March 2012

Print Post Approved A great tool to P.P. 334553/00001 improve literacy in schools!

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March 2012 Contents

From the Editor’s Desk...... 4 In My Garden...... 33 Melina Fullbrook, Youngtown Primary School, Youngtown, Tas. AWARDS FOR SHORT STORIES Book Review: The Boggle Hunters...... 4 Seasons...... 33 My Violin ...... 8 Indigo Magazine...... 5 Shristi Nadar Nadar, Eynesbury Senior College, Adelaide, SA John Zhu, Melbourne Grammar School, South Yarra, Vic. Dr Gary Crew: The Illustrated Book: The Eureka Rebellion...... 34 Eboni...... 11 A Graphic Challenge for Teenagers...... 6 Cassandra Bentley, Huntingtower, Mt. Waverley, Vic. Maddara Barry- Irvine, Wellers Hill State School, Tarragindi, Qld. George Ivanoff: What If?...... 16 The Rainforest...... 34 That’s What You Get...... 12 Ambassadors...... 17 Sonia Lin, Lauriston Girls’ School, Armadale, Vic. Talia Walker, Cerdon College, Merrylands, NSW Young Australian Writer’s Awards 2011....24 Busy Bugs Flying...... 34 The Adventure of Jim and Jen and the Hwan Sing Lim, Hallam, Vic. Eclipso Gang...... 15 Young Australian Art Awards 2011...... 26 Aiden King, Coolnwynpin State School, Capalaba, Qld. My Family as Fridge Magnets...... 37 Alex & Nellie Tokatlidis: Book Reviews.....43 Jack and his Three Wishes...... 18 Madeleine Chia, Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon, NSW Rachel Frecker, Mater Dei Primary, Blakehurst, NSW Anna Ciddor: Keep a Diary...... 44 Echoes of an Empty House...... 40 From the Ashes...... 19 Meghan King, Eynesbury College, Adelaide, SA Kenji Sison, Eynesbury Senior College, Adelaide, SA AWARDS FOR POETRY Spring in the Tropics...... 40 His Flat White...... 21 Natasha Brie Chapman, Kamerunga, Qld. Genevieve Geronimo, Eynesbury Senior College, Adelaide, SA Rain...... 7 Sowmya Padki, Hurlstone Agricultural High School, Twilight Calling...... 41 My Brother...... 22 Glenfield,NS W Elyse Landsberry, Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon, NSW Sarah Asif, Beverly Hills Girls’ High School, Beverly Hills, NSW Feathered Things...... 8 Busker...... 42 A Lost Cause...... 28 Simone Engele, Oxley Christian College, Chirnside Park, Vic. Lindsay Hicks, Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon, NSW Jennifer Chen, St. George Girls’ High School, Kogarah, NSW Invasion...... 9 Along the Countryside...... 42 Alien Defence League...... 30 Francois Kruger, Nambour Christian College, Woombye, Qld. Sophie Brocklebank, Cromer, NSW Wilbur Nelson, Arawang Primary, Waramanga, ACT Broken...... 9 English...... 42 Ghost House...... 36 Jamie Creswell, Rouse Hill Anglican College, Rouse Hill, NSW Shannon O’Neill, Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga, NSW Mason Hull, Ararat College, Ararat, Vic. Twisted Fairytale: Snow White and the Daydream...... 9 It’s the Little Things in Life...... 45 Flower Stem...... 38 Emma Hartley, Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga, NSW Ruth Ong, Oxley Christian College, Chirnside Park, Vic. Taryn Dewey, North Lakes State College, North Lakes, Qld. Sweetness...... 13 Jonathan...... 45 The End...... 41 Gabrielle Wilson-Gardner, Oxley Christian College, Chirnside Gabrielle Gardner-Wilson, Oxley Christian College, Chirnside Rick Krstevski, Marymede Catholic College, South Morang, Vic. Park, Vic. Park, Vic. The Chocolate Warrior...... 14 Magic...... 45 Front cover image by Ana Maric, Lauriston Girls’ School, Armadale, Vic. Chloe Kopec, Mount Eliza North Primary School, Mt. Eliza, Vic. Marc McBride Black and White...... 18 The Life of a Chair...... 46 Photo credits – ‘Broken’, p. 9: rotorhead, http://www. Adrian Harper-Gomm, Kambrya College, Berwick, Vic. Ashviena Sitsabesan, Homebush West, NSW sxc.hu/photo/695191. ‘Black and White’, p. 18; ‘In my The Key to Life...... 29 Impressions of Colours...... 46 Garden, p. 33; ‘Spring in the Tropics’, p. 40; ‘Along the Gabrielle Gardner-Wilson, Oxley Christian College, Chirnside Claire Chisholm, The Essington School, Nightcliff,N T Countryside’, p. 42: Frank Jones, Desktop Dynamics, Park, Vic. Geelong.

Published by: The Selection Committee: Fund Committee:...... Gail Woods CPA Australian Children’s Literary Board Managing Editor:...... Carol Dick Paul Warburton CPA (an initiative of the Children’s Charity Network) Editors: ...... Rachael Hinga, Rob Leonard ABN 58 109 336 245 Bronwyn Jarman Directors:...... Prof. Margot Hillel OAM (Chair) Phone: (03) 5282 8950 Publisher:...... Robin Leonard Prof. Peter Blamey Fax: (03) 5282 8950 Assistant Publisher:...... Leanne Johnstone Dr. Elaine Saunders 170 Forest Road, Lara, Victoria 3212 Finals Judge: ...... Professor Margot Hillel OAM Gail Woods CPA Postal Address: Australian Catholic University Rob Leonard (Executive) PO Box 267, Lara, Victoria 3212 Marketing Manager:...... Christi Valentine Layout/Pre-press:...... Desktop Dynamics, Geelong Sponsorship Manager:...Ernest Bland Website Production:...... The Media Warehouse Advertising Manager:....Graham Johnstone www.mediawarehouse.com.au

March 2012  From the BOOK The Boggle Hunters Editor’s by Sophie Masson REVIEW Published by Scholastic Australia, March 2012 Desk am Fetch is fed up. His parents Short bio for Sophie Masson Back in August 1999 I proudly became have packed him off to go and the new Editor of this publication. It was Sstay with his English cousin Jenny, Born in Indonesia of French parents, a 28 page magazine and was of a very basic who lives with her parents in a caravan Sophie Masson was sent to France to two colour format. No borders or headers and doesn’t even own a computer! But live with her grandmother when she was were anywhere to be seen. Clipart was on the way over in the plane, something a baby and later came to Australia with the only way of bringing the stories and unexpected happens—something that her family when she was 5. Educated in poems to life. Thirteen years later and it has will propel him into an adventure like Sydney, she also spent a good deal of her increased to a brilliant 48 pages. The final he’s never had before—something childhood in France, as the family often document goes to print with the enormous that will take him far away from what went back. A dedicated bookworm as a work done by Desktop Dynamics, in full he thinks is the boring world of his kid, Sophie also loved writing stories to colour, with wonderful layout, photos relatives... entertain herself and her younger sisters and clipart. and brothers. Meanwhile, it’s midnight in London and So let’s make it bigger and better, and: Jenny Fetch and her parents are working. Now the author of more than fifty novels But their work isn’t the ordinary kind. For for young people, Sophie is published ENTER ON-LINE what no-one, not even Sam knows, is that in many different countries. Her recent they are part of a secretive profession, novel for children, The Hunt for Ned Kelly at the boggle hunters, who track down and (Scholastic) won the Patricia Wrightson www.ozkids.com.au capture boggles as fast as they’re released. Prize for Children’s Literature in the 2011 Boggles don’t come from our world, but NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. She intrude into it from the secret world of lives in rural NSW with her husband, the Fays and the Grays, rival faery tribes. and has three grown-up children. Ninety-nine percent of human beings can’t see these pests, even if they suffer from their effects, for boggles can take on the shapes of all kinds of ordinary living creatures: beetles, cockroaches, spiders, lizards, birds, rats, foxes, dogs... These days, they very often also take the shape of computer viruses and other such pests. It needs a special pair of eyes to spot them under their disguise KEEP ON WRITING and tell them apart from the real (TYPING)! thing. And it needs a very, very special skill to deal with them. The dangerous skill of boggle hunting... CarolManaging Dick Editor So both Jenny and Sam have secrets, and when those secrets collide, anything at all can ANNOUNCEMENT happen... Changing Yesterday This is an exciting, action- by Sean McMullen packed and fun adventure story for kids. Published by FORD STREET – Will be our July release Sean has just been short-listed for the CHILDREN’S CHARITY NETWORK Hugo Award in the novella category for ‘Eight Miles’. SUPPORTS CHARITIES AND http://www.fordstreetpublishing.com ORGANISATIONS WHO SUPPORT US!

 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 just GIRLS ONLY for Magazine girls

ike our target audience, we're positively, and the issues covered in this publications that can assist with this work. growing quickly. We're showing publication are catalysts for discussion Indigo Magazine is a wonderful example LAustralian girls that there is nothing with parents, peers and teachers. We of a positive, inspiring and uplifting more beautiful than being real. encourage girls to form opinions and to publication that can assist young people believe in themselves. to feel positive and inspired. We applaud Issue 7 of this empowering magazine is the publishers of indigo for their refreshing out now and you can visit indigo at www. In over 1000 schools across Australia, and inspiring magazine.” indigo4girls.com or email the team at indigo is content rich and the tone down [email protected] to find out how you to earth and genuine. Read by individuals — Julie Thomson, General Manager can get hold of your own copy. and used a class or health resources, this The Butterfly Foundation is fast becoming a staple publication for Indigo encourages girls to celebrate who consumption. For more information about the difference they are and feel great in their own skin. indigo is making to girls, please contact: Parents, Health Professionals, Government, Launched in August 2007 as the fun, body Industry and most importantly girls, Freya Holland friendly alternative this publication is continue to express their support and Editor produced with a "no airbrushing” policy. gratitude for indigo – a fun publication [email protected] that is undoubtedly a timely addition to Mobile: 0430 331 133 The magazine content reflects the diversity the magazines on the market for this age of its readership. Indigo is all about group. Natalina Morelli individuality, creativity and fun! Together, Executive Editor & Founder the indigo readers and the editorial “The Butterfly Foundation is Australia’s [email protected] team tackle the sensitive issues that largest charitable foundation that supports Mobile: 0430 204 530 10–16 year old girls face, such as puberty, sufferers of eating disorders and negative bullying, self-esteem and body image. body image. We do extensive work with Tricky topics are always approached young people in an effort to help them raise their self-esteem and body image and are always looking for supportive

Oz Kids in Print March 2012  The Illustrated Book: A Graphic Challenge for Teenagers Dr Gary Crew

For the Western World youth—whether The image can often be both read and Author and illustrator Chris Van Allburg, male or female—the demands of sitting interpreted at a glance. creator of such internationally acclaimed still, concentrating quietly, and being illustrated books as Jumanji, Zathura obliged to focus on nothing other then Sophisticated teenage readers used to and The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, the printed word—a process involving interpreting complex computer graphic demonstrates the same idea in his the repetitious movement of the eyes from have long since moved beyond the idea multilayered interpretation of the old left to right and from top to bottom of a that the words of a book simply describe favourite nursery rhyme, Peter Peter page, then turning, turning, turning—is the graphic on the opposite page—or Pumpkin Eater (Harrison B & Maguire G. all too much to ask. But what may appear vice versa. That is, if the print text reads: 1987. Innocence and Experience: Essays too taxing to even attempt is often made ‘Three little ducks crossed the road’, the and Conversations on Children’s Literature. accessible, even pleasurable, if a book mature reader would be insulted to see Lothrope, Lee and Shepard Books. New contains graphics or images; that is, if the an image of three ducks waddling along. York. 1987. p. 404), reproduced below: book is illustrated. Internationally acclaimed illustrators have known this from the outset. Maurice These days, a young person’s ‘reading’ of Sendak, writer and illustrator of the the world is often primarily visual; consider iconic Where the Wild Things Are(Harper the rise of all forms of visual media: the Collins, 1963), says ‘You must never graphics and images used in computer illustrate exactly what is written. You must games, i pads, e zines or magazines. In find a space in the text so that pictures fact, one of the defining concepts of the can do the work.’ (Lanes, S. 2003. The Art 21st century is the impact of the visual on of Maurice Sendak. Abradake Press. New our lives—especially televised graphics York. p. 110.) and photographic images, whether static or moving.

In Van Allsburg’s graphic image, Peter sits nonchalantly, believing that he has effectively entrapped his wife in the pumpkin, while she cunningly cuts her way out with a knife that she has had the forethought to take into the pumpkin with her. The image changes the story of this tired old nursery rhyme for ever, as it demonstrates (through the graphics) that Peter’s much put-upon wife is actually the victor, not the misogynous Peter, who she will no doubt stab with her deadly sharp knife.

Since I have just completed a new illustrated book with Ford Street publishers, entitled In the Beech Forest, (Ford Street: 2012) and since that book is based on the tensions between the real world and the virtual world of an image-based computer game, I thought that I would put In the Beech Forest to the test and see if Sendak and Van Allsburg’s ideas actually worked. I wanted to test if the different narratives (one in words, the other in illustrations) would combine in one ‘organic whole’.

 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 The print text of In the Beech Allsburg’s ideas, but more than Forest tells the simple story of that, the book also ticks all the a young boy, armed with a toy boxes needed to satisfy both sword, who enters an ancient male and female aged from ten Antarctic beech tree forest, to fifteen years. (possibly in Tasmania where remnants of such forests remain), While illustrated books for in search of adventure. But as he older readers usually appeal to walks the barely discernable young males, In the Beech Forest path between the gnarled and is by a young woman in her haunting tree trunks, fears that teens. Yet fifteen year old males monstrous creatures from his would also relate to In the Beech computer games might actually Forest as its theme is a young live in such a place begin to man’s perilous rite of passage haunt him and he must draw in search of self. The youth on all his reserves of courage involved is actually fearful of the to go on. monstrous creatures he faces in his computer games and must It is at this point that Den overcome this fear to become a Scheer—the teenaged illustrator man—a growth process which is of In the Beech Forest—comes admirably represented visually into her own. Den’s illustrative with all the irony that only a forté is to draw the monstrous, female teenage illustrator could and she does just that, graphically create: not only does the boy represented the computer game triumph, he realises his triumph images that fill the boy’s mind by imagining the battle between but are invisible to him as they a monstrous male force and a live in a cyber world only, not diminutive female force which the material world of the forest. the female wins! Nevertheless, these images of creatures at war are real in the A reading of In the Beech Forest boy’s imagination, which Den’s Graphic from In the Beech Forest demonstrates that words and illustrations represent to the (Crew and Scheer, Ford Street: p. 11). images can be integrated into reader. one harmonious whole, and Finding the courage to go on, despite that while a young male may have found To complete the picture (pardon the pun!) the fearful images crowding his head, himself in a book, a teenage girl created generated in the frightened boy’s mind, the boy eventually hears that sound that book. Den Scheer’s illustration (above) suggests of what he takes to be a pump. Such a that the beech tree trunks and overhanging rhythmic, almost mechanical, sound Author Note: branches provide a ‘framed’ television seems incongruous deep in a forest, and or computer monitor screen, complete ultimately he discovers that in overcoming Dr Gary Crew is Associate Professor with power cables running down the tree fear, he has discovered the very pulse of the (Creative Writing) at the University of the trunks with the associated power sockets. earth: the beat of its mighty heart. Sunshine Coast. He has won the Australian The illustrations suggest that what the boy Children’s Book of the Year Award four sees is a product of his imagination drawn So yes, I do believe that In the Beech Forest times. His book In the Beech Forest is directly from the graphics of his computer succeeds in integrating Sendak and Van available in all good bookshops or from games. www.fordstreetpublishing.com post free. Rain Dull and heavy, the clouds above fill with rain, Suddenly, just as fast as it arrives, it stops, The sun is blocked by endless grey puffs of snow, Just a hollow wind and a chilly breeze remains, A colourful array of umbrellas go up in vain, The atmosphere of rush, excitement and agitation drops, The leaves whistle and the howling wind blows. Now visible is only the puddles and dew coating the terrain.

