be hard to be yourself around people that seem to be hiding their true sour nature, make sure you are continuing to be yourself and don’t let them ruin your unique flavour. Go to the mirror and take a look. Look beyond the physical (though you can check that out too if you want to) right into your eyes and ask “is this who I want to be?”. Are you challenging yourself and encouraging growth and development, or have you gotten stuck in a comfortable rhythm? Leo (July 23 – August 22) Virgo (August 23 – September 22) Aries (March 21 – April 19) Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Gemini (May 21 – June 21) Cancer (June 22 – July 22 Holly Carter-Turner Pelican Fact Scientists have discovered a new constellation Pelicanis which will be 24 slotted in between Taurus and Gemini.
Like cavity filled teeth, things will deteriorate quickly if you don’t give them the proper time and attention. While it can be confronting to address your flaws—like telling the dentist you haven’t been flossing—it is better to be honest with yourself and those around you to get the support you need. Like an unexpectedly close expiry date on the unopened choccy milk inside your fridge, sometimes good things must come to an end. This is okay! While it can be disappointing for things to not go as planned, especially if you were looking forward to them, don’t get focused on what didn’t happen and instead make space for what could happen. If the same areas of life keep disappointing you, like continuing to buy and throw away snacks you never eat, maybe it is time to consider alternatives. Brace yourself because this month encourages you to stick your finger in every pie and embrace stuffing your face with all of life’s different flavours. Use this time to establish your preferences in an attempt to deepen self understanding. Be warned though, there is a limit to how long you can maintain this luxury without compromise, or you will start to feel a bit woozy. Life really can be like a box of chocolates, and this month you’ve found one full of only your favourite flavours. Enjoy diving in and knowing that whatever you pluck out will be something that brings you joy. Don’t forget to share this joy with others as this will help you form new relationships and create future opportunities. Embody the confidence of Katy Perry singing ‘California Girl’, rocking her outfit of cupcake boobs and lollie-lined skirt. This month leaves no space for self doubt. Skip around like a lollipop kid as you feel a sense of warmth and confidence, like the sun rising and warming up the morning. You feel invincible. A packet of BeanBoozled jelly beans represent getting your ‘just desserts’. While on the surface the odds claim to be a 50/50 split for pulling the most delicious or the most revolting bean out of the box, karma is lurking around the corner. This could be the perfect scheme for her to secretly get back at you… If you have been good and kind then reach right in! You have nothing to fear! Libra (September 23 – October 23) Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) Scorpio (October 24 – November 21) Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) Sagittarius (November 21 – December 21) Pisces (February 19 – March 20) Pelican Fact Have a shower and do your laundry!—The Stars. 25
Peli-CAN YOU ACROSS 1. Crispy Flaky layers of _____ (6) 2. The form sugar comes in (5) 3. Powdery white substance which makes dreams come true (5) 4. Pixie-like creatures use it to clean their teeth (5,5) 5. How you feel after too much sugar (6) DOWN 1. It coats nature’s lollies (4) 3. You should beat your flour and sugar until it is light and ______ (6) 6. The type found in Canada is great on pancakes (3) 7. In tubs, sweet or sour (7) 8. Another form of sugar (5) 9. Frozen, often dairy-free Japanese dessert (5) 10. Chocolate pieces for cooking (5) 11.What you are ‘in’ on your way to class (4) Solutions in the next edition! Solutions from Edition 1 at back. 1 2 9 3 4 11 5 10 8 6 7 The best way to make words cross is to spell them wronge. Pelican Fact Solve It? 26
Pelican Colouring-in Pelican Fact Comic sands are used to time how long it takes to draw a cartoon. 27
The Bitter Truth About Sugar’s Impact on Our Health David Paik and Alifa Rupkatha Sugar is a ubiquitous ingredient in our diets, found in everything from cereals to salad dressings. While it provides a quick energy boost and a pleasurable taste, the bitter truth is that excessive consumption of sugar has serious health consequences both physical and mental. As a highly processed refined carbohydrate, our bodies are not well-equipped to handle sugar in large amounts. When we eat sugary substances our bodies release insulin to regulate bloodsugar levels, but excessive consumption can lead to insulin resistance, a condition that causes a range of health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Pelican Fact A 2016 paper from the Queensland University of Technology suggests sugar can be as addictive as nicotine. 28
Sugar Addiction Sugar addiction is a term used to describe the compulsive and uncontrollable desire for sugary foods and drinks. Research has shown that consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to changes in brain chemistry that promote addiction-like behaviour. When we consume sugar our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This surge of dopamine creates a pleasurable sensation that our brain wants to repeat, leading to the desire for more sugar. Over time, this repeated release of dopamine makes it more difficult to experience pleasure from other activities and foods. Negative Mental Health Effects Excessive sugar consumption and sugar addiction have been linked to numerous negative mental health effects, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that consuming high amounts of sugar can increase the risk of depression by twenty-three per cent and decrease the levels of a crucial protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), important for brain function and mood regulation. Sugar has also been linked to increased