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Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Bessie Bardot joins rugby pack - Sunshine Coast Daily - 24th July 2008
It’s strange company for a girl more likely to be photographed with Richard Branson, Ian Thorpe or Shane Warne.
But it’s a fair bet Maroochydore Rugby Club has backed a winner with its choice of master of ceremonies for its major annual charity bash.
Bessie Bardot has made a career out of being … Bessie Bardot.
Queensland Reds and Australia A coach Phil Mooney, former Reds captain John Roe and recently retired Reds veteran David Croft will contribute manfully to the rugger talk at the August 1 luncheon at Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club.
But organiser Mike Elder suspects even those icons of the game may have agreed to attend because of the club’s choice of MC.
While Bardot’s physical attributes may, as organiser Mike Elder hopes, have rugby’s young bucks lining up for tickets, the best-selling author, speaker and businesswoman can hold her own.
The 2005 Australia Day and Mercedes Fashion Week ambassador and 2005-2006 Make a Wish Foundation ambassador has been nominated for the Telstra Young Businesswoman of the Year and the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
She is also the chief executive of four of her own companies and has written four books: Bessie’s Guide For Girls – More From Life, Bessie’s Body Secrets, Secrets of a Female Entrepreneur Exposed and, with husband of 10 years television personality Geoff Barker, Casting Couch Confidential.
For its part, Maroochydore has one of the proudest records in Coast rugby, and fields 155 senior players in four competition sides and one non-competition third grade outfit and 256 players in 12 junior teams.
Tickets are $120 and include lunch and drinks. Phone 0414 698 632
Media Man Australia Profiles
Bessie Bardot
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
But it’s a fair bet Maroochydore Rugby Club has backed a winner with its choice of master of ceremonies for its major annual charity bash.
Bessie Bardot has made a career out of being … Bessie Bardot.
Queensland Reds and Australia A coach Phil Mooney, former Reds captain John Roe and recently retired Reds veteran David Croft will contribute manfully to the rugger talk at the August 1 luncheon at Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club.
But organiser Mike Elder suspects even those icons of the game may have agreed to attend because of the club’s choice of MC.
While Bardot’s physical attributes may, as organiser Mike Elder hopes, have rugby’s young bucks lining up for tickets, the best-selling author, speaker and businesswoman can hold her own.
The 2005 Australia Day and Mercedes Fashion Week ambassador and 2005-2006 Make a Wish Foundation ambassador has been nominated for the Telstra Young Businesswoman of the Year and the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
She is also the chief executive of four of her own companies and has written four books: Bessie’s Guide For Girls – More From Life, Bessie’s Body Secrets, Secrets of a Female Entrepreneur Exposed and, with husband of 10 years television personality Geoff Barker, Casting Couch Confidential.
For its part, Maroochydore has one of the proudest records in Coast rugby, and fields 155 senior players in four competition sides and one non-competition third grade outfit and 256 players in 12 junior teams.
Tickets are $120 and include lunch and drinks. Phone 0414 698 632
Media Man Australia Profiles
Bessie Bardot
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Media Man Australia interviews Changing Colours Movement
Yesterday Media Man Australia director, Greg Tingle, interviewed Mojada band members, and Changing Colours Movement mainstays, Marco Yellin, Chad Kendrick and Wes Roy at Channel 31 Community TV TVS on Joy's World. More news soon.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Changing Colours Movement
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Media Man Australia Profiles
Changing Colours Movement
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Gambling Hangover Campaign - communitybuilders.nsw
A new NSW Government responsible gambling campaign aimed at young men 18-24 has recently been launched, offering a range of new help and support options.
The Gambling Hangover campaign is designed to reach young men in the ‘morning after’ phase following a gambling binge, because this is when they are most likely to recognise the problem and be willing to take action.
The launch of the campaign follows a study of gambling in the state which showed that people in this age group are four times more likely to be problem gamblers than the rest of the population.
The campaign includes advertising in metropolitan and regional newspapers and radio; billboards at train stations and bus interior advertising, concentrating on gambling hotspots throughout the state. Gamblers will be able to access help immediately via SMS, using codes provided in the advertisements.
A campaign website, www.gamblinghangover.nsw.gov.au offers a range of self-help and support options, including a quiz, a ‘gambling calculator’ that assesses your potential losses over a year, free materials, including a practical workbook, and a free SMS service, through which young gamblers can subscribe to reminder messages at times when they are most likely to gamble. There is also a searchable database of support and counselling services throughout NSW.
Information on the campaign is also being made available through universities and TAFE colleges, Centrelink, local courts, libraries, GP surgeries and other outlets.
Reverend Harry Herbert, chair of the Responsible Gambling Fund, which is running the campaign, said it was important that young gamblers who had not yet developed a severe problem, take advantage of the help available.
“A recent survey found that 90% of clients felt better able to manage their gambling up to six months after receiving help from a face to face counselling service. But we know that these services are more likely to be utilised by people later in life so this campaign is all about telling young men that this help is available and encouraging them to come forward,” he said.
Download the Gambling Hangover public awareness campaign factsheet
WWW: http://gamblinghangover.nsw.gov.au
Media Man Australia Profiles
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
The Gambling Hangover campaign is designed to reach young men in the ‘morning after’ phase following a gambling binge, because this is when they are most likely to recognise the problem and be willing to take action.
The launch of the campaign follows a study of gambling in the state which showed that people in this age group are four times more likely to be problem gamblers than the rest of the population.
The campaign includes advertising in metropolitan and regional newspapers and radio; billboards at train stations and bus interior advertising, concentrating on gambling hotspots throughout the state. Gamblers will be able to access help immediately via SMS, using codes provided in the advertisements.
A campaign website, www.gamblinghangover.nsw.gov.au offers a range of self-help and support options, including a quiz, a ‘gambling calculator’ that assesses your potential losses over a year, free materials, including a practical workbook, and a free SMS service, through which young gamblers can subscribe to reminder messages at times when they are most likely to gamble. There is also a searchable database of support and counselling services throughout NSW.
Information on the campaign is also being made available through universities and TAFE colleges, Centrelink, local courts, libraries, GP surgeries and other outlets.
Reverend Harry Herbert, chair of the Responsible Gambling Fund, which is running the campaign, said it was important that young gamblers who had not yet developed a severe problem, take advantage of the help available.
“A recent survey found that 90% of clients felt better able to manage their gambling up to six months after receiving help from a face to face counselling service. But we know that these services are more likely to be utilised by people later in life so this campaign is all about telling young men that this help is available and encouraging them to come forward,” he said.
Download the Gambling Hangover public awareness campaign factsheet
WWW: http://gamblinghangover.nsw.gov.au
Media Man Australia Profiles
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Berfield Jetting Into Space With Branson - 28th July 2008
Former MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE star JUSTIN BERFIELD is planning to jet into orbit with RICHARD BRANSON when the Virgin tycoon launches the first commercial space flight next year (09).
The 22-year-old actor has reportedly paid $250,000 (GBP125,000) for a seat on a Virgin Galactic space flight.
Berfield, whose production company J2TV reportedly has links to Branson's charity Virgin Unite, is one of a number of celebrities linked to the first space trips; former Star Trek star William Shatner, rockers Dave Navarro and Moby, actress Victoria Principal and astrophysicist Stephen Hawking are all hoping to take off with Branson.
Those with enough money for a seat will get to experience five minutes of weightlessness during a two-and-a-half hour flight miles above the earth.
(Credit: ShowBiz Spy)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Unite
Richard Branson
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
The 22-year-old actor has reportedly paid $250,000 (GBP125,000) for a seat on a Virgin Galactic space flight.
Berfield, whose production company J2TV reportedly has links to Branson's charity Virgin Unite, is one of a number of celebrities linked to the first space trips; former Star Trek star William Shatner, rockers Dave Navarro and Moby, actress Victoria Principal and astrophysicist Stephen Hawking are all hoping to take off with Branson.
Those with enough money for a seat will get to experience five minutes of weightlessness during a two-and-a-half hour flight miles above the earth.
(Credit: ShowBiz Spy)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Unite
Richard Branson
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sonny Bill has let down kids - charity, by David Southwell - News.com.au - 27th July 2008
Sonny Bill Williams "has let a lot of kids down" says a children's charity who had recruited the NRL star as the major drawcard for their main fundraising event.
Williams sudden and announced departure for France, apparently to take up a big rugby union contract, has left children's charity Essere without a guest of honour for their "Take a Walk on the Wild Side " dinner in Sydney on Tuesday 19 August.
"Yeah, it's a very big blow for us," said Fran Dobbie, the founder of Essere, which funds and organises workshops for children and young people to prevent bullying , teasing , depression and youth suicide.
Williams signed a letter that went with invitations to the dinner and appears in his NRL Bulldogs jersey on the website advertising the event as being "with Sonny Bill Williams and friends".
"He was a big drawcard. People might say we don't want to go,' Ms Dobbie said.
Ms Dobbie said that Williams was an important rolemodel for children both boys and girls "who just love him".
"A lot of children will know about it" she said.
"What message is this giving young people? He is only 22 to make such a big decision."
Ms Dobbie says she thinks Williams may not have been able to cope with the "fishbowl" attention and targeting he got as such a high profile sports star but he should face up to the situation he is in with "integrity".
"He should say 'I've made a mistake. Sorry, I've let you guys down. What can I do to rectify it?'" Ms Dobie said.
Ms Dobie said she still wished Williams well and was trying to make a negative into a positive by hosting a "dream team" of other celebrity, sporting and political figures at the upcoming dinner.
In attendance will be Today Show presenter Karl Stefanovic, New South Wales Premier Iemma , NSW Treasurer Michael Costa, Manly and Bulldogs NRL personalities with former Sixty Minutes reporter Jeff McMullen as MC.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Williams sudden and announced departure for France, apparently to take up a big rugby union contract, has left children's charity Essere without a guest of honour for their "Take a Walk on the Wild Side " dinner in Sydney on Tuesday 19 August.