All at once, everyone is showered with glistening drops, But somewhere some things wait and hope for the rain, Yelling, heading for shelter, struggling with umbrellas and coats, The pouring, exciting torrent of chaos to come once again. The rain hits hard, dancing on sparkling grass and crops, The bragging sheet of water drenches all, it gloats. By Sowmya Padki Year 8, Hurlstone Agricultural High School, GLENFIELD – NSW. Teacher: Mr Hancock

Oz Kids in Print March 2012  My Violin

y m o st v a l u a b l e possession was an old, slightly Mcracked violin. It was given to me by my former violin teacher in hope that I would make beautiful music for the world. Though as The audience sat in chipped as it seemed, the quality of their seats, awestruck the sound that reverberated through by the miracle in front of their the hollow wood was a rich sound eyes. Collectively, the audience full of hope and ambition. The silver applauded enthusiastically as the strings wound down the neck of the violinist bowed modestly and tucked violin, over the fingerboard, past the his beloved possession under his arm as bridge and sat neatly in the holes that the he walked off stage. violin-maker, Hopf, had lovingly made. The slim neck had to be replaced due to between two of the notes there was a short The instrument was pleased with the so much practice from all the previous pause. The violinist’s hand systematically performance. Yes, there were a few minor violin players that had worn out the wood. pulled off the stray hair and continued mistakes but it was satisfactory. It stared Numerous strings had been used, and the playing. There was no interruption. All at the owner, while he cleaned it. After newest strings were already near the end the movements were so confident and a while, the instrument was cleaned and of their time. precise. The listeners sat in their seats, free of rosin. Carefully and methodically transfixed at the wonder in front of their it was put back into the snug violin case. It had followed me to many performances. eyes. The delicate instrument sang a song Next time it would be pulled out was when Whether it was just a concert or an of joy to the awestruck audience. Suddenly, the violinist had to practice for his next eisteddfod, the loyal violin played with the sound dropped and the bow started to performance. me. The lights of the stage brightened slow a little as it entered the cadenza, but as I hastily made my way on stage next the effect was still there; every eye of the No, it was not a physically beautiful to the piano. The audience whispered audience was fixed on the violin. A whole instrument, but yes, it was a beautiful in anticipation. With a nod of my head, new world developed as the violinist’s instrument that could touch any listener’s the performance began. My fingers were fingers became a blur, and yet the sound heart. placed on the violin ever so carefully and was so clear you could hear the passion accurately, careful not to lose the pitch of in every note. The violinist glanced at the By John Zhu the note. The bow moved across the strings pianist before exiting the cadenza and Year 8, Melbourne Grammar School quickly. It flew. A hair broke off the bow. In ending triumphantly on a high note. SOUTH YARRA – VIC. ream Clawed feet and scratchy beaks, d Feathered Things Long tails and colourful cheeks, y Soaring high and fluttering low, a By Simone Engele Singing deep, deep notes. Year 6, Oxley Christian College Building nests – laying eggs, CHIRNSIDE PARK – VIC. Fighting – biting – making friends again, D Teacher: Living – loving – flying – dying. Sharon Sandison Looking for worms – looking for meat, Looking for love – looking for a fight, Flying in day – flying in night. Majestic bodies – wonderful wings, Sparkling eyes – fantastic things! The gems of the sky, The pearls of the beach, The king of the farm yard, The pride of the zoo, The emperor of the ice. Specked – splashed – dappled – spotted – clouded – dotted, Patched – striped – freckled – plain – The bird is a marvellous thing!

 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 Invasion BROKEN I look into the water it starts to rumble I can hear he’s home, I want to run I walk backwards and start to stumble But in my heart I know I’m done, Could it be true what I see I’ll make things worse if I fight I see spirit standing in front of me Like in the stories I want my knight. I wonder what I could do about this thing I run back to go warn the king I pray for a different life I’m scared out of my wits One where there’s no strife I’m worried about my family especially my kids But I’ll be lucky if I live past ten, On the way to the king’s hut I see a big snake For the beatings I’m getting will be my end. I jump sideways and fall into a lake Then I hear a scream of fears I hurt all over and can take no more I get out of the water and see a kid in tears But this time it’s worse than before, I asked him what’s wrong I cannot scream, move or shout He said I’ll show you so come along And that’s all I remember before I blacked out. He took me to his dad drowning in the river I jumped in and pulled him out and he started to shiver For when I woke I was in a bed I run back to the spirits and wonder where is all our land And for a moment I was sure I was dead, I look down and see blood scattered all over the sand My arms and legs were black and blue This is a nightmare come true But that soon healed and I was back to new. I run around in a circle saying what am I going to do Someone I think has been watching over me By Francois Kruger For they heard my prayers and my plea, Year 4, Nambour Christian College Now I live a better life WOOMBYE – QLD. And forever more they’ll be no strife. Teacher: Mrs Eracleous By Shannon O’Neill Year 8, Mater Dei Catholic College WAGGA WAGGA – NSW m eaI daydream during maths class, dr My teacher thinks I’m crazy. She says, “You should be listening! ay But instead you’re off with the fairies”. I dream of places I’ve read in books, Pretending I am there. D When doing that, I think it’s real but really it’s not there.

By Emma Hartley I am Catherine with King Henry. Year 6, Abbotsleigh I am Sonea with Akkarin. WAHROONGA – NSW I am Ping with Long Danzi. I am Watson with Holmes.

My teacher is calling my name! I snap out of my world. “D times pi equals C!” I say. “Correct, Emma, but I asked you to open a window.”

Oz Kids in Print March 2012  10 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 were closing in and right in front of me. She looked like she they’d pick her up had been slit at the throat with her head and kill her for sure. slightly dangling over to the left side, a So, before I knew it, picture of despair written all over her face, I was running with she was dead. her tight in my arms. The extra weight About three hundred metres on, we saw was weighing me my Grandmother. At this sight I burst out down and definitely crying and now it was time for Setara to making me tired comfort me. As we walked on, there was and slower but I no sign at all of the rest of my family, I kept going. was glad but still wondering if they were all right. To the left I saw a dark, wet, narrow Then we came across another body and at road that led to an this Setara sat down next to it and started alley way, through to cry, “Daddy!” She yelled, “Daddy!”. He all the people that moved slightly, and said only this “Run, were running I they are looking for you, Mummy is OK, knew the Taliban now she feels no pain, I love you my dear had a very slim Setara and happy birthday”. He gathered chance of seeing the strength to pull something out of his me, so very quickly pocket; it was a small, blue box and inside and as silently as I was a necklace that had ‘Setara’ engraved could, I slid into the in cursive writing. Setara whispered into narrow archway. her father’s ear “I love you to Daddy and thank you”. While she was saying this, clear Myself and the tears were running down her cheeks, she sobbing girl sat said to me “You are my only family now, down behind a let’s keep going”. rubbish bin to hide. EBONI Then I said to her BANG, suddenly from behind us there was silently “It’s OK, a huge gun shot and a man that looked like was running as fast as I could on the you’re safe and would you like to tell me he was a part of the Taliban yelled “It’s her, hard, cold, cobble roads. Little pieces your name?”. The small girl was still silently Setara Afgahin, grab here and kill her, kill Iof glass from shattered windows were sobbing but after about four long, quiet the other girl as well, for she is helping her, on the ground cutting my feet, but I kept minutes she replied “My name, my name we have to make them pay!”. We ran like running. I wasn’t just running by myself, is Setara, what is yours?” And I said equally the wind, praying not to get hurt. We ran there must have been thousands of people, as silently “My name is Eboni”. With that into a nearby Mosque and tried to blend in if not more. All trying and determined being said, we both settled down and slept as we prayed. We could hear the Taliban’s to do one thing, escape the Taliban. I right through the night, until the first gun voices shout “They must have gone this looked back anxiously, I could see sweat shot of the morning. way”. They went into a nearby side street. running down their noses and they were determined to do one thing as well and Chapter 2: On the Run Setara was grabbing my hand and still that one thing was to kill. squeezing it. I bent down and whispered It was about 11:00am when we both woke “It’s all right, they have gone”. In my head As I was running I was desperately looking up. At first I thought I was at home with my I thought, at least, for now. Everywhere we around for my family. I had lost them in the sister on my lap. I stroked who I thought walked, poor innocent people were being mad rush to get out of the house. A bomb was Fareiba’s hair, then I looked down herded into small buildings by Taliban blew up about half a kilometre from our and saw another little girl sitting on my Officials. One of the Officials saw us and home, my family pushed me out the door, lap, it was Setara. All the memories of the gave us a sharp glare; needless to say, we followed by my younger sister Fareiba, previous day came flooding back. I shook had to follow. then my Grandmother, my mother and her slightly and she woke up as though she last my father. had been cut with a needle – very quickly. In the dark, damp room, we could only see You could tell that she had had barely any miniscule cracks of light peeping through “Ouch!” I tripped but quickly got up, sleep, but just like me she was eager to the roof this was somehow, a glimmer of knowing there was no time to waste. I was keep moving. hope in what seemed like a never ending scanning my eyes around the crowd once evil. again, and then I saw someone, a little As soon as we walked out from what girl, no older than seven, trying to wake we called Our Secret Hideaway we saw By Maddara Barry- Irvine her dead mother by the side of the road. I hundreds of dead bodies lying on the Year 7, Wellers Hill State School thought about leaving her, but the Taliban roads, and there was my sister, Fareiba TARRAGINDI – QLD.

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 11 ean was woken by a shove. Half- ears, setting him on edge. Not even the spluttered to life, illuminating the spreading Sasleep, he groaned and rolled over. cicadas were out – it was unnatural and pool of blood next to the car. The world was unnerving. an eruption of light and sound. Gunshots “Get up, Gibbs!” Steph hissed, her lips a pounded the night, ripping gaping holes centimetre from his ear. When they reached the front of the in the previous silence. Shouts could be complex, they found Timothy waiting heard from behind them. Sean started and scrambled into a sitting for them next to a sleek black Nissan X- position. He blinked in the gloom. All TRAIL. Steph pushed Sean into the back, “Drive!” Steph bellowed, just as the back he could see was Steph’s dark silhouette scrambled in after him and closed the window shattered. She ducked, pulling moving around the room, outlined in door softly behind them. Timothy drove Sean with her. Shards of glass rained on silver by the dim moonlight that managed forward slowly to minimise noise. The car’s them, glinting like falling diamonds in the to filter through the window. hum was strangely muted. Sean guessed fluorescent light. that Timothy had upgraded certain “What’s going on, Steph?” he mumbled, features to suit his personal needs. Steph drew her pistol and swept her arm just before a pair of jeans smacked him across the back seat to clear away the glass. in the face. They reached the gate and Timothy She climbed onto the cleared area and lowered his window to speak softly to the poked her head up to peer through the “Our cover has been blown”, she said guard. now empty window. The group of soldiers quickly, her voice low. “Shut up and get running towards them pounded the boot dressed. We have to leave now.” “He’s one of us”, Steph told Sean, as each of with a dozen bullets in response. Steph the men flashed their ATLAS identification shot several rounds back at them, catching Sean began to form a question, but Steph cards. a few soldiers in the legs or torso, before interrupted him with a furious whisper. ducking behind cover again. The guard nodded at something Timothy “No questions, Gibbs! Let’s move!” had said and turned to unlock the Timothy shoved the car into reverse and padlock. slammed on the accelerator, then stopped He dressed hastily. Steph handed him and sped forward. Sean realised what he his pistol and slung her duffle bag over The gunshot echoed in the still night, was going to do a second before impact. her shoulder. They left the small room causing them all to jump. Sean watched The car accelerated at an alarming rate silently, padding past the other dormitories in horror as the guard slumped against and they smashed through the metal gate, and through the training grounds. Sean the gate. The floodlights surrounding the dragging it off its hinges, and burst out into glanced at Steph. The moonlight shone complex blinded them as they abruptly the empty desert, a cloud of dust whirling dimly across her face, outlining her grim behind them. features. The silence pressed in on his

That’s What You Get

12 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 “Woohoo!” Timothy shouted. “Reinforced Sean stared at Steph. She shot a few into the metal and sending flames in all bumper and bonnet! Best invention more rounds, then realised that he wasn’t directions. ever!” moving. “Get it now!” she snarled. Steph sat back and gasped. There was In the back, Steph was having trouble. A bullet flew through the back window and blood and sweat running down her face, “Gibbs!” she cried. “Give me a hand!” the front window exploded. Glass poured mingling together to drip off her jaw, down the dashboard as a second bullet but she managed a grimacing smile. “I Sean crawled up next to her and handed sent cracks across the surface of the rear suppose that’s what you get when you try her his pistol. They both knew who was vision mirror. Timothy swore with great to infiltrate a government organisation.” the better shot. Steph wordlessly handed enthusiasm. him her own pistol and he instantly filled Sean, shaking and only now realising how the magazine, then handed it back to her. Sean dropped to the floor of the car, many cuts and injuries he had attained, A pistol in each hand, she squared her fumbling in Steph’s duffle bag. His hands tried to smile back. shoulders and shot a volley of bullets to found her blank journal and he yanked it the right. from the bag. The car spun to the left and Timothy sighed. “I loved this car”, he he was thrown against the passenger door. whined. Sean peered behind them. There were He dragged himself up, his body aching in seven quad bikes behind them, each two dozen places, and tore the front cover Steph rolled her eyes and Sean grinned carrying two SAS soldiers – a driver and off the journal. Sean blinked in surprise. in spite of himself. Then he cringed as a gunman. As Sean watched, Steph shot The space between the cardboard was filled a searing pain shot down the side of his two drivers down. The gunman were with flat metal capsules, round and silver face. thrown aside as the quad bikes veered out with a crease down the centre. of control. “You look like crap”, Steph commented. He handed one to Steph and she grabbed “Timothy! They’re going for the wheels!” at it, deftly twisting the two halves. Black “Back at you”, Sean returned, studying a Sean called out. smoke began to seep from the capsule, seeping gash on his arm. and by the time it hit the dirt in front of The car began to jerk sideways as Timothy the nearest quad bike, it was thick and “Well you’ll be glad to know that we have attempted to create a swerving target. A rushing from the gap. Within seconds, the another two hours of driving before we piece of metal flashed past as they careered capsule transformed into a ball of flame meet the helicopter at the rendezvous to one side and Sean realised that it was and the quad bike was forced to swerve point”, Timothy informed them. one of the side mirrors. Bullets pounded to miss it, causing it to tip over. Sean took the car, pushing dents into the reinforced one grenade in each hand and flung them Steph groaned. “Lovely. Just lovely.” steel. out the window at the remaining two quad bikes as Steph picked off one of the gunmen By Talia Walker “Sean! My journal!” Steph roared over the with her pistol. One of the capsules fell Year 11, Cerdon College clamour. “Tear off the front cover!” under a quad bike and exploded, tearing MERRYLANDS – NSW Sweetness

Inspired by Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem, "Pied Beauty"

Praise God for sweet things, For sticky-dripping blissful honey, For flashy-splashy tulips, With milky-snow daisies and cherry-blush poppies. Praise God for sweet things, For lightening-brightening, sparkle-glow eyes, For heart-rousing, tender-kind smiles, With blithe-tickled dancing and buoyant-bold laughter. Whatever is fond, favoured, special or savoured, Whatever is adored, admired, delicate or desired, By Gabrielle Wilson-Gardner With whatever you have, Year 6, Oxley Christian College With whatever you can give, CHIRNSIDE PARK – VIC. Praise God for sweet things! Teacher: Sharon Sandison

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 13 The Chocolate Warrior

The Chocolate Warrior was brave and tall ‘You must tell me or I will cut you up He was loved and adored by people, big and small. And microwave you in my son’s Krusty Kup.’ He fought for the rights of gingerbread men, ‘All right, I’ll tell you’ said the ‘almighty’ man, Lollies and candies and sticky-date hens. Who wanted to run away as fast as the can-can He was made of chocolate cookies and cakes, I’ll tell you a secret, he feared for his life, Cute little biscuits and frothy milkshakes. He thought he was too handsome to be chopped up with a knife. Adored by all, and hated by many, So he sat down with Homer and was going to explain He would give poor lollies twenty-three pennies. When all of a sudden, it started to rain.

