Further Year 7 Student Stories...
Further student stories...
My Aspirations For The New Millennium
By Daniele Giovannoni
"Love one another as I have loved you"
Jesus Christ said these words at the Last Supper, a parting gesture to his friends who had followed his teachings. Indeed, Jesus loved his friends dearly and, as we know, was willing to sacrifice himself just to show how great his love for all humankind was. However, can we, as a modern society realistically say that we "love one another as Jesus loved us?".
More and more people are living in poverty, experiencing serious difficulties or just disillusioned with the direction our society is taking us. In the chase for the all-conquering dollar, and the obtaining of material wealth, it seems that many important social issues have taken a back seat while people start thinking of the new millenium and the new hopes it will bring. However, the question must be asked: 'How can we look foward to a new millennium, simply a clock ticking over a new year, if the problems we face now are simply swept aside by many of the people who should be endeavouring to do something about them?' While the new millennium will undoubtedly bring with it many hopes and dreams for people all around the world, our society (first and foremost) needs to learn to live in peace and harmony, without hate, greed or violence.
Our world has many problems: War, Famine, Poverty, Hate, Killing, Drugs. And although these things have an extremely destructive nature, only by fully facing these problems can we confidently hope to progress into a new age where people accept society's problems and do something about them. These problems are, of course, a direct result of human greed, and I would hope that future societies would not be based upon greed.
Despite the fact that my life will only play a small part of the next thousand years, my future descendants will be a part of it, and I want them, and the rest of humanity, to have the capacity to love one another and abide in some sort of peaceful co-existence. I live in hope.
Aspirations For 2000
By Peter Ti Ling
Most people my age would like to be a soldier, astronaut or a crime fighter, but not me. I would like to be an important person who does something noticeable.
I would firstly like to finish college, while considering a girlfriend, then go to university - perhaps Harvard or Oxford providing I have received a scholarship. Whilst in university I would like to study a Ph.D. in doctoring and then surgery.
Once I finish university, I will take a year off to relax and get my bearings after studying for years. Then I will get a job as a surgeon and start to consider marriage. Perhaps while being a surgeon, I will find a new and less painless way of operating on a person and of course win the Nobel Peace prize. While working as a surgeon, I would like to take long breaks with my family providing I have one, or just by myself.
When I am at least forty-five and have tonnes of money, I will go back to university and get a Ph.D in the performing arts and become a professional cellist and get a part time or full time job playing in an orchesta. I will continue playing the cello until I am too old or have grown tired of playing.
When I have fully retired I will go to an isalnd and live there for the rest of my life or until I can no longer look after myself. Then when I have died I would like to be cremated and my ashes scattered though out the universe.
This is my dream for when I am older and I hope it will come true. If it doesn't happen like this it doesn't matter as long as I live a fulfilling life with its ups and downs.
Aspirations for the New Millennium
By Eden Cox
We are entering the next millennium and the turn of the century. Year 2000 will be a year to remember for Australians with the Olympics, Referendum and the change of Victoria's Premier. It is a great point in time for Australia, a year of change. What better way to begin a century?
Over the next few years I hope to see better education for the children of Australia, more money going to public schools, a government that cares for the education of Aboriginal kids, and on that respect, the land rights and entitlements of the indigenous people.
The decision left to the people of Australia is the option of our country becoming a republic. This is an excellent opportunity for the people of Australia to voice their opinions to the government and make a change to our country that they can be proud of.
I hope Australia becomes a republic at the end of this year, because I think we are large enough economically, and old enough to make important decisions and control our own country. Australia is capable of surviving by itself without the Queen of England. I believe we have moved on since the days when the first fleet and its convicts started colonizing our country, and we don't need looking after any more. As a great multicultural society it's time for us to join the other great republics of the world.
Racism is not a very big problem in Australia, compared to countries like America and Germany. By this point in time most people are disgusted at the use of racism in forms of verbal and physical abuse, as well as ethnic cleansing, which is unfortunately taking place in Kosovo. Pauline Hanson, however, is changing many people's views in her home state of Queensland as well as in other parts of Australia. She has caused many arguments and debates because so many people are unhappy about what she is doing. Her idea is to live in a country where no foreign faces can be seen and we live in ignorance of other countries' cultures, traditions, customs and languages. As Australians, I believe we should strive to open up the world and communicate with other countries.
Pauline Hanson, in my opinion is spoiling Australia's good reputation. She strives to remove the word multicultural from the description of our country, "A multicultural society" without this word all we would be left with is "A society". How boring it would be if everyone looked the same, spoke the same language and ate the same food.