"Yeah, it's a very big blow for us," said Fran Dobbie, the founder of Essere, which funds and organises workshops for children and young people to prevent bullying , teasing , depression and youth suicide.
Williams signed a letter that went with invitations to the dinner and appears in his NRL Bulldogs jersey on the website advertising the event as being "with Sonny Bill Williams and friends".
"He was a big drawcard. People might say we don't want to go,' Ms Dobbie said.
Ms Dobbie said that Williams was an important rolemodel for children both boys and girls "who just love him".
"A lot of children will know about it" she said.
"What message is this giving young people? He is only 22 to make such a big decision."
Ms Dobbie says she thinks Williams may not have been able to cope with the "fishbowl" attention and targeting he got as such a high profile sports star but he should face up to the situation he is in with "integrity".
"He should say 'I've made a mistake. Sorry, I've let you guys down. What can I do to rectify it?'" Ms Dobie said.
Ms Dobie said she still wished Williams well and was trying to make a negative into a positive by hosting a "dream team" of other celebrity, sporting and political figures at the upcoming dinner.
In attendance will be Today Show presenter Karl Stefanovic, New South Wales Premier Iemma , NSW Treasurer Michael Costa, Manly and Bulldogs NRL personalities with former Sixty Minutes reporter Jeff McMullen as MC.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Friday, July 25, 2008
Australia's Greatest Entrepreneurs - Media Man Australia
In the near future Media Man Australia will be reporting on an array of Australia's Greatest Entrepreneurs. This will compliment a series of filmed interviews on some of the showcased entrepreneurs.
Media Man Australia director Greg Tingle said, "This is without a doubt one of the most exciting projects I have ever been involved with. A number of these entrepreneurs are also doing fantastic work in society, and sharing their knowledge and success. They are truly inspirational".
Media Man Australia Profiles
Entrepreneurs and Innovators
New Media Entrepreneurs
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Media Man Australia director Greg Tingle said, "This is without a doubt one of the most exciting projects I have ever been involved with. A number of these entrepreneurs are also doing fantastic work in society, and sharing their knowledge and success. They are truly inspirational".
Media Man Australia Profiles
Entrepreneurs and Innovators
New Media Entrepreneurs
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Thursday, July 24, 2008
First Countries Named to Benefit from Forest Carbon Partnership Facility - Press Release - The World Bank - 21st July 2008
14 developing and 9 industrialized countries formally join partnership to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD)
Contacts:
In Washington: Anita Gordon (202) 473 1799
agordon@worldbank.org
Roger Morier (202) 473 5675
rmorier@worldbank.org
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2008 –Fourteen states have been selected as the first developing country members of an innovative partnership and international financing mechanism to combat tropical deforestation and climate change.
The 14 developing countries include six in Africa (the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar); five in Latin America (Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico, Panama); and three in Asia (Nepal, Lao PDR, and Vietnam). They will receive initial funding from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), an innovative approach to financing efforts to combat climate change.
The FCPF aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation by compensating developing countries for greenhouse gas emission reductions. The partnership, approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on September 25, 2007, became functionally operational on June 25, 2008. The 14 tropical and sub-tropical countries will receive grant support as they build their capacity for REDD and tap into future systems of positive incentives for REDD.
The decision about which countries will receive initial funding came at a two-day meeting in Paris of the FCPF Steering Committee. The committee was made up of an equal number of developing and industrialized countries, plus observers from international organizations, non-governmental institutions, and forest-dependent indigenous peoples and other forest dwellers. The committee was assisted in its decision by an independent Technical Advisory Panel comprised of experts in different technical fields and different regions of the world.
“Deforestation and forest degradation together are the second leading man-made cause of global warming,” said Joëlle Chassard, Manager of the World Bank’s Carbon Finance Unit. “They are responsible for about 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the main source of national emissions in many developing countries. For that reason, we have been eager to initiate this partnership and assist countries while building a body of knowledge on how best to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by protecting forests and helping the people who benefit from them.”
Each of the nine industrialized countries that formalized their participation in the partnership was present at the Paris meeting. These countries are Australia, Finland, France (the French Development Agency), Japan, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Together, they have committed to contribute about US$82 million to the FCPF. More contributions from the public and private sector are expected in the coming months.
“The FCPF is an important mechanism for giving effect to what was agreed at the Bali climate change meetings in 2007 – that donors and developing countries should work together to trial approaches to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation,” said Robin Davies, Assistant Director General, Sustainable Development Group, AusAID, representing Australia, the first donor to the facility. “The selection of this initial group of developing country partners is an important first step in improving global understanding of ways to reduce forest carbon emissions and lift forest-dependent communities out of poverty.”
The grant money being provided to the first 14 developing countries in the FCPF will help them to prepare for future systems of positive incentives for REDD, in particular by establishing emissions reference levels, adopting REDD strategies, and designing monitoring systems. Developing countries have expressed a strong interest in participating in the FCPF and it is expected that more countries will receive support in the coming months.
“The FCPF has created a true partnership,” said Gisela Ulloa, National Clean Development Office NCDO Coordinator in Bolivia, “where developing countries and developed countries, alongside the World Bank, are working in a transparent and participative way to learn and support each other in the readiness process for REDD. Selection into the program will now allow Bolivia to build its capacity to undertake actions to slow deforestation and to become an early actor in the emerging market for REDD. By joining with other tropical nations and potential carbon market actors, we expect our pace of learning, preparation, and action to address climate change to be faster and better focused on the conditions and needs of our country."
At their meeting last December in Bali, the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed to start demonstration activities on REDD. The FCPF, which was announced by the World Bank at the Bali Conference, will help to finance some of these demonstration activities.
For more information, please visit
www.carbonfinance.org
(Credit: The World Bank)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Carbon Trading
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Contacts:
In Washington: Anita Gordon (202) 473 1799
agordon@worldbank.org
Roger Morier (202) 473 5675
rmorier@worldbank.org
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2008 –Fourteen states have been selected as the first developing country members of an innovative partnership and international financing mechanism to combat tropical deforestation and climate change.
The 14 developing countries include six in Africa (the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar); five in Latin America (Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico, Panama); and three in Asia (Nepal, Lao PDR, and Vietnam). They will receive initial funding from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), an innovative approach to financing efforts to combat climate change.
The FCPF aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation by compensating developing countries for greenhouse gas emission reductions. The partnership, approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on September 25, 2007, became functionally operational on June 25, 2008. The 14 tropical and sub-tropical countries will receive grant support as they build their capacity for REDD and tap into future systems of positive incentives for REDD.
The decision about which countries will receive initial funding came at a two-day meeting in Paris of the FCPF Steering Committee. The committee was made up of an equal number of developing and industrialized countries, plus observers from international organizations, non-governmental institutions, and forest-dependent indigenous peoples and other forest dwellers. The committee was assisted in its decision by an independent Technical Advisory Panel comprised of experts in different technical fields and different regions of the world.
“Deforestation and forest degradation together are the second leading man-made cause of global warming,” said Joëlle Chassard, Manager of the World Bank’s Carbon Finance Unit. “They are responsible for about 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the main source of national emissions in many developing countries. For that reason, we have been eager to initiate this partnership and assist countries while building a body of knowledge on how best to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by protecting forests and helping the people who benefit from them.”
Each of the nine industrialized countries that formalized their participation in the partnership was present at the Paris meeting. These countries are Australia, Finland, France (the French Development Agency), Japan, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Together, they have committed to contribute about US$82 million to the FCPF. More contributions from the public and private sector are expected in the coming months.
“The FCPF is an important mechanism for giving effect to what was agreed at the Bali climate change meetings in 2007 – that donors and developing countries should work together to trial approaches to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation,” said Robin Davies, Assistant Director General, Sustainable Development Group, AusAID, representing Australia, the first donor to the facility. “The selection of this initial group of developing country partners is an important first step in improving global understanding of ways to reduce forest carbon emissions and lift forest-dependent communities out of poverty.”
The grant money being provided to the first 14 developing countries in the FCPF will help them to prepare for future systems of positive incentives for REDD, in particular by establishing emissions reference levels, adopting REDD strategies, and designing monitoring systems. Developing countries have expressed a strong interest in participating in the FCPF and it is expected that more countries will receive support in the coming months.
“The FCPF has created a true partnership,” said Gisela Ulloa, National Clean Development Office NCDO Coordinator in Bolivia, “where developing countries and developed countries, alongside the World Bank, are working in a transparent and participative way to learn and support each other in the readiness process for REDD. Selection into the program will now allow Bolivia to build its capacity to undertake actions to slow deforestation and to become an early actor in the emerging market for REDD. By joining with other tropical nations and potential carbon market actors, we expect our pace of learning, preparation, and action to address climate change to be faster and better focused on the conditions and needs of our country."
At their meeting last December in Bali, the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed to start demonstration activities on REDD. The FCPF, which was announced by the World Bank at the Bali Conference, will help to finance some of these demonstration activities.
For more information, please visit
www.carbonfinance.org
(Credit: The World Bank)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Carbon Trading
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Paintings to cover holes in the wall, by Natasha Robinson - The Australian - 21st July 2008
From Sydney's Pitt Street to Perth's Fremantle, 10 Aboriginal women from the Simpson Desert are about to stamp their mark on one of capitalism's most ubiquitous symbols, the automatic teller machine.
The project to decorate National Australia Bank ATMs around the nation is not just practical, but also symbolic for the enterprising women of the Titjikala Arts Centre.
As the women yearn for independence and freedom from annual cycles of government funding, the NAB project has indirectly brought unexpected cultural riches, with indigenous stories, told in Arrernte, Pitjantjatjara and English, tumbling out as paintings develop on canvas.