One day he was walking through Cheesecake Woods, It rained and hailed and showered and poured, When he heard a scream coming from Milky Way Goods, And he could tell Homer was starting to get bored He sprinted to the chocolate store owner’s aid, ‘Hurry up, you silly chocolate man, To see Homer Simpson eating a spade. I don’t have all day, surely you understand?’ ‘What are you doing in Candy Puff Land?’ ‘All right, all right, I’ll hurry up, Said the Chocolate Warrior, flicking a rubber band. But first may I see your Krusty Kup?’ ‘I’m here to eat all the candy I can’ ‘Definitely, definitely, I’ll be right back’ Said Homer Simpson, the big yellow man! Said Homer zipping out of the once well-built shack.

‘Well’ said the Warrior, ‘I’m afraid you just can’t, While Homer was gone, the Warrior pondered People live here, and I shan’t let you, I shan’t.’ ‘What do I do?’ he wondered and wondered. ‘People shmeeple’ said the nuclear worker, And then an idea hit him, hard on the head ‘I only care if they have a burger.’ ‘I know what I’ll do!’ he loudly said. So the Chocolate Warrior said with a sigh ‘I’ll send Homer back to Springfield, as fast as I can! ‘You have to leave and I won’t tell you why!’ He can’t outsmart me, I’m the chocolate man!’ With the time he had left, started to set up, ‘Please, please tell me, oh, chocolatey god’, For what he needed to do with that Krusty Kup! Pleaded Homer Simpson, turning off his iPod. ‘Never will I release the secret of Candy Puff Land When Homer returned the Warrior said with a grin. And never will I release this yellow rubber band.’ ‘It’s raining out there, please, do come in.’ So Homer Simpson grew very mad, ‘Thanks!’ Said Homer, stuffing his face And before he knew it, he was very, very sad! With what the warrior thought was a raspberry paste. He started to cry and cry with sadness When Homer entered he started to slip And then he turned into ‘His Yellow Badness.’ And then, surprisingly, he started to trip. He looked down and saw the floor was covered in Honey ‘I’ll get you for this, you chocolate bunny!’

‘Oh I’m very sorry, it must have been spilt. Here, please do use my very high stilts. ‘So you didn’t set this sticky mess up?’ Said Homer, still clutching the Krusty Kup. ‘Of course not, why would I do something like that?’ Said the Chocolate Warrior, adjusting his hat. ‘Why,’ said Homer, ‘that’s a very nice hat.’ ‘Yes, it is. But it reminds me a bit of a bat.’

‘Where do you get one of those unique designs?’ ‘Oh, don’t worry, it’ll just waste your time.’ So Homer scowled and said with a frown: ‘Hurry up or I’ll melt you down.’ ‘Just one second, come this way. I need to tell you in Candy Cane Cave’ So Homer growled, but followed the man. ‘Quick, I need food as soon as I can!’

14 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 So Homer and Warrior set off to the cave Where he was sent, you may ask. And followed the grey, cement pave. Well, to find out, is your task. They were trekking through chocolate sauce and mud You must figure out where Homer Simpson went. And believe it or not, a bubblegum flood! And then come back to pay your rent. Homer was looking around in awe, Believe me, it’s easier than it sounds, When again, water started to pour. Just turn on your TV, and do some channel rounds. And Homer looked up to see it was not water, Until The Simpsons appears on screen. But it was a lolly pig’s juice from its terrible slaughter. Then you’ll know where Homer was next to be seen!

When at last the odd pair reached the cave, The Chocolate Warrior was doing his rounds, They saw a giant Lemonade Tidal Wave, When he heard a yelp, coming from Cadbury Pounds. ‘Run! Run! Let us run for our lives!’ It must be a dog or a cat in pain! Shouted Homer Simpson, who feared for them and their wives. But no, it was someone from TV, crashing there in a plane. ‘Oh Homer, you gullible man, The Chocolate Warrior, sprinted to the pound, Don’t you see, this was part of my plan Only to see Homer Simpson was found. I am trying to send you home you silly cow, So Candy Puff Land was in trouble of being eaten, I thought you would’ve realised that by now! Because, finally, the Chocolate Warrior was beaten!

‘Oh’ said Homer, felling rather dumb. By Ana Maric ‘Well, shouldn’t we still run?’ Year 6, Lauriston Girls’ School The Warrior smiled. ‘Run if you wish. ARMADALE – VIC. But I’m not scared of magic liquorice fish.’ Teacher: Miss Sally O’Connor ‘Magic fish?’ Homer asked, scared to the bone. ‘Yes. Magic fish that’ll send you home.’ The Chocolate Warrior disappeared with a snap. ‘ARGH’ Homer shouted, as he was sent back. The Adventure of Jim and Jen and the Eclipso Gang

he Lunar Eclipse was about to “Are you OK?” asked Jenea. As quick as she start. The light of the pale moon and had said it, her thought flew out of her and Tstars shone down on a shimmering entered the head of Radar. billabong. An aboriginal boy, known to a tribe in the rainforest as Jimal, was looking “Eh”, he said in a gruff voice. “I’m fine. engulf the out to a Sapphire evening sky. Next to Don’t know ‘bout the others though”. entire area. The him sat his twin sister, Jenea. Below them The thought then popped out of Radar other animals sharing drinking at the Billabong was the local and freely flew into the minds of the the rainforest along with Jim and Jen’s tribe inhabitants that frequented that spot, a others. They all said they were OK but in were in danger. “We have to do something”, dingo known as Radar, a snake the kids had a confused manner. None were sure how thought Jen. “I agree”, thought Radar. “We named Skal and old Monti the Emu. they could speak to each other. Suddenly can use our new abilities to help save our Jimal blurted out something that made his friends.” So with their combined strengths As the kids turned their heads to watch sister and the animals jump. and the agility of the kids they were able the Lunar Eclipse start, out of the sky a to save all who where in the vicinity of the massive meteorite fell, shimmering like “It’s telepathy”, he yelled. fire. After retracing their steps back to the a crystal. Harlequin green in color, it Billabong, the new founded comrades or suddenly filled the sky with fiery light! The “Tel-la-what-me?”, asked Monti quite what the Aboriginal people call Gamarada, kids crooked their heads to where this rock confused. sat around the remains of the crystal was falling, the billabong, and as it struck meteorite contemplating what they would the ground, it smashed into pieces. Six of “Mind talk”, replied Jim. now do. But in their hearts they all knew these crystals flew around and landed on that this was just the start of something big, the small group’s foreheads. Jim and Jen felt “Well I don’t know about mind talk”, said that they were now and would forever be different. The animals were changing too. Skal, “but I do know we’ve changed into intertwined with each other fighting the They became very agitated and a startling something amazing. I just threw a spear fight of good, protectors of the land. They transformation was accruing. They began thingy with my tail”. were the Eclipso gang. to almost look human in form with a super strength added. The twins slid down off Meanwhile, a new danger was advancing By Aiden King the rock face, ran down to the billabong upon them. The meteorite that had fallen Year 7, Coolnwynpin State School to the creatures. had started a bush fire and it was about to CAPALABA – QLD.

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 15 What if? By George Ivanoff

You want to write a story but you’re struggling for ideas? You don’t know where n Science Fiction to start? Fear not! All your problems can be solved with two words — two words that What if your teacher is away and the form the most powerful of all questions: substitute teacher is an android? “WHAT IF?” n Fantasy I often conduct writing workshops in schools and one of the topics that I am What if you suddenly started to most often asked to talk about is coming hear the thoughts of everyone in the up with story ideas. There are many class? enthusiastic young writers out there who simply have trouble getting started. n Romance

Well, no matter what sort of story you What if there was a new girl/boy in want to write, be it contemporary drama, the class and she/he smiled at you? What if there was a special type of vampire comedy or science fiction, asking a few who only hunted other vampires? The “what if?” questions is often the best way result was a horror story called “Vitality”, to get going. Six different story ideas from the one published in the Dead Red Heart anthology situation! And I am sure you could come (Ticonderoga Publications, 2010). With “what if?” you can take the most up with a lot more if you really thought ordinary of everyday occurrences and about it. What if your best friend dared you to join transform it into something extraordinary. the school swim team, which up until then With a “what if?” question you can take Let’s try something else. Maybe you’re you had been doing your best to stay away something that interests you and make it interested in football? How can you turn from? The result was a story called “Dare into something that will interest readers. that interest into a story? Here are some to Swim”, published in GROW: Under the With a “what if?” question you can come ideas… Southern Cross (Writerlynks, 2008). up with some amazing story ideas. What if you won a competition to train What if your new skateboard had a genie How about some examples? Let’s start with your favourite footy team? What if living in it? The result was a story called with a fairly ordinary situation that you all your new school principal decided to ban “Wish Upon a Skateboard”, published in should be familiar with — sitting at your football? What if a flood caused the footy the NSW School Magazine, Orbit (August desk, in class, at school, at the beginning grand final to be cancelled? What if aliens 2008). of a new day. Now, let’s ask some “what abducted the entire Collingwood football if?” questions to create some potential team? Lots of ideas for stories! Any situation can be turned into a story. stories. It’s just a matter of unlocking the potential As a writer, I use the “what if?” question by asking: WHAT IF? all the time. It doesn’t matter whether n Action/Adventure I’m writing for kids, teens or grown- Now it’s your turn. Pick a situation, an ups, I usually start with some “what if?” interest, anything — and ask WHAT IF? What if terrorists burst through questions. Here are some examples. And when you’ve finished writing the the door and took your whole class story, why not send it in to Oz Kids in hostage? What if you lived inside a computer Print? game? The result was a short story called n Drama “Game Plan”, published in the Trust H H H Me! anthology (Ford Street Publishing, What if one of the kids in the class 2008), a novel called Gamers’ Quest (Ford George Ivanoff is a Melbourne author and collapses and dies? Street Publishing, 2009), and a sequel stay-at-home dad. He is best known for his called Gamers’ Challenge (Ford Street Gamers novels. The first of these,Gamers’ n Comedy Publishing, 2011). All this from one “what Quest, won a 2010 Chronos Award and if?” question. is on the booklists for both the Victorian What if your teacher is away and Premier’s Reading Challenge and the NSW the substitute teacher is so hopeless What if trees could take revenge against Premier’s Reading Challenge. that he gets everything wrong, all the people who hurt them? The result was a time? story called “Trees”, published in the Short If there are any teachers reading this and Scary anthology (Black Dog Books, — George loves doing school visits. Find 2010). out more at: georgeivanoff.com.au

16 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 Ambassadors

 Krista Bell is an award-winning author of twenty-one books for young readers. Krista has been professionally involved in children’s literature for over thirty years, as well as being the mother of three sons, all of whom are good readers and writers! Krista’s middle son, Damien, is the illustrator of her junior novels. Having grown up in Sydney, Krista had her own bookshop, was a publicist for a publishing company, then a book reviewer on ABC Radio for fifteen years, and during that time moved to Melbourne with her family. It was in Melbourne that her first book, JEZZA, a picture book illustrated by Kym Lardner, was published in 1991. Krista calls the way she writes FIBTION, because she takes real life experiences, embroiders them with fibs and turns them into stories. Krista lives with her sons and transport planner husband next to a railway line so she can quickly catch a train to the MCG to watch a football match, or go to the theatre, a concert or the National Gallery in town, or visit South Bank or Federation Square where she can be a professional “stickybeak”, collecting story ideas. Visit www.kristabell.com .

Paul Collins was born in England, raised in New Zealand and moved to Australia in 1972. In 1975 he launched Void, the first professional science fiction magazine Australia had seen since the demise of the joint Australian and British production Vision of Tomorrow. His first fantasy novel for younger readers was The Wizard’s Torment. Paul then edited the young adult anthology Dream Weavers, Australia’s first heroic fantasy anthology ever. This was followed by Fantastic Worlds, and Tales from the Wasteland. Paul’s recent works include the highly successful fantasy series (co-edited with Michael Pryor), The Quentaris Chronicles, to which Paul also contributes titles (Swords of Quentaris, Slaves of Quentaris, Princess of Shadows and Dragonlords of Quentaris); The Jelindel Chronicles, in whichDragonlinks was the first title, andThe Earthborn Wars trilogy, of which The Earthborn was the first title. Visitwww.paulcollins.com.au for more. 

 Anna Ciddor has always been fascinated by the question, ‘What if I lived in another time or place?’. She changed career from maths teacher to author so she’d have the excuse to spend lots of time doing research. She has written and illustrated over fifty books, including the highly popular and exciting Viking Magic trilogy: Runestone, Wolfspell and Stormriders. Bravery, friendship, and a dash of magic are the keys to these adventure stories, which are based on real Viking history. Runestone was chosen as a Children’s Book Council Notable Book in 2003 and has been shortlisted for many awards. You can find out more about Anna and her books at www.annaciddor.com. Anna keeps in touch with her readers through school visits and her website, but she is also keen to encourage the writing efforts of budding young authors through the Young Australian Writers’ Awards.

Meredith Costain lives in Melbourne with a menagerie of pets: five chooks, a cat, a kelpie and a red heeler, which often feature in her stories. Her work ranges from picture books through to popular fiction and non- fiction for older readers, and she is the literary editor of national children’s magazinesChallenge , Explore and Comet. Meredith’s books include the series A Year in Girl Hell, Dog Squad, Bed Tails and Musical Harriet, which was adapted for television by the ABC. Her picture book Doodledum Dancing, illustrated by Pamela Allen, was an Honour Book in the 2007 Children’s Book Council of Australia awards. Meredith regularly presents writing workshops for kids and adults in libraries and schools, and enjoys helping writers create stories based on their own experiences. To find out more about her books, pets and early writing years, visit www.meredithcostain.com . 

 Jeni Mawter (J.A. Mawter) is the best-selling children’s author of the hilarious ‘So’ series: So Gross!, So Feral!, So Sick!, So Festy!, So Grotty! and So Stinky! (HarperCollins) as well as the Freewheelers adventure series: Unleashed!, Launched! and Extreme! (HarperCollins). Jeni’s picture book There’s a Sun Fairy in Our Garden was based on her family life with her three children. She has also published fiction, non-fiction, poetry and verse narrative for the education market. Jeni’s enthusiasm for words and books is infectious. She inspires both children and adults. With a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature Jeni has taught creative writing at Macquarie University, the NSW Writer’s Centre and the Sydney Writers Centre. She presents at numerous other schools, conferences and festivals and is a speaker for the Lateral Learning, Show & Tell and Speaker’s Ink speaker’s agencies. If you’d like to find about Jeni’s books or to get some hot writing tips please visit www.jenimawter.com

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 17 Jack and his Three Wishes n one dark and windy night, a The next morning Jack was woken by a young boy named Jack was woken stream of sunlight shining through his Oby a rattling window. He opened curtains. His mother told him to hurry his eyes to find a fairy godmother peering up because his breakfast was ready. Jack at him. She wore a lovely purple tutu, couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw a rainbow coloured shoes and held a wand bowl of lollies piled high like the tallest that never stopped sparkling. She also mountain. They tasted delicious! He got had wings with wonderful patterns all ready for school and packed his bag full over them. of lollies to enjoy at lunch. Having no homework to do meant he would have Jack was shocked and afraid. The fairy more time to play and he couldn’t wait. godmother noticed how he was feeling and reassured him by explaining that she was At school, he told everyone what had there to give him three wishes for being happened. Jack suddenly became very so good and not to punish him. However, popular as he was the only one who had there was a small catch; he had to fly to a super powers. Everyone began to crowd desert island where a genie would grant In the distance, he spotted a cave and around him because they were curious his wishes. guessed that was where the genie lived and and longed to see the miracles he could walked towards it. Jack crept inside the perform. He was so busy showing people Jack was wondering how he was going genie’s cave. He came face to face with the his tricks that he forgot about his friends. to get there. The fairy godmother was as genie. He wore sapphire blue pants and a clever as can be and she read his mind and matching top. They were covered in bright After a while, performing tricks like flying told him that she had also given him flying yellow stars. He had a cheerful smile and and turning invisible exhausted him. Even powers. She added in a warning, “The only dark brown hair covered his round head. the lollies didn’t taste so good any more. thing is that once the wishes are granted, He missed his friends and wanted to feel you can’t take them back”. And with that The genie asked Jack what his wishes were. normal again. she was gone. Jack wasted no time telling the genie: His friend, Luke, approached him and Jack wondered if it was all a dream. He 1. He wished lollies were good for you. said, “I know it’s bothering you to perform decided he would find out. He opened his 2. He wanted every super power in the all the time. Only use your powers when verandah door, climbed up on the railing world. you really need to and everything will be and dived into the midnight sky. Jack was 3. No more homework! fine again”. amazed that he really could fly! He felt like a bird gliding through the air. Before The genie granted the wishes and vanished Jack took his advice and felt much happier. he knew it, he had arrived on the desert in a puff of smoke. Always think twice before you wish for island. When he landed, he found a rock something! and sat down on it. He thought about what Jack ran out of the cave as quick as he might wish for and the next thing he lightning, flew back home, jumped straight By Rachel Frecker had to do, which was to find the genie. into bed and fell fast asleep. Year 3, Mater Dei Primary BLAKEHURST – NSW Teacher: Faye Reardon Black and White

Imagine a world of black and white, The sky is washed with a sea of polished aqua blue, Where white is dull and black is night, The sunrise and sunset paint a purely delightful view, A world deprived of bright, bold hue, Your eyes swirl and glow with a vibrant, glistening pink, To be forgotten in time by me and you. A vast palette of colours all very sharp and distinct.

