I am here today to announce my candidacy for school captain. My main purpose is to persuade you to vote for me. Let’s start. For those who are not familiar with me, I am Eliza Dugan. Those who already know me should consider themselves fortunate. Now that everyone knows my name, it can be the one you select on the ballot. Here’s a little information about me: I participate in various sports, especially athletics and cross country running. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family and love to have a good time. Dancing is another one of my interests.
During my time in school, I have participated in athletics and cross country, representing the school in these sports. This has provided me with a unique experience, including two trips to Sydney for cross country events.
I possess several admirable qualities such as honesty, respect, active listening, dedication to improving my grades, and leadership skills. Additionally, I am proficient in public speaking. Being well-organized and efficient in completing tasks is something I take pride in. Ensuring equal treatment for all individuals and fostering inclusivity are of great importance to me. Assisting others brings fulfillment and allows me to serve as a positive role model for fellow students. Above all else, I always give my utmost effort when faced with any task or challenge that comes my way. Finally, both teachers and fellow students can attest to my consistently polite and respectful behavior.
I enjoy contributing to the school in various ways, but now let’s discuss why I am a suitable candidate for school captain. In my view, my strength as a school captain lies in my commitment to fulfilling my promises. I would exert effort to establish a positive and interactive learning environment that makes school enjoyable for all individuals. My goal is to transform the school into a space where students can have fun with their friends while acquiring knowledge. Additionally, I would dedicate myself to ensuring that every individual has a voice in decision-making by presenting fundraising ideas and suggesting enhancements for the school.
Intertidal Wetlands-Geography
Evaluate the traditional and contemporary management strategies with particular reference to the intertidal wetlands ecosystem at Bicentennial Park, Homebush Bay, Sydney. For many years wetlands were seen as only a mosquito infested area. Nowadays they are highly valued ecosystems that are being protected for future generations of wildlife, and also people. A wetland is an area of land that is temporarily or permanently inundated. Sydney’s Bicentennial Park is home to 58ha of intertidal wetlands.
Sydney Bicentennial Park is located within Homebush Bay (33 51′ S, 115 33′ E) and is approximately 12 kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD. The intertidal wetland has formed along the southern edge of the Parramatta River. The 58 ha intertidal wetland is made up of 40 ha of mangrove forest, 10 ha of open, shallow water- the waterbird refuge and 8 ha of saltmarsh. The wetlands are the largest residual intertidal wetland located on the Parramatta River. Over 135 species of birds have been recorded at the park, including 5 rare and endangered species.
The area is home to the saltmarsh plant ‘Lampranthus tegens’. The plant is found in only four known areas, the Sydney Bicentennial Park wetland being one of these areas. The size of the wetland ecosystem has decreased significantly due to human advancement and land use. The once abundant shoreline has been dramatically altered disrupting the ecosystem. This impact has led to traditional and contemporary management strategies being utilized for protection and conservation of the intertidal wetland for the future fauna, flora and people.
The traditional indigenous cultures, specifically the Wangal Clan, have a close affiliation with the land. Not only did it provide plentiful resources for their survival, their religious beliefs illustrate them as the caretakers of the land. They were able to appreciate the area and understand its value, unlike the contemporary industrialized societies. The intertidal wetland offered an esteemed hunting ground but the Aboriginal people did not abuse the fragile environment. Their aim was to nurture the land for the benefit of future generations and they only took what they needed.
The Wangal Clan showed their upmost respect for the wetland, their appreciation towards the area led to minimal disruption and efficient use of the resources. Indigenous Australians also involved themselves in long term management procedures. They would artificially fertilise flowers and seed river flats. This practices would re-establish plant populations and replace the resources that they may have used. Aboriginal Australians would also create breeding places for animals, for example they would dig pits that would eventually fill with water creating a breeding ground for frogs.
The greater part of their management strategies were to conserve species of plants and animals. The traditional management stragies left a minimal footprint on the wetland ecosystem. Their methods were sustainable as they would replace the resources they’d use. The value of intertidal wetlands has become known only very recently. The lack of knowledge and ignorance of past generations, more notably developers, has led to substantial disruptions in the local ecosystem. The building of bund walls has had a significant effect on the hydrology of the site as it has modified the flow of water.
The change in flow reduced the amount of water getting to the mangroves and soil moisture in mangroves has decreased. The establishment of bund walls has ultimately led to destruction of the wetlands; in particular Wentworth Bay which no longer exists. A contemporary strategy to allow the ecosystem to return to its initial state is the removal of the bund walls. Though the removal of bunds walls is of high cost, the final result of having the original flow of water reinstated is influential. The atmosphere in the intertidal wetland plays a significant role in the interactions of the biophysical environment.
The construction of non-linear walkways minimizes disturbances to the canopy and decreases wind channeling often seen with linear walkways. The erection of walkways has also created a designated path to control the access to the ecosystem. There has been a massive reduction in disturbance of the area and the pathway protects the mangroves from unnecessary destruction. However, these wooden pathways are high maintenance and a low life span. The majority of the public are unaware of the importance of wetlands. Education campaigns have been influential in changing public perception and support for the preservation of the wetlands is increasing.
Bicentennial Park provides education programs that include guided tours of the wetland to the public. As a contemporary management strategy education enables the public to realize the vital need to protect the wetlands. They are informed by information officers, education officers and field staff about the steps they can take to contribute to looking after the wetlands. The effectiveness of this contemporary management strategy is reasonably high. The involvement of the public is enormously important for the conservation of the Bicentennial Park wetlands.