anxiety-like behaviour and disruptions in the gut-brain axis, also important for mood regulation. Memory problems and a decrease in brain volume are among other recorded consequences of too much sugar over the long term. Breaking Up with Sugar Breaking up with sugar can be challenging, especially when it is found in so many of the foods we eat. But it is possible to reduce our consumption and prioritise our health. Education and awareness are essential, we need to be informed about the harmful effects of sugar on our bodies and minds, and be empowered to make better choices. Holding the food industry accountable for their role in promoting sugar-laden products and producing misleading advertising is also important. And, perhaps most importantly, is supporting each other in making healthier life choices so we can break free from sugar’s grip. Life is too precious to be spent feeling lethargic and unhealthy. Let’s give sugar the boot, one healthy choice at a time. Pelican Fact There are more than 400 names for added sugars on food packaging in Australia and labelling is poorly regulated. 29
The Struggles of Businesses on Campus What Happened to Boost Juice? Tobias Langtry I have the solemn duty to confirm what was once thought unthinkable: Boost Juice at the UWA Refectory is closed for good. Once a staple of life on campus, it was brought down by the same economic forces that have hit many businesses hard over the last few years. The principal culprit was the COVID-19 pandemic. As classes went online and students stayed home to avoid the virus the number of students (and customers) on campus cratered. There were especially few international students, as travel restrictions forced many to cancel plans to come to WA. This had an immediate impact on the income for businesses at UWA. How can you make money if there’s no one to buy a Mango Magic? Businesses on campus faced the same labour shortages as the rest of the hospitality sector. In 2022 as the economy recovered, demand for labour surged, but labour supply remained low because work-related immigration into the country had slumped during the pandemic. 88 000 more people left Australia than arrived between 2020 and 2021. There hasn’t been that many people leaving the country since World War I! I spoke to Guild management who suggested that large employers such as those in the mining sector were able to provide highly competitive wages which made it harder for smaller employers, such as those on campus, to find and retain new hires. I also found This article gives you permission to treat yourself to a tasty snack from a UWA outlet. Pelican Fact “In 2022 as the economy recovered, demand for labour surged, but labour supply remained low because work-related immigration into the country had slumped during the pandemic. 88 000 more people left Australia than arrived between 2020 and 2021.” 30
Ode to Boost Juice Jack Cross Boost Juice, my go-to place, A campus gem, now erased. No more flavours to savour and taste, My thirst for fruity goodness displaced. A void now lingers in this space, Memories of Boost Juice, a bittersweet trace. Most students on campus are now younger than Boost Juice. Pelican Fact out international students had traditionally been the key source of labour for businesses around campus. It would, however, be a mistake to think only of the negative impact of these circumstances on employers. The tight labour market has led to the strengthened bargaining power of lowwage hospitality workers, which contributed to significant wage rises for these workers; highdemand in other words, has helped low-income earners weather the surge in cost of living. Guild management emphasised the important work they do to support their tenants by providing significant rent abatement. This, while praiseworthy, contributed to the great financial strain the Guild was under at the height of the pandemic. The deficit faced by the Guild in late 2021 meant that the budget spending allocated to many Guild departments was frozen or reduced. But UWA isn’t alone, student guilds across the country faced similar financial issues finding it necessary to provide more support with less revenue. Despite these troubles, conditions seem to be improving. As vaccination rates reached a supermajority in Western Australia and COVID restrictions relaxed, the number of visitors to UWA is reapproaching the levels we saw in 2019. The recent Open Day saw 15 000 visitors walking through campus, a windfall for nearby business. This recovery has attracted new tenants like Main St Barbers, a barber shop nestled in Guild Village. This improvement has extended to the Guild’s finances. Guild management tells me the Guild is on track to meet the budget set by Council. 31
Seeing Through the Glaze of Consumerism Chloe Pester What skills do I have? What skills do you want me to have? Teamwork, yet also the ability to work independently; organisation is always a good one; outstanding customer service (of which I have too little experience to authenticate). Perfect, I’ve narrowed my hireable skills down to the three buzzwords that everyone else also has on their résumé. Oh, how I wish we could just say what we wanted to on these. If this were the case, the very first skill I’d put down would be sugarcoating—the only one actually required to apply for jobs. Sugar-coating surrounds us, it makes the world go round, it sells. Putting a positive spin on a product, idea, or project is probably the most invaluable skill any company could hope for; persuading people to purchase against their better judgement is worth far more monetarily than any organisational skills. Big companies are the best and most shameless at spinning this too-good-to-betrue, sickly-sweet substance. All it takes is one google search to see where a company’s products come from and the fairy floss they’re made of, to make it obvious there is sugarcoating going on. [Redacted Clothing Company], which came to Perth in the last decade, is notorious for sugarcoating by overplaying the sustainability of its products. Their strategy: quantity over quality. If you visit their website you will see there is a whole menu option dedicated to ‘sustainability’. Underneath are fifteen greenbranded tabs. When you click on these tabs you’ll be met with a lot of PR fluff, most of which isn’t relevant to the consumer. In fact, in order to see where the garment you are purchasing is from—and if it was made sustainably—you need to download the [Redacted Clothing Company]’s app and scan the tag on the physical product. So, why not just put it on the tag? You can have green delivery, You should write for Pelican because “buzzword” “buzzword” “buzzword”. Pelican Fact 32