Young Titjikala woman Lisa "Makinti'' Wilyuka, one of the artists of the works that will provide a decorative "skin'' for NAB ATMs in major cities and towns, said: "It's been a time when the ladies get together; we laugh, we have fun, we tell jokes. We tell stories, we learn from the old ladies.''
Nora Campbell is in her early 60s and used to herd sheep for the Maryvale Station, 130km south of Alice Springs and close to Titjikala. Her painting is an explosion of colour, typical of the contemporary style of Titjikala works that echo the history of its people's movement during the years of central Australian frontier violence. Many in the community are former station workers who found themselves forced on to welfare with the advent of land rights in the Northern Territory, as the station jobs dried up.
Titjikala Arts Centre manager Jane Easton said: "Their paintings tend not to focus on traditional styles. They are explorative, creative. There is a range of styles from the Western Desert to the Santa Teresa influence.''
The NAB commissioned the 10 artworks after forming a relationship with the central Australian community during the shooting of its successful Auskick commercial. The project was an initiative of two women who work in marketing at the bank _ Siobhan Forbes and Michelle Farkas _ but the commitment from the nation's largest bank of forming partnerships with indigenous communities has been driven from the top.
NAB chief executive Ahmed Fahour is a member of the federal Government's Australian Social Inclusion Board, created in May.
He knows what it is to struggle. As a child, Mr Fahour would sometimes watch his father, Abdel, a cleaner, toil at night scrubbing an NAB branch in Melbourne's north.
Lebanese-born, Melbourne-raised Mr Fahour said he would never forget the family's disappointment when his father was refused a loan by a big bank.
Mr Fahour said the ATM project was a small way that a large corporation could fulfil its obligations to the community.
"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the terrible situation our indigenous people find themselves in is one (issue) that is the responsibility of us all,'' he said. The NAB's partnerships with remote communities extends beyond Titjikala.
Mr Fahour will travel to Groote Eylandt, off the eastern coast of Arnhem Land, this month for the opening of a new branch of the Traditional Credit Union, an indigenous financial institution that is being expanded with $1 million provided by NAB as an interest-free loan.
NAB has paid market rate _ $3750 for each painting _ for the works that will decorate its ATMs. There is a roughly 60-40 split of the profits from the sale of each painting between the artist and the arts centre. The bank hopes to commission more works on an ongoing basis.
The Titjikala artworks will initially decorate ATMs in the CBD and Bondi Junction in Sydney; St Kilda's Acland Street and Collins and Bourke streets in Melbourne; New Farm in Brisbane; the Todd Mall in Alice Springs; Perth's Fremantle and St Georges Terrace; and King William Street in Adelaide.
Titjikala's former local council chief executive Harry Scott said the community was previously heavily dependent on jobs in Community Development Employment Projects, the Aboriginal work-for-the-dole scheme recently reinstated in remote communities. Out of a population of 250 people, there were 105 CDEP places.
Even though CDEP was officially reinstated by the Rudd Government on July 1, federal departments, with little fanfare and no publicity, have quietly been providing communities funding for "real jobs'' with award-based wages and conditions.
The Department of Workplace Relations has come up with $85,000 to pay the salary of the art centre's manager, and the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has provided funding to replace the arts centre's former CDEP jobs with six part-time positions. Combined with partnerships with corporations such as NAB, it is starting to look like a remote Australian welfare revolution.
"I think there's a need for governments to create more scope for this sort of thing to happen,'' Mr Scott said. "Instead of being out there in front, they need to be in the background. Really in the long-term, projects like this are where the community will get their experience of working with private enterprise and the real economy.''
Mr Scott said an organisation such as NAB was in a much better position to develop a long-term relationship with a community than a government was, because its funds were "not tied to a 12-month program''.
Ms Wilyuka said the women artists had already held meetings to discuss their plans for arts-oriented business ideas following the NAB ATM project.
"What we have learned is that sometimes government will fund for stuff, and sometimes they won't,'' she said. "It's something that's happened to us before, that made us want to stand up, and stand on our own.''
Natasha Robinson travelled to Titjikala as a guest of NAB
Media Man Australia Profiles
Aboriginal and Indigenous Media
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
The project to decorate National Australia Bank ATMs around the nation is not just practical, but also symbolic for the enterprising women of the Titjikala Arts Centre.
As the women yearn for independence and freedom from annual cycles of government funding, the NAB project has indirectly brought unexpected cultural riches, with indigenous stories, told in Arrernte, Pitjantjatjara and English, tumbling out as paintings develop on canvas.
Young Titjikala woman Lisa "Makinti'' Wilyuka, one of the artists of the works that will provide a decorative "skin'' for NAB ATMs in major cities and towns, said: "It's been a time when the ladies get together; we laugh, we have fun, we tell jokes. We tell stories, we learn from the old ladies.''
Nora Campbell is in her early 60s and used to herd sheep for the Maryvale Station, 130km south of Alice Springs and close to Titjikala. Her painting is an explosion of colour, typical of the contemporary style of Titjikala works that echo the history of its people's movement during the years of central Australian frontier violence. Many in the community are former station workers who found themselves forced on to welfare with the advent of land rights in the Northern Territory, as the station jobs dried up.
Titjikala Arts Centre manager Jane Easton said: "Their paintings tend not to focus on traditional styles. They are explorative, creative. There is a range of styles from the Western Desert to the Santa Teresa influence.''
The NAB commissioned the 10 artworks after forming a relationship with the central Australian community during the shooting of its successful Auskick commercial. The project was an initiative of two women who work in marketing at the bank _ Siobhan Forbes and Michelle Farkas _ but the commitment from the nation's largest bank of forming partnerships with indigenous communities has been driven from the top.
NAB chief executive Ahmed Fahour is a member of the federal Government's Australian Social Inclusion Board, created in May.
He knows what it is to struggle. As a child, Mr Fahour would sometimes watch his father, Abdel, a cleaner, toil at night scrubbing an NAB branch in Melbourne's north.
Lebanese-born, Melbourne-raised Mr Fahour said he would never forget the family's disappointment when his father was refused a loan by a big bank.
Mr Fahour said the ATM project was a small way that a large corporation could fulfil its obligations to the community.
"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the terrible situation our indigenous people find themselves in is one (issue) that is the responsibility of us all,'' he said. The NAB's partnerships with remote communities extends beyond Titjikala.
Mr Fahour will travel to Groote Eylandt, off the eastern coast of Arnhem Land, this month for the opening of a new branch of the Traditional Credit Union, an indigenous financial institution that is being expanded with $1 million provided by NAB as an interest-free loan.
NAB has paid market rate _ $3750 for each painting _ for the works that will decorate its ATMs. There is a roughly 60-40 split of the profits from the sale of each painting between the artist and the arts centre. The bank hopes to commission more works on an ongoing basis.
The Titjikala artworks will initially decorate ATMs in the CBD and Bondi Junction in Sydney; St Kilda's Acland Street and Collins and Bourke streets in Melbourne; New Farm in Brisbane; the Todd Mall in Alice Springs; Perth's Fremantle and St Georges Terrace; and King William Street in Adelaide.
Titjikala's former local council chief executive Harry Scott said the community was previously heavily dependent on jobs in Community Development Employment Projects, the Aboriginal work-for-the-dole scheme recently reinstated in remote communities. Out of a population of 250 people, there were 105 CDEP places.
Even though CDEP was officially reinstated by the Rudd Government on July 1, federal departments, with little fanfare and no publicity, have quietly been providing communities funding for "real jobs'' with award-based wages and conditions.
The Department of Workplace Relations has come up with $85,000 to pay the salary of the art centre's manager, and the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has provided funding to replace the arts centre's former CDEP jobs with six part-time positions. Combined with partnerships with corporations such as NAB, it is starting to look like a remote Australian welfare revolution.
"I think there's a need for governments to create more scope for this sort of thing to happen,'' Mr Scott said. "Instead of being out there in front, they need to be in the background. Really in the long-term, projects like this are where the community will get their experience of working with private enterprise and the real economy.''
Mr Scott said an organisation such as NAB was in a much better position to develop a long-term relationship with a community than a government was, because its funds were "not tied to a 12-month program''.
Ms Wilyuka said the women artists had already held meetings to discuss their plans for arts-oriented business ideas following the NAB ATM project.
"What we have learned is that sometimes government will fund for stuff, and sometimes they won't,'' she said. "It's something that's happened to us before, that made us want to stand up, and stand on our own.''
Natasha Robinson travelled to Titjikala as a guest of NAB
Media Man Australia Profiles
Aboriginal and Indigenous Media
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Greenfest comes to Brisbane, by Rob Ashwell - Greenbang - 21st July 2008
Greenbang is currently throwing her toys a little. She had so hoped that she might be able to attend Greenfest, the Australian green show taking place in October. That was until she realised that it wasn’t the best idea to fly half way across the globe to highlight ways to be green - she’s not the Pope afterall.
Instead, Greg Tingle will be Greenbang’s eyes and ears from the show. He has the advantage of already being on the east coast of Australia and can get to the Brisbane show a little more easily.
The show will have everything from food to transport to education and will be backed by a wealth of local bands as a music and film festival is held too.
The show is definitely worth a look if you’re near the area on the 10-12 October, if for no other reason than to see the Tesla electric sports car.
More information is on the Greenfest website and MySpace page.
(Credit: Greenbang)
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Greenfest
Colman Ridge
Environmentalists and the environment
Instead, Greg Tingle will be Greenbang’s eyes and ears from the show. He has the advantage of already being on the east coast of Australia and can get to the Brisbane show a little more easily.
The show will have everything from food to transport to education and will be backed by a wealth of local bands as a music and film festival is held too.
