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Deputy Editor Kayleigh Greig deep dives into  Grapeshot’ s origins and evolution.   Grapeshot  2009, Volume 1, Issue 1 If you’re reading this, you probably already know a bit about us, but just in case: this is Grapeshot , and we’re the student publication here at Macquarie University. That means that every one of our issues has been entirely made by students, for students. Of course, since its inception in 2009, Grapeshot  has changed a lot over time. So, for Nostalgia , let

News Section Editor, Chantelle Mackintosh, covers the Protests in Nepal against government corruption and how in a few days, changed the course of a nation. In September 2025, thousands of Nepalese citizens took to the streets to engage in anti-corruption protests which became known as the “Gen Z protests.” These protests began after a nationwide ban on many social media sites which combined with the display of corruption and wealth by their government in their mismanagement

Editorial Assistant Siya Pujari discusses this vexed issue with Professor Niloufer Selvadurai There has been significant movement towards introducing effective regulation for AI-centric technology, including apps and tools that allow for illegal ‘deepfaking’ of individuals and facilitate online sexual abuse. ‘Deep fakes’ are AI-generated videos, images, or audio recordings. They include ‘face swaps’ where a person’s face is replaced with another and ‘voice deep fakes’ which i

Editorial Assistant Imogen Grebert discusses the extensive course cuts happening at UTS and how this will further debilitate Australia’s teacher shortage. On 17 September 2025, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), announced that it will be closing its School of Education, as well as Public Health and International Studies, as part of a cost-cutting initiative to save over $100 million. As a result, it means the loss of over 400 jobs for University lecturers, tutors and

Editorial Assistant Juliette Allen tackles the various tremendous losses suffered upon the gentrification of Sydney’s cult landmarks, Paddy’s Markets being one of her nearest and dearest. For many Sydneysiders, like myself, Paddy’s Markets  in Haymarket is a vibrant microcosm and a longstanding beating heart of the City, and in a lot of respects, still is, despite all its changes. For many, Paddy’s  ‘is not just a market, it’s an Australian icon and an integral part of Chinat

Editorial Assistant Elizabete Lasmane muses over her complicated relationship with nostalgia and its romanticisation, presenting itself as a double-edged sword of an unshakeable dilemma. Nothing ever hurts us as much as our thoughts. And nothing ever heals us as much as our thoughts. It's all about perception: no matter the event, conversation, situation—it is a thought or an insight changing your perception. Well, my perception is that nostalgia’s a nasty bitch.  Nostalgia f

Nathan Colebrook contends that Charlie   Kirk’s death was symbolic of an elusive monster, and we have only ourselves to blame; an alternative perspective on the mystique of nostalgia. 4-(2-Aminoethyl)benzene-1,2-diol. A synthesis of tyrosine and DOPA. The substance is a catechol, where the hydrogen that would normally slot in at the 4 th  position on the benzene ring is, instead, substituted for a 2-aminoethyl group. It occupies the role of a cardiotonic drug, a beta-adrenerg

Ash reflects on their discoveries of being neurodivergent.  Discovering I was neurodivergent when I was 19 led me to feel a mixture of emotions; I felt like I finally had answers to the questions I didn’t even know I was asking, but I also mourned the person I could have been if I hadn’t grown up undiagnosed.  I reflect on my childhood, and the signs of ADHD and autism are like neon lights; how did nobody realise? I unfortunately know the answer to that question; I was AFAB a

How does Grapeshot  work? Why does it take so long for issues to hit stands?  Deputy Editor Kayleigh Greig answers your questions and more. All content within our beloved Grapeshot  is produced by currently enrolled MQ students. That includes the writing, editing, illustrations, layouts, cover art, and even the social media posts. Our team consists of a dedicated group of student volunteers run by our Editor-in-Chief, with help from the Deputy Editor(s), who are also students