(the distinction from normal delivery isn’t communicated) but you have to actively choose it and pay extra. The deliciously-coloured green tags made of recycled paper are a thinly veiled ploy to rid us of consumer guilt. [Redacted Clothing Company] is in fact facing backlash for this deceptive, lacquered, toffee-apple like coating. Currently, the brand is facing a class action federal lawsuit in the US. An investigation found more than half of the [Redacted Clothing Company]’s environmental ‘scorecards’ to be false. Keep in mind this is only one example. There are an array of companies out there sugarcoating their policies and marketing lies in their campaigns to sell their products and services. Hell, companies even sugar-coat working conditions; staff discounts, free lunches, and work outings are provided instead of well-earned bonuses so bitter Where Do I Shop? For groceries which are ethical and local try www.dirtycleanfood.com.au. For second-hand books and free shipping try www.wob.com/en-au. For dry goods locally try www. wastelesspantry.com.au/. For gifts, stationery, and more try www.biome.com.au. For skincare try ecotan.com.au/. For clothes try op-shops. working conditions go down just a little bit easier. Those tech companies you see all over TikTok with no office hours and free buffet lunches that seem a dream to work for?— these incentives blend the boundary between work and life. Now I can sit here and critique, but the truth of the matter is sugar-coating is the way of the world. I’m guilty of it for sure, even sugarcoating things for myself; the act can be a double-edged sword. Sometimes sugar helps us swallow the medicine we need; however, I think working on becoming more aware and informed consumers is something we should all be doing. When situations are too convenient we shouldn’t look the other way. Whilst it tastes sweet at first, the feeling of ‘not doing enough’ can turn sour very quickly. So, as we make our way through the world we need to make sure we take the too-good-tobe-trues with a grain of salt. Pelican staff get the Magazine for free! (So does everyone else but that’s irrelevant). Pelican Fact 33
Plain and Simple Patrick Eastough Patrick is a joyous writer, aiming to create the darkest moods. I saw you, you didn’t. I offered sweet flowers, you offered glares. Eyes that stabbed, picturing me bleeding out on a cold mid summer’s night. Eyes that stabbed my candied heart, curating cosy fires in winter storms. “Shall I compare thee? Come be human with me? I am just a boy standing in fron…” “You are tolerable, but not handsome. You are simply a hole in the air. I desire that we be better strangers.” I saw you, you saw me. I offered sweet flowers, You offered weedkiller. You can be human with me if I can be pelican with you. Pelican Fact 34
Sweet Times! Why were we happy, when we were kids with rose coloured glasses, beneath indigo skies? Now! Carpe diem! Seize! Seize! Seize! We have the 21st century breathing down our necks! The world is fast. You need to be faster! Run, my son! Run, my daughter! It’s now too late, my running is over. My ankles, harrowing daily messages of lost time, stiff, sore, cancerous. My legs are tired, I want to sit. The most beautiful skies have clouds in them. A drop of rain. A plummet in the ocean. I have seen vastness beheld in both. Patrick Eastough Life moves slower if you tell time with tiktok biscuits. Pelican Fact 35
Windex Eva Cocks Don’t use Win-dexies without a prescription folks. Pelican Fact Eva is someone who notices things. The house’s windows were made of glass, so spotless that one feels like their hand could pass right through them. Thanks to their noisy blowervac, the driveway was free of the leaves that swirl up and down the rest of their crescent-shaped street. The dust that gracefully tumbles in the afternoon light is always sucked up by dinner time. And like the sugar coating of sour lollies, Windex and Glen20 are deployed to make one believe that everything inside the house is palatable and smooth. Everybody loves sugar. How would the medicine go down without it? People wish that they could scrub their bodies with the stuff, powder their noses even. Licking the beater just after the sugar and butter have been creamed together in holy matrimony. But sugar rots things pure black. After you are done crunching and licking and sucking it down, sugar causes all your teeth to fall out, and nothing can stick them back in again. Not even Windex. 36
Burnt Toffee Anonymous Sickly sweet and sick of it. Lips sealed shut from hot sweet toffee that has burned my throat as I swallow it down. Blood sugar high, heart racing I can only handle so much. Sickly sweet and sick of it, as I hear yet another pleasantry, “They’re just being nice! Everyone likes nice!” “Why are you so sour?” Sickly sweet and losing control of my tongue as it gags and splutters out comments I didn’t mean to say but don’t exactly regret. Sickly sweet and stopping this. Like a crushed-up pill hidden in honey, this isn’t “just kindness”. I can taste its bitter undertones. This isn’t “just” nice. Helpth, I have toffeh shtuck to my tongue. Pelican Fact 37