A world where its inhabitants have lost all hope, As a brand new day begins to dawn, Their metallic hearts bound by taut, braided rope, An age of vivid colour is miraculously born, Trying to escape a nightmare that never seems to end, Hearts no longer metallic, the rope no longer taut, The bold stalks of life begin to wither and bend. Remains a world where hopes and dreams are often fraught.

Then out of the blue shines a brilliant, blinding light, By Adrian Harper-Gomm A burst of colour and hope that glows in the gloomy night, Year 9, Kambrya College The deep sapphire sea flows whilst golden flames ignite, BERWICK – VIC. As the bold stalks of life stand tall, mature and bright. Teacher: Mrs Leia Hands

18 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 ravity. That was all it took. carried out by the soft breeze, but all I against what I expected him to say – that One simple step and it would all could hear was my requiem. Like a lullaby ending my life wasn’t worth it. What would Gbe over. One step and the world’s to my ears, it filled my whole body with he know, he’s exactly the same as everyone blasphemy would rid itself from my ecstasy. It was sorrowful, mournful, but else. But he simply smiled and said: shoulders. One step and I’d stop hearing also so sweet and gentle. How ironic that the never-ending voices of hypocrisy. Just life was harsh and unwelcoming, while “That’s a nice bracelet, Nick.” one more step to freedom. death embraced me like my mother would have. I glanced at the bracelet on the arm that In a single year, my life had been reduced was still hanging onto the rail. Bewildered, I to this – standing millimetres away from One step. That’s all you have to do, I told glared back at the counsellor, his statement a fifty metre drop into a raging current. myself. I observed the current below, completely throwing me off guard. Tears flowed out my eyes, dropping into willing it to draw me in and end all of my the river below me. Commuters on the struggles once and for all. I wanted to just “Mothers are fascinating people, aren’t bridge behind me stopped to watch. get this over with so badly, but guilt clung they? Their wisdom can still be seen even Yet not a single one of those faces wore to me like a tattoo. But why? I’d never after they’ve disappeared.” even the slightest hint of horror. They done anything wrong, so why did I feel all looked merely curious. That’s right I apologetic? Aren’t I the victim? Get to the point, you’re not making any thought, all I ever was to any of you was sense. entertainment. I glanced behind me, afraid that someone might try to stop me. The local authorities “You remind me of a lonely bird wanting Flashbacks of torturous memories raced had gathered now, and a man was slowly to take to the skies. But your wings have through my mind. “Nick the scholar trying to make his way towards me. What been clipped. You’re grounded because student”, “Nick the school pet”, “Nick the right did they have to interfere? I thought. your burdens hold you down Nick. But blah-blah-blah”. I’d spent my whole life It infuriated me that even after all I had you know what? You’re different from the living up to everyone’s expectations except been through, they still tried to shackle flock. You, unlike the rest, have something my own. My classmates humiliated me in me to this life. The man stopped only a that no-one else has. And that’s the ability every possible way, and my dad always few metres away from me, and I turned to rise from the ashes, to grow new wings questioned my motives, saying that if I slightly to face him. Just then I realised that and soar. You – and only you – can be shot was serious about my education that I’d try I’d met him before. It was the counsellor down again and again, yet still be able to harder. Even my teachers turned a blind appointed to me after my mother’s death. fly. And your bracelet is proof.” eye when I was being tormented. No-one I eyed him carefully, preparing to retaliate cared. No-one wanted to care. I glanced down at my arm The only person who had ever once again, and realised with cared was gone, leaving me a shock that he was right. feeling like an island – lonely, That what I had thought barren and surrounded by was my own hesitation was waters that would eventually From my mother’s will. That my drown me. And all she’d left previous guilt wasn’t me, but me was some stupid bracelet my mother telling me she was with my name on it. sorry. And that the lullaby in my ears wasn’t my requiem, To think that I’d be free the but my mother’s consoling of all this with one simple voice telling me to endure, to jump excited me. It filled me hope for a brighter future. As with joy that I’d forgotten I realised this, I gazed up to even existed. My whole Ashes the sky, only seeing beautiful body yearned to just lean crystals through my tears. forward, and plunge straight through the water onto the The counsellor just smiled jagged rocks below. I even when he saw my revelation. smiled at the thought of the nothingness that awaited me “She named you Phoenix for on the other side. There was a reason, Nick.” only one part of me that still hesitated, one part of me that refused to give up, and it was By Kenji Sison clenched tightly around the Year 3, guardrail behind me, clinging Eynesbury Senior College to its only lifeline. ADELAIDE – SA Teacher: The hushed voices of the Shelda Rathmann people on the bridge were

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 19 2012 Young Australian Art Awards

www.YoungAtArt.com.au The YoungAtArt website and the Young Australian Art Awards are an initiative of the Children’s Charity Network. All entrants must be no older than 18 years of age or attending either a primary or secondary college. There are 4 categories: Painting, Drawing, Photography, Computer Art. There are three age groups: Junior (Prep to Grade 4), Middle (Grade 5 to Year 8), Senior (Year 9 to Year 12). To enter your Artwork you will need to obtain a digital image of your piece of work and submit this image on-line through our website at www. YoungAtArt.com.au. To do this you will be required to sign up in order for you to have the access to submit artwork. If you or your school do not have access to digital imaging, March 2012 you may send a copy of your artwork to Young at Art, PO Box 267, Lara, Victoria 3212. Further information is available online. Flat Wh aimlessly i I stared at what watched the is t was left in my cup Icream that e – whipped cream floated in my coffee that stuck to the cup. It was 8am, yet H sides of the mug I was the only person in with a tiny amount of the Bridge Café which espresso at the bottom. I was very strange for contemplated whether New York. Even the or not it was worth regulars were absent, forcing the cold fluid giving the baristas down my throat, but the opportunity to it took me a few good discuss their private seconds to realise that lives behind the a fresh cup of Vienna café’s fancy coffee coffee was placed machines. Did they on my table. I didn’t forget I was at table 12? order another, did I? I I could hear everything looked around the café, they were saying. It puzzled. He smiled as my was a pity, as although I eyes met his. My mind told enjoyed the quietness, the me to stay at my table and sound of milk being frothed thank him from where I was, but was weirdly satisfying. Despite the my body told me otherwise. I walked lack of a “busy cafe environment”, the over with the Vienna in hand. room still maintained its usual warmth, tattered notebook in the other. I focused accompanied by soft lounge music playing my attention on my coffee, and watched “Hi, um… I think this is yours.” I placed from the hidden speakers. the cream swirl around. I relied on my the coffee on his table nervously, but he peripheral vision to watch his movement didn’t bother to touch it. “I’m Adrianna, Shivers ran up and down my spine as I from the door to the front counter. He by the way.” smelt the bitterness through the cream ordered his usual flat white with two of my favourite Vienna coffee. I brought sugars. “I’m Mark. And that is yours”, he pointed the cup to my lips, and waited for the to the coffee and smiled. He nudged the warm sensation to envelop my body. The As he sat down, I lifted my head up to get a chair opposite to him, so I took the hint whipped cream made a cream moustache, clearer view. The grey sunlight that poured and sat down. It started off with small so I wiped it away just in case anyone saw through the window complimented his talk, but it eventually felt like I knew him – not that anyone important was around. olive skin tone and softly highlighted the for a lifetime. Minutes became hours, I shifted my eyes towards the clock. It was contours of his face. His jet-black hair our conversation grew deeper, laughter 8:15am and he still hadn’t arrived. Where was messier than usual, which gave him was exchanged and our coffee cups were was he? a casual appearance. He wore clothing to emptied. “The two loud people on table suit the weather; a black coat with a grey 23” was the topic of discussion between I took another sip and gazed out the cashmere scarf loosely wrapped around the baristas. window. Even on the gloomiest of days, his neck. I glazed over his beauty for a New York still took my breath away. The few more moments, until I realised that “So tell me, what do you write about?” I trees swayed to the rhythm of the wind and he stared in my direction. I felt my face asked, hoping I wasn’t being too nosy. people manoeuvred their way around the heat up. falling leaves. A soft ring from a bicycle “Everything. But there is this one girl in bell could be heard, even though car horns When I knew it was safe, I glanced over particular…” Damn. I thought to myself. were constantly being used by impatient to him. He followed the same ritual as “…that orders a Vienna coffee and sits at drivers. he did every Tuesday. The notebook was table 12 every Tuesday. I think you know on the table while his pen danced across her.” I heard another bell ring. However, it the pages. His other hand was free for his wasn’t a bicycle that made the noise, but coffee, so he could take a sip after every The little girl inside me screamed, as I the café doorbell. I choked on my coffee, page he wrote. Whatever he was writing, I smiled on the outside. Oh I knew her. and quickly looked away from who stood could see that he poured his heart and soul there. He was here, finally. The man with into it. Maybe he’s writing a novel? Poems, By Genevieve Geronimo no name who I would see every Tuesday, perhaps? Whatever it was, I was infatuated Year 12, Eynesbury Senior College who sat on the usual table 23, with a nevertheless. ADELAIDE – SA ballpoint pen in his right hand and a Teacher: Shelda Rathmann

March 2012 21 My Brother

here was silence. Not a pin drop continuously about Martin’s condition That day at school passed in a blur. As to be heard. An ebony black wall and what had just happened. Mum said soon as I opened the door to my room, I Twith occasional white flashes was Martin had insomnia, and so did our sat down to do my science homework. I all I saw. When the flashes appeared, I family doctor. But deep down in my heart, had plenty of it and had to start straight heard a click. Other than that, my ears I thought that it was something more away. Just then, I caught sight of a photo remained numb. because Martin wasn’t like this before; not of me and Martin as kids on my bedside listening and all the rest of it. He seemed table and felt like crying. For some odd Then I opened my eyes. sad and alone these days. This wasn’t a reason, I suddenly felt sorry for Martin. I symptom of insomnia. People who had had always received more attention than I saw my elder brother standing taciturnly, insomnia didn’t do these types of things. him and once ignored him on purpose, apathetically switching the light on and off. Yes, Martin was quiet by nature but he had because ‘he took my dolly’. Despite all the I looked at him quietly. He gazed back at never acted so odd. bad times we’d had, he was a good and me. My head span. Why was he doing that? kind-hearted brother. I began to feel dizzy but controlled the I lay, thinking about our last visit to Dr sensation. I slipped out of my cosy bed to Collins. Time raced by. I finished my homework feel the chilly air. “What are you doing that and began to yawn. I had had a tremendous for, Martin?” I questioned him directly. “What’s wrong with him?” Mum had asked amount of science homework and was He didn’t answer and that definitely made doubtfully. Our family doctor frowned for starting to fall asleep in my black revolving me feel angry. I knew I couldn’t yell at him a bit, looking puzzled. “It’s, um, perfectly chair... But of course, I could not. I forced so all I did was look at him with intense normal”, he had said, looking unsure. my eyelids open. I hadn’t been able to do anger. To calm myself down, I took three “Your son has insomnia. Not much of a my PDH assignment. Tomorrow, I would deep breaths and commanded him to problem, I say. Just follow my instructions be doomed with pages of lines to write and leave. He stood as still as a rock and said and he’ll be cured before you know it!” detentions to attend. My PDH teacher was ever so weakly, “Wait”. Boy, he spoke softly one that you wouldn’t want to come across. – so softly that it was almost impossible to I woke up to find Martin in my room again. Besides, I already had one detention to go hear him. I was astounded. I hadn’t even been to the to tomorrow. bathroom yet and here he was, peering at At this stage, things were getting out of me blankly. “What do you want?” I asked As these thoughts of doom overran my hand. I was shivering in the cold, in my in a sleepy tone. “Mum’s calling you for mind, my head drooped and I mistakenly insubstantial pajamas. “JUST GET OUT!” breakfast”, he spoke limply. He was just drifted off to sleep. I bellowed with rage, pausing between heading out of my room when my voice every word to maintain the emphasis. box caught my voice. “Why were you I woke as a rigid object struck me on My vociferous scream reverberated off switching the light on and off last night?” the back of my neck. “OUCH!” I yelled the nearby walls. The echo woke Mum I asked soundly, forcing him to be held emphatically. Tears of anger sprang into up. She ran to my room and saw me back. He paused for a moment, still with my eyes but I successfully pulled them pointing towards Martin, my face wild his back to me. “I had to compare bulbs back. I turned around in a fury of anger with expression. “What in the world is in my science project and my computer to find Mum standing behind me with a going on?” she asked, expecting me to wasn’t working”, he replied and dashed book in her hand. “Why did you hit me?” respond. Martin stood shaking in the out of my room before I had a chance to I blurted out. “I tried waking you up many corner, so I had to speak up. “I’ve told inquire any further. times”, Mum said quite calmly, “but you him to get out of my room but he just wouldn’t move. And I wasn’t hitting you, doesn’t listen, Mum”, I replied innocently. It was the middle of winter in Canberra. sweetie. If you had slept a little longer, you Mum turned at an awkward angle to face Freezing cold air was Canberra’s normal would’ve almost missed out on dinner”. Martin. “You, young man”, she spat, her climate, making the winter barely tolerable. It took me only a few seconds to absorb voice rising, “back to bed!” Martin uttered I threw on my sweater and beanie and what Mum had said. Then I rose up out of a huge sigh and hobbled back to bed. hurried downstairs. Mum had the usual my seat. “Right”, I said rather rudely, “so breakfast ready for me; it consisted of toast first you hit me so hard with a stupid book When Mum came back, she had a great, and two boiled eggs with warm milk. As and then you make up excuses for hitting long lecture in mind for me. “Now listen an alternative, I could have cereal with me and then you invite me to a revolting Jessica”, she said sternly, “both you and I juice. “You’ve been sleeping in, Jess”, Mum dinner as usual!” Mum was both horror- know that Martin has insomnia. We all declared. “Now what would you like?” stricken and crestfallen at the same time. know. I can understand how annoying it “Two boiled eggs and toast with jam and a Instead of grounding me, Mum spoke in can be and how frustrated you might get glass of warm milk, please”, I answered, as a meticulous tone. “I did not expect this but enough’s enough. I’ve got to go to teach if my mum was some kind of canteen lady. from you Jessica. I may have ‘hit’ you but in the morning so allow me some sleep. “I’ve had enough of coldness”, I added, you hit me with your words too. First you Once again, please”, she stammered, “you giving Martin a sarcastic look. “Stop it now, act rudely with your brother, then me... are not to shout at your elder brother”. will you?” Mum shushed me. “Enjoy your whose next, your father? Pull yourself With that, she left. I lay back in bed, my warm brekkie.” together young lady or there’ll be serious mind rerunning her refrain. I thought consequences.” She walked right past me.