If we stay on the right track, as I believe we will, Australia will be an even greater multicultural society as we journey through time into the new millenium.
Aspirations for the Next Millennium
By Frances Chen
It is nearly the year 2000. Time has been passing by really fast. Also, we are going to make a huge step into the 21st century. Not only everyone has their own aspirations, but also some other desires about improving the community that we are living in, for the new millennium.
The word REPUBLIC seems to be so familiar to most of us, we hear it on the radio, television, almost everywhere. Everyone has a different view of it. There has been a great deal of debate because of it. Some important people's opinions have a great influence on many people. Some people say 'yes' to the referendum, which means we no longer need a monarch. If people say 'no' to the referendum, we will keep the Queen and stay as we are now.
I believe we don't need the Queen to 'look after us'. We are fine here without her 'care'. In fact, how many times has she been to Australia? She lives far far away from us in England and does not even want to come down here. Why do we need to keep her then? It's time to have a change to our nation and not to have a monarch.
In addition to this, we may consider having a female leader. Our leaders have always been men. A republic would perhaps make it easier for a woman to gain the top position. In the present situation, the head of Australia can only belong to the Anglican Church and can only inherit the position through the male line. This is extremely limiting. I think we should realise that men and women have the same political abilities. People should stop being sexist and give the females a turn.
At the same time of having the above visions, I also have some personal dreams. Being Chinese to me, life has been hard in Australia. At present, Australia is tied to England. Because of this, people forget that a great number of Australian citizens have no connection with England at all. It allows people like Pauline Hanson to voice her racist views in a country where many different cultures are working together to make this a wonderful rich country. Some people are being influenced by her and starting to dislike Asian people. I think we should have a change and realise that we are people, too. Just becuase we have a different coloured skin, doesn't mean any thing much. If we have a republic and break our tie with England, Australia has a chance of being the most successful multicultural country in the world.
Australia began its modern life as a penal colony, where England discarded its criminals as far away from England as possible. We have moved on since that first fleet, to become a clever country. It is time we become captains of our own ship, as we sail into a new millenium, a new future and a new adulthood.
My Dreams for the New Millennium
By Anastasia Kantzelis
I have dreams for the new millennium, many of them, not only for myself but also for the whole world. I dream that one-day, we will be able to live together without wars, fight and heartache, to be able to co-operate and compromise. I want to live in a world where we can help each other, live together and grow from our mistakes. Even though we can not undo what has been done, we can look forward and dream for a better future.
One of the most worrying aspects of the world at the moment to me would be all the wars and the pointless loss of lives. Why do people go to war? Why do they shed blood? Why lose the lives of so many children? I think the answer to this is that we can’t agree and can’t make everyone happy, so instead of trying to compromise, we go to war and attempt to solve our problems physically. Personally, I think that when we go to war over a disagreement or anything for that matter, that nothing positive comes out of it and nothing or very little ever is resolved and the only thing we gain is a large death toll.
War is something that everyone must be aware of and must be prepared to stop. I hope and dream that in the future, people will eventually learn from the mistakes that we have made now, and eliminate war.
Although wars are terrible and people hate them, we must remember one important thing. To have worldwide peace or any peace at all, we have to want it.
The future
By Felicity Dansie
Is the future a good thing? Is the future a bad thing? Will I live far into the future? Will I play a part in the world’s future? What does the future hold for me, for you?
There are many questions about the future, but before you answer all of these questions you have to ask yourself the most important of all: WHAT IS THE FUTURE?
I see the future as tomorrow. For example tomorrow I will get up, go swimming, get dressed, go to school, come home, do my homework and go to bed. But I also see the future as in ten years time. Where will I be living? At home with my family or in a shared apartment or in a lovely big house and getting started to settle down. Of course I would like to own my own house and have a good job but we all know that nobody guarantee this. Nobody has control of my financial future apart from me.
When I grow up I want to be a policewoman. I want to help others and be myself at the same time. This is because there are many people like politicians who are ruled by the public. Next year will be the year 2000. In part of a plan to cancel all 3rd world country debts the better- off countries are canceling all of their debts. I think this is a wonderful idea because not only will it give the country a chance to start again, but it will also give the individuals in this country to start again.
I wonder if maybe some day I will be an Olympic swimmer or an Australian netballer? These are my life-long dreams and some day I hope to fulfil them but I’m trying to concentrate on tomorrow for now. Then I’ll concentrate on passing year 12 and beginning the rest of my life.
Gambling it all away!
