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.
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Latest Articles
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 …
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.
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. …
Thousands Gather In Melbourne To Protest Invasion Day Celebrations — The Swanston Gazette
Thousands of protestors gathered on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Tuesday to protest the celebration of January 26 as Australia’s national day. Speakers at the event included Victorian State Senator Lidia Thorpe, who called for a national peace treaty with Aboriginal people to address inequality and related …
AFL Grand Final Preview: Richmond v Geelong —
161 games, spanning over seven months, and we are finally here! The big day is almost upon us, the AFL grand final on Saturday at 7:30 pm at the Gabba in Brisbane. Four years, three grand finals - Richmond are establishing what seems to be the next dynasty in the …
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.
Bachelor Recap: Three connecting flights see three emergency exits occur
Episode Eight: Written by me.
Bachelor Recap: The date we didn’t want to soar and the send-home we didn’t ask for
Episode Six: Written by me.
It's back! Everything you need to know about the first week at the Bachelor Mansion — The Swanston Gazette
Episode One: Written by me.
The Print Edition —
Our 2020 (online) print edition is here! The theme of this issue is HOPE, and covers everything from finding treasure in an op-shop to hope for real climate action.
Assange’s health conditions may not be enough to bar extradition to the US — The Swanston Gazette
Julian Assange’s defence lawyers’ attempts to free Assange from extradition on the grounds of health risks may prove to be untenable, according to a legal expert. The Australian-born WikiLeaks leader has been charged under the US’s 1917 Espionage Act for “unlawfully obtaining and disclosing classified documents related to the national …
Refugee slams proposed bill to prohibit mobile phones in detention centres
A Kurdish refugee held in the Mantra Hotel in Preston has slammed the proposed federal bill to prohibit mobile phones in detention centres.
RUSU renews calls for fee reductions —
RMIT University Student Union (RUSU) has renewed calls for a 20 per cent fee reduction, fairer fee structures and additional fee options for struggling students following an open letter from Vice-Chancellor Martin Bean last week. In a video posted this week on social media, ‘Fees & Funding. Our education is …
A TSG EXCLUSIVE: RMIT testamur fees waived —
RMIT has announced it will be waiving the $55 hard copy testamur fee for students graduating in absentia this year, according to a statement provided to The Swanston Gazette this week. Due to COVID19 restrictions in Victoria, graduating in absentia is the only option for RMIT final-years in 2020 to …
Increased numbers of people in parks and on walking tracks: not enough space outside or not enough common sense? —
“It’s really frustrating to see these people ignoring the rules and getting away with it, jeopardizing our progress,” she said when describing the big number of non-related families who were catching up to play sports and socialise. Police started patrolling Anastasia’s local parks due to how congested the outdoor spaces …