22 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 I slowly sighed and thought of the many and said, “Well done Jessica”. I stared at time passed, I saw that Martin was disadvantages of having a ‘teacher mum’. her for what seemed like forever and then recovering. my mind gave a gargantuan spin. A tear A few moments afterwards, I went to ran down my cheek and left me smiling One evening, we played “Scrabble” together. apologise to Mum who had calmed down prosperously. Soon after, my comforting brother came in by now. To my pleasant surprise, she my room to see me lost in deep thought. accepted straight away and told me to ‘take After the lesson, I stayed back to ask my I looked at him and tears of joy began to a seat’. I did as I was told. Mum was setting teacher some questions and she handed form in my hazel-green eyes, along with the dinner table and we were waiting for over some advice too. Then, I didn’t have a felicitous glow. Though unknowingly, Dad to come down from his study. I took a any time to realise how knowledgeable our I cried like never before at my brother’s peek at Martin as he read one of two papers chat actually was. After school, I fled back remarkable change. in his hand. “Go and fetch Dad, Martin”, home. The day had been a long one and I Mum called. As quick as a flash, Martin had attended my detention. But I was still ~~~~~~~ hurried upstairs to get Dad. At the first extremely happy. I can cure someone, I available opportunity, I leaned forward thought excitedly on the way back home. There was silence. Not a pin drop to be and grabbed Martin’s papers. The first heard. I didn’t see any white flashes on sentence read: Depression is depression. At home, I couldn’t eat, nor drink. I played an ebony black wall. My ears remained What?! I scanned both pages with my with Martin, studied with him and thanked completely numb. I slept – safe and sound. eyes. As Martin came back to his seat, I him for the assignment. Afterwards, I told Everything was perfectly still. immediately placed the papers where I had him that I wanted to tell him a secret. He found them. That night, I had a curious agreed and promised that he wouldn’t tell By Sarah Asif dinner, while my inquisitive mind tried anybody. “After class, I confessed to my Year 8, Beverly Hills Girls’ High School to find the key to this treasure. teacher that you did the assignment for BEVERLY HILLS – NSW me”, I divulged. Martin’s eyes sank, then Straight after dinner, I went into Martin’s rose with a diminutive gleam. Mum called room instead of mine. Martin came in him so he went, leaving me remembering to find me standing in front of him. He my teacher’s words. Only someone who is still held the papers in his hand. For a depressed can write an assignment full of minute, I was speechless but then my voice personal experiences, like this. returned. “Martin, are those papers part of your homework?” I asked vacillatingly. It was true. Martin had depression, not “No, but while you were asleep, I saw your just insomnia. booklet on your desk and decided to do activity three”, he answered, still leaving From that day, I gave frequent attention me puzzled. Hoping to go to bed straight to Martin. He was my brother, after away and not do my PDH work, I claimed, all. I played with him and sat “That was my homework”. “Well, do you with him quite often. want it?” he asked shyly. Before I had the Whenever he wanted chance to answer him, Mum came in and the same thing as switched the lights off. “Bedtime cupcake!” me, I gave in. As Luckily, she hadn’t seen me. “Here you go”, Martin handed me the papers and signalled me to leave. For a moment, I was totally dumbfounded. Then I felt angry at myself for being so rude to my brother. Looking at Martin with sparkling eyes, I whispered, “Thanks”, and treading like a mouse, left his room.

The next day at school was the day to hand in my assignment. I quickly jotted my name on the back of the papers and without reading it because I didn’t have a chance to do so; I gave in my assignment written in my brother’s neat handwriting. My teacher accepted it thankfully. That lesson in PDH, we learnt about depression. My teacher flicked through the assignments and found one on depression. She read the first paragraph, while I listened carefully. Something was fishy, something familiar. After she had finished, she looked at me

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 23 Young Australian Art & Writers’ Awards

JENNIFER CHEN St. George Girls’ High School, Kogarah NSW

 Fortescue Metals Literary Award 2011 Short Story – Secondary JENNIFER CHEN St. George Girls’ High School, Kogarah NSW

Lions Club Literary Award } Short Story – Primary ELOISE HAIGH Crescent Head Public School, NSW

 Dymocks Literary Award Poetry – Secondary TALIA WALKER Cerdon College, NSW

Lions Club Literary Award } Poetry – Primary OWEN SMALL Crescent Head Public School, NSW

24 Oz Kids in Print March 2012  ASG Short Story Award JAMES GATEHOUSE Brisbane School of Distance Education, Qld.

ASG Poetry Award } EVANGELINE YONG Box Hill High School, Vic.

 Helen Handbury Achievement Award SIENA LILY HYLAND Eltham High School, Vic.

Helen Handbury } Literary Award MATTHEW SHAW Essendon Primary School, Vic.

Awards Night – 26 November 2011

(Above) Proud Art Award winners at the Awards Night together with judges Craig Smith, Elise Hurst (front row, left) and Marjory Gardner (back row, centre).

(Right) Marjory Gardner presents Hayley Thompson with her Judge’s Encouragement Award, sponsored by Crayola.

All photos Carol Dick & Frank Jones

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 25 2011

Commonwealth Bank Art Award Bic Australia Art Award Painting – Senior Drawing – Senior KIM FUTTER LILIAN MA Macquarie College, NSW Meriden School, NSW

Sentinel Foundation Art Award Marc McBride Art Award Painting – Middle LILIAN MA Drawing – Middle ISAAC TANG ELISE PEARSON Overnewton Anglican Community College, Vic. Meriden School, NSW St. John’s College, Roma Qld.

ASG Art Award ASG Art Award Painting – Junior Fortescue Metals OZ Minerals Drawing – Junior VICTORIA NICHOLLS Indigenous Art Award Indigenous Art Award JOSEPH NUGENT Lane Cove Public School, NSW MOLLY CLEAVER DANIEL HUME Toowoomba Grammar School, Qld.

Lions Club Art Award Train Trak Art Award The Real Hot Chocolate Art Award Computer Art – Senior Computer Art – Middle Computer Art – Junior SAMANTHA BORG ALYCE WELBOURNE JESSICA SLATTERY St. Mary’s Senior High School, NSW Mornington Secondary College, Vic. Kingswood College, Vic.

26 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 Avon Art Award Lions Club Art Award Percy Baxter Trust Art Award Photography – Senior Photography – Middle Photography – Junior AIDEN MORSE ELIZABETH HENNESSEY CLARA NOWINSKI Don College, Tas. St. Scholastica’s College, NSW Bethany Catholic Primary School, Vic.

Judge’s Encouragement Award: Judge’s Encouragement Award: Judge’s Encouragement Award: Craig Smith Marjory Gardner Elise Hurst BRIANNE GATEHOUSE HAYLEY THOMPSON ALLIE HANSEN St. Augustine’s College, NSW Parkdale Primary School, Vic. Westbourne Grammar School, Vic. Community Partners

• Bic Australia • Art Warehouse • Fortescue Metals Group • Australian Scholarships Group • Train Trak • OZ Minerals • Dymocks • Ikon Images • Collier Foundation • Avon • Telematics Trust • William Angliss Charitable Fund • 3M Australia • Sunshine Foundation • The Danks Trust • The Five Mile Press • Marian & EH Flack Trust • The Sentinel Foundation • Qantas Flight Catering • Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund • Melbourne Newsboys • Perpetual Trustees • Jack Brockhoff Foundation Foundation • The Percy Baxter Trust • James N Kirby Foundation • Geelong Community • CAL (Copy Right Agency) • Trust Company of Australia Foundation • FRRR Foundation • Sisters of Charity • The Real Hot Chocolate

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 27 A Lost Cause

eads of sweat trickle down the They took the boy away from his family, there was only evil. That all humans were boy’s pale face, leaving shiny trails. making him stand and watch as they raped selfish. But it was too late for him to care BHis heart catches in his chest, as his beautiful mother. They took her away. anymore. he hears his pursuer’s footsteps becoming They took his lovely sister away too. They louder, becoming closer. Arms pumping, sent him and his father to labour centres The air rushing in and out of his lungs legs aching, the boy forces himself to go where they were forced to work every feel like fingernails scraping up and down on, feverishly whipping his head back day. He remembers the day they whipped his throat. Black dots fill his vision as he to glance at his pursuers. Breath coming his father for being ‘uncooperative’. He runs, threatening to blur the gravelly path out in gasps, he feels like his lungs might remembers the seemingly never-ending in front of him. He vaults over a fence, burst into flames at any second. Strands of cracks of the whip, and the blood running cutting his hand on the splintered wooden dirty blonde hair obscure his vision, but he in streams down his father’s back like edge. His eyes can see the blood rushing does not sweep them away. His flimsy old an intricate spider-web of red lines. He out, he can feel the familiar red wetness sneakers crunch loudly on the gravel and remembers the tears running down his on his skin, but his brain does not register he feels winded, the pain in his leg muscles own face as they made him stand and the pain. He can only focus on one word screaming in his brain to stop. But he can’t watch. – escape. The boy sees a deserted old stop. He never can stop. farmhouse in the distance and runs in its That night, he asked his father a few direction, panic escalating as he hears the It is the year 2097, and Australia is questions that had been bothering him, thud of boots behind him – they must have invaded by a foreign country. First came like someone hammering on his skull. vaulted over the fence too – he thinks to the soldiers, planes and submarines, with Why do humans go out of their way to hurt himself. their weapons of mass destruction. Then other humans? Other animals didn’t hurt came the politicians, with their raving one of their own kind for no reason. Why Arriving at the farmhouse, he frantically speeches about reforming Australia’s do humans try to take things that don’t searches his surroundings for somewhere way of life. And lastly, came the settlers, belong to them? Animals didn’t do that to hide. Finally, his eyes set on a small masses of them arriving every day off huge either. Why do we have wars and kill each metal storage box in a dark corner of aeroplanes, and crowding out Australia’s other? Why? His father didn’t answer. He the farmhouse – just the right size to fit beautiful landscape with grey buildings just looked at his son with eyes filled with him. The boy climbs inside, contorting and concrete. To sum it up, it was a pain and despair. But from that night on, his body to fit inside the tiny box. The massacre. Australia didn’t even stand a the boy knew. He knew the answer to all soldiers rush into the farmhouse, their chance. The indiscriminate soldiers killed those questions. In his heart, he knew that heavy boots thudding on the dirt floor. anyone who got in their way, even women humanity was a lost cause. That nobody They shout to each other in their foreign, and children. believed in good and evil anymore, because throaty language. The boy has limited

28 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 understanding, but manages to make out leaves. The boy is paralysed in shock. Why stumbles to the door of the farmhouse, what they’re saying. “Where’s the boy?” didn’t the soldier pull him out and reveal and makes sure that the soldiers have asks the leader of this group of soldiers. him? Did this enemy soldier just decide to gone. He runs in the opposite direction Nobody answers. “Search the farmhouse! save his life? The boy is too confused and he thinks they went, and only now, does Leave no corner unaccounted for”, he shocked to process this, and pushes the the fist of fear clenched around his heart, commands. thought to the back of his head. loosen its fingers.

Trembling from fright and exhaustion, the “Where is he? Do any of you useless people After some time, the boy arrives at the boy silently prays that the soldiers wouldn’t know?” asks the leader. Silence. ocean. The silky golden sand warms his A suspect he was able to fit inside such a tiny aching feet, and the gentle sound of the box. Traitorous images flash before his Finally, a deep voice answers, “We looked waves crashing on the shore has a calming eyes: the leader opening the box, the look everywhere, but he isn’t here. Maybe he effect, like his mother’s sweet lullaby. He of surprise melting into a look of triumph escaped through that window. After all, retrieves the thought from the back of his on the leader’s face, being pulled roughly he is pretty small”. The boy immediately head. Why did the soldier save his life? He Lost out of the box, being bound and gagged, recognises this voice as the weary soldier racks his brain for a suitable answer and driven to The Sanctuary, being forced to who saved him. Although he had never comes up with none. Maybe it was just kneel in front of The Commanding One, heard the soldier speak before, the boy whim. Or maybe there are still humans and forced to look into his ugly, hate-filled knew it was him. It had to be him. out there who didn’t go out of their way eyes. “Any last words?” he would ask. Then to hurt others. Maybe there are still selfless as they bring the gun to his head, he would “What are you people waiting for? Pursue people in this world who believe there is Cause feel the excruciating pain of the bullet the boy!” shouts the leader. The boy hears good, and not just evil. entering his skull, entering his brain. some grumbling, and the thudding of boots out of the farmhouse. Only when And maybe, humanity is not a lost cause The boy is jolted out of his thoughts by the the sound of boots gives way to complete after all. screech of the rusty lid. He nearly jumps up silence, does the boy dare to move. He in fright, but manages to control himself. slowly pushes open the metal lid of the The face of a weary soldier looks in, and box, cringing at the loud screeching of By Jennifer Chen their eyes meet. Ebony black eyes hold the rust. Having acquired a case of pins-and- Year 9, St. George Girls’ High School gaze of azure blue ones. After a while, the needles from his position in the box, he KOGARAH – NSW soldier silently closes the lid of the box and Teacher: Ms Carole Knott

The key to life, The key to life, is pulling through the weeds, is chipping away the hard, ugly rock, and noticing the beautifully coloured flower bed. and revealing a diamond.

The key to life, This little key to life, is gazing through the dark, dreary clouds, can be used through any door, and seeing the brightly shining sun. no matter how old the wood, nor how peeling the paint. The key to life, is ignoring the scribbles, crosses, and messy handwriting, The key to life, and reading a story. is hope.

The Key to Life By Gabrielle Gardner-Wilson, Year 6, Oxley Christian College, CHIRNSIDE PARK – VIC. Teacher: Sharon Sandison

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 29 Alien Defence League

Chapter One – An Abnormal dubbed it “Rupert the Lucky”. he was a well fed, energetic looking man. Sighting But what was most peculiar was his So, he crawled out to the now streaming clothing. It was stunning. It was like an A bright light ignited just over the hill on sunlight. The hill was only a small walk astronaut’s suit, except it was made of the other side of the river. Drill looked out away. He trudged over to the dewy grass. yellow and black metal, and instead of a of the window, puzzled. Even through the Just down the hill, there was the wreckage helmet, it was like a skin tight beanie that dark and stormy night, he could still see of an entire alien fleet. stretched around his entire head except the strange blue mist that had spread. his face. Chapter Two – Into the Ruins Being a curious boy, he packed a small “Why aren’t you, you know, prisony?” bag and crept out of the quiet house. He Drill stared, flabbergasted, at what was inquired Drill, trying not to sound rude. stepped out into the freezing night. But probably the biggest discovery of the “You may find this hard to believe, but it was not an easy path to the river. The century. So, filled with curiosity, he in my time, you are, considering you’re thought of going through the forest was tumbled down the other side of the hill about ten, five hundred thousand years daunting. So, with every ounce of his and into the ruins. old” smiled Sirrel. “Yeah, right” said Drill, courage, Drill slipped into the darkness. now getting exasperated by the ridiculous He stepped into open doors that led into comments Sirrel kept making. “No, really!” Something snapped behind him. He spun a brightly lit ship. He slunk behind a wall, insisted the intergalactic spy. “Look at around and turned on his flashlight. To his and heard people (or aliens) conversing in this”. complete dismay, it didn’t work. A pair of low voices. “Captain, our fleet may not be plasma blue eyes, the same colour as the fit to destroy these filthy humans now we Sirrel led Drill over to a small opening in strange mist, appeared out of nowhere. have crashed”, hissed one voice. “Shut up, the wall that Sirrel supposed was a tunnel. “I’ve been expecting you”, hissed a wispy, general, I will see to that later”, said another “The reason I’m not ‘prisony’ is because, ominous voice. “Who’s there?” whimpered menacing voice. well, I’m not a prisoner”. Sirrel slipped a terrified Drill. No reply. down the dark hole. Drill heard a faint “AHH!” screamed Drill, as a metal hand voice coming from inside the wall: “Come Shaking, he continued on. Eventually, he clamped around his neck. “You’re coming down! It’s completely safe!” Here goes, stepped out into dawn. The river was the with us, intruder!” shouted a scary voice. thought Drill to himself. He slipped away last obstacle. Even worse, the bridge across Rupert hid in his pocket. He was dragged into the abyss. the river looked weaker than wet paper into a cold, damp cell, with no one but a on sleeping pills. It ran under a ghostly, wheezing, thick figure in the corner. The Chapter Three – Resurrecting the ancient willow. A raging, dangerous stream dark figure that had dragged him in the cell Time Machine crashed below. Here goes, thought Drill. had walked away, mumbling something that sounded like “filthy humans”, and The hole opened out into a small room, The rickety old death trap gave a cautious “scum of the universe”. filled with bits and pieces of forgotten groan… SNAP! With reflexes he didn’t machinery. Rupert scuttled out of his know he had, he grabbed a long willow Drill called out. “Hello?” he asked in a pocket and crawled over to Sirrel, licked branch and wheezed at the massive nervous voice. “Hey man, what’s a young his face and leaped back over to Drill. amount of energy it took out of him to keep kid like you doing in this hell?” said the “That’s a nice little gremlin you’ve got himself up. The white water below was like figure in the corner. “Truth be told”, said there”, remarked Sirrel, squinting at a demon, snapping at his freezing heels. Drill, “I don’t know”. “Well, you’d better Rupert. “Gremlin? This is a chameleon”, Drill decided to swing to the other side. leave”, coughed the raggedy old voice. explained Drill, a confused look on his His face was white with fear. There weren’t “Yep, I’ll just waltz into the potential sea tired face. “Chameleons have been extinct butterflies in his stomach, there were, to be of deadly, vicious, human hating creatures for thousands of years, in my time” honest, what felt like angry leprechauns. that I’ve never seen before”, laughed Drill explained Sirrel, with an apologetic look 3… 2… 1… He let go. sarcastically. “Point taken”, agreed the on his face. strange man. Soaring through the dim morning light, “So, this is what my problem is”, sighed Drill braced himself for pain. With a groan, “So what’s your name, anyway?” asked Sirrel, pointing to a large, spherical, he realised what he had done. There, right the man. “Who’s asking?” said Drill, complicated looking machine which beneath him, was a dead blackbird. A sceptical. “Sirrel McPlasmanaught, retired looked broken. “What is it?” asked Drill, grateful looking chameleon lay perched on Intergalactic spy, Time Quadrant, at your studying the strange contraption. “A time a small twig beside him. It leaped on to his service” answered Sirrel. “Daniel Stormtrill, machine” said Sirrel absentmindedly, shoulder, immediately changing into the but you can call me Drill” replied Drill, flicking a switch. “You see, my time checkered blue and white flannelette shirt now moving over to the figure. machine is broken, and I can only go he was wearing. He took it off his shoulder further back in time”. and placed it down. It hopped back up on He gasped. Drill had pictured Sirrel as a to his shoulder. Deciding to keep it, he raggedy, somewhat ratty thin man. Instead, “Is there any way I can help?” asked Drill.

