By Mark Mariano: Let me begin by saying how great 2016 has been so far in terms of multicultural programming, and it goes without saying that The Family Law has pioneered the movement with its bold January release. Spanning across six episodes, this fam-com (based on...
Culture Vulture
Open Letter to the VC: The West needs Performing Arts
By Dr Mel Macarthur: Dear Professor Glover, A word of introduction. I am a graduate student (D.C.A.) currently in my third year at Western Sydney University in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts. I have previously taken degrees at the three long standing...
WHINE AND WINE WHINGE UP
By Winnie Dunn: “A good story—one that knows its use and power—startling imagery and syntax, and a curious perspective can help us bypass problematic social and political structures that are in part designed to limit voice.” – Landan Osman Kingswood campus’ Whine and...
Beyond Boundaries 2016: more than just your average postgraduate conference
By Narelle Ontivero: How many people does it take to organise a Postgraduate conference? Five students; and, two convenors. I’ll be first to admit, the words “Postgraduate” and “Conference”—like the lame attempt at humour above—are not the most smack-bang riveting...
Looking at the whole picture: My experience at Western Sydney University
By Vanessa Noble: We see it every day, people forming opinions based on a single experience with an organisation. People may have a bad experience with airline staff on a flight, with a checkout operator at a major supermarket chain or with a tour guide whilst they...
The Wolves
By Alby Davidow: Willing wives will wallow once; What wandering wolves wonder; When pouncing placid, peaceful doe; Why would wolves wish to wither wonder? What piece of purpose first pierced peace; and planted panting pride? Was it found in fir’s first flutter?...
Finity
By Jemimah McMurray: The night begs attention silent, bold unfraid of stillness unafraid to hold the fierceness, fragility of breath the finity of death & behold her blackness the darkness, and in the void to rest to wait for what is left and for the...
Appin Massacre Remembrance April 17
By Daniel Jantos: Is there not something in all of us that is restless in the face of an injustice? Winston Churchill may have believed that history was written by the victors, but every historian pursues their craft in the hope that, in time, the fuller story will...
Keeping it Raw: Q & A with skuws skater Luke Donnelley
By Naomi Hastings: When did you start skating? Around the age of 10 What’s your favourite thing about skating? The freedom. Having the ability to express creativity and share a passion that extends along so many different interpretations. Where do you like to...
PHOTO: Last day of exams, Spring
By Hakima Husseini: This is my favourite photo of WSU. I love the purple colour of the Jacaranda trees which are all around the pathway of Parramatta campus! It was nice weather on that morning: I took these pictures last year in spring session, on the last day of my...
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Surviving the Chaos of Being a Student
University isn’t just filled with lectures and attending classes. It’s packed with lessons no one prepares you for. It’s a new beginning, whether you’re coming straight from high school or pivoting onto a different path, your journey will have ups and downs. The good...
The AI Reckoning: A Crossroads for Humanity | Opinion Piece
The Soundtrack to Modern Life: A Dangerous Complacency A subtle hum of artificial intelligence has become the soundtrack to modern life, so pervasive that we sometimes overlook it. Everything from setting alarms to selecting what show to watch uses AI powered...
Is TikTok the Future of Journalism?
(Hamish Macdonald and Rully Kurniawan speaking during event. Photo credit: Garish (Luci) Kugathasan, 2025) Early in 2025, acclaimed journalists Hamish Macdonald and Rully Kurniawan attended Western’s Parramatta South campus for a journalism masterclass. They discussed...
Jacinda Ardern: A Different Kind of Powerful Woman
(Front cover of ‘A Different Kind of Power’ by Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Natasa Aster-Stater, 2025) Reading this memoir made it clear that Jacinda Ardern has been one of the people that she is trying to serve. She isn’t from a dynasty like the Kennedys or the...
How to stay kind to yourself in a world of plastic?
Are you doing/did you do Plastic Free July? Plastic Free July (PFJ) is exactly what it sounds like – a whole month without single-use plastic. There are often two reactions to this. The first is: “that’s impossible”. The second is: “well, a month isn’t going to make a...



