The Curious Minds Project - Avila Retrospective 2021

I look down and see the blood. I look to the left, One day I was sitting at home with the news
right... It makes no sense. My eyes droop in and playing in the background when a story
out. What am I doing here? Lying here on the… headlined about a girl who had been caught in
ground? I try to inhale a couple of breaths but a terrifying fire that nearly took her life. She
hiss at the pain it causes everywhere. I decide was doing what she loved and was competing
against it and just lie there….... In complete in a triathlon. She had been severely burned all
utter silence, but it’s not silent. The eerie noises over and her life had been turned upside down.
start up again. I try to ignore them and will it She was told she’d never walk again, let alone
away. What’s that squealing noise? It fails to be able to compete again. But she didn’t let this
come to an end so I strain my neck to try and deter her. She trained for months and months
gain a better look. It’s then I see people yelling on end to make sure she could prove everyone
all around me. Flailing their arms all over. Why wrong and be able to compete again, and she
are they yelling? I try to talk but nothing but a did. She went through so much heartache,
hoarse whisper makes it out. I wince, swallowing blood, sweat, tears; eventually overcoming
convulsively to pull moisture into my dry mouth. adversity. By the end of that story, I thought
I see more and more blood. It’s coming from to myself ‘why was I sitting here for months on
everywhere. Why is there blood? My arms are end, curled up in sadness over the fear of riding
suddenly pulled on and I think I'm being yanked again and the way I look, when this woman was
upright... Well, that is until the floor creeps able to push through all the pain it had caused
closer and closer… BANG! her?’

... ...

‘You fall down and get back up again’. That’s Now here I am getting over my fear of riding.
what everyone says, But it isn’t at all simple as It hadn’t seemed as hard as it had at the time of
it sounds. Putting up a brave facade yet you’re mastering up this plan. But taking baby steps
struggling on the inside. You get clammy all over, and riding down this hill again will be the first
sweaty hands, and your heart rate pitches to an step in conquering my phobia. I slowly edge my
astronomical level. Standing here today, on the way closer and closer to the bike and sit down.
top of the hill I skidded and collided violently I place my hands on the handlebars, feet on the
with. Three months and four stitches later, I’m pedals, close my eyes and take a deep breath.
back, and I’m going back down it. Well, at least ‘You’re just going to fall again’ the tiny voice
that’s what my head thinks. My body fails to in my head tells me. I push the thoughts aside,
comply with me, not moving a single inch towards open my eyes and push down on the pedals.
the bike. Broken off bell, ripped paint, and a ‘Whoosh’.
gashed seat in all its glory, it’s sitting there as if
it hadn’t been flipped around and raked through
concrete. The memory causes me to shudder.
Sitting at home these past months, I pondered.
I swore to myself as soon as I walked out of that
hospital I would never ride a bike again. Why
would I after all I’d endured? Sitting here with
scars I’ll have for life. Jarring, red, and ragged,
they were hard to miss. It was embarrassing and
it was an achievement in itself, getting out of my
house and facing the world again.

