Personal blog • 14th October 2022

As Britain’s rivers and seas continue to decay, threats to its citizens’ health increases

Amidst war in Europe, an impending energy crisis and a newly appointed Prime Minister, one issue is flying dangerously under-the-radar within the UK – sewage dumping. However, the consequences of ignoring this issue are threatening to not only decay our oceans and seas to a point of no return, but also cause irreparable damage to human health.

Personal blog • 30th September 2022

The Surfers Saving Our Seas

The United Kingdom’s waterways have been pumping sewage and toxic chemicals into our seas, rivers and lakes for decades. Fed up, the UK’s surf community has banded together to combat this issue in an attempt to reverse some of the damage before it’s too late.

Dry • 22nd June 2022

Why I'm Dry: Justin Clarke, 28

I have never drunk alcohol. The main reason has been wanting to maximise my academic and athletic endeavours, without compromising my potential. I’m a former professional AFL footballer from Australia’s Flinders Ranges, currently completing my PhD in engineering science at the University of Oxford as a Rhoades Scholar.

Dry • 22nd June 2022

Brewing for the better: How your drinking habits could be more sustainable

Climate change has become an inescapable topic of discussion. Now more than ever, we are being called on to incorporate sustainability measures into our everyday behaviour. From independent businesses to global corporations, institutions are being urged to consider how further damage to the environment can be avoided.

The Guardian • 6th May 2022

Experience: I punctured my lung by eating cereal

Accidents happen to me all the time – I play a lot of sports in Melbourne, where I am finishing a master’s degree and potentially storming towards a mixed netball grand final. I have broken my back, dislocated my kneecap, torn my groin and had appendicitis. But it was a piece of cereal that gave me my biggest scare.

Missing in London • 5th May 2022

The missing children we don’t talk about who have never been found – Missing in London

Some missing persons cases, like that of Madeleine McCann, were so extensively covered by the media that the story became almost impossible to avoid. However, not all missing persons cases were seen as such great fodder for stories, for a myriad of reasons, and subsequently never hit the press in a significant way or for a significant duration of time.

Missin in London • 5th May 2022

Is there a missing persons crisis in London? – Missing in London

Since 1970, the amount of people who go long-term missing in London has increased each decade and alarmingly, between 2010 and 2020, a record 46 people went long-term missing in the nation’s capital. But are these statistics reflective of a genuine crisis?

Plains Producer • 27th April 2022

Limit beyond the sky for former Lion

For many AFL fans, the name Justin Clarke may trigger a forgotten memory. In early 2016 however, the former Booleroo local’s name would have been on many supporters’ lips, particularly Brisbane Lions’ fans – his former club. At that time, Clarke’s best football seemed ahead of him. The 22-year-old defender, with 56 career games already under his belt, had spent the previous season solidifying himself as a key cog in the Lions’ backline. Nobody would have guessed this young man’s career would end after just four seasons.

East London Lines • 16th April 2022

Meet the trader: The #BlackOwned gaming business – Eastlondonlines

At first glance, Playnation Games appears unassuming – just a small, independent gaming store opposite Croydon’s vast Centrale Shopping Centre. However, it is at the epicentre of a significant movement within the gaming industry. Since opening in late 2019, Playnation Games has worked tirelessly to promote diversity among its patrons, and nothing represents the store’s desire for diversity better than its owner, Daniel Grossett.

Missing in London • 30th March 2022

A story unlike any other: the alchemy of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance – Missing in London

As with any search, a pivotal part of its success comes down to exposure – more awareness means more people are looking. More people looking means the chances of finding a particular missing person is higher. Among the thousands of missing persons cases reported across the UK over the years, if you were to ask random members of the public to name one from the top of their head, many people would likely share a response – Madeleine McCann.

29th March 2022

Justin Clarke: Learning from the past to thrive in the present

For many young professional athletes, a career post-retirement seems a world away, but for University of Oxford Rhodes Scholar Justin Clarke, a premature end to his AFL career might have been just what he needed.