The show is definitely worth a look if you’re near the area on the 10-12 October, if for no other reason than to see the Tesla electric sports car.
More information is on the Greenfest website and MySpace page.
(Credit: Greenbang)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Greenfest
Colman Ridge
Environmentalists and the environment
Monday, July 21, 2008
Australia tops for cancer survival - The Sydney Morning Herald - 18th July 2008
Australia has been given a glowing report in an international cancer review which shows the nation has one of the best disease survival rates in the world.
Australian cancer experts have welcomed the report published in the journal The Lancet, but say Australia still has big gains to make in bowel, breast and lung cancers.
The study compares survival rates in 31 countries for the major cancer types, with Australia consistently falling at the top of the league table next to north America and Japan.
The poorest survival rates were seen in Algeria, Brazil and eastern Europe.
In Australia, Tasmania had the poorest survival rates for most cancers except breast and prostate, where the Northern Territory was the worst performer.
But the UK reviewers said state variations were "generally very small and overall survival was very high, suggesting high standards of health care in most areas."
"We are looking very good," said Professor Graham Giles from the Cancer Council Australia.
"People complain about our health system in Australia but in international comparisons we are doing quite well."
Recent publications from state-based cancer registries have shown big gains in survival in the last decade.
Prof Giles said good access to drug treatments and well established screening programs from cancer of the breast and cervix had put Australia in the lead.
But slow uptake of the national bowel screening program currently being rolled out was not helping the statistics, he said.
"Bowel is an unattractive cancer to sell to the public and not enough older Australians are getting their bums off seats and taking up the offer of being screened."
Improvements could also be made to breast screening rates, with only about 50 per cent of women over 50 regularly getting a mammogram.
Lung cancer "needs work", mostly in increased effort to reduce smoking rates, he said.
"Men are giving up in droves but the smoking epidemic in women has yet to abate and that's a problem," Prof Giles said.
Prostate and pancreatic cancer also had room for improvement, the specialist said, but the focus needed to be on research.
"With these ones, what we need is not greater public awareness but more basic research to better understand them," he said.
"For prostate we've got the awareness, but we need a better test to know which of the tumours we're finding are the 'tigers' to remove and which are just the 'pussy cats' that we can leave sleeping."
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Australian cancer experts have welcomed the report published in the journal The Lancet, but say Australia still has big gains to make in bowel, breast and lung cancers.
The study compares survival rates in 31 countries for the major cancer types, with Australia consistently falling at the top of the league table next to north America and Japan.
The poorest survival rates were seen in Algeria, Brazil and eastern Europe.
In Australia, Tasmania had the poorest survival rates for most cancers except breast and prostate, where the Northern Territory was the worst performer.
But the UK reviewers said state variations were "generally very small and overall survival was very high, suggesting high standards of health care in most areas."
"We are looking very good," said Professor Graham Giles from the Cancer Council Australia.
"People complain about our health system in Australia but in international comparisons we are doing quite well."
Recent publications from state-based cancer registries have shown big gains in survival in the last decade.
Prof Giles said good access to drug treatments and well established screening programs from cancer of the breast and cervix had put Australia in the lead.
But slow uptake of the national bowel screening program currently being rolled out was not helping the statistics, he said.
"Bowel is an unattractive cancer to sell to the public and not enough older Australians are getting their bums off seats and taking up the offer of being screened."
Improvements could also be made to breast screening rates, with only about 50 per cent of women over 50 regularly getting a mammogram.
Lung cancer "needs work", mostly in increased effort to reduce smoking rates, he said.
"Men are giving up in droves but the smoking epidemic in women has yet to abate and that's a problem," Prof Giles said.
Prostate and pancreatic cancer also had room for improvement, the specialist said, but the focus needed to be on research.
"With these ones, what we need is not greater public awareness but more basic research to better understand them," he said.
"For prostate we've got the awareness, but we need a better test to know which of the tumours we're finding are the 'tigers' to remove and which are just the 'pussy cats' that we can leave sleeping."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Cancer Awareness
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Day Sydney's homeless played a blinder, by Arjun Ramachandran - The Sydney Morning Herald - 21st July 2008
Spurred by NSW's capitulation in this year's State of Origin, eight homeless New South Welshman took it upon themselves to restore the state's pride, prevailing in yesterday's Street Soccer National Championships grand final in Melbourne.
Things had looked dire when the team, comprising homeless and marginalised people, conceded an early goal to a strong Victorian side being cheered on by a parochial home crowd.
But it was a minor blip.
"We were up against it - they scored the first goal - but after that I don't think we were headed," coach Robert Neligan said.
The team eventually won 8-5, and its eight members returned to Sydney last night boasting the championship trophy and their individual medals.
They were expected to share the glory with the extended squad of 25 at training at Moore Park this afternoon.
"The objective was to go down there just to have a good time, and maybe win a few games," Mr Neligan said. "We didn't expect to win because we've only been going for a few months, whereas Victoria had two teams, and have been going for a few years."
The championship is part of a street soccer program for the homeless and marginalised, run by street magazine The Big Issue.
Despite the intense on-field battles, the homeless from each of the states had exhibited a special bond, said Mr Neligan, who has worked with the homeless for many years with Wesley Mission.
"There's the ability to find empathy for each other, they click ... there's a handshake and a bit of a cuddle, an automatic bonding," he said.
"But there were no prisoners on the field."
Captained by Alex Marshall, the NSW side lost just one match for the entire tournament, against South Australia.
A large part its success was due to an "absolutely dynamic" player, Cowen Slaughter, who won player of the tournament.
"He's just sharp, can shoot left and right foot, an absolutely exciting soccer player. There's no doubt he'll be in the Australian team [for the Homeless World Cup in December]."
Mr Neligan was reluctant to single out players, insisting the championship triumph was a team effort.
"Some of those guys absolutely lifted themselves, people who I didn't expect to play so well.
"We were in camp for two days on the peninsula, just bonding for two days ... all that helps.
"Those guys will look at this in 10 years down the track and think 'I played in that.'
"I played soccer for many years and even guys you played with for just one year, you knew you were always going to be mates - I'm sure this will happen with these guys.
"Let's hope this changes their life. These guys are real street people, they've got genuine problems and had difficult experiences in their lives.
"We just want to see them go on from this and maybe get jobs and some permanent accommodation."
Mr Neligan has already seen the growth in some of the team members.
"There's confidence in themselves and their ability to do things. A couple of the guys are fairly shy and a little bit reserved, and you could just see the confidence growing as the tournament went on, and the way they related to each other."
The experience was just as enriching for Mr Neligan, who has played and coached in soccer competitions for many years.
"It's right up there. It's nice to win a club comp that you played in all year, but this is something different.
"One of the hard things about being coach is understanding how these guys are travelling, learning when to give someone space, when to talk to them, and building the relationships with these guys ... it was really satisfying."
Etched in his memory was the "electric atmosphere" of the final, and the moment the final whistle was heard.
"Everybody just invaded the pitch, cheering and congratulations all around, the media doing interviews."
But there had been no crying. "I don't think these guys shed too many tears."
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Things had looked dire when the team, comprising homeless and marginalised people, conceded an early goal to a strong Victorian side being cheered on by a parochial home crowd.
But it was a minor blip.
"We were up against it - they scored the first goal - but after that I don't think we were headed," coach Robert Neligan said.
The team eventually won 8-5, and its eight members returned to Sydney last night boasting the championship trophy and their individual medals.
They were expected to share the glory with the extended squad of 25 at training at Moore Park this afternoon.
"The objective was to go down there just to have a good time, and maybe win a few games," Mr Neligan said. "We didn't expect to win because we've only been going for a few months, whereas Victoria had two teams, and have been going for a few years."
The championship is part of a street soccer program for the homeless and marginalised, run by street magazine The Big Issue.
Despite the intense on-field battles, the homeless from each of the states had exhibited a special bond, said Mr Neligan, who has worked with the homeless for many years with Wesley Mission.
"There's the ability to find empathy for each other, they click ... there's a handshake and a bit of a cuddle, an automatic bonding," he said.
"But there were no prisoners on the field."
Captained by Alex Marshall, the NSW side lost just one match for the entire tournament, against South Australia.
A large part its success was due to an "absolutely dynamic" player, Cowen Slaughter, who won player of the tournament.
"He's just sharp, can shoot left and right foot, an absolutely exciting soccer player. There's no doubt he'll be in the Australian team [for the Homeless World Cup in December]."
Mr Neligan was reluctant to single out players, insisting the championship triumph was a team effort.
"Some of those guys absolutely lifted themselves, people who I didn't expect to play so well.
"We were in camp for two days on the peninsula, just bonding for two days ... all that helps.
"Those guys will look at this in 10 years down the track and think 'I played in that.'
"I played soccer for many years and even guys you played with for just one year, you knew you were always going to be mates - I'm sure this will happen with these guys.
"Let's hope this changes their life. These guys are real street people, they've got genuine problems and had difficult experiences in their lives.
"We just want to see them go on from this and maybe get jobs and some permanent accommodation."
Mr Neligan has already seen the growth in some of the team members.
"There's confidence in themselves and their ability to do things. A couple of the guys are fairly shy and a little bit reserved, and you could just see the confidence growing as the tournament went on, and the way they related to each other."
The experience was just as enriching for Mr Neligan, who has played and coached in soccer competitions for many years.
"It's right up there. It's nice to win a club comp that you played in all year, but this is something different.
"One of the hard things about being coach is understanding how these guys are travelling, learning when to give someone space, when to talk to them, and building the relationships with these guys ... it was really satisfying."
Etched in his memory was the "electric atmosphere" of the final, and the moment the final whistle was heard.
"Everybody just invaded the pitch, cheering and congratulations all around, the media doing interviews."