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A dream

Words Caitlin Beyrooti | Year 10 Art Ava Hjorth | Year 8

A dream. A series of thoughts, One of John Lennon’s most rising from a tomb’ which led to
images, and sensations famously known solo works, the creation of his novel ‘Dracula’
occurring in a person's mind a song titled #9 Dream, was in 1897.
during sleep. Dreams can be inspired by one that he had. The
whimsical, confusing, happy, nonsensical lyrics of the chorus Robert Louis Stevenson's widely
sad or unsettling. Sometimes came to him in a dream. He claims renowned book ‘The Strange
we have nightmares. Sometimes that he has no idea what it means, Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’
our dreams make sense, could but he liked the sound of it. written in 1886, was inspired by
almost be real. Other times, they a fever dream that he had while
make no sense at all, a story One of the Beatles most renowned suffering a case of tuberculosis.
which could never exist in reality. hits, ‘Yesterday’, was inspired His wife woke him, interrupting
People often wish each other by a dream that Paul McCartney his dream, which upset him, but
sweet dreams. Sometimes we had in 1964. He said that he woke he wrote down everything he
don’t dream. Sometimes dreams up with the tune in his head and could recall and began writing his
come back to us throughout the immediately went to the piano novel from there.
day and other times when we try to figure out the chords. He went
to retrieve the details, like sand around asking his friends if it was Avatar, released in 2009,
trickling through open fingers, already a song, because he was was inspired by a dream that
the dream disappears from convinced that he couldn’t have filmmaker James Cameron
memory. come up with an entirely original had when he was 19. The
song in his dream. dream included a glowing,
People often repeat the cliches bioluminescent forest, which he
‘Dream big’ and ‘Follow your Stephen King’s 2001 novel tried to sketch immediately after
dreams’. This obviously refers to ‘Dreamcatcher’ was inspired waking up.
the other meaning of the word by a recurring dream that he
‘dream’ - an aspiration or a goal. had while recovering from an Never underestimate the power
Well, there are some artists who accident, in which he was hit by of dreams. Maybe the next time
took this advice literally; who a car. someone tells you to ‘Follow your
dreamed of things in the night, Dreams’, take them literally.
listened to their subconscious Mary Shelley, the author of You never know, you might
and woke up to make it a reality, the infamous Frankenstein, become the next famous author or
which led to the creation of some written in 1816, was based on a musician!
masterpieces. nightmare she had. Similarly,
Bram Stoker experienced a
nightmare of ‘a vampire king

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Words Amy Dickson | Year 9 Art Madeleine Horvath | Year 9

The Importance
of Biodiversity

"The world is currently undergoing pollination from bees. Bacteria and short geological time period - this
a very rapid loss of biodiversity fungi in the soil allow us to grow period being close to 2.8 million
comparable with the great mass crops, funding people's income and years. Since the Cambrian Period 550
extinction events that have livelihoods. Everything in the world million years ago, when biodiversity
previously occurred five or six we live in is all a direct result of the surged for the first time, there have
times in Earth’s history.” This was balanced biodiversity and resilience only been 5 five mass extinctions.
a statement released by the World of the ecosystems of our planet. And These were caused by uncontrollable,
Wildlife fund regarding the rapidly we are the ones who are destroying natural factors. But the mass
deteriorating state of biodiversity it - we are our own destruction. extinction looming today is severely
in our world - biodiversity, being the Without immediate action, this different to these events, as it is
variety of different genes, species threat of mass extinction will become human activity that is prompting
and ecosystems in our world. The a reality. And no one will be free of it. Our presence, our impact and our
air we breathe is a direct result its fury - including us. thoughtless, selfish decisions have
from trees turning carbon dioxide cost thousands of lives and years of
into oxygen, able to do that from A mass extinction occurs when 75% evolution, mutation and diversity of
of species globally go extinct in a

