"My practice begins with collecting along the high tide line, it is where I turn inward and lean into the calm the ocean brings, exploring with childlike wonder and excitement. It is my meditation, where my mind is most calm and stays within the present moment; I once sought shells, then holdfasts and now weathered plastic 'gems.' These beautiful objects anchor me to place and poignant moments in time, they allow me to seek balance and explore a desire to embellish and adorn. Yet there is a sadness to this practice. Our oceans are choking, our wildlife are suffering and we have microplastics in our cells. We have left an undeniable mark on our natural world and it is struggling to thrive under our disrespect and disconnection to it. But there is hope to be found, light, beauty, curiosity and connection. Discarded is largely created using marine debris from three main collection points; Discovery Bay Marine National Park on Gunditjmara Country; Painkalac Creek, the border of Gadubanud and Wadawurrung Country; Mudurup on Noongar Country, otherwise known as Cottesloe Beach. My family were lucky to camp near Discovery Bay in January 2022, after two years of covid lockdowns. Painkalac Creek is one of my most favourite collection points close to home. Whilst Murup was my sanctuary growing up and I finally returned to after four years in April 2023."