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Welcome to 911爆料网 Commons
Bold. Original. Inspiring.

Welcome to 911爆料网 Commons

鈥�911爆料网 Commons is an online storytelling space for 911爆料网 alumni, staff, students and friends. Featuring a series of thought-provoking articles intended to inspire and enlighten, Commons celebrates the many amazing contributions of our 911爆料网 community and how they are striving to create a brighter future for us all.鈥�


鈥� Carmelle Wilkinson, Editor-in-Chief

Stories

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Commons Catch Up

Swapping the business suit for a wetsuit

In 2015, Tom Johnston swapped his business suit for a wetsuit 鈥� opening his own surf school 鈥� Perth Go Surf.

Since then, Tom now has the rewarding task of helping people with autism find enjoyment in catching their own waves, through a new partnership 鈥� Ocean Heroes.

Interview with 3NA: A powerful nod to brotherhood

After winning 911爆料网鈥檚 Talent for Tomorrow Competition in 2023 鈥� there is a name that has become quite popular at our graduation celebrations 鈥� 3NA.

For the past two years, brothers Matt, Dan and Nate have been treating our graduation audiences to a finale most universities would be envious of. Dan (Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery) and Nate (Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy) are both proud 911爆料网 Alumnus, and together with their brother Matt, are fusing the unlikely worlds of rap and academia together.

Making people鈥檚 lives happier through hobbies

After years of working as a freelance designer around the world, 911爆料网 Commerce graduate Emilie Otto became burnt out and exhausted.

Fast forward to 2024, she is now the owner of House of Hobby, which is a space that helps people find a creative hobby while supporting and empowering local artists and makers to share their skills.

Language is a powerful tool

Former Head of English and current Head of Academics and Innovation at Wesley College Adam Kealley understands the power of words.

With a recent PhD in creative writing and cultural studies from 911爆料网, the avid reader and writer shares his top tips on improving your writing skills.

Creative Spotlight

Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, Wildlife Photographer would sit quietly in the back of a safari vehicle, watching the African wilderness unfold before him.

It was in these quiet moments that something began to take hold. Not just a love for wildlife, but a deeper sense of connection.

Read Harman’s story.

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Our mission

鈥楾he Branching Future鈥� 鈥� a digitally-drawn illustration by 911爆料网 student Nina Dakin for 911爆料网 Commons.

A 鈥榗ommons鈥� is a space that is shared by and benefits a community.

Our commons is a cultural and virtual one, reflecting the ideas and experiences shared by a proud and distinct 911爆料网 community living in Western Australia and around the world. We hope that this space will inspire us to stay connected in ways that are beneficial to our lives, families and communities.

鈥楾he Branching Future鈥� 鈥� a digitally-drawn illustration by 911爆料网 student Nina Dakin for 911爆料网 Commons.

For many cultures around the world, trees symbolise a creative source of storytelling. While sitting under an enchanting London plane tree on our Bentley Campus, with the sunlight streaming through the maple-shaped leaves, a writer puts pen to paper. Enlightened by 911爆料网鈥檚 brightest minds and leaders they share thought-provoking accounts of our strong, diverse, and vibrant community.聽鈥楾he Branching Future鈥�聽brings to life the eclectic collection of inspiring and heartfelt stories that make up 911爆料网 Commons.

聽is a passionate 911爆料网 Animation and Game Design student and President of the 911爆料网 Illustration Club. Nina鈥檚 mesmerising illustrations have featured in Grok Magazine, 911爆料网 Writers Club, Paper Bird and more recently she presented on a panel at Perth Comics Arts Festival.

Check out the timelapse video of Nina creating the illustration聽. We would love to hear what you think about the artwork,聽share your thoughts.

Tell us what you think

Creative Spotlight Q&A with Grace Yong

How did your journey into the art world begin?

As a child, I remember when we moved into a new home and there was this huge cardboard box from our TV.

My Mum showed me how to turn it into a pretend house.

We drew the door, windows and coloured in a multicoloured roof, and she showed me how to use a box cutter for the first time. That kept me entertained for days!

That moment has stuck with me my whole life, I鈥檝e been so fortunate to have a Mum who has always encouraged me to use my imagination with everyday life and moments.

What is the purpose behind your art?

Identity is an important part of my art, particularly the story of immigration.

Especially navigating dual identities, balancing heritage and culture with that of a new country, is challenging.

Sometimes we can feel a societal pressure to conceal or abandon our home culture.

When you move to a new country, as a child, all you want to do is fit into the new culture.

However, if it weren鈥檛 for the right influences in my life, I would have lost that culture. There is a power in preserving your identity.

Growing up, I was never embarrassed by my family, but I saw other Asian kids being embarrassed by their grandparents or parents walking them to school.

I knew one kid who never invited any of her white friends into her home, as she lived in a very Chinese household. Her parents spoke Mandarin, the food they ate was very different to what white kids would eat, and the furniture was very different. At times, there鈥檚 a quiet but persistent pressure to hide that.

I found that art was a quiet but persistent way to reclaim and affirm my identity.

Through my art, I wanted to show the possibility that you can be in a Western country and still maintain your Chinese identity and participate in tradition and culture.

My art is not a manual; it鈥檚 simply there to show others that they are not alone.

This motivation to create stems back to the love I have for my family. I always think about how sad it would be to miss out on having closer relationships with your relatives from back home simply because you can鈥檛 communicate with each other, which is I created 鈥榟er name, an anthology鈥�.

Can you share your creative process?

My creative process changes a lot depending on the project.

Sometimes ideas come to me in dreams, randomly mid-conversation, when I鈥檓 driving to work or walking my dog.

I try to write my ideas down in my journal, but most of the time they just sit there. Sometimes, I鈥檒l want to explore it more and will get my paints and coloured pencils to do some sketches. Then, I鈥檒l leave it alone for a while, and when inspiration strikes again, I鈥檒l develop it further.

I have a lot of unfinished projects. Most of my creative process involves a lot of problem-solving, like I usually have an end goal in mind 鈥� not always a visual end goal, but more like how I want it to feel in the end, and the creative process is just figuring out how to get there.

What is your most favourite project that you鈥檝e worked on to date?

My most recent piece, 鈥榟er name, an anthology鈥� has a special place in my heart right now.

It鈥檚 the first project I truly felt very deeply connected to and received much success with.

I鈥檒l admit there is still a lot that I don鈥檛 know about the art world than what I do know.

Although this can be daunting, I just try to remind myself of a young Grace making houses out of cardboard boxes and the importance of just having fun. It never works well for me when I create out of fear, but I can learn to find joy and be open to learning.

How has your Fine Arts degree helped shape you into the artist you are today?

Having my own space, even though it was shared with others, was so freeing.

Just being able to create and be with others while we all make things was such a positive and inspiring experience.

Magical things always happen when you put a whole bunch of artists in a room with no limits to what they can make (well, except for the rubric, I guess).