UWA Take Me Back It is an interesting experience returning to university after so many years away. In my case, the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed youngster fresh out of high school is long gone, replaced by an adult beaten down by the brutal realities of life who is increasingly fretful about their close proximity to the age of thirty. I’m a completely different person compared to when I started here. Initially meek and anxious, then depressed and repressed, then depressed again—like a sticky button in a lift. Now I am calm and content, a quietly confident trans woman making the most of her life. I won’t rehash my transition here—I am desperately trying not to become that mature aged student who needlessly overshares personal anecdotes, and because when you’ve been out in the world for long enough it starts to feel unremarkable. But this mundanity still feels remarkable to me; I feel my own transition mirrors the transition Jennifer Axolotl I’ve seen in society over the past few years: the Western world is being washed over by a rainbow tide that is raising all the queer boats towards a brighter-gayer future. I beam when I see other queer people out and about, just living their lives, in a way once unthinkable. The Internet has brought to the foreground a plethora of marginalised voices, and I for one, stan our TikTok overlords. Campus feels much more queer than it used to, but it hasn’t changed all that much physically: the ornate brick buildings, lush gardens, and the ivy are the envy of the other unis—our parking not so much. Which other Perth university can boast about one hundred years of tradition? It’s not like there’s a world beyond Perth or anything. However, it’ll be one hundred years of derision soon enough if our venerable institution keeps heading the way it’s been; we’ve faced so many cuts I expect we’ll take flight as an origami crane any day now. I can’t remember If you rub the forehead of the Socrates statue he will grant you three wishes. Pelican Fact “Campus feels much more queer than it used to, but it hasn’t changed all that much physically: the ornate brick buildings, lush gardens, and the ivy are the envy of the other unis—our parking not so much.” 38
a time when the School of Humanities didn’t have an axe hanging over it, and my talks with students from other schools make it sound like they’ve got similar troubles. When I started at UWA, a professor of mine made a colourful allusion to a recent executive change, “rats leaving a sinking ship”, years later, another professor tearfully told us that our department had been unceremoniously gutted; they weren’t sure whether they would have a job by the year’s end. I scuttled for the lifeboat myself, yet here I am, back. I’m still unsure exactly as to why. Perhaps I am seeking wisdom through self-flagellation? I was happily living as a dropout for a few years, so why come back to a discipline that is perennially under the axe, ‘sinking fast’, ‘being gutted’, or subjected to some other horrific metaphor of decline and disaster? Unfortunately, my time in the workforce has made me realise employers value those funny-little pieces of paper called degrees, and I hit a glass ceiling without one. But it’s not as simple as seeking credentials, there is something greater I seek here. It might be the peacocks or the cute ducks outside Reid Library, or that bust of Socrates that silently judges me before exams. But above all that, I’ve missed the sense of community. This piece is my love letter; I am that clingy ex on my knees grovelling, “Oh please, community of Udub, take me back!” I want to give more to the amazing students and faculty here, hence I will write at least one half-arsed Pelican submission. I hope those reading learn a thing or two from my experience, and I don’t mean being clingy or making half-arsed submissions. The real value of a university isn’t actually in its aesthetically weathered walls, it’s in the people who make them breathe. Now give me my degree and get me the hell out of here before all these metaphors hit the fan! A duck at UWA is born every time a student can’t find a parking spot. Pelican Fact “[t]here is something greater I seek here. It might be the peacocks or the cute ducks outside Reid Library, or that bust of Socrates that silently judges me before exams.” 39
The Perth Scorchers’ Ashton Agar Ashton Agar looks set to resume his boyhood dream of playing for Australia in the upcoming tour of India. It was this same dream that began his career, it had all the characteristics of a dream too: chaotic, fantastical, reality-bending. Agar’s test debut came at age nineteen—at the Ashes, England. Just let that sink in. He was the youngest Australian Ashes debutant in over eighty years. He had only played a handful of first class matches and had won his spot on the tour by bowling well during an Australia A tour. He was handed his baggy-green and walked straight into the cauldron that is Ashes test cricket. He was bowling well—if unsuccessfully—in the first innings: 0/27 from 7 overs, but it was with the bat Agar’s play reached its climax. It had not been a dream start for Australia as Agar walked out to the crease as the final batsman. The scorecard had three ducks—two 1s and a 2— against Australian names. The highest score from a young Steve Smith: 53 off 79 deliveries; the score read 9/117. Declan Mason To have called the situation dire would’ve been an understatement. Australia was about to be skittled for less than 120 runs, which would have left them trailing England by 98. This was an English side that had embarrassed Australia, in Australia, just a year and a half before, and who had the tails up. An unknown off-spinner from Western Australia batting at number 11 wasn’t going to stop England from setting a decent lead and most likely romping home to win the test. But these stacked odds are exactly what define dreams, when the impossible becomes possible. When things seem alright for a side, there is always the chance they can dive into a nightmare; and when things seem bad, something outrageous can happen—as it did for Ashton Agar. Agar created history scoring 98 runs and setting the record for a number 11 batsman. And alongside the late Philip Hughes, set the highest partnership score for the 10th wicket of 163 runs. The version of cricket pelicans play involves a lot more bugs. Pelican Fact 40
