Amidst the stifling, stress-filled haze that was Week 11, came a saviour in the form of Monash’s Green Representative Network (GRN) Outdoor Movie Night which was held on the 18th of May 2022 at 6.30 pm. Admission into the event was free of charge however students who had pre-registered but all students who were interested in spending a relaxing night underneath the stars were welcome. All participants were also given the chance to win Grab vouchers via a lucky draw during the event as a small appreciation gift for participating.
In keeping with the club’s theme that advocates for environmental appreciation and sustainability, the event was held at the Monash Football Field, with the setting sun providing a perfect backdrop for the movie: Netflix’s “Don’t Look Up”, which consists of A-list celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Ariana Grande and Timothee Chalamet.
The movie entails two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth, an ominous and striking form of foreshadowing as in reality we grapple with the ever-concerning issue of global warming, which may not be as urgent as a comet coming to destroy our planet, but is nevertheless just as deadly.
The event began with a mingle session as students milled and socialised amongst each other, all of them bringing along a myriad of picnic supplies, the field slowly dotted with colourful blankets and mats, with many students leaping upon the opportunity to attend one of the first on-campus events held in the past 2 years.
Pizza, snacks and coolers of drinks were also provided during the event for those who had registered earlier, however most students were encouraged to bring their own cutlery as part of GRN’s efforts to reduce waste and encourage a more eco-friendly lifestyle.The movie began as soon as the last rays of Sun dipped below the horizon, with a line of fairy lights providing soft and cosy illumination.
Despite being understandably busy during the event, GRN’s President, Lim Yi Shan expressed her gratitude and elaborated on her experience of hosting the club’s first offline event:
“While there were many hiccups along the way, our committee had pulled through and made it a successful event even without prior experience in hosting a physical event together. We were glad for the opportunity to finally provide our fellow GRs and Monashians a fun and relaxing time, and are so grateful to hear that some attendees said they experienced an actual uni-life event for the first time.”
Written by Ashley Lim
Photos by Zi Yi
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