But there had been no crying. "I don't think these guys shed too many tears."
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The Big Issue
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Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Marcs founder Keighery loses cancer struggle - The Sydney Morning Herald - 19th July 2008
The Australian fashion industry was reeling yesterday following news one of its leading lights, Mark Keighery, had finally succumbed to cancer after nine years.
Mr Keighery died at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital just after 10pm on Thursday, aged 53. With him were his wife, Lisa, sons Jack, 11, and Harry, 8, and several close friends. It is understood he was admitted to the hospital earlier in the week suffering from an infection which had resulted from recent surgery in the US.
First diagnosed with kidney cancer, Mr Keighery fought a long and public battle with the disease, which spread to his lungs. His resilience won him many admirers beyond the fashion world as he focused his attention on raising public awareness about cancer.
The disease forced him to sell his Marcs fashion empire in 2002 for $22 million, although he retained his interest in the Diesel fashion chain. He recently listed the Unicorn Hotel in Paddington for sale, asking $9 million.
By 2005 his 183cm frame had wasted away to just 55 kilograms but he refused to succumb to the illness, reportedly embarking on a course of the powerful cancer-inhibiting drug Sorafenib (marketed as Nexavar) and "electrical" acupuncture.
By August last year, things were looking brighter for the millionaire rag trader, who counted the likes of James Packer and Jeff Fenech as friends.
A year ago he told reporters: "I've put on 20 kilograms in 12 months but I couldn't be happier about it. The most important thing is, I'm still here."
In April last year doctors at the Royal Prince Alfred and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, where he spent $50,000 a week on radical treatment for secondary lung tumours, told him he would not survive any more surgery.
As his treatment options narrowed over the past 18 months, the Chinese acupuncturist Leo Fang, of Bondi Junction, was attributed with helping to bolster his health, enabling him to emerge from self-imposed hibernation to score for his son's cricket match at Heffron Park.
"It occurred to me that I was the one who had scored a century and I thought, 'How good is this?' " he said at the time. "I'm here for [my family] now 24/7 and I'm so incredibly appreciative."
Mr Keighery's funeral is expected to be held early next week.
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Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Mr Keighery died at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital just after 10pm on Thursday, aged 53. With him were his wife, Lisa, sons Jack, 11, and Harry, 8, and several close friends. It is understood he was admitted to the hospital earlier in the week suffering from an infection which had resulted from recent surgery in the US.
First diagnosed with kidney cancer, Mr Keighery fought a long and public battle with the disease, which spread to his lungs. His resilience won him many admirers beyond the fashion world as he focused his attention on raising public awareness about cancer.
The disease forced him to sell his Marcs fashion empire in 2002 for $22 million, although he retained his interest in the Diesel fashion chain. He recently listed the Unicorn Hotel in Paddington for sale, asking $9 million.
By 2005 his 183cm frame had wasted away to just 55 kilograms but he refused to succumb to the illness, reportedly embarking on a course of the powerful cancer-inhibiting drug Sorafenib (marketed as Nexavar) and "electrical" acupuncture.
By August last year, things were looking brighter for the millionaire rag trader, who counted the likes of James Packer and Jeff Fenech as friends.
A year ago he told reporters: "I've put on 20 kilograms in 12 months but I couldn't be happier about it. The most important thing is, I'm still here."
In April last year doctors at the Royal Prince Alfred and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, where he spent $50,000 a week on radical treatment for secondary lung tumours, told him he would not survive any more surgery.
As his treatment options narrowed over the past 18 months, the Chinese acupuncturist Leo Fang, of Bondi Junction, was attributed with helping to bolster his health, enabling him to emerge from self-imposed hibernation to score for his son's cricket match at Heffron Park.
"It occurred to me that I was the one who had scored a century and I thought, 'How good is this?' " he said at the time. "I'm here for [my family] now 24/7 and I'm so incredibly appreciative."
Mr Keighery's funeral is expected to be held early next week.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Cancer Awareness
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Friday, July 18, 2008
Soul mate is laid to rest but his gift lives, by Daniel Emerson - Brisbane Times - 11th July 2008
The Australian aid worker Darren Stratti was shot dead just before he finished overseeing the building of a village in Tanzania but his father has pledged that his friends and family would complete the work.
"I don't hold anything against the man who fired the bullets; I pity him because he's got to live with it for the rest of his life," Sam Stratti said at his son's funeral yesterday.
"It's a far better thing to give than receive. Darren knew that. He wanted to do something better for humanity. [His death] is the world's loss."
Darren Stratti was shot dead 11days ago while defending his partner, the charity founder Rebecka Delforce, and other female aid workers during a robbery at the village they were building for children in Arusha, near the Kenyan border.
About 500 people attended the funeral at the church at St Joseph's Primary School in Moorebank, where Mr Stratti and Ms Delforce were childhood sweethearts.
Ms Delforce recounted how they used to walk to the same church hand-in-hand for school Mass. They lost contact after going to separate high schools but reunited years later after MrStratti had married and divorced another woman with whom he had two sons.
She said Mr Stratti re-entered her life when she was yearning for a soul mate to help her realise her dream of forming the charity foodwatershelter to help poverty-stricken Tanzanians.
"I thought that this so-called soul mate really needed to turn up. I had important things to do and needed some help," she said.
"I asked the universe to act as a medium. I called out to this evasive soul mate of mine."
She said she received a call from Darren within a week and they had their first date in 2004.
"Darren told me that night he fell in love twice. First with me and then my life plan," MsDelforce said.
"He was the most attentive partner; he guessed my every need before I even thought of it.
"Having an argument with Darren felt as safe as sharing an ice cream.
"Darren was as brave as a lion in protecting his loved ones."
Ms Delforce's father, Warren, revealed in a statement read by his son, Josh, that Mr Stratti had indicated he would soon ask for her hand in marriage, a request he would have readily granted.
"If there were any two people on this earth meant to be together, it was these two," MrDelforce said.
Mr Stratti's sons, Daniel, 14, and Robbie, 18, spoke of surfing trips with their father and said he had taught them how to express themselves through music.
"Rest in peace. We love you, mate," they both said.
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"I don't hold anything against the man who fired the bullets; I pity him because he's got to live with it for the rest of his life," Sam Stratti said at his son's funeral yesterday.
"It's a far better thing to give than receive. Darren knew that. He wanted to do something better for humanity. [His death] is the world's loss."
Darren Stratti was shot dead 11days ago while defending his partner, the charity founder Rebecka Delforce, and other female aid workers during a robbery at the village they were building for children in Arusha, near the Kenyan border.
About 500 people attended the funeral at the church at St Joseph's Primary School in Moorebank, where Mr Stratti and Ms Delforce were childhood sweethearts.
Ms Delforce recounted how they used to walk to the same church hand-in-hand for school Mass. They lost contact after going to separate high schools but reunited years later after MrStratti had married and divorced another woman with whom he had two sons.
She said Mr Stratti re-entered her life when she was yearning for a soul mate to help her realise her dream of forming the charity foodwatershelter to help poverty-stricken Tanzanians.
"I thought that this so-called soul mate really needed to turn up. I had important things to do and needed some help," she said.
"I asked the universe to act as a medium. I called out to this evasive soul mate of mine."
She said she received a call from Darren within a week and they had their first date in 2004.
"Darren told me that night he fell in love twice. First with me and then my life plan," MsDelforce said.
"He was the most attentive partner; he guessed my every need before I even thought of it.
"Having an argument with Darren felt as safe as sharing an ice cream.
"Darren was as brave as a lion in protecting his loved ones."
Ms Delforce's father, Warren, revealed in a statement read by his son, Josh, that Mr Stratti had indicated he would soon ask for her hand in marriage, a request he would have readily granted.
"If there were any two people on this earth meant to be together, it was these two," MrDelforce said.
Mr Stratti's sons, Daniel, 14, and Robbie, 18, spoke of surfing trips with their father and said he had taught them how to express themselves through music.
"Rest in peace. We love you, mate," they both said.
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Food Water Shelter
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Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Treasurer Launches New Community Treasurer's Awards - Press Release - 2nd July 2008
The Hon Wayne Swan MP
Today I launched a very important new initiative, the Westpac Community Treasurer's Awards.
The awards are to recognise the unpaid work of honorary treasurers in our community groups and in the wider Australian community.
The awards are the first of their kind in Australia and I am very proud to have had the privilege of launching them today.
The valuable work of community treasurers enriches the lives of many Australians – and it's work that often goes unrecognised.
In many instances they are the backbone of the local bushfire unit, the footy club or the surf life saving club and their efforts deserve to be heralded.
Their tireless efforts keeping the books means local sports participants or community volunteers can get on with what they are doing knowing the back office functions are being taken care of.
These new awards will also help highlight the importance of financial literacy, which is an important life skill for everyone.
It's my hope that they also help to establish community treasurers as great role models for the people in their organisations, particularly the younger members.
I'd like to congratulate Westpac and Our Community for their initiative in developing these Awards. The winning treasurers are from small, medium and large organisations and will be given $5000 for their organisation.
I'd like to encourage people to support the work of their local community groups and community treasurers. You can nominate someone for the awards at www.ourcommunity.com.au. Nominations close on 10 September 2008.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Westpac
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Today I launched a very important new initiative, the Westpac Community Treasurer's Awards.
The awards are to recognise the unpaid work of honorary treasurers in our community groups and in the wider Australian community.
The awards are the first of their kind in Australia and I am very proud to have had the privilege of launching them today.
The valuable work of community treasurers enriches the lives of many Australians – and it's work that often goes unrecognised.
In many instances they are the backbone of the local bushfire unit, the footy club or the surf life saving club and their efforts deserve to be heralded.
Their tireless efforts keeping the books means local sports participants or community volunteers can get on with what they are doing knowing the back office functions are being taken care of.