What was witnessed at Trent Bridge wasn’t believable. A number 11 debut is supposed to be happy to score a run—not be disappointed to miss out on a century. Agar went nearly at a run a ball, scoring twelve 4s and two 6s! A number 11 not for much longer. Sir Ian Botham in commentary couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He began with some encouraging words when Agar scored a stylish flick of the pads, but soon the box turned into a scouring attack on the English side who squandered a near 100 run lead because of poor bowling and a lack of respect for the young number 11. Just like in a dream, trying to hit a 6 to reach 100. Unsuccessful, his teammates on the Trent Bridge balcony looked gutted, devastated at what could’ve been. Ashton, carefree, shrugged and went to hug his partner Phillip Hughes. To top off this dream performance, Agar’s first test wicket was Alastair Cook. But the sun always rises, and for Agar this signalled future stagnation. He would take only one more wicket that series for a bowling average of 124; he was dropped after the second test. His career changed gear into a phase more realistic. He would soon cement himself in a successful Western Australia side that have won five, one day cups and the first Sheffield shield in twenty years. He has also played a key role in the Perth Scorchers’ dynasty winning five titles. And there’s nothing ‘bad’ about his career, in fact, it’s a career several journeyman domestic players would kill for. Agar’s had brief starts and splutters. He was part of a successful tour to Bangladesh in 2017—taking 7 wickets across two tests for an average of 23.14. But this relatively fruitful tour wouldn’t restart his test career. Australia now departs for the ‘final frontier’. A test series win over India would cement the team’s status in the pantheon of Australian cricket. The question of success is not just for this Australian side but for Agar as well. Will Agar resume his boyhood dream of making it in test cricket? Or will those wistful days in England remain the climax of Ashton’s career? Pelican Fact The packaged beans, spinach and lettuce found in supermarkets are another example of ‘baggy greens’. “A number 11 debut is supposed to be happy to score a run—not be disappointed to miss out on a century.” 41
Wes Anderson’s Visually Mouth-Watering The Grand Budapest Hotel Jade Wallwork The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) embodies the distinctively sweet style of director Wes Anderson. The film incorporates delicious cinematography, a tantalising score, and a mouth-watering ensemble cast. Critic, Jyoti Bawa, describes how: The film is a comedic murder mystery which follows the hotel’s flamboyant concierge, Monsieur Gustave H, and his protégé and lobby boy, Zero, as they seek to prove Gustave’s innocence amid false murder accusations. As an auteur filmmaker Anderson employs a fragmented fast-paced narrative and a supersaturated blue, pink, and purple colour palette. “The Grand Budapest Hotel is just like the macaroon it so often features—a delightful little pastry that looks deceptively simple, but which can be perfectly made only by a true artist.” At its surface, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a bright decadent production that includes extravagant visuals and bubbly-exhilarating music inspired by Russian folk songs. Certainly, the bubble-gum pink setting of the hotel is elegant and luxurious; it is reminiscent of a doll house and directly juxtaposes the surrounding setting of a mountainous Eastern European country. George Ezra enjoyed his stay there so much he wrote a song as tribute! Pelican Fact 42
Although, below its sugar encrusted surface, the film possesses richer flavours as it explores the pre-war European context with Anderson drawing direct inspiration from the work of Stephen Zweig. Zweig was an Austrian novelist whose autobiography was called The World of Yesterday. The film serves as an ode to Eastern Europe before World War II, with its quaint architecture, national music, and fairy-tale feeling. Anderson also frames the narrative with multiple perspectives across different timelines, reinforcing the film’s nostalgic undertones and reflecting his emphasis on the evolution of Europe. The Grand Budapest Hotel is heart-warming, sad, and at times ludicrous, described in The Guardian as a “delirious operettafarce.” It can be argued that the film’s sweetness is balanced by its grisly, slapstick action; it avoids becoming ‘sickly’ sweet. Anderson employs meticulously designed and controlled camera shots with his characteristic rectilinear camera movements. Taste of Cinema characterises the dialogue as “splashy and stylised”, much like the characters who are brought to life by an array of all-star actors. Furthermore, the costume design is delectable; Tilda Swinton as Madame D wears a luscious golden costume which symbolises elite pre-war Europe. Interestingly, her character is killed off, which could be read as Anderson’s take on the deterioration of Europe following the World Wars. The recurring desserts are also symbolic, in particular the beautiful Mendl’s pastries which echo the ornate and indulgent world within the film. The pastries are used to disguise tools used to break Gustave out of prison and thus represent deception. Anderson is nuanced in his selection of filmic codes, leading to The Grand Budapest Hotel being viewed as “a film of colours and qualities, featuring aesthetic appreciation and greed” (Garrett). This film is a work of art and there is sweetness both in its whimsical pastel visuals and its light-hearted reflections on wealth and history. I give it 4 out of 5 Pelicans. The Crown Casino, Perth, was used as a style guide for the Budapest Hotel. Pelican Fact 43