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the creatures we share the world with. And, whether we millions of years of knowledge and information their
like it or not, we are seeing the impact . genes carry. The air we breathe, water we drink, the food
we eat will be no more, as the creatures and ecosystems
Since 1970, over 60% of vertebrates have died, and 32% that maintain their quality and integrity will be no more.
of species in all ecosystems are decreasing at an alarming If we continue in the direction we are going, there will be
rate. We have depleted the world of variety in species, of no turning back.
resilience of ecosystems, lifestyles and homes. And these
numbers are not predicted to get better. This biodiversity However, even though this all seems inevitable, there is
is almost like a jenga tower. At the beginning of the a clear solution. On an individual scale, we can support
game, when all the pieces are present, pulling one out local businesses - avoiding significant transport of
does not cause the tower to crumble. However, when resources and risk of invasive species; use renewable
you’ve removed the majority of the blocks, the tower is energy - helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into
weak and trembling, even a breath in the wrong direction our atmosphere; and we can educate others on human
could be its downfall. Since so many species have died impact, helping the solution to be widespread. We can
and are decreasing significantly in population, the all make a difference! Globally, however, the change will
integrity of their ecosystems are suffering. Species will have to be much larger. The most vulnerable ecosystems
lose prey, suffering themselves. Competitors will be lost, must be allowed time to replenish themselves so as to
resulting in an unnatural increase in other species. The not lose their resilience and resources. For example,
interconnected relationships between creatures will be Chernobyl is now a wildlife reserve - a refuge for species
no more - the world we know will be no more, as we have to be protected from human harm - and biodiversity is
knocked everything out of balance. thriving. We have an example where things changed for
the better! Next, we must find sustainable alternatives
But our future, humanity's future will be detrimentally to the resources we deplete from fragile ecosystems.
affected too. Invasive species harm our economy, as they Finally, biosecurity must be increased - this means that
destroy crops, livestock, materials and machinery - they protocols to protect animals, plants and people from
undermine the ecosystems that people rely on, and can harmful organisms or factors being introduced into or
completely wipe out businesses and livelihoods. But it's expanded in ecosystems should be put into place. These
not just the economy - it’s our health. Many cures for things will preserve the integrity and resilience of our
diseases are found by analysing the biodiversity of our ecosystems, allowing them to heal and, ultimately,
world and properties of other organisms. Because we are biodiversity to increase.
losing so many species and individuals, we are losing the

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The Words Lucy Donnelly | Year 10
look Art Mia Triskelidis | Year 8
of a
dreamer

I had a dream. Every famous entrepreneur's Some of the most famous dreams are those of
sentence starts with those four words. I had a Martin Luther King Junior. Just like many around
dream and then I set up my brand and then it failed the world, when I hear the words ' I had a dream' I
and then I dreamt again and then I worked harder reflect on the iconic 1963 speech. When writing this
and eventually they found success. But as I said, speech the first thing I did was sit down and watch
many great stories START with I had a dream… a 6 minute clip from youtube of Martin delivering
however that is not where they finish. Because his speech. In those six minutes I saw the camera
at the end of the day, a dream without action is pan around to the audience and on each person's
nothing more than a passing idea. A dream without face, was a look of determination and pride.
resilience and motivation will never flourish into a Because Luther did so much more than inspire
great accomplishment. One of the hard lessons of dreams that day, he inspired action. And on each
life to learn is that dreams mean nothing… unless person's face there wasn't the look of a dreamer,
you take that risk to make them come true. there was the look of someone determined to fight
for these dreams to come true. And this action and
When I was a child I had dreamt of becoming the determination is what helped make his dreams come
next Hannah Montana. However, in case you're true. This action is what passed the civil rights act
not aware, I am not the next Hannah Montana. In of 1964 and the voting rights act of 1965.
fact, I am perhaps the furthest thing from a pop
singing superstar. It makes you wonder, what We all have dreams. Some are more successful
would have happened if I had chased my dreams. If than others and some more famous, but each of our
I had enrolled in singing lessons and pushed myself dreams are important. They help define who we are
out of my comfort zone. Who knows maybe I would and what we want to achieve. But our dreams are
be before you today in a hot pink mini skirt and the starting line in our life. The actions we take and
bedazzled microphone in my hand. All I can be sure obstacles we face are what help us cross the finish
of is that I never tried and because of that I shall line. So, we’ve all had dreams and now it's time to
never know. My tale of failed stardom is a reminder make them come true.
that it is better to try and fail than to go on in
life always thinking what if. And if I had chased
my dreams perhaps I would have the best of both
worlds!

