December 21, 2021

We consider ourselves very lucky to collaborate with and work alongside talented and dynamic interns at the Centre for Stories. In 2021 we welcomed several interns through our doors who each, in their own way, made their mark and we, in turn, celebrate them!

Maggie Leung interned for Centre for Stories’ digital publication Portside Review. This hands-on editorial internship gives emerging editors like Maggie the chance to really experience what the world of publishing is like in Perth. Read below to find out more about Maggie.

Tell us a bit about yourself! Where have you come from, where are you going, and which people and what experiences have shaped you in between?

I am bad at talking about myself, but I will try. I was brewed in Macau and returned to Australia, Perth a few years back. Currently, I am finishing my degree in Journalism at Curtin. I sometimes find myself in the gap of different cultures and languages, then I learn from people and small things around me.

So what brought you to Portside Review at the Centre for Stories?

I’d love to further my interest in the writing field through editing and publishing. And Portside Review is a special place for many interesting stories along the Indian Ocean to gather and communicate. It is an honour to be part of such a fascinating production.

You’ve been coming in weekly to work on many aspects of Portside Review, including editing and copywriting. How have you found it so far? Has anything surprised you?

Progress has been challenging yet fruitful. I have learnt so much from the contributors, my workmate Will, and of course the core team at the Centre for Stories. Finding a sense of connection to some pieces has moved me and I have observed the power of showing personal experience in storytelling. Taking the step forward to discuss and share experiences from all walks of life is special and not easy; I am grateful to all contributors for their input to PR.

We know it’s hard to pick favourites, but what is one of your favourite pieces from Portside Review?

It’s really hard to pick one or even some. Maybe I will say “A Red Thread” in Issue 3 and “Homesick: Taiwan” in Issue 4 because I shared some similar experiences in those stories. Travelling lives between different spaces, countries and cultural gaps while finding the sense of belonging and identity within.

What can readers expect from Issue Four?

This issue will be different from the poetry-heavy Issue 3. Issue 4 will have more prose content and continue in bringing stories discussing conflict, identity, sense of belonging and other different shapes of the Indian Ocean. It will include voices from refugees and immigrants, discussion on home, dreams and relationships, plus much more.

Like most young people making their way in the world, you’ve got a lot of interesting commitments on your plate. Can you tell us more about your interests outside of Portside Review?

My plate is complicated because I enjoy learning new things. Recently, I am finishing some books I started and decided to pick up French again. I am also building my own digital creative space.

Here at the Centre for Stories, we love sharing stories (I know, weird right?). Can you share a brief story about an experience that has stayed with you?

Excited, conflicted, uncertain, and no return, my heart and my mind were fighting each other. Grasping the single ticket, and the luggage heavier than me, not even having time to think if I have missed anything. I followed others to find my seat and began my journey of unknown to Australia. Perhaps similar to many, and perhaps not, those emotions still remain inside of me.

What are you reading at the moment?

Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman and for sure, the voices within Portside Review.

What are you listening to?

The late night singing of my neighbour.

What’re you looking forward to in the coming months, or in 2022?

It would be interesting to see the 2022 issues of Portside Review, I would also love to see how the world better adapt to the post pandemic situation.

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