The potential development of nuclear energy in Australia has become an increasingly important and hyper-politicised issue in the face of climate change. Despite what you may think, nuclear energy has a diverse range of potential benefits for the Australian population, economy, and—most pressingly—the environment. Most Australians are likely to know that carbon emissions are having a negative impact on the climate, yet few agree on nuclear energy as one of the most obvious options for combating climate change. So, why are so many Australians opposed? And why should you reconsider your stance? Living memories of past nuclear accidents and the misinformation that surround them are primary reasons for social opposition to nuclear energy. However, our memories of these events are distorted by media sensationalism and misreporting. For example, the deaths caused by the 2011 Fukushima disaster were a result of an earthquake, its subsequent tsunami, and evacuation, not exposure to radioactive emissions. Emily Norman-Murphy Due to the safety measures in place, even without this evacuation no physically discernible health effects would likely have occurred. Similarly, the death toll from radiation after the Chernobyl accident was about forty—significantly less than what was circulated by the media at the time. While tragic, no energy production method is without risk. Nuclear power is one of the safest methods of energy production; it is estimated that the use of nuclear power, instead of fossil fuel energy sources, has saved 1.84 million lives since 1971. This is primarily due to a reduction in health issues caused by the air pollution created by fossil fuels. Major negative publicity of nuclear accidents allows us to easily forget the less headlineworthy deaths related to other energy forms such as air pollution, oil-rig explosions, dam failures, and falls during solar panel installations. In fact, deaths from nuclear energy are 2000–3000 times lower than coal, and 400 times lower than oil. The public cannot be exposed to radiation Renewables are Good, but Nuclear is Better Pelican Fact To make the Pelican office more eco-friendly, editors run on treadmills 44 to generate power for the lamps.
unless the reactor core melts. This has happened only three times: the American Three Mile Island accident in 1979, which prevented significant exposure through containment; the Japanese Fukushima accident in 2011, which prevented the release of radiation through management strategies resulting in no reported adverse health effects; and Chernobyl, the third accident, which was not contained but new technology ensures this cannot be repeated. Contrary to popular belief, reactors cannot explode like atomic bombs. While we must continue to minimise risk, accident frequency per reactor has been decreasing since the 1960s. The world has learned from the mistakes of the past in the development of new nuclear technology, which are much safer than most believe. Reactors have strict precautions and undergo rigorous safety analysis. Workers are monitored for radiation, and potential operation failures and external threats are considered in the design. New plants include passive safety shutdown systems that do not require operators to trigger them if the reactor overheats. This makes core meltdown impossible, even in complete electrical blackouts. Technological advances also allow for air-cooling and appropriate flood protection. In fact, experts believe the new design of air-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs) would have survived the Fukushima tsunami. Technological innovations have also drastically reduced the amount of nuclear waste disposal through their ability to burn more types of waste as fuel, and improving fuel efficiency. Furthermore, popular renewable energy sources have significant flaws that are often ignored. To become established, solar and wind energy production and storage require considerably more raw materials and land than nuclear. The manufacturing process of renewables has a considerable carbon footprint, and short energy-production lifespans of only twenty-five to thirty years. By comparison, SMRs have a sixty-year lifespan. Nuclear plants also produce less waste and emissions. An over-reliance on intermittent renewable energy sources has caused major non-environmental problems. Underperformance has caused black-outs and skyrocketed energy prices in other countries. However, scalability—the ability to create new energy sources quickly and cheaply—is the most important factor in combating climate change. Increasing populations and advancements in the developing world will continue to raise global energy consumption. A future in which solar and wind sources provide a large portion of our power will take too long to effectively combat climate change. The capability of nuclear energy to rapidly and economically upscale has been demonstrated by the decarbonisation of France and Sweden’s electricity grids. This is not to say that renewable energy sources are bad, but they should be critically compared to nuclear sources and supplemented on a case-by-case basis. A commonly recommended alternative to investment in renewables is to deploy affordable and cost-effective SMRs, which are easily mass-produced and transported. Nuclear energy is well evidenced as the safest, cleanest, and most cost-effective method of energy production. With emissions rising by three per cent each year it is estimated that global targets cannot be achieved without the use of nuclear power. To realistically combat climate change, Australia must repeal the act banning nuclear power for timely expansion and investment. If policies change, this could also bring substantial economic benefits to Australians due to our significant supply of uranium. Investment in nuclear energy would also increase our independence and supply security in uncertain times and keep energy costs lower. In sum, as expert Patrick Byrne puts it “we need to face reality: if not fossil fuels, then nuclear.” If you’re ever feeling too good about the world, calculate your ecological Pelican Fact 45