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Words Colette D’Costa | Year 11 Art Emma White | Year 10

To fight for the future

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“Young people come to us for hope” Ok, Mr. graduates are able to find work in their chosen
Morrison then why are you taking our hope field. Even as a lawyer, in a field that seems
away from us? to be constantly expanding, it roughly takes
a graduate 6 months to find work whereas
It is ironic for our Prime Minister to be so STEM graduates are able to find work in less
complacent in his position of power when the than three months on average and enter the
youth, that he so strongly cares about, sits workforce with a higher entry wage. This
here with more burden over what university makes what the government is doing unjust
degrees are attainable for themselves. Our and wrong because the cut actually reduces the
education. The foundation of our lives. The equity that was initially in place that allowed
thing that we are taught to be so grateful for. arts students to be better off financially. The
We cannot allow the government to devalue role of the government in this scenario is to
and make certain university courses less protect and help all students yet instead this
accessible. The plan is to decrease funding decision works counterintuitively.
for humanity courses and thus, increase the
amount of HECS we, as students, pay in This cut has a consequential effect for high
return. The increase in fees for Humanities school students. Some of the most popular
courses is more than unwarranted - it’s an web searches made by students in regards to
injustice to our youth. VCE are “what is the highest scaling subject in
VCE” and “highest to lowest subject scaling”.
Drastically increasing the prices of certain This shows that students are inclined to pick
degrees sends the message to the youth that subjects that they think will increase their
some degrees are more valuable than others. chance of a higher ATAR because of scaling.
Imagine watching your prime minister This fee increase mostly affects courses that
announce that he’s implementing funding require slightly lower ATARs in comparison to
cuts to your dream University course but then STEM courses such as medicine, thus, being a
tells you not to worry because he’s shaping the further deterrent for high school students to
future of Australia. Does that make you feel continue with social sciences and arts subjects
better? Or does it only drive deeper the wound even if they are passionate about those areas
that exists because your dream course that of study. We need to foster young people’s
was going to get you to your dream career is passion, not discourage it.
now less attainable? This funding cut, which
will double the cost of humanities degrees We, as the youth, need to stand up for
for students, has sent a message to our youth ourselves and fight for the future that other
that their dream jobs after graduation are generations have the ability to to destroy. We
expendable. How can we stand by and allow need to take back our power. I know that our
this to happen? We know that social sciences, voice can feel drowned out amongst the sea
arts and humanities are a fundamental part of the more powerful, but if we combine our
of our society, so why are we allowing the voices to send a singular message, we have
government to undermine us and hurt us? the ability to create real change for ourselves.
We need to rally together, write letters,
It is said by our government that this price sign petitions and protest in order for the
increase to some courses, could encourage government to back track on this decision that
minorities to enter fields that they usually affects all of us. We need the humanities in
would not consider - for example women in order to function cohesively in society, so let’s
STEM. Whilst this may be a seemingly valid stop taking that for granted.
point, the solution to this issue isn’t cutting
funding of particular courses - it lies within Thank you.
increasing funding for others. The coalition
has the power to do this without harming
the arts. Moreover, this funding cut reduces
equity for students. In most humanities
related areas of work, it takes a while before

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The
Choice

A tear rolled down Amber’s cheek
as she watched the athletes sprint
down the track. Their slender legs
and loping gait reminded her of
antelopes. She glared down at her
legs as the commentator announced
that the 100m sprints were over.
She couldn’t bear to keep watching
the television and switched it off.
“A 100m might as well be a 1000km
to me.” she thought bitterly.
She rolled her wheelchair away from
the television.
That evening her mother reminded
her not to go far that night.
“Okay.” Amber had responded.
Feeling the wind in her wings always
made Amber smile. Soaring through
the clouds always gave her time to

