Tuesday was the day that we visited the Magistrate Court. It was huge! I thought it was good to experience being in court and watching a real court case. It was interesting to see how people relly acted in courts, and not just what you see in movies or on tv. At first I did find it quite boring just walking around the different court rooms trying to find a case that was actually interesting, however we eventually found a good one. It was a case about a robbery at a Safeway in Moonee Ponds. A man allegedly stole a bottle of alcohol from the liquor store, and had held up the people inside the store; threatening them with a screwdriver. Watching the case made me feel as though it was a movie, there was a judge, witnesses, lawyers and the defendant; it was an experience I won't forget.
Once we Finished at the Magistrate Court, we were free to work on our photo essays. Our group is focusing on how Melbourne is a Multicultural city. We mostly took photos of the different restaurants and foods from different countries. There were so many different placrs to choose from.
Wednesday- Street Art
Wednesday was the day that we looked at Street Art. There are so many different types of street art that I knew nothing about; stencils, bombs, slap ups and paste ups. I never realised how much effort the artists actually put into their work, I always viewed as just graffiti. After going to places like ACDC and Hosier Lane and, seeing all the work that has been put into making the artwork, you start to appreciate more. Also, you realise that it can't be easy for the artist who has to avoid being caught for doing something illegal when they're just trying to show their artwork. Some of the artists that were mentioned were, Banksy,Phibs and Deb. I thought the tour was going to be boring and just looking at messy graffiti. But I came out of it with a new opinion on Street art, and the artists who do it. A lot of the artists do work incredibily hard to show their opinions, point of views and their artwork.
Once we had finished our tour we were once again let out to get more pictures for our photo essays. We found a sculpture that perfectly described our topic; it was a sculpture about immigration of Italian people. It was a man and his family who had moved to Australia.
Thursday- Parliament
Thursday was the day that we visited Parliament house. If I was being honest, I would say that I was not looking forward to it at all. However, I came out of it having learnt a lot. I didn't know much about previous Premiers of Victoria, but after the tour a knew a lot more. My favourite part was going into the room where the politicians debate, pass bills and make our laws. Parliament was actually nice building, considering how old it was. I never knew that there had been a female Premier of Victoria, nor did I know that our state was named after her majesty Queen Victoria. was good to here that females have played a big part in making our state what it is today.
Parliament was a good experience, but maybe not something I would do again. After visiting Parliament I realised it was true; you learn something new everyday!
:) (:
Monday - The Big Issue.
Today we visited the Big Issue where we met a man named Andrew, who I think we can all say has changed our perspective on homelessnes and homeless people. He told us his story; how he became homeless, why he was homeless and the many struggles he faced on the way.
He didn't have an easy childhood, his parents were constantly fighting, and so he took it upon himself to shiled his younger brother and sister from seeing this or having to put up with it. Eventually his parents split up. His brother went with his da his siter went with his mum. Andrew didn't have anywhere to go, neither of his parents wanted him and so he left to live on the streets of Melbourne. He started off with a a bakery which eventually fell thorugh, and after this was not able to hold a job for much longer than a week. He had a car which he was able to sleep in every nihgt, but after he crashed the car.. he was left with nothing. He tried living in parks but they were not the safest option. Due to his experiences from drunken people treating him horribly whilst he tried to sleep in the park, he landed in a state of depression. He then turned to drugs and alcohol..... it was the only thing that made him feel good; he didn't have anything or anyone else to turn to. Not only did he turn to drugs and alcohol, but he also turned to crime. He liked the idea of going to jail, atleast he would have a bed, a roof over his head and 3 meals a day. What could be better? However, he wasn't sent to jail; he was rehabilitated. He had classes and meetings about drug and alcohol addictions. It turned his life around. He also started working at the Big Issue and got the chance to live in government housing if he proved himself to be worthy of it.
Now, Andrew is happy. In his eyes his life is stable; he has all he needs. A home, food, water and money. Thanks to the help of many supportive people, and of course the Big Issue his life is headed in the right direction and his future looks a lot brighter now.
After hearing Andrew's story, I was inspired. He is so happy now. He may not have the best of everything, but he's with what he's got. He realised how lucky he was. His journey isn't over yet though; there are still more challenges and hurdle to overcome. But he seems confident that he can do anything now. Listening to his story has made me realise how lucky I truly am and that I have every reason to be ahppy with the life i've got!