Human impacts on the Bicentennial intertidal wetlands have decreased as we become more knowledgeable of the importance of this ecosystem. Traditional and contemporary management strategies are utilized to conserve and protect the area. The genetic diversity of intertidal wetlands should be cherished and looked after. The contemporary management strategies have fought to combat the past negative impacts concerning the intertidal wetlands. These strategies were predominantly successful in preserving and conserving the genetic diversity of the Bicentennial Park intertidal wetland.
The Wangal Clan’s traditional management strategies allow an appreciation and understanding of the land. Their religious ties to the area give them a responsibility to care for the land that provides them the ability to live. After all the damage made in the past, the traditional and contemporary ecosystem management strategies of the Bicentennial intertidal wetland ecosystem are proving to encourage growth and repair. The conservation and sustainability of the land have consequently saved the ecosystem, though there is still a long way to go, the ecosystem has been salvaged for the future.
Belonging- Dickinson And Elephant Man
The concept of belonging holds great significance and is a fundamental aspect of our existence. Belonging typically arises from personal encounters, one’s sense of identity, relationships, acceptance, and comprehension. It is also found in places where we feel comforted and secure. In today’s presentation, I will introduce you to the poetry of Miss Emily Dickinson and the film adaptation of the Elephant man directed by David Lynch. Through this showcase, my aim is to provide you with a perspective on belonging that goes beyond societal stereotypes, showcasing a genuine sense of belonging known intimately by those who experience it.
Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘my letter to the world’ and the film The Elephant Man both explore the theme of a desire for acceptance. In the poem, Dickinson asks society to judge her tenderly, displaying a yearning for understanding. Similarly, The Elephant Man portrays John Merrick, who suffers from a disfiguring disease, pleading to be recognized as a human rather than an animal. Throughout the film, Merrick is treated as a freak and dehumanized, as exemplified by his involvement in a circus and the use of possessive pronouns like ‘my freak’ and ‘it’. However, as the film progresses, Merrick gains more public attention, resulting in his isolation ward becoming crowded with people eager to see him.
He receives a standing ovation, symbolic of changing attitudes. However, despite Merrick’s sense of belonging to the once degrading society, the film concludes with the idea that true belonging may simply involve being like everyone else. Merrick expresses this sentiment by stating, “I just want to be a human,” as he lies down flat to sleep. Due to his disfigured head, lying flat would suffocate him, but the film ends with him choosing to do so regardless, attempting to prove that he is indeed normal.
Looking back to Dickinson’s poetry, we can observe that, similar to Merrick, she does not wish to be judged. In her letter to the world, which symbolizes a plea to those who exist beyond herself, we sense her desire to be recognized, yet she never quite fits in. This is evident in her somewhat negative tone when she states, ‘that never wrote to me,’ once again highlighting the harsh reality that the world never acknowledged her, leading her to turn away. By employing the contrast between the words ‘this’ and ‘that’ to express different points in time, a strong feeling of distance and isolation emerges – a sense of isolation that clings to her but never appears to dissipate.
Similarly, Dickinson and Merrick express a shared feeling of alienation in their respective works. For instance, Merrick states phrases like ‘I’ve been such a disappointment’ and ‘perhaps now she could love me as I am.’ This sense of detachment from the wider world is what connects both Dickinson and Merrick. Recognizing this common theme, I found it essential to include Lync’s film alongside Dickinson’s poetry in my showcase. Despite their distance from the world, both the film and Dickinson’s poetry convey a sense of solace in what truly matters to them.
Looking at the film, an intriguing use of symbolism is found in its biblical connotations. Despite being physically out of place in a society obsessed with appearances, Merrick finds solace in the book of Psalms when he quotes, “although I walk through the shadow of death, I see no evil for thou art with me.” This Psalm holds great power in our understanding of belonging as it broadens our perspective on what can provide comfort during times of alienation. Merrick finds comfort in the spiritual presence of God, deepening our understanding of belonging. Hence, I deem it important to include these profound ideas.
Similarly, Dickinson also expresses a sense of belonging to something beyond the human realm. This is evident in “my letter to the world,” where she employs personification to emphasize her connection to nature. She describes nature’s news as being communicated to her with “tender majesty,” using affectionate language to convey her bond with nature. This bond is sharply juxtaposed with the harsher words “never” and “judge,” allowing the reader to understand the contrasting benefits offered by nature versus a judgmental world.
The importance of the contrast between alienation and comfort is what made me appreciate its significance in my showcase. Another poem by Dickinson that enhances our understanding of Belonging is “I had been hungry all these years,” which serves as an extended metaphor for her exploration of the world around her, ultimately concluding that it is not right for her. Similar to my letter to the world, Dickinson employs personification in her poetry to symbolize the external world. This can be seen in the phrase “and touched the curious wine,” which emphasizes the foreign and unfamiliar environment, highlighting the disconnect between her world and theirs. Throughout the poem, we observe that she truly belongs to herself and nature, rather than that world. For instance, she describes nature as “nature’s dining room,” using personification to emphasize her comfort and belonging in nature. The poem also explores the idea that when she is in the midst of society, she feels displaced and far from comfortable, comparing herself to a berry from a mountain bush being transplanted onto a road using similes. Overall, I hope my showcase has shed light on various aspects of belonging and highlighted how it is a subjective experience for each individual.In the case of individuals like Merrick, the longing to be ordinary is strong, yet the aspiration to fit in and be part of a community, as depicted in Dickinson’s poetry, might not necessarily yield the desired outcome. This yearning helps us to truly understand the significance of belonging in our lives.