The Inner Sanctum • 21st March 2022

Mitch Creek: The season that was and the season that is

For most athletes approaching 30-years-old, their prime playing days would be behind them, but not for Mitch Creek. NBL22 has not only seen Creek’s game reach new heights, but also a resurgence of his career from the brink of retirement. The South East Melbourne Phoenix star has firmly entrenched himself in the conversation for league MVP, a possible return to the NBA and has the Phoenix poised to make a legitimate run at the championship come season’s end – three things which looked far less likely 12 months ago.

The Inner Sanctum • 23rd January 2022

From NBL Champion to the NBA: Dean Vickerman on Jock Landale's journey

In December 2020, former Melbourne United star and current San Antonio Spur, Jock Landale, made the bold prediction that his United outfit could go undefeated throughout the 2020-21 NBL season. Just over a year later, Landale fronted up against the Los Angeles Clippers as the Spurs starting center. It was a night of firsts. His first NBA start, his first NBA double-double and his first NBA game in which he played over 25 minutes.

East London Lines • 17th January 2022

Keeping the pandemic paw-friendly: Croydon’s dog warden recognised by RSPCA – Eastlondonlines

As special recognition for her work during the pandemic, Croydon’s dog warden Tara Boswell, recently received a PawPrint Gold award from the RSPCA.

Team Monash • 22nd October 2020

Alumni Check-in: Monash Blues Football Club President Alex Carr

Monash alumni and Monash Blues President Alex Carr has had plenty to do during lockdown! Not only has Alex been busy juggling work and Blues commitments, but lockdown has also seen the 29-year-old become a father. Despite all of the obvious issues going on in the world, Alex said the whirlwind of fatherhood has served as a perfect escape. "It's [fatherhood] been interesting, I think you sort-of live in your own little bubble once you've got a baby on board," he said.

Team Monash • 8th October 2020

Alumni Check-in: Hockey Club President Rachel Rodrigues

Monash University alumni and President of the Monash Hockey Club, Rachel Rodrigues, has been keeping herself busy whilst living in lockdown. The 30-year-old has spent the last 13 years of her life embodying everything the Monash community is all about. Ever since arriving on Monash campus in 2008, Rachel has been an active member of the hockey community with 2020 marking the third year of her tenure as Club President.

Team Monash • 26th May 2020

Monash bridge stars embracing the positives of isolation

For the majority of our Elite Student Performer Scheme athletes and performers, the impact of COVID-19 has been resoundingly negative. However, our two bridge champions, Danica Fuller and Damon Flicker, have had no trouble finding the silver-linings of being stuck at home. The card game bridge can easily be played via an online platform, so regular matches have continued throughout the pandemic period.

Team Monash • 15th April 2020

Monash opera singer embracing full-time dad duties amid COVID-19

Amid the COVID-19 shutdown, Monash University student and professional opera singer, Shoumendu Schornikow, is making the most of his break from work. The 31-year-old works with Opera Australia as a principal artist and like so many others, has found himself at a loose end with work closed indefinitely. “The whole opera industry has been impacted quite severely by the coronavirus situation,” Schornikow said. “No gatherings means no performances, so all the works off for the foreseeable future.

Team Monash • 6th April 2020

Nothing will stop Tess Lloyd from achieving her dream

Monash sailing superstar Tess Lloyd has had her Olympic dream put on hold with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics among the sporting events affected by the coronavirus, now rescheduled to 2021. Having only qualified as a member of Australia's Olympic Sailing Team last month, the news was tough for Tess, the Bachelor of Arts student at Monash University, to swallow.

WNBL - Southside Flyers • 3rd March 2020

Unassailable Will - Jenna O’Hea’s Journey Back

Days after hearing her season was over, Southside Flyers Star Jenna O’Hea looked on from the sidelines as WNBL MVP Kia Nurse led the UC Capitals to victory over her beloved team. It was the Flyers second consecutive game without O’Hea and their first at home. The night marked Southside’s Cheryl Chambers’ 250th game as a WNBL head coach. Minutes after the final buzzer, as both teams had begun to warm down and fans piled out of Dandenong Stadium, O’Hea sat alone.