30 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 “Well, yes, but it would involve leaving the to the drop point. He removed the duct it was (and it probably was) broken. No ruins and entering the forest just over the and looked down into the bland hallway. Zinobites seemed to be about. hill near here” said Sirrel, a hopeful look Rupert leapt out of his pocket and landed upon his face. on a statue of a rather heroic looking Counting in his mind, he prepared to Zinobite and then slid down on to the floor. jump. A mistake would surely be fatal. Drill’s eyes ignited. “I can go there, and Assuming that the coast was clear, Drill Closing his eyes, he leapt. The cool breeze get whatever it is you need from there!” dropped and landed with an ungraceful hit his face as he entered the outside world. exclaimed Drill. thud on the floor. He heard footsteps Unfortunately, he stumbled. The savage approaching, and heavy breathing. He doors cracked his right ankle. “Ah!” cried “I’m afraid it’s not that simple” breathed sprang behind a cabinet and waited for the Drill, a searing pain blasting through his Sirrel, sounding stressed. “Firstly, you danger to pass. ankle. would have to escape these ruins”, explained Sirrel, plodding over to a small file drawer. “I told you, you ignorant fool, that the Raking himself up from the prickly He pulled out what looked like a map. It humans are allergic to antibiotics, not ground, he began to limp up the hill. was intricate, and labelled: lead! Everyone loves lead!” shouted an After about half an hour of pain, he finally aggravated Zinobite, screaming into what reached the pinnacle of the hill. The forest Zino-bites Fleet map – main circuit looked like a solid gold dolphin. The was looming about fifty metres away. So, Zinobite rounded a corner, and was off. with his new awkward stagger, he made his “Okay, you’re going to need to go up this air way to the woods. As he came face to face vent” instructed Sirrel, pointing to a small Drill, now more cautious, crept out from with the taunting trees, he exhaled heavily, tube beside a vast hallway. “Then you must behind the cabinet and slipped into the and plunged in to the utter blindness that drop down into the hallway, and stick to dim light. The rest of the mission was the forest granted him. the shadows” continued Sirrel, pointing to not too hard, and then he heard the a small place with a red ‘X’ on it. “Continue chattering of the foot soldiers. “Here goes” After traipsing around the forest for nearly along that corridor until you see a group sighed Drill, clicking open the suitcase. two hours, he was ready to give up. But, as of Zinobite foot soldiers” continued Sirrel. Then, right before his eyes, a magnificent he turned around to go back to Sirrel, he “And that’s where this comes in”. transformation occurred. felt something scaly brush against him.

Chapter Four – Executing the The suitcase began to change. Firstly, a “Hello?” stammered Drill, hearing a faint Plan metal column rose from the middle of whoosh in his ear. “Why hello, Daniel the case. It started to take the form of a Stormtrill, Mr Plasmanaught told me Sirrel handed him a small, metallic suitcase. robot. Arms sprung out, fingers sprouted you were coming”, whispered what Drill “When you get to the foot soldiers, stick with a clank, and a head beeped out of the expected was the Snupper Fish. behind a cabinet that you’ll see”, instructed metallic shoulders. A shiny dome appeared Sirrel. “Open the suitcase, and you’ll know over the head. Continued on page 32 what to do next. Once you get outside, head back to the forest. And then you’ll The foot soldiers whirled around and be looking for the most curious creature, began to fire lasers at the robot. They the Snupper Fish”. bounced off the mechanic monolith, ineffective. The mysterious giant A shiver went down Drill’s spine at the began to whiz and whir. The antennae thought of the mysterious voice from the on its head began to ignite with green forest. “It can speak English, and in rare light. A wave appeared around the cases, it can also be tamed”, continued Zinobites, and, with a confused look Sirrel, now leading Drill over to the air on their faces, and one last screech, the vent. “Your job is to convince The Snupper Zinobites disappeared. Fish to come back to the ship”. Just as quickly as it had appeared, the “Just one question” asked Drill. “Why robot vanished, and there in its place can’t you do this?” “Well, considering I was the small, shiny suitcase, that won’t be born for thousands of years, I seemed almost oblivious to the would simply disappear”, answered Sirrel, fact that it had just been a giant placing a ladder on the wall. “Good luck, killing machine. Gobsmacked, and goodbye”, farewelled Sirrel, a hopeful Drill picked up the suitcase, let look on his face. Rupert scuttle on to his shoulder and continued on. Drill crawled into the dark vent. With the map in his mind, he began to crawl Chapter Five – The search for the forwards. The vent went on for a long Snupper Fish time, and he heard the occasional creak or Zinobite whisper that whispered into Drill was right next to the door. It was his terrified mind. Eventually, he came frantically opening and closing, as though

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 31 Continued from page 31 mastering, henceforth, the abilities and “No, Drill, you are not The Master of the physical enhancements of a Snupper Snupper Fish, but the keeper of the time”, “Are you the Snupper Fish, and if you are, Fish, which would allow you to transport explained Sirrel, handing him a large, why aren’t you under water?” demanded venom to fix the time machine of Sirrel’s” purple pocket watch. Drill, beyond terrified. explained the Snupper Fish, handing him a cup of tea with a tea bag labelled “How come you didn’t tell me his before?” “Well, yes I am the Snupper Fish, and I “Snupper tea”. asked Drill, slightly agitated. will return to the water next millennium” explained the Snupper Fish, igniting a “Well, how do we find out?” asked Drill, a “Well, some people are evil, and Keepers light in his tail and revealing a small hut. curious tapping at the back of his mind. of time have been known to wreck the “So, you’ll need my venom” continued the very fabric of the universe, and now that Snupper Fish, making some tea. “It is not a question of finding, but me I know that you’re not evil, I can tell you”, remembering” answered the Snupper Fish, continued Sirrel, a look on his face that was “Right, so, um… are you gonna give me a mysterious expression on his scaly face. truly apologetic. the poison… Or… do you have a jar or “I came here with Sirrel, and I escaped something?”, said Drill awkwardly, not Zinobite’s ship”. “Hold on, why did you act like you didn’t quite sure how to go about it. even know me!?” shouted Drill. “So, what year is it?” asked the Snupper “Oh, it seems that Sirrel did not mention Fish, stroking his chin. “Two thousand and “Well, you see…” hissed Sirrel, his eyes a minor detail… my venom disappears twelve” spoke Drill. “Let me see… 2012… suddenly turning yellow, “the keeper of when it touches air, so I will have to poison 2012… ah ha!” announced The Snupper the time power can be taken from them you, first” said the Snupper Fish, ready to Fish proudly, his eyes lighting up. “2012’s by someone as powerful as an Intergalactic strike. master, if I am not mistaken, is—” spy”.

Chapter Six – Taming the Fang BANG! Sirrel burst through the door, his “Sirrel?” asked Drill, his hand twitching on face bruised and bloody. “They’re coming, the pocket watch, suspecting it to be some “Isn’t there some other way?” begged all of them” he wheezed. “Run”. kind of weapon. Drill, sweating his shirt through. “Well, there is one way, but I highly doubt it Chapter Seven – Time Battle “Oh, Sirrel’s gone now and there’s nothing will work” squinted the Snupper Fish, a you can do”, tormented what was definitely pondering look upon his face. “Please, let’s They all burst out into the cold wind. A not Sirrel. just try this new way, before anyone gets faint glow in the distance signalled the poisoned. Okay, so, once every thousand attack of the Zinobites. The small mob of “Oh really?” said Drill, trying to look years, there is a master friends sprung forward, Drill trembling casual. of the Snupper Fish, more than anyone. “Rex, create a stay here, who has the ability you know what to do” instructed Sirrel With a whoosh there was a demon in to practically become nodding at Rex. “Good luck, old friend”. front of him. It swung its spiked tail. Drill the Snupper Fish, jumped, but not high enough. His heart “What exactly are we doing?” questioned was racing and his rib was throbbing. He Drill, as they ran through the forest. took out the pocket watch. It immediately illuminated. But it didn’t attack. “We have to get back to the time machine” panted Sirrel, his pace dropping. Randomly, he threw it with all his might at the disgusting demon. Instantaneously, the “But it’s broken!” protested Drill, world folded into a room of darkness. Drill shivering at the thought of going could see nothing, only miniscule green back to the ship. numbers, changing too fast to properly make them out. He tried to reach for one, “Listen, Drill” said Sirrel, coming but just as quickly as it had changed, it went to a halt. “I probably should have back to normal. told you this before, but you are something called the Heaving himself up, he saw the corpse of master of the—” an unknown figure laying on the ground a few metres away. He also spotted Rupert “I know” cut in munching on a toadstool. He walked over Drill. “The master to the body and rolled it over. It was the of the Snupper Fish face of a man, maybe in his early twenties. henceforth masters the He was dead, Drill was sure of that. He was abilities of the—” also holding the pocket watch. Grasping it out of the dead man’s hand, he realised it was broken. “Come on, Rupert, let’s go find Sirrel”.

32 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 Chapter Eight – Zinia his hand twitching above plasma blue buttons that read ‘FIRE’. In My Garden It was what felt like a million mile walk from the forest to the Zinobites’ ship. Drill looked out the window and saw a In my garden I see Finally, they wrenched themselves into the blue cloud enshroud the Zinobite Army. Pretty pink blossoms mechanical wreck. Drill sprinted down the They were caught in some kind of tractor And wattle so gold empty hallway, and with some difficulty, beam with a confused look on their faces. And a lush green lawn he dropped into the room where he had Miles below them, a blue speck waved That’s already been mowed left Sirrel. goodbye. A small but wide lemon tree With lemons so ripe “Sirrel?” whimpered Drill. “So what’s the deal with these guys, chuck And a hard gravel bike track ’em in a volcano?” laughed Drill, throwing That looks like smoke from a pipe “Drill…. Don’t look” coughed Sirrel, from his head back. My beautiful black collie the corner. The little room had become Eating at weeds some kind of horror scene from a movie. “Sure, the Zinobites are evil, but I’m not And my Dad hoeing and mowing Blood stained the walls and everything that mean” Sirrel retorted. “We’ll take And raking dead leaves was broken. Except for the time machine. them to Zinia, their home planet, and I live in the country He ran over to Sirrel. His face was gashed, leave them there”. With birds flying high and his arms and legs were bent in funny And trees swaying in the cool breeze positions. Without another word, he pressed a Right near the blue sky button that read: ‘PRESENT TIME’. It And that is my poem “Drill, the pocket watch” said Sirrel, was strange travelling to the year 50011. All about the wonderful wonders pointing to Drill’s pocket. Time travelling was not what he expected. In my garden. It was like everything happened to you as “What about it?” questioned Drill, handing it would, only hundreds of times faster. By Melina Fullbrook him the broken purple object. Sirrel was His arm snapped, and healed. He lost Grade 4, Age 10 trying to crack it in half. “Let me help”. sight in his left eye for about two minutes. Youngtown Primary School Drill crumbled it in his hands. After that he lost all feeling completely. YOUNGTOWN – TAS. He looked at the year. It read 3001. This “Goodbye, Drill” said Sirrel, closing his must have been when he died. But how eyes. had he survived so long? Cybernetics? He didn’t know. “No, stop joking around, it’s not funny any Seasons more” begged Drill, his face dropping. Suddenly, they were hovering over a space port with a sign that read “Welcome to Winter slides in, With one final wheeze, Sirrel was dead. Zinia”. We dropped the army of Zinobites. Cold winds rage, Drill was not sad, but enraged. Why should But something was wrong. The time The world is white and dry, he have to mourn? He didn’t want to live machine wouldn’t move. He realised that Flakes of snow, with guilt. He pegged the shards of purple they were firing at us. Drift in the air. and they landed on Sirrel’s corpse. “Sirrel?” he asked, a concerned voice Spring arrives, Drill was about to climb back up when a echoing in the tiny shuttle. Blooming flowers, hand tapped him on the shoulder. “Turns Spraying lovely aroma, out the pocket watch has healing powers” “I know, we’re not moving, but that’s just And warm breezes, grinned Sirrel, a slightly disbelieving look because technically you’re dead, but it’ll Rubbing our cheeks. on his face. wear off in a while” explained Sirrel, now looking more at home. Summer is ushered, “Huh?” spoke Drill. “How about that!” By longer days, Drill peered out of the window into space And shorter nights, “And check this out”, laughed Sirrel, placing and saw a queer orange light zooming So hot and exceedingly bright some shards into the time machine. It towards them. “Hey Sirrel, what’s that?” Nourishing the plants. whirred, whizzed and then the whole Rupert didn’t seem to like it. world seemed to go light aqua. He could Autumn lands, still make out everything, but it was all “Duck” said Sirrel, a horrified look on With all its colours. a different colour. With a zap, they were his face. “Now!” Trees shed their leaves, transported into the time machine. When the rain falls To be continued Cladding the earth in green. “So what’s the plan?” By Wilbur Nelson By Shristi Nadar Nadar “Well, we’ll fire a small beam at the Year 5, Arawang Primary Year 10, Eynesbury Senior College Zinobite army, transporting them back WARAMANGA – ACT ADELAIDE – SA to their home planet” explained Sirrel, Teacher: Alison Carson Teacher: Shelda Rathmann

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 33 The Eureka Rebellion

The days were tough going, The harshness grew as feared. Everyone feeling angry, As the conflict quickly neared.

