Ally Burnham is the Creative Producer at Westwords, Western Sydney’s centre for creative writing. She completed a Master’s in Writing for Performance at the National Institute of Dramatic Art and won an AWGIE in 2020 for her short film screenplay ‘Metropius’. She is a...
Off Campus
A Word On WestWords: Advice To Writers
Ally Burnham is the Creative Producer at Westwords, Western Sydney’s centre for Creative Writing. She completed a Master’s in Writing for Performance at the National Institute of Dramatic Art and won an AWGIE in 2020 for her short film screenplay ‘Metropius’. She is a...
5 Coeliac Friendly Places in Sydney
Having any dietary requirement can be a challenge, but for those with coeliac disease, finding gluten free food that is coeliac friendly can be incredibly difficult. Lucky for us here in Sydney, we are spoiled for choice with gluten free finds that are coeliac safe,...
What If We All Went to Therapy?
Picture this: You’re sitting in a café with a friend, and instead of the usual, “How’s work?” they casually ask, “So, what’s your inner child been up to?” And it’s not weird at all! You sip your coffee and say, “Oh, just reconnecting with some childhood fears;...
Boy Sober: Lessons From Celibacy
I am 22 and I haven’t had sex in 3 years, because ever since I was a little girl I have believed that romantic love should be a priority in my life. The media I consumed heavily informed this belief. I loved the 1999 romantic comedy Never Been Kissed starring Drew...
Tempting Taboos
I open my laptop, with an email staring back at me, as if it knows exactly what I feel, a wave of curiosity and a high tide of shame. “TODAY ONLY: Bellessa air vibe PRO 60% off get yours today.” How does a chunky, curvy vibrator like that even fit inside anyway? In...
Afterpay: are students paying the price for buying now?
In 2022, the Australian Finance Industry released a report that showed how Afterpay created a catch-22: people would use it to pay for essentials, yet it's been reported some would also need to cut back on essentials just to make the required repayments. Today, 40% of...
The 24-Hour Work Rule: A Blessing or a Burden for International Students?
Ah, the life of an international student in Australia. Between classes, assignments, and learning to pronounce “Straya” like a local, we’re also juggling jobs to keep those rent payments and weekend avocado toasts coming. Enter the infamous 48-hour work limit, a rule...
Book Fair 2024: A Celebration of Stories, Creators and Community
(Front entrance in line waiting to get into Book Fair. Photo Credit: Luci Kugathasan, 2024) On November 2nd, 2024, Book Fair Australia hosted its annual event at Sydney Olympic Park, bringing together an incredible myriad of writers and a diverse range of genres and...
How to Enjoy Sydney Summers as a Student Without Breaking the Bank
Are you new to Sydney, wanting to explore and seize the summer but on a budget? Or are you worried about saving up for rent and utilities, while your friends are posting Insta stories with all the summer fun, leaving you with major FOMO? Don't worry. Here's how...
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What’s On at WSU
Indigenous Sovereignty: Right-Wing Extremism Rises
Read Part 1 here — Indigenous Sovereignty: Welcome to Country Explained A 2024 report from the Australian Reconciliation Barometer found more than half (54%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience racism in Australian society. This...
Western Alum Annie McCann on her Author Journey
Annie McCann is a published author and a Western Sydney University alum. As an Indonesian-Australian Muslim emcee and writer, she is deeply passionate about diverse voices. ‘My Harimau King’ McCann’s debut Middle-Grade novel, published by Melby Rose...
Indigenous Sovereignty: Welcome to Country Explained
On the 31st of August 2025 NITV’s Bronte Charles and Yasmine Alwakal reported a ‘brutal, terrifying and traumatising’ Neo Nazi attack at Melbourne’s Camp Sovereignty. The peaceful protest with a smoking ceremony on sacred land turned into a violent, hate...
War Here and There, Conflict Slowly Turning into a Genocide
The proxy war being waged in Sudan has reached a new level of urgency that demands the world’s attention. Reports by Al Jazeera indicate mass-civilian killings have taken place, leaving 1,500 dead, with bodies spotted on satellite images. In 2023, clashes between...
How to Survive Your Student Placements (Without Losing Your Mind)?
University placements can feel like a marathon you never signed up for. Between managing coursework, part-time jobs, and personal responsibilities, adding hundreds of unpaid hours to your schedule can feel almost impossible. I just finished my 600-hour social work...