These new awards will also help highlight the importance of financial literacy, which is an important life skill for everyone.
It's my hope that they also help to establish community treasurers as great role models for the people in their organisations, particularly the younger members.
I'd like to congratulate Westpac and Our Community for their initiative in developing these Awards. The winning treasurers are from small, medium and large organisations and will be given $5000 for their organisation.
I'd like to encourage people to support the work of their local community groups and community treasurers. You can nominate someone for the awards at www.ourcommunity.com.au. Nominations close on 10 September 2008.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Westpac
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Virgin Launches Strip2Clothe Charitable Campaign - Web Pro News - 14th July 2008
Look Ma, no clothes
When we moved last month, my wife and I toted out 43 garbage bags of clothing we culled from our closets to donate to charity—some garments, a little shamefully, with the tags still on them. I'll let that act serve as rationale enough for not sending Virgin Mobile a video of myself stripping—although Chris Farley's got nothing on me as far as moves go.
Why am I tormenting you with images of fat men stripping?* Well, it's the least I can do to bring attention to Virgin Mobile's Strip2Clothe campaign, a charitable drive to provide homeless kids with nice new duds.
Virgin's charitable arm, Virgin Unite, is asking people to upload videos of themselves doing a striptease to their website. "Approved" videos will be featured on the site and on YouTube. The ones submitted so far are reasonably wholesome, following Virgin's guidelines of no nudity, cursing, brand logos, or copyrighted material. For every video submitted and every five people who watch the video, Virgin and partners American Eagle and Levis will donate an article of clothing to homeless kids in the US.
Not raggedy old, out of style now-that-I'm-done-with-it clothing, but new, fashionable articles of clothing to help them better succeed socially at school and/or to find jobs so they can have a better shot at changing their situation. Virgin says there are over one million young people on US streets, many of whom are runaways who were abused or neglected and who are forced to beg, steal, or sell their bodies to survive.
Why stripping? The campaign's slogan puts it pretty bluntly: "Someone out there needs clothes more than you." Think of it as a kind of walkathon, but with strippers. The videos featured on the site so far are pretty tame—I watched all of them, you know, just to help. The concept seems to have taken off especially in New Jersey and Maryland, where most of the submitters seem to be from, except for Chris here, who's bringin' it from the streets of, um, Texas.
Don't want to participate in the charitable debauchery? Virgin's cool with that and also has a Text2Clothe option for the shy, the prudish, and the fatty-web-writer type. Text "KARMA" to 68405 and you've bought a nice piece of clothing for somebody who really needs it. No karmic pressure. (Credit: Web Pro News).
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Virgin Unite
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
When we moved last month, my wife and I toted out 43 garbage bags of clothing we culled from our closets to donate to charity—some garments, a little shamefully, with the tags still on them. I'll let that act serve as rationale enough for not sending Virgin Mobile a video of myself stripping—although Chris Farley's got nothing on me as far as moves go.
Why am I tormenting you with images of fat men stripping?* Well, it's the least I can do to bring attention to Virgin Mobile's Strip2Clothe campaign, a charitable drive to provide homeless kids with nice new duds.
Virgin's charitable arm, Virgin Unite, is asking people to upload videos of themselves doing a striptease to their website. "Approved" videos will be featured on the site and on YouTube. The ones submitted so far are reasonably wholesome, following Virgin's guidelines of no nudity, cursing, brand logos, or copyrighted material. For every video submitted and every five people who watch the video, Virgin and partners American Eagle and Levis will donate an article of clothing to homeless kids in the US.
Not raggedy old, out of style now-that-I'm-done-with-it clothing, but new, fashionable articles of clothing to help them better succeed socially at school and/or to find jobs so they can have a better shot at changing their situation. Virgin says there are over one million young people on US streets, many of whom are runaways who were abused or neglected and who are forced to beg, steal, or sell their bodies to survive.
Why stripping? The campaign's slogan puts it pretty bluntly: "Someone out there needs clothes more than you." Think of it as a kind of walkathon, but with strippers. The videos featured on the site so far are pretty tame—I watched all of them, you know, just to help. The concept seems to have taken off especially in New Jersey and Maryland, where most of the submitters seem to be from, except for Chris here, who's bringin' it from the streets of, um, Texas.
Don't want to participate in the charitable debauchery? Virgin's cool with that and also has a Text2Clothe option for the shy, the prudish, and the fatty-web-writer type. Text "KARMA" to 68405 and you've bought a nice piece of clothing for somebody who really needs it. No karmic pressure. (Credit: Web Pro News).
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Virgin Unite
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Grassroots fresh energy to win the race against climate change - Media Release - 10th July 2008
Greenfest – free green festival of emerging arts and community action
Australia’s “largest free, green and emerging arts festival” happens at South Bank, Brisbane 10 – 12 October this year.
Greenfest, with more than 150 confirmed music acts, speakers, artists and film makers, will also feature at least 100 exhibitors showing “green” cars, building, fashion, organic food, as well as presenting education and career opportunities for young and old.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman today announced the Brisbane City Council’s support for Greenfest.
“This is a unique event that will yet again show Brisbane as a leader in sustainability,” he said.
“Greenfest is in the spirit of Council’s GreenHeart CitySmart campaign, which uses grassroots changes to protect what we love.”
The Lord Mayor also announced that the world-renowned naturalist and UN Peace Ambassador Dr Jane Goodall would launch Greenfest in Brisbane in October.
Greenfest will feature four distinct outdoor exhibition areas each with a different theme:
• Green Street Mall showing greener prodicts to improve the home, fashion, technology, personal care, travel, energy efficient white goods and lesiure products;
• Green Motor Show features a “race against climate change” with a line-up of low emission “green” cars from all the major automobile manufacturers;
• Green Career Show promotes greener opportunities for careers across all industries;
• Green Bake is all about organic food, drinks, cooking, celebrity chefs, great tastes, fresh food markets and healthy living.
Greenfest Director Colman Ridge said “Greenfest is about coming together to share ideas and practical actions to win the race against climate change.”
“The festival will be based in Brisbane with ambitions to become the world’s largest free green leadership festival within 5 years. It uniquely focusses on the fresh energy of new ideas and emerging arts as a means of creating a greener world ” Mr Ridge said at the launch.
In a letter of support just received from Jane Goodall, Mr Ridge quoted Dr Jane Goodall as saying:
“Greenfest is a wonderful grassroots initiative, highlighting Brisbane’s leadership and commitment to conservation, our environment and taking care of the community we live in. I commend the people of Brisbane for initiating such a wonderful event.”
Greenfest is supported across the community from government to business and conservation organisations to individuals. Interest in exhibiting from green business leaders has been tremendous and whilst not sold out yet, Mr Ridge said we are likely to close bookings for Greenfest 2008 by end of July.
The organisers also welcome groups and individuals to become involved with Greenfest as volunteers helping out at the three-day event. For more information or to offer to be involved visit www.greenfest.com.au
Released on behalf of Greenfest by Ken Hickson/ABC Carbon. Media enquiries to ken@greenfest.com.au ; telephone 3371 0016 or mobile 040262 982
Media Man Australia Profiles
Greenfest
Colman Ridge
Environmentalists and the environment
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Australia’s “largest free, green and emerging arts festival” happens at South Bank, Brisbane 10 – 12 October this year.
Greenfest, with more than 150 confirmed music acts, speakers, artists and film makers, will also feature at least 100 exhibitors showing “green” cars, building, fashion, organic food, as well as presenting education and career opportunities for young and old.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman today announced the Brisbane City Council’s support for Greenfest.
“This is a unique event that will yet again show Brisbane as a leader in sustainability,” he said.
“Greenfest is in the spirit of Council’s GreenHeart CitySmart campaign, which uses grassroots changes to protect what we love.”
The Lord Mayor also announced that the world-renowned naturalist and UN Peace Ambassador Dr Jane Goodall would launch Greenfest in Brisbane in October.
Greenfest will feature four distinct outdoor exhibition areas each with a different theme:
• Green Street Mall showing greener prodicts to improve the home, fashion, technology, personal care, travel, energy efficient white goods and lesiure products;
• Green Motor Show features a “race against climate change” with a line-up of low emission “green” cars from all the major automobile manufacturers;
• Green Career Show promotes greener opportunities for careers across all industries;
• Green Bake is all about organic food, drinks, cooking, celebrity chefs, great tastes, fresh food markets and healthy living.
Greenfest Director Colman Ridge said “Greenfest is about coming together to share ideas and practical actions to win the race against climate change.”
“The festival will be based in Brisbane with ambitions to become the world’s largest free green leadership festival within 5 years. It uniquely focusses on the fresh energy of new ideas and emerging arts as a means of creating a greener world ” Mr Ridge said at the launch.
In a letter of support just received from Jane Goodall, Mr Ridge quoted Dr Jane Goodall as saying:
“Greenfest is a wonderful grassroots initiative, highlighting Brisbane’s leadership and commitment to conservation, our environment and taking care of the community we live in. I commend the people of Brisbane for initiating such a wonderful event.”
Greenfest is supported across the community from government to business and conservation organisations to individuals. Interest in exhibiting from green business leaders has been tremendous and whilst not sold out yet, Mr Ridge said we are likely to close bookings for Greenfest 2008 by end of July.
The organisers also welcome groups and individuals to become involved with Greenfest as volunteers helping out at the three-day event. For more information or to offer to be involved visit www.greenfest.com.au
Released on behalf of Greenfest by Ken Hickson/ABC Carbon. Media enquiries to ken@greenfest.com.au ; telephone 3371 0016 or mobile 040262 982
Media Man Australia Profiles
Greenfest
Colman Ridge
Environmentalists and the environment
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Brumby takes chisel to some of his harder edges, by Paul Austin - The Age - 5th June 2008
The Premier has earned the praise and support of the social justice set.
