Thirteen Looks Like This — Portraits from a Coming of Age

Last month my youngest son turned 13. The baby became a teenager. He surprised me by wanting to have a birthday party at home. Realising these days of home-grown house parties are fewer and farther between, I happily agreed, even though it would take a bit more planning and work. We created a hybrid experience […]

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December 4, 2025

Project Resilient

In 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic stopped the world in its tracks.
Melbourne experienced two separate lockdowns. The second was described as the strictest and longest in the developed world. It began in July 9 and was to last only six weeks.  In the end the movement of Melbournians was severely restricted for 112 consecutive days. It had extended into a 15 week lockdown during which a "ring of steel" was created by law enforcement around the metropolitan area. Those living inside could not travel past 5 km of their home. They could only leave once a day for a short list of approved reasons. Extended family and friend gatherings were completely banned. The closure of schools, businesses, parks, places of worship and all that make us a society forced many to find new ways to connect and live.

These are the stories of resilience from Melbournian teens and their experience during this "unprecedented" time and how they are emerging more resilient than ever before.
This is...