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Words Jeovanna Curran | Year 7 Art Nikki Nguyen | Year 11

think. She had been a paraplegic Dear Amber, wildlife. The canopy was too thick
for as long as she could remember. for flying, so she had to hover just
Bound to a wheelchair, she could We know of your ‘medical above the ground.
only watch as others enjoyed the conditions’ and of your
freedom of having legs. School was fourteenth birthday. You may After hours of hovering above
tough, and she was often teased. know that you have wings the path, Amber was exhausted.
What was worse was that she would because of a genetic mutation. Suddenly she heard hissing.
never be able to realise her dream However, in your case the Looking up in horror, she saw a
of sprinting down a track. Night mutation caused you to lose huge, boa constrictor. It’s muscular
was the only time when she felt the ability to move your legs. body glinting in the dappled light.
free. She might be a paraplegic, Starting this sunset, you will It dropped on her and she screamed.
but every sunset beautiful jet black have wings for the next 24 She darted forward as fast as she
wings sprouted from her back, only hours. You must travel to the could, flying faster, faster through
to disappear every sunrise. As she caves to gain the use of your the thick foliage.
glanced up, she could see the red legs. If you don’t you will be a
rays of dawn on the horizon and paraplegic for the rest of your Looking up after catching her
hurried home.. life. Go home and ask your breath, she found herself in a
mother for more information. clearing, at the entrance to the
Coming home from another cave. She flitted through the murky
burdensome day of school, her only Regards, depths of the cave, the musty smell
bright spot was that tomorrow overpowering. In the distance was
would be her fourteenth birthday. The Winged Society a hole in the roof where a shaft of
As she passed by an alleyway she light shone on a silver ring. A note
saw something. Peering closer she Her heart leapt a beat, she had so beside it read:
saw the dark silhouette of a winged many questions for her mother.
person. Brushing her auburn hair As you travel through this ring,
out of her face, she saw a young boy At home, Amber related the you must make a choice. You will
of eight standing there. With wings! exciting news to her mother. On come out with either wings or legs.
Amber waved at him, but he was so hearing this, her mother promptly Choose wisely.
startled that he flew away, dropping disappeared to her bedroom
an envelope. It was addressed to returning with a golden ring. She loved her wings! But she
Amber! It read: wanted her legs so badly…
“I received these from an
anonymous sender some years ago. She traveled through, wondering if
It came with a note saying that if she would regret her decision.
we need to go somewhere, we have
to think of the place and then jump She got up on the floor of her living
through a ring. I think you could room with her shocked mother
use it!’ she explained. “Remember, standing there. Her legs felt tingly
it isn’t a direct route to the caves, as she got to her feet and took her
there will be challenges”! first step. It was a bittersweet
moment, she may have legs, but
At sunset, her mother said goodbye she had lost her wings. Finally, she
to Amber, who threw the ring onto could join the athletics team!
the floor, and flew through. She
landed in a dense, humid jungle
filled with the sound of exotic

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On the Horizon

Words Jerusha Patturajan | Year 11 Art Laura Skipitaris | Year 12

62 THE CURIOUS MINDS PROJECT | AVILA RETROSPECTIVE 2021

The undisturbed waves crashed lightly.
Serenity among the water
Waves lapped among themselves chasing to reach the shore
A stillness permeated the air.
Foam and bubbles surfaced the vast body of water
Sudden movement from the depths rattled the quiet
A dark shadow appeared beneath the water
A whale.
The majestic creature breaking through the crisp surface
It’s whistling tune overtaking the crashing of the waves
Another boat comes into view.
The hull of its ship penetrating through the calm waters
Seagulls wail at the arrival of outsiders, fleeing away from the inevitable;
Horns blared through the calmness alerting men both near and far of their
presence.
The pale men stand beside their large instruments created to cause havoc
Their harpoons glinting maliciously in the sunlight as the sharp point pierces
the innocent mammal’s body.
The loud cries of the whales echo within the ears of all of Noongar
The painful blows towards the great beasts of the sea strike fear and anguish
into the hearts of the tribe.
Hauling the carcass onboard, their nets aid them in their feat
The boat continues on its path, until it's nothing but a speck among the
horizon.
Two cultures interlace, but one becomes lost with the new age arriving.

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Flow Gentle Wind

Words Erica Donaldson | Year 7
Art Genevieve Bui-Sin | Year 11

Flow Gentle Wind
Flow gentle wind flow,
I will follow wherever you go,
Whether it be South, North, East or West
I will follow for I am your guest.