WHO'S afraid of John Brumby? Well, the social justice set has been - until now.
A shockwave went through Victoria's welfare lobby last winter when Steve Bracks and John Thwaites abruptly quit politics. The fear was that Brumby would bring to the Premier's office a harder edge, turning Labor away from the fight against poverty.
After all, Brumby had become Labor's key to the top end of town, the de facto head of the pro-development, pro-business group in cabinet who often clashed with Thwaites, the champion of social justice and unofficial leader of cabinet's wetter, greener types.
But Brumby has always believed the welfare lobby's suspicions were based on a misreading of him. "I'm very committed to tackling disadvantage - that's why I'm in the Labor Party and not in the Liberal Party, right?" he said in an interview with this columnist during his first week as Premier.
Since then, Brumby has worked assiduously to flesh out his social policy credentials. He's done it in words and, more importantly, in actions. His success can be gauged by the fact that Rhonda Galbally, matron of the social justice set, now declares Brumby's Victoria to be the national role model as Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard pursue their "social inclusion" agenda.
The young John Brumby, studying to become a teacher, was heavily influenced by the 1975 Ronald Henderson inquiry into poverty. Henderson said then: "(Poverty's) continuance is a judgement on the society which condones conditions causing poverty." Brumby says now: "Social progress is a journey without a final destination … there is always another child needing an education, another family needing health care, another person with a disability needing support and access, another refugee needing help to start a new life and, unfortunately, another family needing protection from violence."
Brumby draws on his experience in three of the most disadvantaged pockets of Victoria: the old gold mining town of Eaglehawk, on the fringe of Bendigo, where he first taught; the Latrobe Valley, which he studied closely several years ago; and Broadmeadows, which he represents in Parliament.
The gold had long gone from Eaglehawk by the time Brumby arrived in 1976; it was now the second poorest urban area in Victoria. "Eaglehawk Secondary College fought against the continuance of disadvantage," he told the Australian Council of Social Service national conference in April. "The school … worked to engineer better conditions for its students through before-school and breakfast programs, sports programs, linking up with the community health centre, and linking up in all sorts of other ways with the local community. What Eaglehawk taught me was that two of the best ways to overcome disadvantage are, first, through education and, second, through community building."
The lessons learned at Eaglehawk came into play in 2001 when Bracks asked Brumby to chair the Government's Latrobe Valley taskforce. The valley was doing it tough: unemployment was through the roof, residents were fleeing to Melbourne, and houses in Moe and Morwell were selling for as little as $20,000. After a three-month study, Brumby's taskforce made 50 recommendations for social and economic revival. The Government backed the plan with $100 million. The biggest project involved training and employing locals to rejuvenate social housing. It was the forerunner of the Government's "neighbourhood renewal" program, now operating around the state.
"In a way, the Latrobe Valley taskforce encapsulates our Government's approach to the community and the economy. We see the two as inextricably linked," Brumby told his ACOSS audience. "What I've always said about the economy - whether it's financial management or job creation or infrastructure investment - is that it's a means to an end … and that end is a stronger, fairer society.
"You want a strong economy because you understand that economic growth creates the capacity for better services and social infrastructure, like hospitals, schools and community centres. But you also understand that you can't have a strong economy without a strong community - that while economic growth may pay for social progress, social progress enables economic growth."
Fine words come cheap, but these ones are backed with big dollars. Brumby lists the $500 million allocation to public and social housing in last year's budget - several times bigger than even the social housing lobby's ambit claim - as one of his proudest achievements as treasurer. And last month's budget, his first as Premier, injected a further $1 billion into the "A Fairer Victoria" program that is now being studied by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Recognising the strong link between poor health and poverty, Brumby has allocated more than $400 million to reducing chronic disease. There is $225 million to help people in the poorest postcodes in the state - more of those "neighbourhood renewal" projects that had their genesis in the Latrobe Valley. Acknowledging education as a bridge from poverty to prosperity, the Government is devoting $200 million to poor and "at risk" students. And there's $163 million for early childhood programs, again with a bias towards "at risk" children.
Brumby says his aim is to make this state the best in the nation, and adds: "Victoria can't be the best place in Australia unless it's also the fairest place in Australia." Rhonda Galbally, that admirably hard-to-please campaigner for the downtrodden, is on board. She says Brumby's "brave policy action plan" is making Victoria fairer.
She sees no reason to be afraid of Victoria's new Premier.
Paul Austin is state political editor.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Politics
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
WHO'S afraid of John Brumby? Well, the social justice set has been - until now.
A shockwave went through Victoria's welfare lobby last winter when Steve Bracks and John Thwaites abruptly quit politics. The fear was that Brumby would bring to the Premier's office a harder edge, turning Labor away from the fight against poverty.
After all, Brumby had become Labor's key to the top end of town, the de facto head of the pro-development, pro-business group in cabinet who often clashed with Thwaites, the champion of social justice and unofficial leader of cabinet's wetter, greener types.
But Brumby has always believed the welfare lobby's suspicions were based on a misreading of him. "I'm very committed to tackling disadvantage - that's why I'm in the Labor Party and not in the Liberal Party, right?" he said in an interview with this columnist during his first week as Premier.
Since then, Brumby has worked assiduously to flesh out his social policy credentials. He's done it in words and, more importantly, in actions. His success can be gauged by the fact that Rhonda Galbally, matron of the social justice set, now declares Brumby's Victoria to be the national role model as Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard pursue their "social inclusion" agenda.
The young John Brumby, studying to become a teacher, was heavily influenced by the 1975 Ronald Henderson inquiry into poverty. Henderson said then: "(Poverty's) continuance is a judgement on the society which condones conditions causing poverty." Brumby says now: "Social progress is a journey without a final destination … there is always another child needing an education, another family needing health care, another person with a disability needing support and access, another refugee needing help to start a new life and, unfortunately, another family needing protection from violence."
Brumby draws on his experience in three of the most disadvantaged pockets of Victoria: the old gold mining town of Eaglehawk, on the fringe of Bendigo, where he first taught; the Latrobe Valley, which he studied closely several years ago; and Broadmeadows, which he represents in Parliament.
The gold had long gone from Eaglehawk by the time Brumby arrived in 1976; it was now the second poorest urban area in Victoria. "Eaglehawk Secondary College fought against the continuance of disadvantage," he told the Australian Council of Social Service national conference in April. "The school … worked to engineer better conditions for its students through before-school and breakfast programs, sports programs, linking up with the community health centre, and linking up in all sorts of other ways with the local community. What Eaglehawk taught me was that two of the best ways to overcome disadvantage are, first, through education and, second, through community building."
The lessons learned at Eaglehawk came into play in 2001 when Bracks asked Brumby to chair the Government's Latrobe Valley taskforce. The valley was doing it tough: unemployment was through the roof, residents were fleeing to Melbourne, and houses in Moe and Morwell were selling for as little as $20,000. After a three-month study, Brumby's taskforce made 50 recommendations for social and economic revival. The Government backed the plan with $100 million. The biggest project involved training and employing locals to rejuvenate social housing. It was the forerunner of the Government's "neighbourhood renewal" program, now operating around the state.
"In a way, the Latrobe Valley taskforce encapsulates our Government's approach to the community and the economy. We see the two as inextricably linked," Brumby told his ACOSS audience. "What I've always said about the economy - whether it's financial management or job creation or infrastructure investment - is that it's a means to an end … and that end is a stronger, fairer society.
"You want a strong economy because you understand that economic growth creates the capacity for better services and social infrastructure, like hospitals, schools and community centres. But you also understand that you can't have a strong economy without a strong community - that while economic growth may pay for social progress, social progress enables economic growth."
Fine words come cheap, but these ones are backed with big dollars. Brumby lists the $500 million allocation to public and social housing in last year's budget - several times bigger than even the social housing lobby's ambit claim - as one of his proudest achievements as treasurer. And last month's budget, his first as Premier, injected a further $1 billion into the "A Fairer Victoria" program that is now being studied by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Recognising the strong link between poor health and poverty, Brumby has allocated more than $400 million to reducing chronic disease. There is $225 million to help people in the poorest postcodes in the state - more of those "neighbourhood renewal" projects that had their genesis in the Latrobe Valley. Acknowledging education as a bridge from poverty to prosperity, the Government is devoting $200 million to poor and "at risk" students. And there's $163 million for early childhood programs, again with a bias towards "at risk" children.
Brumby says his aim is to make this state the best in the nation, and adds: "Victoria can't be the best place in Australia unless it's also the fairest place in Australia." Rhonda Galbally, that admirably hard-to-please campaigner for the downtrodden, is on board. She says Brumby's "brave policy action plan" is making Victoria fairer.
She sees no reason to be afraid of Victoria's new Premier.
Paul Austin is state political editor.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Politics
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Widows across the globe remembered - M.E.N Media - 2nd July 2008
International widows day was celebrated at Trafalgar Square in London with over 300 celebrities, VIP’s and high profile dignitaries from the UK and abroad who joined in unison with members of the public to remember the plight that widows face across the world.
Staged by the Loomba Trust, a UK-based charity which fights to improve the position of widows in the developing world, the concert featured an international line up of entertainment, including critically acclaimed Icelandic opera singer Cortes; Bhangra music legends Malkit Singh and Channi Singh; Bollywood dancing sensation, Honey Kalaria; female Bhangra vocalist, Mona Singh; and an array of vibrant dancers from the Indian Subcontinent and the UK.
Hosted by GMTV presenter, Clare Nasir, the concert was opened by The Loomba Trust’s Founder and chairman, Raj Loomba and president, Cherie Blair with a ceremonial release of white doves from the stage.
The Loomba Trust, which was founded in 1997, supports practical projects to help thousands of widows and their children in Asia and Africa as well as campaigning to push the plight of widows up the international agenda.