Porco Rosso, the Japanese animated film which comes from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki, pairs an uplifting appreciation of the purity of youth with the characteristic resplendent Studio Ghibli animation style, allowing the viewer to gorge their mind, body, and soul on a cinematic feast. Miyazaki is well known for his emphasis on the sanctity of childhood, and this is no more evident than in Porco Rosso, where youthful exuberance and virtue seem to permeate and uplift every aspect of the production from its narrative to its musical composition. The film is a wonderful mosaic, and the audience is afforded the time to notice the beauty of its presentation and consider the gravity of its message. True to life, Porco Rosso does not shy away from investigating the more mature themes of death and love lost, with peril existing not in the physical realm but the spiritual one. This seriousness is evident from the opening scene, where the eponymous protagonist—an ace pilot and bounty hunter—is paid to save a group of young school children from airborne pirates. Immediately one enters a fantastical and vintage Ghibli world, with fanciful seaplanes and heroes cursed with pig heads. The children go on to continually hamper the pirates, and are seen making an easy getaway whilst the villains drag away their damaged Ben Marshall Sweet Bacon! Review of Porco Rosso: vessel. This is a very direct representation of the childhood persona having an advantage over the grizzled adult one (pirates), and it’s worth paying attention to the other cinematic conventions that accentuate this message. When the pirates are first spotted, rather than focusing on the ostensible menace that is this scenario, vivid facial animation and jolly parade music draw our attention to the children’s excitement. Their morality seems to infect the pirates, who assume a paternal attitude towards their captees and are even seen waving them goodbye. Miyazaki is not suggesting that these children are merely blissfully ignorant to peril and surviving by luck; rather, he speaks to the virtue of immaturity which empowers them with an untouchable purity, serene and righteous to the point of embarrassing the cowardly pirates. In her opening conversation to Porco, Madame Gina tells of her three husbands who have all died in air combat, and how the body of the latest has only recently been found. There are constant and direct references to the very present economic depression and to the death of Porco’s comrades, whereas he was cursed to return as a pig. Despite the shrapnel, this film presents a majorly philosophical battlefield rather than a The ‘flying swine’ is a relative of both the pelican and the pig. Pelican Fact 46
physical one. Miyazaki posits that as children we are free of the experiences that weary our soul and poison us against the naivete of childhood. As adults our ability to see joy and good wherever we look decays, but it can be regained. It is heavily implied that the young and passionate Fio Piccolo, Porco’s engineer, lifts his pig-head curse. Again, this is a direct demonstration of youth liberating the senior from the shackles of hardened maturity. As with the opening scene, this illustration runs far deeper than a strictly literal interpretation. Porco has been haunted by his survival since his comrades perished, but in Fio, he finds someone who is not jaded by this experience. Porco awakens to the possibilities their partnership offers and the love that surrounds her. To a greater extent than the schoolchildren, Fio’s fearlessness and moral decorum wins the unerring devotion of the Mamma Aiuto gang, the Pirate Federation, and antagonist Donald Curtis. Through observing her attitude, Porco begins to see opportunities for compassion and affection he was previously blind to, and so the spirit of adolescent joy permeates through and uplifts him. Miyazaki does not seek to shield audiences from the harsh realities of life but shows how hardship can be coloured in such a way, with such an attitude, as to be appreciated for its beauty rather than its harshness. It is not to pretend that Porco’s comrades have not died and bury their loss away—as may have been done in a more child-friendly picture. Instead death is uniting, Porco’s fallen friends rise along with their fellows and foes to join in a great heavenly procession; it is hard to imagine death being portrayed more beautifully. Interestingly, this grander ideal is only recognised and acknowledged by the young Fio. If you have not had the chance to view this film, I hope I have not spoiled it! However, rest assured, viewing this film will always be worth more than the words used to describe it. 4.7 out of 5 Pelicans Bacon and ice-cream is a surprisingly good combo. Pelican Fact “Miyazaki posits that as children we are free of the experiences that weary our soul and poison us against the naivete of childhood.” 47
The Legacy of the US Candy Desk Chas Underwood You’re at the US Capitol building on the 6th January 2021. You dodge past some ruffians scuffling outside with police officers, scramble through a broken window to enter the building and make your way through the corridors to the Senate chamber. You wait for all the politicians to evacuate then follow the insurrectionists inside; you ignore the guys scaling the balcony. Making your way to the right of the chamber you find a desk numbered ‘eighty’. What’s so special about this desk? Well, when you open it up you find a lot of candy. A politician with an especially sweet tooth? No. This is the United States Senate Candy Desk (USSCD). The senator who sits here is honour-bound to fix the hundred hungry legislators with the sugar they need to get them through days of gruelling debate. If you browse the Senate’s website you will find a lovingly curated list of Candy Desk occupants— you’ll notice something else too, every senator to have occupied the desk has been a GOP * member. A case of Democratic sour grapes ? Republican selfishness? The desk is located so far to the right of the chamber (where the Republicans sit) that it is almost impossible for the Democrats to win a majority large enough to physically seize it. DCist reports they would need to win eighty out of a hundred seats. To put that into perspective, the Democrats currently hold fifty seats, and the largest ever Democratic Senate contingent was seventy-five seats—back in 1936. This doesn’t worry the Democrats; in what can only be described as a stunning display of bipartisanship the Candy Desk has always been kept open to senators of all political affiliations. How wholesome! So how did the desk get started? It was George Murphy, a Republican from California, who first started bringing candy to the Senate in 1965. It’s unclear how this was allowed as there were rules Pelican used to have a candy desk but someone ate it. Pelican Fact 48