All below is your domain,
Past icy waters that you frame,
Of mountain peaks, you glide above,
Ever grateful like a dove.

A Winter Forest

Words Ellie Kaoulla | Year 7

A winter forest is a half-cut dragon fruit
From a bird’s eye view
Peppered with trees
Of dark complexion
Stripped all but bare
Consumed by pale glitter.
As cold as death
Fallen from the sky
In silence, time flies
Until giving way to the fruits of Spring.

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Childhood

Words Aliyah Iazzolino | Year 7
Art Alexa Tzitzivakos | Year 12

We sat and watched their very first fight,
We sat and watched when they fell in love.
They were there for us when there was none in sight,
A world we only dreamt of.

They went through tragedies to entertain our youth,
And we heard their emotions when a character died.
Slowly, slowly we felt the truth,
Our childhood is nearly over.

We never forgot the smell of popcorn,
As we sat in a dark room and listened.
We enjoyed the saltiness not thinking of the world,
That will await us very soon.

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Words Reeva Bhoola | Year 7
Art Krystal Molaeb | Year 10

Silenzio Bruno!

Come on it’s time to let go of all your worries and fears,
Now is not the time to bring in the tears.

It may scare you but it is something to overcome,
Whatever is holding you back, let it all come undone.

Tell that voice inside your head to “Silenzio Bruno!”
Learning this phrase comes at a great advantage, you know.

There is a little voice in your ears,
Reminding you of all your fears.

The fear of failing is always a worry,
But if you hold back you’ll be telling yourself ‘sorry’

You can do this, you can do anything if you put your mind to it,
Once you do what you fear, it will feel quite nice to admit.

Tell that voice inside your head to “Silenzio Bruno!”
Learning this phrase comes at a great advantage, you know.

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Words Grace Andrews | Year 11 Like you, i am swaying
Art Jasmine Fry | Year 11 constant but still
between the world i was made for
From and the one you have shown
Christine like the boats on the sea
to Bobby we both came to know
for my family is blood
Creative Response to but you encompas my twin
Kim Scott’s novel, not through blood but as kin

That Deadman Dance i see your colour
and gaze in awe
at the hope in your eyes
and the peace in your soul
you are different than most
curious, willing and free
from the language you’ve learnt
to the dance that i see
you have considered us with welcome
but i know that is not shared

they see you as animals
savages of land
yet to me your song
seems not like a growl
i am swaying
constant but still
between the lies they are spreading
and the truth that you tell
i surrender to the violent sea
and know what is coming

Bobby, my apologies in advance
for our swaying will stop

the end of our dance.

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Words Poppy Donaldson | Year 7
Art Mia Serapiglia | Year 7

The The ice creeps to the heart
Dead Tree When will spring start?
Snow drips from the leaves
The dead tree, There is no shelter under the eaves.
It stands on that hill, Home is no longer safe and warm
Lonely, swaying in the wind, Snow whirls around like a storm
Like an old man, People turn cold and dark
Old, crooked, bending, Winter left its mark.
Withered by time,
Its tall branches brittle and bare, It’s so dark here,
Once beautiful in it’s prime, I feel so small,
A black crow perched on its branches Why am I still here?
Cawing out sorrowfully to the earth, When can I grow tall,
“Waiting” It says This is a place of darkness,
“Waiting waiting waiting” It caws, I’m a gem without the shine,
For what crow? A gem without value,
A light breeze stirs the tree, When will it be time?
Causing its branches to sway precariously, One last push,
Poor, old, tree. Yes, I reached the top!
The light warms my leaves,
I’m growing and growing. Will I ever stop?
The time has come to shed my seeds,
It’s hard at first in the ground,
But then you hear it,
A whisper in the heart, clear and loud.

A fire in the hearth,
A spark in the heart.
A flicker of curiosity,
A glow of happiness,
A flame of creativity,
Feel the warmth of fire.

