“The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.”
― Robert Frost

Welcome to a special 19th birthday issue of The Cud!

As we celebrate yet another Cud milestone, we're proud to present some of the articles that you, the readers, voted as your favourites from the past year. When I launched the magazine alongside my friend and fellow editor Oliver Pennington at the Hollywood Hotel in Surry Hills, Sydney in 2004, neither of us could have anticipated that it might survive as a platform for nearly half our lives, and yet here we are. That's a testament to the unwavering dedication of our contributors, staff, and, most importantly, our cherished readers.

For nearly two decades, The Cud has remained committed to a mission to "Entertain a new perspective: Chew The Cud", guiding us through a vast landscape of ideas. The heart of our magazine lies in the diversity of voices that have graced our pages— long-form essays, thought-provoking opinion pieces, engaging short stories and evocative poetry, colorful photo essays, and witty, razor-sharp cartoons.

It is with immense gratitude that I extend my thanks to all the contributors who have shared their talented voices with us. Your enthusiasm and generosity continues to inspire us. And we extend our deepest thanks to our readers. We are so very encouraged and sustained by your support, enthusiasm, and engagement. Without you, our magazine would cease to exist.

Moving forward, The Cud remains committed to providing a platform where diverse voices can continue to thrive, and where fresh perspectives can be savored. Thank you for being an integral part of The Cud's journey—here's to many more years of chewing the cud together!

Thank you, ye Cudlings!

Evan Kanarakis
Editor, The Cud