against eating in the chamber—Murphy’s first candy has been described as lozenges for a sore throat, which might explain the lax enforcement. In 1968, Murphy’s desk allocation moved to the back of an aisle, close to the highly frequented rightmost entrance. In this new location so many senators walked past his desk that Murphy began sharing his candy with passers-by. Even after Murphy failed to win re-election to the Senate in 1970 his colleagues carried on the tradition— always at the same desk. Over time the desk started to become something of an institution itself. Senators who came and went began leaving a few dollars to fund its upkeep and requesting their favourite sweets. The concept of the ‘Candy Desk’ was discussed publicly for the first time in a 1979 floor speech and Senate curators started recording a list of occupants from 1985. Stocking the USSCD soon became a more sophisticated process. Murphy and other early occupants had mostly dealt in hard candy, but tenants began bringing in chocolates and soft lollies. Eventually—the USSCD went corporate— with two national confectioners’ associations stepping in to donate and manage supply. Rick Santorum’s tenure in 1997 marked the staggering evolution of the candy desk. In the past, senators had managed the Desk for a mere term before moving on to a more prestigious position closer to the front. But not Santorum. Eager to showcase the candy making might of Pennsylvania—home to confectionary giant Hershey—Santorum retained the desk as his seniority increased. His tenure eventually surpassed even Murphy’s. At the height of the desk’s popularity, Santorum accepted about forty-five kilograms of lollies in donations every quarter. However, the 2006 midterm elections threw the Republicans into disarray. Not only did they lose control of both houses of Congress but Santorum’s eighteen point defeat to Democrat Bob Casey Jr. meant the Candy Desk would be vacated for the first time in a decade. Ten years of precious institutional knowledge on its proper management and maintenance went down the drain. In Santorum’s absence, a plucky Craig Thomas stepped up to take on this awesome responsibility. A Wyoming Republican and a Candy Desk habitué himself, Thomas requested the seat through a naive desire to share candy with his colleagues. It soon became apparent however, that Thomas was out of his depth— We still have the candy, but unfortunately no where to store it. Pelican Fact 49
evidently under the impression he could just pop to the supermarket every so often to restock. Thomas had no understanding of the businesslike workings of the Candy Desk required to maintain a steady supply of candy. Pesky ethics regulations made matters worse. Senators were not permitted to accept gifts over $100.00 from any single company, unintentionally stymying candy manufacturers from supplying Thomas. His predecessors had evaded this rule through a carve-out provision which specified senators could accept gifts from their home state (so long as they were primarily gifted to other people). However, unlike Santorum’s Pennsylvania, candy manufacturing in Wyoming was, at large, a nonexistent industry. There was no choice but to cut the candy supply. House Thomas* had taken control of Arrakis, only to find all its mining equipment sabotaged, and yet the spice must flow. Thomas rounded up all the tiny local Wyoming confectioners he could find and cobbled together enough candy to maintain the desk until his death in June 2007. The Candy Desk underwent relatively frequent turnover until 2015, when the desk returned to Pennsylvanian hands under Pat Toomey where it would remain for eight years. The desk came to national attention once again during the first impeachment trial of Donald Trump, when senators were spotted snacking during proceedings—or maybe it would be more accurate to say it came to the attention of reporters, desperate to get anything even tangentially related to impeachment into an article. Toomey retired in 2022. And the Candy Desk’s newest occupant is Todd Young (Indiana). According to Wikipedia, his candy choice is still “TBD”. So what about our own Australian Parliament? Do we have a Tim-Tam table? A Crunchie cache? A Starburst stash? A Lamington Locker? Alas, the rule against food in Parliament is rather more strictly enforced in Australia. The most extreme—or farcical—example came in 2004, when Harry Quick, MP for Franklin in Tasmania (the ‘Apple Isle’), put apples on all his colleagues’ desks to recognise National Apple and Pear Day. This heinous offence drew the Speaker’s ire, and after some back-and-forth arguments Quick was suspended; the Speaker commented “in defiance of what I specifically instructed, he chose to bring an apple into the chamber . . . His failure to [apologise has left] me with no choice”. If our MPs can’t even have apples for decoration, it seems unlikely our Parliament will ever have its own Candy Desk. But as we’ve learned from George Murphy—sometimes it just takes one senator’s persistence to overturn the norms and make life in the chamber that much sweeter. “the Speaker commented ‘in defiance of what I specifically instructed, he chose to bring an apple into the chamber . . . His failure to [apologise has left] me with no choice’.” Toomey retired in 2022. And the Candy Desk’s newest occupant is Todd Young (Indiana). According to Wikipedia, his candy choice is still “TBD”. Help wanted, mouth splinter removal—Anonymous. Pelican Fact 50