By Louise Knuiksis
It is a thing I despise. A thing I can not understand the joy of. A thing that has put millions of people and families in debt. Gambling. It is an aspiration of mine for the year 2000. To speak to the people who do gamble. To the people who are wasting away to nothing. The people who are in major debt and to the people who couldn’t care less.
I am 13 years of age and obviously have never gambled. Maybe it is fun. Maybe it’s a thing that can be enjoyed by many people. But is it fun when you start lying to your family and friends about where you are going because you’re too afraid to tell them the truth? Too afraid to find out what they might really think of you? Is it fun when you lose all your money to a stupid machine and then can’t pay off your house, property or car? Can’t pay phone, gas, electricity or water bills. Can’t pay for your kid’s to go to school? Can’t pay for basic food, drink and clothes because you’re in so much debt? I don’t call that fun, do you?
Young kids have already started to gamble. At places like Playtime, TimeZone and many other game arcades. They ask their parents for money and most of the time the parents give it to them! Sometimes if the kids have their own money they will sneak out to the arcades and waste all of it! I used to play on these machines but I soon came to realize that I was wasting my time and more than anything money that I could have put towards something else. What do you accomplish from playing on these machines? You put you money in, play the game, get your tickets and when you have enough tickets you go over to the ticket trader and get a stupid little prize that does just about nothing for you. You might as well just go over to the ticket trader and buy a good prize that may be useful! Otherwise you could go to a shop and buy it!
I think what I am basically trying to say is that some people go overboard with gambling and it gets them in the end. Its like the add on television and the radio that says ‘If its no longer fun, walk away’.
My hopes for the future
By Pallavi Sharda
There is not a day in which I do not wonder where I am going to end up, whether I will have a successful career or not. An artist? A writer? An interior decorator? There are so many choices, which one to choose? Then I remind myself I am only in high school, there is plenty of time yet. My aim right now is to earn high marks in high school then attend university and then of course my career comes in.
I would like to do university courses in theatre, graphics, art and interior decorating. Then finally become an artist of some sort. I have always loved to act and I would love to become an actress.
I hope that the world will become a better place, that pollution and litter be reduced, cleanliness and kindness be reintroduced. I hope that Australia officially becomes an independent country. Hopefully, violence and unpleasantness will be lessened and the world will become a better place to live in. I also hope that the problem of drugs does not increase throughout the world.
There are so many things that many people around the world would like to see happen, unfortunately there is not a great chance that much will. We all have to work and strive towards our goals and we never know our dreams just might come true.
New Millennium
By Ashlea Varrasso
I guess I could say I am a little bit scared of the year 200 Not of the year it self, but of all the things that come with it. Like all the party bashes, cultural people exclaiming that the God will come down to us, and the worst of all, gambling. The amount of people that waste the time, effort and money on those stupid machines. I only wish they could see what many other sensible people could see. Which is that to gamble is to be a shamed!
I hope to have a nice life in the next millennium. A life where I can tell my children and grand children what went on in the early 20’s. That’s good things only. No more wars and things like that. Know one likes them; know one needs them, so I think what is the point in having.
I wonder weather every thing will be the same as it is now or whether it will be different in decades like this century was. I don’t mind which way it turns out just as long as we don’t end up living on the moon or in a micro world. Besides it might be great to go back to the 60’s but only in the new millennium.
Aspirations for the New Millennium
By Sophie Delaney
Ever since I was a child I have always wanted to work with kids and play with them. When I was in creche I made friends very easily and liked the people that looked after us. When we got told we could go outside I never did. I always went against the flow to where the young childlren were taking naps. As I walked into the room Sophie (whom was the nicest person that looked after us) was always standing there waiting for me so that I could help her in feeding the young kids and an occasional nappy change which surprisingly I didn't mind.
As most children dreamed of I also wanted to become a hairdresser, but I soon changed my mind when I saw how one of the hairdressers was treated when she forgot to clean up the hair that was on the floor. I have never taken that vision out of my mind but I am certain that it will not be my first priority.
I believe that women should be able to do the jobs that men are doing right now if they are able to and they should be treated equally. I also think that men can do just as well in baby-sitting and house keeping as women can.
There has also been a lot of talk about the referendum. I think that we do not need the Queen as our head of state because she has nothing to do with us and she lives all the way over the other side of the world. She has hardly been to Australia and if so she didn't stay for a very long time. We can look after ourselves without her help.
I believe that a lot of things will happen during the new millenium and I can't wait till New Years Eve when we can celebrate that we have gone through a millenium without to much hassle.