We knew something had to be done, We knew things had to change. We were ready for rights to be won, The Rainforest We were ready to be bold and brave. The silent sound of stillness and serenity, The air hung heavy and moist, We were ready to stand up and fight, The air was hard to breathe, Show no mercy, was the plan. But the scenery was what took my breath away, We were ready to show all our might, And the earthy fresh perfume, Dear Librarian Bold and brave was every man. The sky was a smoky, metallic grey, Take a look at Creative Net. We have authors and illustrators who you won’t find on other We needed a show of individuality, Unclear, vague with mystery, Something bold, fearless and strong. speakers’ agency sites. Better still, Creative Net is the only speakers’ agency in Australia that The moss covered trees, We needed to stand up and fight for equality, doesn’t charge a booking fee. Our services to you are completely free. A beautiful emerald green, We knew our men wouldn’t go wrong. Formed canopies and, Also, have you considered hosting a literary event? After a successful literary luncheon at Scotch College Silhouette against the sky, The flag was raised in all its might, last year, we’re looking for two primary or secondary host schools. Students pay $20 + GST and we provide No shame, no fear or concerns. My heart raced with the wind, the authors/illustrators and show bags (worth $30 each) free. We were ready to stand up and fight, Hours felt like minutes, We were ready for rights to be earned. Every time I looked back, We can be contacted by phone on (03) 9481 1120, fax (03) 9481 1123 or email [email protected] It was as if it was the first time, As the Southern Cross shone more than ever, For a full list of our authors and illustrators check out our website at www.fordstreetpublishing.com/cnet We watched it gleam and glow. From above the clouds it seems, We knew the time to fail was never, Stars shine and beam, With best wishes All men were ready to go. Mother Nature and Man work as a team, Have You Organised To create a truly magical scene, Terrie Saunders Your Presenter/s for The The battle had started fearless and strong, Creative Net We hoped our men would still go on. Its angelic flaws seem like a distant dream, National Year of Reading? Everyone fighting for what was right, The rainforest is truly heaven on earth. The plan that had been discussed every night. By Sonia Lin We lost the battle, but one the war, Year 6, Lauriston Girls’ School NSW VIC SA We finally had what we were asking for. Felicity Marshall ARMADALE – VIC. Stephen Axelsen Goldie Alexander Ben Chandler Everyone had been fearless and bold, Lorraine Marwood Teacher: Ms Andrea Walter Dianne Bates June Alexander Katrina Germein They had definitely done as they were told. Foz Meadows Patricia Bernard Krista Bell Marc McBride Sally Heinrich Jenny Blackford Sue Bursztynski Claire Richards Because of what these men have done, Sean McMullen Russell Blackford Isobelle Carmody Kristin Weidenbach We now live in a great society with everyone. Dave O’Neil Chris Cheng Margaret Clark People now have a right and a say, Wendy Orr TAS Busy Bugs Flying Laurine Croasdale Sherryl Clark And trust me it took a lot to get it this way. Michael Panckridge Christina Booth Aleesah Darlison Paul Collins Judith Rossell Kate Gordon Looking up in the blue sky, Serena Geddes Michael Connell Michael Salmon By Cassandra Bentley I see colourful dragonflies fly by. Steve Isham Year 6, Huntingtower Susanne Gervay Meredith Costain Claire Saxby Sally Odgers Pip Harry Justin D’Ath Tony Thompson MT. WAVERLEY – VIC. While I was whistling to a small fly, QLD Teacher: Mrs Margaret Jones Nette Hilton Graham Davey Adam Wallace I saw yellow bees buzzing by. Jan Latta Hazel Edwards Dee White Peter Carnavas Sophie Masson Julie Davey Mark Wilson Brian Falkner Beautiful coloured butterflies were flapping their wings, JE Fison Jeni Mawter Corinne Fenton WA almost as if they were going to actually sing! Kim Miller Marjory Gardner Sheryl Gwyther Mark Greenwood Elaine Ouston Lewis Morley Jacqui Grantford Frané Lessac Looking at red ladybugs zooming here and there, Louise Park Robert Greenberg Marianne de Pierres my eyes were looking as if they were everywhere! Sally Murphy Angela Sunde Felicity Pulman Susan Halliday Teena Raffa-Mulligan Moya Simons Susan Halliday/Phil Kettle NT The End! Shane Thamm Leigh Hobbs ACT Leonie Norrington By Hwan Sing Lim Lesley Vamos George Ivanoff Tania McCartney Year 10 Bernadette Kelly Stephanie Owen-Reeder HALLAM – VIC. Jackie Kerin Tracey Hawkins 34 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 Sue Lawson Dear Librarian Take a look at Creative Net. We have authors and illustrators who you won’t find on other speakers’ agency sites. Better still, Creative Net is the only speakers’ agency in Australia that doesn’t charge a booking fee. Our services to you are completely free. Also, have you considered hosting a literary event? After a successful literary luncheon at Scotch College last year, we’re looking for two primary or secondary host schools. Students pay $20 + GST and we provide the authors/illustrators and show bags (worth $30 each) free. We can be contacted by phone on (03) 9481 1120, fax (03) 9481 1123 or email [email protected] For a full list of our authors and illustrators check out our website at www.fordstreetpublishing.com/cnet With best wishes Have You Organised Terrie Saunders Your Presenter/s for The Creative Net National Year of Reading?

NSW VIC Felicity Marshall SA Stephen Axelsen Goldie Alexander Lorraine Marwood Ben Chandler Dianne Bates June Alexander Foz Meadows Katrina Germein Patricia Bernard Krista Bell Marc McBride Sally Heinrich Jenny Blackford Sue Bursztynski Sean McMullen Claire Richards Russell Blackford Isobelle Carmody Dave O’Neil Kristin Weidenbach Busy Bugs Flying Chris Cheng Margaret Clark Wendy Orr TAS Laurine Croasdale Sherryl Clark Michael Panckridge Christina Booth Aleesah Darlison Paul Collins Judith Rossell Kate Gordon Serena Geddes Michael Connell Michael Salmon Steve Isham Susanne Gervay Meredith Costain Claire Saxby Sally Odgers Pip Harry Justin D’Ath Tony Thompson Nette Hilton Graham Davey Adam Wallace QLD Jan Latta Hazel Edwards Dee White Peter Carnavas Sophie Masson Julie Davey Mark Wilson Brian Falkner JE Fison Jeni Mawter Corinne Fenton WA Kim Miller Marjory Gardner Sheryl Gwyther Mark Greenwood Elaine Ouston Lewis Morley Jacqui Grantford Frané Lessac Louise Park Robert Greenberg Marianne de Pierres Sally Murphy Angela Sunde Felicity Pulman Susan Halliday Teena Raffa-Mulligan Moya Simons Susan Halliday/Phil Kettle NT Shane Thamm Leigh Hobbs ACT Leonie Norrington Lesley Vamos George Ivanoff Tania McCartney Bernadette Kelly Stephanie Owen-Reeder Jackie Kerin Tracey Hawkins Oz Kids in Print March 2012 Sue Lawson 35 he little girl shook with fear. She The girl’s frightened look was replaced held a crowbar in one hand and a sack was in a dark, empty house with by disappointment, her eyes burned containing the men’s belongings slung over Tthe only noticeable sound being with anger and determination. Her bear one shoulder. The second man shorter and the howl of the wind sliding through the dropped to the floor and she reached out overweight and was similarly dressed in wooden floorboards. The girl was sitting with one hand. Her hand did not brush worn-out boots and a pitch black leather with her back against the wall in the second against it, but rather dipped into the fridge. jacket. His face was unshaven with hardly bedroom with her teddy bear clutched in After several seconds, she drew back her any neck. The two men began to ransack her small arms. A loud ghostly scream hand which was clutching a large loaf of the room, they shoved open the drawers made her jump in fright. bread. She began to devour the loaf, tearing and took out anything they could get their off handfuls of bread and shoving them hands on and added it to their sack. The fat She slowly got to her feet and started to down her throat. Within twenty seconds man eyed the fridge with piggy little eyes. walk towards the closed door at the other she had eaten the entire loaf. He hadn’t eaten all day and felt so empty. end of the room. The girl reached out with He turned towards the fridge and then he her hand and opened it. She walked out of Her hunger sated, the girl noticed her noticed the lock. the bedroom and entered the living room. teddy bear lying on the floor and seemed Another moaning howl raced through the surprised as if she had forgotten how He frowned and went to the sack his house, this time the girl seemed to not it ended up there in the first place. She companion had dumped on the table notice and walked on. The floor was torn walked over and picked it up. A loud bang and drew a pickaxe. He went back and and ripped, the wall covered in scratches. of a door breaking off its hinges made the with a mighty blow sliced off the lock girl hiss in fright and she dropped her bear which clattered on the floor. He grinned The girl exited the living room and walked again. She fled into the living room and and swung the door open. The man’s into the kitchen. She started to examine disappeared. After ten seconds, the sound expression changed from greed to horror, each of the items in the room, sometimes of glass breaking and low mutterings came he stepped back and started screaming going back to the same item twice before to from the other side of the house. After while still staring at the contents of the seemly remember she had already looked another twenty seconds, two men entered fridge. The blond man raised his head from at it and then moved on to another item. the room. the drawer and saw what had spooked his The last thing she came to examine was friend and gasped in fear. A howling moan the fridge. The girl’s stomach groaned One was in his twenties, tall, thin face, made both men jump in fright. A pair of with hunger, she grasped the handle and dirty blond hair and dressed in black. He hands appeared behind the blond man and attempted to open it. It refused to open grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled and the girl noticed a black padlock that the screaming man into the living room. prevented the door from opening.

Ghost House

36 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 The other man charged after his friend, now stood in its place. An ear piercing like a snake. It jumped off and landed on axe raised. He ran into the living room scream echoed from the kitchen and the all fours. The man ran into the living room, and found him sprawled on the floor, yellow haired man drew a gun from his he could hear the creature chasing him and covered in cuts and bruises. Leaning over waistband. Both men were terrified and could feel its breath against his feet. He him was the girl; it was obvious she was their only interest was making it out alive. suddenly remembered he had an axe. The not a normal girl. Her teeth were filled to a They ran back the way they came and ran man turned and bashed the handle against point and were dripping blood. Her fingers up the staircase, their feet pounding on the the creatures head. It screeched and lashed were slowly turning into claws and her wooden floorboards. out with its claws, inflicting deep wounds eyes were black and she was snarling and on the man’s shoulder. He crashed against growling like an animal. The man raised The two men arrived at the top of the the wall and gasped in pain. the axe, intending to warn it off. The girl staircase where the girl was waiting for took no notice and pounced on the other them. She leapt at them. The men brought The other man appeared at the doorway and man and began to claw at his back. He up their weapons to kill it, but were too raised his gun. He fired, the bullet ripped screamed. The man with the axe stepped late. The creature crashed into the shorter through the creature’s arm, showering the forward and swung it. The moment the man and knocked him down the stairs. walls with black blood. The beast raised a blade made contact with the beast, it The man fell to the bottom step and laid hand and swatted the gun from the man’s disappeared behind a puff of smoke. After there in a dazed heap. The creature jumped hand before pouncing on him and started several seconds, the smoke cleared and it down after him. The second man started tearing at his chest. was gone. to run down the stairs to aid his friend when thoughts for his own safety began to The men’s screams echoed loudly around The man hauled his friend to his feet and dominate his mind, after several seconds the house. After several minutes, the they both ran for the front door. The two of considering, he turned and fled. screaming creased and the house was quiet men arrived at the doorway and were once more. confused by what they saw. When they The beast grabbed the first man by his had came through this way five minutes wrist. He gasped; the thing had a grip like By Jamie Creswell earlier they had left the door lying on the iron. He reached out and punched the Year 10, Rouse Hill Anglican College floor after breaking it off its hinges, but thing, it let go and reared back, hissing ROUSE HILL – NSW the empty doorway was gone and a wall

Our fridge magnets tell a story, A story that no one has heard before. My Family as Not only do they tell where my family has been, But they represent every member of my family. Fridge Magnets The Hello Kitty magnet, From one of the many shops in Hong-Kong, Represents my cheeky little sister, The baby of the family, Forever growing.

The blue dolphin from Sea World represents me, Rising and falling in the river of life. Sinking and soaring towards better things.

The white polar bear from Sea World, Represents my mother, Because she is hardworking, Forever loving.

The miniature wine bottles from France, Represent all the countries, Near and far, To which my dad travels.

Last of all the big red love heart, Represents our family. By Madeleine Chia One who loves and one who hates, Year 5, Ravenswood School for Girls One who shares and one who is selfish, GORDON – NSW One who cherishes each other and one that doesn’t. Teacher: Mrs Sharon Shapiro But our family will always be glowing with a warm substance, LOVE

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 37 Twisted Fairytale: Snow White and the Flower Stem

Once upon a time... “…That I could get as far away from my “Our fortune teller foretold that a young cottage and stepsisters”, she whispered. pretty girl with long black hair and sea There lived a young girl by the name of blue eyes would come to save us from Sir Snow White. She lived in a village in the Then Jack took her hand and put a tiny Evil.” middle of a forest with her two ugly and little flower seed in. “Plant this in the mean stepsisters. They treated her very ground and by morning it will have grown. Snow White didn’t know what to say. harshly, like a slave in fact. She was the It will take you where you need to go”, he She didn’t know why Stan and the other complete opposite to them; she was sweet, said mysteriously and vanished into the dwarves thought she was their saviour but kind, loving and caring. She cooked, distance. Snow White started walking back then Stan continued. cleaned and did all the chores around to her cottage but before she went inside their cottage. she went to the meadow behind her cottage “You will free the prince who once ruled and planted it. After not even a minute it before. The evil dwarf king poisoned his One day while on her way to her cottage started to sprout. food and turned him into a frog and put after doing her weekly shopping she saw him in a cage in the castle dungeon. The a man sitting under an old oak tree. “Who Meanwhile Puss, a lone cat was watching spell can only be broken by a maiden with goes there?” the man asked. her. Puss walked up to her and snuggled a pure heart.” up to her leg. Snow White thought this “Who are you?” she questioned straight was adorable and picked him up and “How do I know I have a pure heart?” after, not giving him an answer. decided to keep him. That night she dreamt about what the seed would grow into. She “You took in a stray cat and let him sleep “Uh, uh, uh, I asked you first”, he said in a imagined a beautiful and valuable flower in your own bed and fed him. Only pleasant voice. that would get her lots of money. “Enough a maiden nice enough to care for a to move her far away”, she thought. creature in need of so much care “I’m Snow White. Now answer my would have ever accepted such question.” As soon as she woke up in the morning she a task.” ran as fast as she could to the meadow with “I’m Jack, Jack the genie.” Puss in her hands. When she got there she “What happens if I don’t help?” was amazed at what she saw. A flower stem “What do you want?” going right into the clouds. She thought “My family, everyone here and I for a few seconds and then remembered will keep on living in sorrow and “To help you, Snow White.” what Jack had said to her. “It will take sadness.” you to where you need to go.” She stared “Why me?” at the stem and noticed that the leaves “Fine I’ll help. Puss, you looked like they were a spiral staircase. in?” “Because you came across my path”, he She stood on the first leaf and made sure said simply. that it could hold Puss’s and her weight. “MEOW!” Puss said “It looks safe”, she said to Puss knowing he joyfully as if to say “OK then, how can you help?” couldn’t understand. She started walking yes. up the leaf staircase with Puss walking by “I will give you one wish.” her side. After what seemed like forever “What do we need she finally made it to the top. She was to do?” “Wait a second, isn’t it normally three?” completely astounded about what she had just seen, tiny little houses, only as tall “I’ll tell you as we walk “Oh you’ve been reading too many fairy as her. In them lived many little friendly to the castle” said tales.” dwarves. A dwarf called Stan came forward Stan after thinking to talk to her. “Hello, my name is Stan. “OK then, I wish…” Welcome to our village where we are ruled by our king, Sir Evil. He is evil and nasty.”

“That’s horrible.”

“That’s why you are here, to save us.”

“What?” Snow White was surprised to hear such a predicament.

38 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 for a while. As they walked Stan explained next to a pair of small boots. Snow White the plan. “First you’re going to need an thought of the idea to dress him up in them excuse to get into the castle…” and call him Puss in Boots.

“This roast turkey was made by the best The boots fitted perfectly. She put him cook in the kingdom. When the King opens down and looked at what he looked the doors you will greet him with ‘Hello Sir like. Before she knew what to say he Evil, I am Snow White. I have brought you was standing on his two back legs. Snow the best turkey in the kingdom.’ After that White could not even speak she was so he will let you in. While he is eating, sneak shocked. She was about to speak when down to the dungeon without the king Puss interrupted her. “Well are we going seeing and find the prince. From there to go save the prince or not?” you’ll know what to do.” Not knowing what to do, she followed Stan, Puss and Snow White made it to the him down the staircase. When they got castle. As soon as Snow White knocked on half way she finally spoke. “Why can you the door Stan had disappeared. now speak?”

