The Swanston Gazette
Featured Writers
Lucy Slevison
I have written for various publications and am experienced in lifestyle journalism, having completed a three-month internship with Broadsheet in 2025. I am keen to continue honing my reporting skills …
View Portfolio
Amy Ross
I am a hardworking audio journalist with experience in producing radio. While I finish my journalism degree, I am looking to gain experience in the professional industry and gain new …
View PortfolioIsabella Krebet
Journalist, writer, with a passion for science, culture, health, and identity
View PortfolioLatest Articles
You hear that? It’s the sound of a politician on your favourite podcast.
Abbie Chatfield became a familiar name on the seventh season of the Australian Bachelor in 2019. Six years later, on a tram on my way to work, I found myself tuning into her pop culture podcast, ‘It’s A Lot.’
Revved up and ready to race: Drive to Survive and social media boost F1 excitement
In the first episode of Netflix’s hit docuseries, Formula 1: Drive to Survive, drivers are compared to fighter pilots. They are fearless, calculated, and have a terrifying willingness to put their lives on the line every day.The Melbourne Grand Prix took place last week, and while attendance peaking is partly …
Iconic Melbourne music venue 'The Gaso' to close
Known by punters in Melbourne as The Gaso, the venue has become one of cornerstones of Melbourne's nightlife and music scene. With its history dating back to the 1860s, it has become home to a range of live performances across diverse genres.One of its unique features is the opening roof …
Faces of Melbourne: Martin ‘Louie’ Mayfield
Every day, he wakes early, travelling from his Fitzroy apartment to Southern Cross Station by 7 am. He works as a Big Issue vendor at the station until 10 am. Mayfield’s work as a vendor for The Big Issue began in 1996 when he and his wife were living in …
Government evades responsibility for specialist schooling in Disability Royal Commission response
As teachers themselves, his parents thought a dual schooling approach would help the kids at school get to know Ethan on a more “mutual ground”, as well as helping his siblings through having their brother in amongst their peers. Jane believes that in an ideal world fully integrated education systems …
Fashioned for Activism: The role of art in Pro-Palestinian expressions
“Creating that space of sharing stories is kind of its activism through art and culture. It’s bringing the most beautiful songs and stories and art all of that in kind of a way to tell the story without using violence of any sort but still being heard. It’s bringing your …
Pornography and perpetrators of domestic violence are more closely related than we think.
On a Friday night at the end of May, my mother sent an ABC news article to our family group chat. I opened it, shocked to read a mother and daughter had been killed in a shooting just five minutes from where I grew up in Subiaco, Western Australia.
AI ABBA, pagan rituals and Israel booing: 2024’s unique Eurovision Song Contest
There was a lot happening at the Swedish-hosted contest this year. Most notably: Israel.
San Cisco on their new album Under the Light
Under the Light is more experimental, with the trio showing their maturity in reflective lyrics and dreamy melodies. The recording of the album took place in their hometown, Fremantle, and the ease of their production is evident. “We just wanted to have a different writing and recording process than we’ve …
Unplugging from news or plugging news alternatively? How Australia's news consumption is changing
“An algorithm then decides these are the sorts of things you want to consume. They [readers] consume what they want to know and not what they need to know.”She says the industry taught her “if it bleeds, it leads”, and says the rise in mental health issues amongst young people …
Stranger danger: How the Shincheonji cult is recruiting new members around Melbourne’s CBD
“Apocalyptic” cult Shincheonji are on a recruitment drive in many popular Melbourne locations.
Inside what’s pushing Gen Z to consume fast fashion
Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, are known for their understanding of environmental and social issues. Yet, they are also recognised for an obsession with low-cost fashion.According to ‘Good on You’, an online directory that ranks fashion brands on the ethics of their labour and environmental practices, fast fashion …
Yes and No: Christians’ perspectives on the Voice to Parliament
Christians don't all see eye to eye on the Voice, just like the rest of Australians.