Aspirations for the New Millennium
By Patty Huong
As the 20th century passes by, a lot of changes have been made in technology, transport, the government and a lot of other things. And as the new millenium is waiting ahead of us, there could be more changes being made.
First, there are the political changes, in the upcoming years; there is a big possibility that a female Prime Minister would be elected, just like they did in New Zealand. There are also a lot of arguments about the referendum. I think that we don't even need the Queen since she lives far far away in England and hardly ever comes to see us.
Then there is the subject about racism, I wish that in the future there would be less racism and people could accept each other even if they have a different color of hair or skin. It's not just about what's on the outside, it's about what's on the inside too, and I hope that people could just open their minds and accept what is there.
Wars are also an interesting subject these days. Arguments are one of the main reasons they start. Lately there's been a lot of ethnic cleansing, like in Kosovo for example, I believe that it is a really dumb idea for people to try to get rid of a race of people just because they don't like them. They should have the right to live peacefully too.
Technology is also very important to us. Since this century started, technology has improved greater and better than before, there was the T.V, cars, radios, computers, and we've even sent men to the Moon, and right now they are planning to send men to Mars, hopefully that would happen soon in the new millenium.
Not only the technology, political and other things have changed, even Australia itself has changed quite a bit. We started as a land with the animals, then people started to come and began the life of Australia, so let us prepare for the new millenium and make a better world for all of us.
The Future
By Leah Andrews
The future holds a lot for me. When I was young I can remember having a dream of being a teacher. All my friends wanted to have a job that pays real money. But not me! I was the kind to be out of fashion. Never liked things that other people liked (Besides Barbie's).
Every minute that goes by, the Olympics are coming. A journey for countries to fight for gold. I would like to join that fight and be in the events.
Sport. Sport and PE are my favourite subjects at school. I think it is my favourite because I am able to do things at my best ability. Basketball, I love it! It's practically my life. Ever since I was eight I have been playing basketball. I am tall, for my age. My mum and dad are tall so that helps me with my future. My dad played basketball and my brother plays as well. I play for MLC Tigers (even though I don't go to their school) and I play for Melbourne Tigers. I hope the future in the book of my life has a spot in there to play basketball.
Drugs. Why do we have the space in the dictionary for it? so many people are addicted to them. You see people in sports cars and wonder why they're in it and not you. Drugs are expensive and popular. Each month the drug chart takes a giant leap up the stairs to hell.
Friends. Friends are all my best friends. When I was little at kindergarten I was the one who was able to make friends the easiest. When you were little everyone was your friend even if they were the bullies! But then when you get older you lose some and gain some. At the start of the year I was able to make friends very easily. I think everyone that I know is my friend.
Money. Money can get us a lot of places and things. Me, well I only get $12 a week. I don't spend a lot so I don't need a lot. Some people are lucky and some unfortunate. Our money chart goes up and down. But I think it is down at the moment.
For the future, I would like to be able to share my dreams with others. Be physically fitter, to have a career in the WNBL, be more hard working and have the best friends ever! So I hope you can all help me with my dreams and hopes for the future.
My Aspirations For The New Millennium
By Bridget Hall
The Year 2000 and beyond could bring with it peace to all nations, no more natural disasters, the revitalisation of vegetation, more pandas, no more world poverty, no racism, more education and more equality among man, I'd be happy.
But that's not going to happen. Those changes would be magical and unrealistic. All I can hope is that I can shape myself to cope with the inequalities that life so often presents. Too often, we think that things will happen for us. I believe that to get something out of the new millennium I will have to make things happen for me. They won't just happen on their own. To make a difference, I want to be famous.
I don't know how yet, but I want to be in a position to have an influence on people's lives to improve situations. That can be possible with the power of recognition.
I plan to work hard to achieve the little things necessary for personal satisfaction so that I can make good decisions about the little things in life. As larger situations present themselves I will be able to deal with them because I will be used to making decisions. It would be easy to give in and go the wrong way. I'm determined not to, even when the going gets tough.
And tough it may get. So much excitement about the new millennium could make people take more risks, behave more brashly, get more greedy. To keep your head about you when all around you goes crazy has to be an important aspiration to have.
I hope to make good choices in the new millennium so that I become stronger, wiser and able to cope with what the new millennium dishes out to me.
Every day's a good day to learn and contribute. Some people 'watch it happen', some people ask: "What happened?". The new millennium is a good time to 'make it happen.
Thanks to the following schools for student contributions: De La Salle College, Camberwell High School, Essendon Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School.