The W’SUP community held their first launch for the Spring Magazine Edition named “New Perspectives” on the 23rd of October. This spring edition of the magazine was about reflection, highlighting the importance of understanding and caring for yourself and raising awareness to hold new perspectives within life.
The launch event was held at Parramatta South Campus in the recreation hub cultivating a space where Western students could let their creativity flow. This was done through poetry readings and open discussions about what their new perspective or change for 2024 was. This amazing exchange of connections and ideas has been captured through the power of photographic storytelling, creating a timeline and a new “perspective” on what the day held and meant for Western students and the W’SUP team.
Natasa Aster–Stater, Direction of the Student Publications Committee, introducing the launch event and the W’SUP Team. Starting from left to right: Jasmine Kaur, Eugenia Kourkoutas, Natasa Aster–Stater, Abbie Simmons and Garish (Luci) Kugathasan. 16th October 2024, W’SUP News.
The audience listened intently and followed along to Natasa’s opening speech within the New Perspective launch event. 16th of October 2024, W’SUP News.
The event began with a speech by Natasa Aster-Stater, Director of the Student Publications Committee and W’SUP News. Aster-Stater introduced the W’SUP Team and read her letter in the publication, introducing what it means to hold “new perspectives”. Aster-Stater explains that the concept of a “new perspective” holds a different meaning for everyone to represent in their own way. “For some, it illustrates an emotional refresh – a new start, a clean slate. This in turn made us think about why students could feel the need for a restart at this point of the year and most importantly at this stage in their lives” Aster-Stater said.
Aster-Stater further expressed how the “New Perspectives” publication prioritised representing these emotions and issues on campus and outside of university life. These led to the topics within the publication which included academic burnout, social anxieties, financial issues, and personal dilemmas students may want advice on.
Aster-Stater concluded her statement by explaining that these themes should spark hope, change, let readers know they are never alone within their issues as there is always help at hand.
“We hoped we would shed light on the importance of speaking out and seeking help not burying issues down.”
Worry and stress can give the wrong perspectives. “New Perspectives” can give hope for the future, the much-needed refresher for students. We hope you enjoy the read.
Jasmine Kaur reading her poetry “The Gen Z Guide to Love” within the New Perspectives magazine, 16th of October 2024, W’SUP News.
W’SUP Editor Luci (left) and Western student Mia MacDonald (right) reading out their New Perspectives poetry. 16th of October 2024. W’SUP News.
W’SUP Team and audience listening to the poetry reading. 16th of October 2024. W’SUP News.
Audience listening to Natasa Aster-Stater’s poetry reading, 16th of October 2024. W’SUP News.
After the introduction, creativity flowed and flourished through editor Jasmine Kaur’s poetry reading. She read her poem “The Gen Z Guide to Love” where she explains with passion a new version of love that Gen Z experiences within modern society in an age where “late night calls” will make “memories we’ll always think of” and where people will “swipe and ghost, smile and post…until that true love slides into our DM”.
Aster-Stater followed Kaur’s poetry with a reading of her New Perspective’s poem “Gramophone” describing belonging, love, trust, and reflection. W’SUP editor Luci performed “Wings Aligned”. Western students also became involved in poetry reading and jumped at the opportunity to have their voices and perspectives heard within the crowd.
W’SUP Team handing out goody totes to the audience. 16th of October 2024, W’SUP News.
W’SUP team and audience writing their 2024 new perspectives on the whiteboard, 16th of October, W’SUP News.
W’SUP Editor Eugenia Kourkoutas and Western student Jenaya Simpson (right) reading New Perspectives 16th of October 2024. W’SUP News.
As the poetry reading concluded and the audience settled, discussion thrived among friends about their hopes for 2024 and 2025. During this time, the W’SUP Team gave out goody totes with a copy of the “New Perspectives” magazine, buttons and W’SUP embellished pins.
People also took the time to write out on a whiteboard something new they tried in the year. Some answers ranged from “walking the length of the Harbour bridge”, “solo travelling” and “taking the ferry” for the first time. Other responses were more detailed with one participant recounting how they “went on their first practical for their teaching degree”. Some “went on their first date” and most importantly, “prioritised themselves, their peace and their success”.
Overall, W’SUP’s first magazine launch event was a place of thriving connections and a smashing success. To learn about ways to incorporate new perspectives into your life, grab a copy of New Perspectives on your local campus or read the digital version here.
Picture of the W’SUP Team together holding their New Perspectives Magazines. Starting from left to right: Eugenia Kourkoutas, Julia Bell, Natasa Aster–Stater, Jasmine Kuar Abbie Simmons and Garish (Luci) Kugathasan. 16th of October. W’SUP News