Tuesday- Magistrate Court
Tuesday was the day that we visited the Magistrate Court. It was huge! I thought it was good to experience being in court and watching a real court case. It was interesting to see how people relly acted in courts, and not just what you see in movies or on tv. At first I did find it quite boring just walking around the different court rooms trying to find a case that was actually interesting, however we eventually found a good one. It was a case about a robbery at a Safeway in Moonee Ponds. A man allegedly stole a bottle of alcohol from the liquor store, and had held up the people inside the store; threatening them with a screwdriver. Watching the case made me feel as though it was a movie, there was a judge, witnesses, lawyers and the defendant; it was an experience I won't forget.
Once we Finished at the Magistrate Court, we were free to work on our photo essays. Our group is focusing on how Melbourne is a Multicultural city. We mostly took photos of the different restaurants and foods from different countries. There were so many different placrs to choose from.
Wednesday- Street Art
Wednesday was the day that we looked at Street Art. There are so many different types of street art that I knew nothing about; stencils, bombs, slap ups and paste ups. I never realised how much effort the artists actually put into their work, I always viewed as just graffiti. After going to places like ACDC and Hosier Lane and, seeing all the work that has been put into making the artwork, you start to appreciate more. Also, you realise that it can't be easy for the artist who has to avoid being caught for doing something illegal when they're just trying to show their artwork. Some of the artists that were mentioned were, Banksy,Phibs and Deb. I thought the tour was going to be boring and just looking at messy graffiti. But I came out of it with a new opinion on Street art, and the artists who do it. A lot of the artists do work incredibily hard to show their opinions, point of views and their artwork.
Once we had finished our tour we were once again let out to get more pictures for our photo essays. We found a sculpture that perfectly described our topic; it was a sculpture about immigration of Italian people. It was a man and his family who had moved to Australia.
Thursday- Parliament
Thursday was the day that we visited Parliament house. If I was being honest, I would say that I was not looking forward to it at all. However, I came out of it having learnt a lot. I didn't know much about previous Premiers of Victoria, but after the tour a knew a lot more. My favourite part was going into the room where the politicians debate, pass bills and make our laws. Parliament was actually nice building, considering how old it was. I never knew that there had been a female Premier of Victoria, nor did I know that our state was named after her majesty Queen Victoria. was good to here that females have played a big part in making our state what it is today.
Parliament was a good experience, but maybe not something I would do again. After visiting Parliament I realised it was true; you learn something new everyday!
:) (:
Monday - The Big Issue.
Today we visited the Big Issue where we met a man named Andrew, who I think we can all say has changed our perspective on homelessnes and homeless people. He told us his story; how he became homeless, why he was homeless and the many struggles he faced on the way.
He didn't have an easy childhood, his parents were constantly fighting, and so he took it upon himself to shiled his younger brother and sister from seeing this or having to put up with it. Eventually his parents split up. His brother went with his da his siter went with his mum. Andrew didn't have anywhere to go, neither of his parents wanted him and so he left to live on the streets of Melbourne. He started off with a a bakery which eventually fell thorugh, and after this was not able to hold a job for much longer than a week. He had a car which he was able to sleep in every nihgt, but after he crashed the car.. he was left with nothing. He tried living in parks but they were not the safest option. Due to his experiences from drunken people treating him horribly whilst he tried to sleep in the park, he landed in a state of depression. He then turned to drugs and alcohol..... it was the only thing that made him feel good; he didn't have anything or anyone else to turn to. Not only did he turn to drugs and alcohol, but he also turned to crime. He liked the idea of going to jail, atleast he would have a bed, a roof over his head and 3 meals a day. What could be better? However, he wasn't sent to jail; he was rehabilitated. He had classes and meetings about drug and alcohol addictions. It turned his life around. He also started working at the Big Issue and got the chance to live in government housing if he proved himself to be worthy of it.
Now, Andrew is happy. In his eyes his life is stable; he has all he needs. A home, food, water and money. Thanks to the help of many supportive people, and of course the Big Issue his life is headed in the right direction and his future looks a lot brighter now.
After hearing Andrew's story, I was inspired. He is so happy now. He may not have the best of everything, but he's with what he's got. He realised how lucky he was. His journey isn't over yet though; there are still more challenges and hurdle to overcome. But he seems confident that he can do anything now. Listening to his story has made me realise how lucky I truly am and that I have every reason to be ahppy with the life i've got!