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Words Pawani Bhatia | Year 12 to reserve seats”. The types of quotas available
Art Maria Papalaskaris | Year 11 are reserved seats, legislative quotas, and
voluntary quotas. In a recent study conducted
Equality by the Australian International Affairs Society,
STARTS via legislative quotas women gained 24% of
with seats, and with voluntary quotas, they gained
Quotas 22% of seats, whereas, without any quota, they
gained only 12% of seats! It is evident that
Good morning ladies, ladies and ladies. Welcome quotas allow for women not to be downgraded in
to Parliament! However, from tomorrow a male dominated society. This is why Australia
onwards, not one of you will be welcome to should implement a quota system for women so
Parliament. Oh please, none of these surprised that we can better represent our women.
faces are going to change our decision. Us, male
kind are bound to be a step ahead of you….. There is a clear difference between female
Out of all the women present here, were you also and male political leaders and why we need to
shocked by the chauvinistic behaviour that was start implementing quotas now. The Women
presented here fifteen seconds ago? If a mock Deliver website acknowledges that political
act can be so shocking then how shocking would participation of women results in an increased
it be in real life if this was to occur one day? acknowledgement of citizens’ needs and a
Women are being underrepresented in politics sustainable future. It mentioned that when
and we need to change this now. We need to have women and children are elected, they have
quotas for female politicians, and we need to greater emphasis on families, women and
have them now. children. In a study conducted by the National
In 2000, Goal three of the UN Millennium Democratic Institute, it was found that 14%
Development Goals was created, stating that we of female leaders in the United States named
should promote gender equality and empower healthcare and education as top priority,
women! How can our country which sits at the whereas only 6% of male leaders said the same.
fiftieth position of women’s representation
globally, accomplish this goal? The answer is Finally, quotas should be for women of all
simple. Quotas. abilities to allow for greater representation.
The Parliament of Australia website suggests a The Women Deliver website clearly posits,
quota system can be defined as “..a system used ‘the world is wasting a precious resource in
the dramatic underrepresentation of women in
74 THE CURIOUS MINDS PROJECT | AVILA RETROSPECTIVE 2021 [political] positions’. It is because women learn
skills through domestic responsibilities which
makes them more powerful agents of change, as
referenced by the UN Women website.

What is the next step? The Prime Minister’s
address to the media on the 23rd March,
acknowledged that the representation of women
in Parliament is not good enough. Since then,
what is being done about it? Almost nothing.
We say that we are working towards progress,
but are we really? If we want our womankind
to be represented equally, we need to start
implementing quotas now! Thank you!

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Words Juliette Lelievre | Year 11
Art Merin Pynadath | Year 9

Unravel and Untangle

Born through the stories once told Ships from beyond wavering, returning
Living beyond Drenching the land with ocean spray
Loving together Their knowledge of new horizons,
People evolving Their admiration for ours.
The landscape forever changing
Stories past and present both mine, Though their sunsets differ from our
‘pink tinged sky’
and yours. They bring ‘thin stems of smoke’
soiling the white sand
Meandering through the wind across the sea Changing our landscape, our lives
Whispers of what once was and now is Becoming part of our story.
Vigorous tales of love and loss.
‘Thudding hearts’ beating united, ardent as one The prospect changes,
Cheek to cheek, so do we.
River to waves
Our flames sparking a blazing desert fire The elders unravel the tale
The children untangle it
It is part of us now

A part of our landscape.

THE CURIOUS MINDS PROJECT | AVILA RETROSPECTIVE 2021 77

Words Anja Hulston | Year 10
Art Jennifer Hour | Year 11

On the 1st of February Just
2021 I made the leap of One
faith to make new friends Row
by sitting next to Jaida, In
Presha and Maya. Who Front

knows where my life
would have strayed if I
sat just one row in front,

but in that seat I sat I
paved my path.