Before Snow White could get out of there “Because you have put these magic boots the doors opened and a man about her on me.” height with a mean looking face was standing in front of her. She took a leap When they got to the bottom of the stairs and guessed that he was the king. “Hello they found a long passage of cells. Sir Evil, my name is Snow White. I have All of them had either an evil brought you the best roast turkey in the wolf, evil pig, ugly or mean kingdom.” stepmother, but one cell had a box in it. “Come in”, he said, snatching the turkey away from her hands. He “Puss, what are we going to do, it’s sat at his big dining room table and locked?” started to eat messily. As he ate, Puss and Snow White snuck away to the Puss showed her his claws and started top of a staircase that led down to picking the lock. Within one minute the the dungeon. Snow White cell was open and they walked in and started walking down but observed the box. “Another lock, Puss?” stopped because And with that Puss undid the lock. And Puss was not with that a frog jumped out. coming. Puss was standing “Remember what Stan said. That the “What shall we do with him?” asked the prince was turned into a frog.” And with prince finally. that she picked up the frog and gave it a kiss. Suddenly the frog started to grow and “We shall do the same thing he did to change into a handsome prince. you your highness.” Stan had come out of hiding finally. And with that Evil was put in “Thank you very much for saving me” a box and put in a cell where he still stays he said. to this very day.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Snow White and the prince fell in love and Rumple, ruler of the dwarf kingdom until got married a few days later with a royal Evil came and poisoned my food…” But wedding. There was a huge celebration all before he could finish they heard a loud over the kingdom. Puss became the royal evil shout. They ran up the stairs to the advisor and a very good friend to the dining room to find a big frog sitting on prince and Snow White never went back a chair in front of the turkey Snow White to her cottage or her evil stepsisters. Just had brought to get into the castle. as Jack had promised… And they lived happily ever after. “Stan must have put food poisoning in it. Most probably the same put in yours, The End Prince Rumple”, finished Puss. By Taryn Dewey “It certainly looks like it”, giggled Snow Year 6, North Lakes State College White. NORTH LAKES – QLD.

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 39 A hat that resides A packet of crayons on the dusty stair yes children lived here an old magazine Echoes where are they now ripped beyond compare what did they fear? Grandma’s old tins of an A breeze flows through once with pictures so bright Empty House creaking the stairs an old teddy bear somewhere the child once so treasured at night tossed in nightmares

A wedding ring Objects once loved thrown across the floor scattered across the floor a pram, once loved the house only an echo behind the door of the slamming door

A broken home By Meghan King full of forgotten wishes Year 10, Eynesbury College where is the master? ADELAIDE – SA where is his Mrs? Teacher: Shelda Rathman Spring in the Tropics

I wake up to the birds singing

And the Lorikeets screeching and the Willie wag tails twittering,

Spring is in the air

I go for a walk and admire the Poinciana trees, the pink Cassia, purple bougainvillea

And I rejoice their beauty.

When the rain comes the birds love to bath in the rain and go crazy.

When the fruit trees grow some fruit

and the birds start processing with their nests.

The water is so lovely and clear, swimming in the creeks

While walking the family dog.

The nights are so pleasant and you feel the fresh air

When you sleep.

Everyone loves this time of year

And the flowers adding colour to the seasons,

With the bees pollinating the plants to flower.

Spring in the tropics has ended.

By Natasha Brie Chapman Year 10 KAMERUNGA – QLD.

40 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 The End

They fought to the death with the aliens but welve years ago on 1999 August “Yes sergeant”, said Eddy. they lost the remote to detonate the bomb 11 NASA was informed that a so they had to leave one person behind on Tmeteorite was going to hit Earth in “We have to plant the nuclear bomb inside the meteorite! twelve years. They created a team of three the meteorite and remotely detonate it”, astronauts. Their names were Jack, Eddy said Jack. “I have nothing to live for, my family is and James, destined to save the world. dead and I knew I was going to die soon The astronauts went into the spacecraft and anyway so I’ll do it”, said Jack. They had to train to be in peak physical they took off with a huge explosion! When condition to go into space so they all they finally broke through the atmosphere So they said their goodbyes and took off trained hard for the most important day they all saw space. They’d been dreaming without Jack. of their lives. about this moment for all their lives, the day they go into space. They put the engine R.I.P. Jack Saso 1975–2011: the man who The Government kept all that under in hyperdrive so every thing was a blur. saved the world from peril. wraps so the general public would not be When they got to the meteorite they saw frightened. 2011 March 7, the day of the how big it was. When they landed they By Rick Krstevski mission. thought fast. They got out the digger and Year 5, Marymede Catholic College started digging. But they had a distraction. SOUTH MORANG – VIC. “You three know what you have to do?” They were not alone. A species of alien had said the sergeant. thrived here and was not the good kind. Twilight Calling

The wind withered a ghost like moan, The majestic moon a mystic sight, A terrifying, pitiless, banshees’ tone, Searching, shedding her worthy light,

Grieving trees howl at night, When shadows fall and time relents, Shadows trespass into sight, The stars will toll a deafening silence...

The mournful scream of a gate, By Elyse Landsberry Your mind must find and bind your fate, Year 5, Ravenswood School for Girls GORDON – NSW Teacher: Mrs Sharon Shapiro

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 41 Like a ray of sunshine on a bleak, grey day, She strummed and she sang, Gathering a crowd that came, Like birds came to crumbs, Like bees came to honey, And like musicians came to one sweet melody.

Her fingers were young birds trying so hard to fly, Frolicking, fluttering, across the frets. And when her wings were finally spread, Her voice sang out, And there was the clink and clank of gold coins, Busker Falling into the ripped purple velvet at her feet. Everything around her slight little body was silenced; Even the wind paused its constant low growl, And moved up a key, To give harmonies to her perfect summer voice. The trees held their breath, Wishing not to interrupt the music.

By Lindsay Hicks Year 7, Ravenswood School for Girls GORDON – NSW Teacher: Mrs Sharon Shapiro

Along the Countryside English

The fresh dew on the grass dampens my feet as I walk English is at school Wild flowers and butterflies dot English CAN be cool along the horizon You need it in your life A soft breeze blows, Some mornings and some nights making the leaves on the trees rustle If you want to get a job Beautiful birds of all shapes Then you can’t be a sob and sizes flutter and twitter You need English for that you see Because a job is needed for you or me Amazing colours of pink, violet and orange stretch over mountains in the distance So English is at school And English CAN be cool Along the countryside the sun sets. By Mason Hull By Sophie Brocklebank Year 8, Ararat College Age 9 ARARAT – VIC. CROMER – NSW Teacher: Ms Poole

42 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 BOOK REVIEWS

Meet our book reviewers Alex and Nellie Tokatlidis, from Spensley Street Primary School in Clifton Hill, Victoria. ALEX NELLIE

Bureau of Mysteries Princess Penelope The Keepers: City of Lies by H J Harper (Random House) by Todd Mack and Julia Gran by Lian Tanner (Allen & Unwin) (Scholastic) Bureau of Mysteries is an exciting book. The Keepers is the exciting sequel to It’s about a boy called George Feather This book is about a girl called Penelope Museum of Thieves, the first book in the who is a chimney sweep until he finds who thinks she is a princess, but she really City Of Lies series. It’s about a girl called out about the Bureau of Mysteries. is just a little girl. I enjoyed this book Goldie Roth whose friend Toadspit’s When George joins the bureau he finds because it is funny and kind of exciting. sister, Bonnie, has been kidnapped. himself in a world of mysteries and I really like the bit where she says she has When Goldie and Toadspit try to save codes. Along with his partner, Imp, lots of thrones. This book would suit girls Bonnie, Toadspit gets captured as George tries to save the city before it’s aged from 4–7. well. Goldie finds herself in the city of too late. Spoke with the fate of her friends in Rating: 6/10 her hands. I thought this book was great. I really Nellie, Year 2 liked the way that it was written, as it I really liked this book. It is full of gave you a chance to work out some of adventure, excitement and imagination. the codes yourself. I would recommend I would say this series is for readers aged English it to readers aged from 8–11. from 8–12. Rating: 7/10 Rating: 7.5/10 Alex, Year 6 Alex, Year 6

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 43 diverse places in the world to see as a tourist, and my aim for ‘1000 Great Places to Travel with Kids in Australia’ was to pass on some of my enthusiasm and to teach people things they might not already know. For example, most people would regard Sea World in Surfers Paradise as just somewhere to go for rides and animal shows, but the notes I wrote in my trip journal when I visited Surfers reminded Keep a diary me that there are educational aspects to Sea By Anna Ciddor World as well. Here’s what I’ve included in my Sea World entry in the book: bet you think that your own life is The main character in the book ‘Jem’s much too boring ever to be used for a Diary’ is a little girl who visits the Northern Fabulous Facts Istory. But I’ll let you into a secret. Real Territory and keeps a diary. Here is an Sea World staff are on call 24 hours a authors’ lives are (usually) just as boring excerpt from the story. You will see how day to rescue sick, injured and stranded and humdrum as your own, yet we use I have made use of my real experiences, animals in the wild. The cost of providing people and feelings and experiences from but rewritten them in the voice of a young the necessary resources, specialised, our own lives all the time. Imagine you girl: equipment, boats, helicopters and staff are writing an exciting adventure about can be very high, but the costs are all a pirate. You probably think a pirate’s ‘On a plane heading for Uluru: met by Sea World – so your entry fees life has little in common with yours, but My annoying little brother is yelling at are going to a good cause. if you want to create a vivid scene when me to look out the window. He says he the pirate is on board ship you will need can see Ayers Rock. I tell him it’s called Kid Quest to write about the sounds and smells of Uluru. Then I turn and look. WOW! It Do seals chew their food? the sea: the crash of waves, the screech of looks just like the photos! It’s this massive gulls, the salty tang of the air… and as you red rock sticking out of the ground. Even As you can see, my diaries have been a do this, without even realising it, you will from way up here it looks huge.’ very useful resource for my writing, and base it on your own experiences of visiting I encourage you to have a go at keeping the beach! And later… diaries yourselves. If nothing else, they’ll be fun to go back and read in a few years Because real experiences are such vital ‘In the airport: time! tools in writing, it’s a terrific idea to keep I have never been so embarrassed in all a diary – not just an appointment calendar, my life. I was carrying a bottle of water ‘1000 Great Places to Travel with Kids of course, but a journal that records details in my backpack and it leaked. The water in Australia’ is published by Explore and emotions. Keeping a diary is also great ran out of the bottom of my bag and Australia. training for being a writer. It helps you to all over the back of my shorts. So hone your observation and descriptive I had to walk around the airport skills. in dripping shorts looking like I’d wet myself.’ Although I don’t keep a diary when I’m at home, I always write a journal when I When I was asked to write my latest travel, in fact I have kept a travel diary every book 1000 Great Places to Travel trip I have ever been on since I was eleven with Kids in Australia it was an years old. Those precious records now fill a absolutely mammoth effort. I had to whole shelf in my bookcase and I have often visit (or contact) all the hundreds of drawn on them for ideas for stories. places in the book to get the latest information. It was a fantastic help A few years ago, I wrote a picture book that I had already travelled to every called Jem’s Diary based on my own real state and territory in Australia, diary of a trip to Darwin and Uluru (Ayers and that I had kept a diary of Rock) in the Northern Territory. These are every trip! some excerpts from my real diary: The book not only has my ‘View from aircraft… Uluru v impressive personal descriptions of places – stands out in a flat washed out scrub (based as much as possible on country, red and massive. my own real impressions), but At airport, our bag from the plane it I’ve also included questions and dripping water all over us – one of the extra titbits of information. I water bottles we souvenired from the first think Australia is one of the flight is leaking.’ most interesting, beautiful and

44 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 It’s the Little Magic Things in Life Magic is… Young witches and wizards Learning sparkling spells It’s the little things in life Jonathan At Hogwart’s school. That make me smile, That make the boring things, Werewolves biting trolls, Seem worthwhile. And ghastly ghosts Pale and pearly-white, It’s the little things in life, With a full moon That brighten up my day, Sparkling bright. Like a warm hug from a friend, Or a kind word they say. A prince and princess Fall in love at first sight, It’s the little things in life, At a castle tall and grand. Like faith, hope, and love, That help us count our blessings, Bloody vampires Sent from God, up above. Stumble around streets The journal entry I read, At pitch-black midnight, It’s the little things in life, Skimming through the pages, Followed by bats That keep me going on, Every line, it seems, Wherever they go. That keep me still believing, Talks about you. Even when things go wrong. Fairies chasing pixies, Love and impatience, And the pixies It’s the little things in life, They couldn’t wait to finally meet you, Are holding their stolen wands. That keep me at ease, All they ever did, The wands are shooting Like when someone you love Was talk about you. Stars up high Smiles at you, Into the sunny sky. Giving you weak knees. Not yet known to the world, A hidden treasure, you were, But the key to all of this It’s the little things in life, That’s what everybody said, Is just to believe… That make my memories grow, As they talked about you. That sweeten up my days, By Chloe Kopec That make my feelings show, Hearts frozen with grief, Year 3, Mount Eliza North Primary School That soften up my mood, Knowing that you were gone, MT. ELIZA – VIC. That keep me out of strife, They could not bear, Teacher: Andrea Mace That calm down my mind To talk about you.

It’s the little things in life. Just a little baby, Why you left still a mystery. By Ruth Ong To this day, Year 6, Oxley Christian College Nobody talks about you. CHIRNSIDE PARK – VIC. Teacher: Sharon Sandison But in their hearts they all dream, Of the day when they meet you, To not talk about you, But instead, Talk with you.

By Gabrielle Gardner-Wilson Year 6, Oxley Christian College CHIRNSIDE PARK – VIC. Teacher: Sharon Sandison

Oz Kids in Print March 2012 45 I was once a glorious and beautiful tree They chopped me and killed me for a small fee They took me around to another new place The Life They made me into an object with a brand new race.

They took me over to a furniture shop of a Well at least there, they didn’t give me another chop Soon came a man with a business suit Chair He took me and my race through a different route. Brand new faces that took us for granted Is there any chance, that we are enchanted? They used me like a joke for a useless prank For goodness sake, do they think my emotions are blank?

Soon came a man with an enormous belly He shattered me into pieces like a bowl of jelly I felt like being stabbed by a sharp pruning knife And that came to the end of yet another harsh life!

By Ashviena Sitsabesan Year 10, Age 15 HOMEBUSH WEST – NSW

Yellow Blue Yummy rockmelon, Happy – grapes Soft blankets, Running lions, Flowers Moving Blanket – soft, Lions running, Rockmelon – yummy Grapes happy Yellow Blue

Red White Big giants, Rough leaves Juicy apples, Splashing waves, Running Bright Apples juicy, Waves splashing, Giants, big Leaves rough Red White

Brown Black Lovely honey, Soft silky sand, Sloppy – slime, Silly, smelly cat Slipping, Purring Slime-sloppy, Cat, smelly silly, Impressions Honey – lovely Sand silky soft Brown Black

Green Crunchy coconuts, of Sweet apples, By Claire Chisholm Singing Year 3, The Essington School Apples sweet, NIGHTCLIFF – NT Coconuts crunchy Teacher: Mrs Fletcher Green Colours

46 Oz Kids in Print March 2012 WIN AN AUTHOR VISIT TO YOUR SCHOOL

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Oz Kids in Print March 2012 47 Give them the opportunity to reach great heights

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To find out more about ASG, contact us today on1800 648 945 or visit www.asg.com.au

Win a $12,000* Education Scholarship If you have a child under the age of 10, ASG is giving you the chance to win a $12,000* Education Scholarship for your child. To enter, simply visit www.asg.com.au/winascholarship

*The projected total value of the Education Scholarship is up to $15,171 based on the child’s age at enrolment, ASG projected earnings and level of study undertaken. Full terms and conditions of ASG’s $12,000 Education Scholarship Draw can be found at www.asg.com.au/winascholarship. Promoter is Australian Scholarships Group Friendly Society Limited (ABN 21 087 648 879), 23 – 25 Hanover St, Oakleigh, VIC 3166. NSW Permit Number LTPS/10/12638; VIC Permit Number 10/4569; ACT Permit Number TP10/5358; SA Permit Number T10/3090.