Explainer: The Voice to Parliament
On October 14, all eligible Australians will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to alter the Constitution and establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. For those of us younger than 42, this will be the first time we vote in a referendum - and it’s …
REVIEW: Goddess. Power. Glamour. Rebellion - celebrating women in film
The exhibit begins with bright pink surroundings and a sign that reads “Goddess”, preparing you for what is to come. Heading down the stairs, you are engulfed in walls of silver and sparkles - the perfect representation of glamour and “femininity”. Turning the corner, the iconic Marilyn Monroe song “Diamonds …
REVIEW: Goddess. Power. Glamour. Rebellion - celebrating women in film
The exhibit begins with bright pink surroundings and a sign that reads “Goddess”, preparing you for what is to come. Heading down the stairs, you are engulfed in walls of silver and sparkles - the perfect representation of glamour and “femininity”. Turning the corner, the iconic Marilyn Monroe song “Diamonds …
World Press Freedom Day 30th anniversary
Wednesday May 3, 2023, marked the 30th World Press Freedom Day, with the theme of “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”.
Swanston’s Pick: May in Melbourne
As winter creeps in and the nights grow longer, our city continues to come to life The Melbourne's writers festival is one of many treats you can enjoy this month across the city Here are some must-sees you don’t want to miss this May. Calling all writers! The city’s biggest …
Swanston’s Pick: May in Melbourne
As winter creeps in and the nights grow longer, our city continues to come to life The Melbourne's writers festival is one of many treats you can enjoy this month across the city Melbourne is a cultural trifecta jam-packed with music, food and the arts. Here are some must-sees you …
REVIEW: Deadpan brings the dry comedy to MICF 2023
Dry humour and awkward tension make for a hilarious night with Deadpan For comedy lovers, Nathan Hugh Robért and James G Warren’s Deadpan duo is a great show to see at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. As veteran comedians, the comedians are testing out their material for the first …
Reserve Bank of Australia temporarily pauses interest rate increases
Interest rate hikes have been temporarily put on hold, bringing relief for many Australians The Reserve Bank (RBA) has put interest rates on hold temporarily following yesterday’s board meeting on April 4. Interest rates will remain at 3.5 per cent and the cash rate target will stay at 3.6 per …
Melbourne International Comedy Festival bringing the laughs in 2023
Buckle in for the funniest time of the year this Autumn with The Melbourne International Comedy Festival The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is roaring back for its 37th year from 29 March until 23 April with its most vivacious lineup yet. This year’s festival features hundreds of shows throughout the …
Review: Who are you? Ko wai koe? – Athens, Aotearoa & the art of Marian Maguire
The Hellenic Museum’s current exhibits explore Greece’s rich history and the impact of colonisation in New Zealand. While semester begins for RMIT students here in Melbourne, the Hellenic Museum’s 8,000 years’ worth of art invites us to dream of myths, mortals, and Greece. Located on William St near Flagstaff Gardens, …
The heritage-listed Nicholas Building is up for sale - here's why it means so much to the local creative sphere —
On quiet weekend afternoons, Bronwyn Kamasz likes to take her shoes off and walk through the corridors of the Nicholas Building. She likes the feel of the cool, undulating surface on the bottom of her feet. Sometimes she dances. “I can totally just be myself there,” she said. “It’s like …
Travel through takeout: How locals have experienced overseas travel and culture in lockdown —
At least that’s what foodie and Melbourne author Sam van Zweden told me as I sat down to chat with her over Zoom. “We’ll definitely appreciate it more when we're back to being able to go overseas again. It just feels like such a remote possibility to me,” she said. …
Power stays in palm of gas industry — The Swanston Gazette
As Australians began their lengthy hibernation under lockdown, a crisis briefly forgotten was beginning to show signs of alleviation. The swift shutdown of the world economy had caused global greenhouse gas emissions to fall by 17 percent resulting in impressive air pollutant drops in areas such as Wuhan and the …
Bachelor Recap: Viewers, prepare for landing
That’s right folks, we’ve reached the final week of this Bachie season, and I’m not sure whether I should sigh a breath of relief or be sad that this little bit of escapism is off our screens for the time being. We’re nearing the end, where Holly, Jay, and Brooke …
Bachelor Recap: A week of the Bachie flight finally stepping it up a gear or two… about time!
Episode Ten: Written by me.