In life, one makes many decisions which can a realisation. No matter how it starts, these new
unquestionably affect a life in ways that can friends become your closest friends, the friends
bring good or bad. Many say these decisions are you run up and hug after endless lockdowns.
down to fate, others say destiny. Life is more And in the end they become the friends that you
than what happened yesterday and what may rely on and care for.
happen tomorrow but it is about embracing the
now. You make a choice on the first day of school People make friends based on choices. Maybe
subconsciously without realising the effect of these choices are set in the stars but a decision
this decision. You make decisions about the is a decision. Who knows what our lives would
sports you play and the people you interact with. be like if we chose to sit on the far right seat
instead of the left, but you can never know
On that very first day of school you choose because you made that decision and it has made
to sit in the far left seat, in the middle of the its mark on your journey of life. Maybe later
room. This seat becomes your seat for the next you will be grateful for that decision or you may
10 months. You feel unsure about your choice wonder why you chose the left over the right.
but it's too late, it has become your assigned, Maybe because you feel safe on the left or maybe
unassigned seat. You don't know the girls you because you are left handed. Yet, no matter what
are sitting next to, but you make the choice to you think five, ten, twenty years on, you are
talk to them without the certainty that you grateful and appreciative for the times you did
will get along, without the knowledge of what have.
they enjoy. But that simple friendship starts on
that first day of school with a ‘Hello, my name's
Anja’. Or maybe an awkward laugh that sparks

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THE CURIOUS MINDS PROJECT | AVILA RETROSPECTIVE 2021 79

Avila

Words Elizabeth Sheldon | Year 7
Art Genevieve Bui-Sin | Year 11

Avila
Welcoming, delightful
Learning, playing, growing
My school friends make me happy
School.

Words Mia Nava | Year 7

Avila
Catholic community
working, participating, helping
Community of inspiring women
College.

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THE CURIOUS MINDS PROJECT | AVILA RETROSPECTIVE 2021 81

Thank you to the following Avila College students who contributed to The Curious Minds Project in 2021.

Monique Grace Keira Catherine Caitlin Pawani Reeva Genevieve Angie Heidi
Adolphe Andrews Antonello Barczynski Beyrooti Bhatia Bhoola  Bui-Sin Burdeu Chang

Valentine Alicia Faith Julia Jeovanna Colette Jessica Teah Amy Erica
Chew Choul  Chung Coppolino Curran D’Costa Dabrowski Di Teodoro Dickson Donaldson

Poppy Lucy Isabella Jasmine Niamh Emma Rosha Chloe Julia Jade
Donaldson Donnelly  Filomena Fry Gallagher  Gasper Ghassemieh Goncalves Grubnic Hale

Ava Isabel Madeleine Jennifer Anja Anabelle Amelie Aliyah Ellie Presha
Hjorth Hooi Horvath Hour Hulston Humphries Huppe Iazzolino Kaoulla Khandpur

Eryn Juliette Philomena Eleanor Krystal Mahta Caitlin Mia Nikki Sareena
Lawrence Lelievre Lin McCann Molaeb Moradiamani Mujie Nava Nguyen O'Shea

Charlotte Madeline Mika Anastasia Natasha Maria Angeline Jerusha Sienna Heidi
O'Shea Oddy Ono Pagiamtzis Pamamull Papalaskaris Paterra Patturajan Portelli Prendergast Kruger

Allannah Merin Keeley Mia Elizabeth Lily Natalie Laura Paige Mia
Prossimo Pynadath Schmitt Serapiglia Sheldon Shields Sik Skipitaris Stokes Timothy

Jayda Mia Alexa Queeny Emma
Tram Triskelidis Tzitzivakos van Rest White

The Curious Minds Project | Avila Retrospective 2021
Celebrating the collaborative creativity of Avila College students in 2021.

Avila College | 35 Charles Street, Mt Waverley 3149 | T 03 9831 9600 | W avila.vic.edu.au
Avila College acknowledges the Wurundjeri People as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.