This is helping to remedy a position where the plight of widows in many developing countries is often forgotten. It is estimated that there are over 100 million widows worldwide who suffer dreadful prejudice and discrimination – denied their right to inheritance, abused, shunned and pushed to the very fringes of society. And, of course, it is their children who also suffer, often being brought up in such poverty that they can’t afford schooling.
This cycle of deprivation is a major obstacle to tackling global poverty and meeting the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
Mr Loomba said: "It’s a travesty that the developed world has overlooked for so long the sufferings of widows and their children in many parts of the world. The injustices and hardships that they face go beyond belief and, rather than receiving the aid and support they need, they are subjected to lives of social rejection, alienation and misery.
"The struggles attached to widowhood are universal, and something of which I have personal experience, seeing my own mother struggling to raise myself and my siblings in the harshest of conditions. Into adulthood, I decided that I would do my utmost to eradicate the sufferings of widow communities across the globe, in whatever capacity I can, and I hope to rally support and recognition from nations, organisations and people across the globe."
The Loomba Trust, whose patrons include Sir Mark Tully, Alastair Stewart, Yoko Ono and Joanna Lumley, is working to ease the hardships facing widows across the world. It is funding the education of thousands of children of poor widows across India.
In partnership with Virgin Unite, Sir Richard Branson’s charity, the Trust supports a community building project for 1,500 orphans with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, and has become a global partner with HRH Prince of Wales’ charity, Youth Business International, and has launched the Loomba Entrepreneur Programmes to help young widows set up businesses in Uganda, Kenya, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Unite
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Staged by the Loomba Trust, a UK-based charity which fights to improve the position of widows in the developing world, the concert featured an international line up of entertainment, including critically acclaimed Icelandic opera singer Cortes; Bhangra music legends Malkit Singh and Channi Singh; Bollywood dancing sensation, Honey Kalaria; female Bhangra vocalist, Mona Singh; and an array of vibrant dancers from the Indian Subcontinent and the UK.
Hosted by GMTV presenter, Clare Nasir, the concert was opened by The Loomba Trust’s Founder and chairman, Raj Loomba and president, Cherie Blair with a ceremonial release of white doves from the stage.
The Loomba Trust, which was founded in 1997, supports practical projects to help thousands of widows and their children in Asia and Africa as well as campaigning to push the plight of widows up the international agenda.
This is helping to remedy a position where the plight of widows in many developing countries is often forgotten. It is estimated that there are over 100 million widows worldwide who suffer dreadful prejudice and discrimination – denied their right to inheritance, abused, shunned and pushed to the very fringes of society. And, of course, it is their children who also suffer, often being brought up in such poverty that they can’t afford schooling.
This cycle of deprivation is a major obstacle to tackling global poverty and meeting the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
Mr Loomba said: "It’s a travesty that the developed world has overlooked for so long the sufferings of widows and their children in many parts of the world. The injustices and hardships that they face go beyond belief and, rather than receiving the aid and support they need, they are subjected to lives of social rejection, alienation and misery.
"The struggles attached to widowhood are universal, and something of which I have personal experience, seeing my own mother struggling to raise myself and my siblings in the harshest of conditions. Into adulthood, I decided that I would do my utmost to eradicate the sufferings of widow communities across the globe, in whatever capacity I can, and I hope to rally support and recognition from nations, organisations and people across the globe."
The Loomba Trust, whose patrons include Sir Mark Tully, Alastair Stewart, Yoko Ono and Joanna Lumley, is working to ease the hardships facing widows across the world. It is funding the education of thousands of children of poor widows across India.
In partnership with Virgin Unite, Sir Richard Branson’s charity, the Trust supports a community building project for 1,500 orphans with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, and has become a global partner with HRH Prince of Wales’ charity, Youth Business International, and has launched the Loomba Entrepreneur Programmes to help young widows set up businesses in Uganda, Kenya, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
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Virgin Unite
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
High price of poverty, by Sue Hoban - The Manly Daily - 17th June 2008
For Maree Nutt it's all about money. Lots of money. Right now she has $37 million in her sights but what's $37 million when you're fighting a scourge such as world poverty.
The Mona Vale woman who, for the past two years, has been managing director of anti-poverty advocacy group Results Australia, knows exactly what that sort of money can achieve and how many lives it can save.
It's her business to know and to make sure politicians hear about it. Unlike front-line aid organisations that run their own aid projects, Results Australia functions purely as a lobby group to influence government decisions about Australia's $3 billion overseas aid program.
The concept started in the US and there are now counterpart groups around the world.
Maree Nutt is a passionate believer in its philosophy and its method of mobilising networks of grass-roots members who each work individually to lobby and inform their local politicians.
"We feel as individuals we can make a bigger difference by influencing the government than going off and doing our own aid projects," she said.
"It's sometimes difficult for individuals to see how they can make a difference but what Results is very good at showing is what they can do and it all starts with making a connection with their local politician. We build respectful relationships with members of parliament, where we want them to respect us for the quality and credibility of the information we bring to them."
She said the work was underpinned by a conviction that poverty could be eliminated.
"In 2000 all the leaders from every country agreed on a set of eight goals for halving poverty by 2015 and eventually ending poverty by 2025 and they committed to achieving those goals," she said. "We are just past the halfway mark and there are some countries that are behind, but others ahead of schedule."
Nutt, a former physiotherapist, said she was introduced to Results Australia when a friend invited her to a meeting 19 years ago.
She was single and just back from travelling the world, but left the meeting determined to join the cause after watching a video that graphically depicted the 40,000 children aged under five who, at that time, were dying every day from preventable, poverty-related causes.
"They had a jumbo jet in cartoon form carrying 400 children and 100 of them crashing to the ground every day," she said. "Now it's 30,000 children dying every day so things have got better, but that is still horrific, one child every three seconds."
She said Results Australia was now focusing on solutions to poverty such as micro-credit schemes, which provide small loans to help people start income-generating activities and work their way out of poverty.
She said almost 100 million of the world's poorest families had had access to microcredit and been able to profoundly improve their families' lives and futures.
"We are trying to encourage the government to allocate more of our aid program to micro finance," she said. "I can tell you it's a very small percentage at the moment."
She said another big focus was on trying to eradicate the "diseases of poverty": AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. "You can prevent all three and you can cure TB and malaria yet six million people die of those diseases every year and they're mostly poor people."
And that's where she hopes the $37 million will come in. Results has been lobbying the Australian Government to help combat these diseases in Indonesia, which now has the world's third-highest incidence of TB.
She said the Labor Party committed before the last election to cancel $75 million of Indonesia's debt to Australia if, in return, Indonesia agreed to direct $37 million of it to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB. The fund would than send it back to Indonesia in AIDS, TB and malaria programs.
"The government is getting very close now to making a decision on that and we are very hopeful it will be a favourable decision," she said.
Although Nutt receives only a small stipend for her work, she said she was committed to continuing in her present role and pursuing Results' vision for a world without poverty.
"It's been very fulfilling learning about these issues and some of the great things that are being done, but it's also fulfilling to help bring people in the organisation move from a sense of powerlessness to a sense that individuals can actually make a big difference."
She said since she had her own children it had been harder to find the time to do the work but her commitment had become stronger.
"You hear about children dying before the age of five from things that are so easily preventable and you put yourself in those mothers' shoes and you think, that could have been your child if you had been born in a different country," she said.
"A lot of our members up here are mothers and it really hits them that it could be them watching a child die of diarrhoea when they could be cured with a 10c sachet of rehydration therapy."
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Microcredit
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
The Mona Vale woman who, for the past two years, has been managing director of anti-poverty advocacy group Results Australia, knows exactly what that sort of money can achieve and how many lives it can save.
It's her business to know and to make sure politicians hear about it. Unlike front-line aid organisations that run their own aid projects, Results Australia functions purely as a lobby group to influence government decisions about Australia's $3 billion overseas aid program.
The concept started in the US and there are now counterpart groups around the world.
Maree Nutt is a passionate believer in its philosophy and its method of mobilising networks of grass-roots members who each work individually to lobby and inform their local politicians.
"We feel as individuals we can make a bigger difference by influencing the government than going off and doing our own aid projects," she said.
"It's sometimes difficult for individuals to see how they can make a difference but what Results is very good at showing is what they can do and it all starts with making a connection with their local politician. We build respectful relationships with members of parliament, where we want them to respect us for the quality and credibility of the information we bring to them."
She said the work was underpinned by a conviction that poverty could be eliminated.
"In 2000 all the leaders from every country agreed on a set of eight goals for halving poverty by 2015 and eventually ending poverty by 2025 and they committed to achieving those goals," she said. "We are just past the halfway mark and there are some countries that are behind, but others ahead of schedule."
Nutt, a former physiotherapist, said she was introduced to Results Australia when a friend invited her to a meeting 19 years ago.
She was single and just back from travelling the world, but left the meeting determined to join the cause after watching a video that graphically depicted the 40,000 children aged under five who, at that time, were dying every day from preventable, poverty-related causes.
"They had a jumbo jet in cartoon form carrying 400 children and 100 of them crashing to the ground every day," she said. "Now it's 30,000 children dying every day so things have got better, but that is still horrific, one child every three seconds."
She said Results Australia was now focusing on solutions to poverty such as micro-credit schemes, which provide small loans to help people start income-generating activities and work their way out of poverty.
She said almost 100 million of the world's poorest families had had access to microcredit and been able to profoundly improve their families' lives and futures.
"We are trying to encourage the government to allocate more of our aid program to micro finance," she said. "I can tell you it's a very small percentage at the moment."
She said another big focus was on trying to eradicate the "diseases of poverty": AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. "You can prevent all three and you can cure TB and malaria yet six million people die of those diseases every year and they're mostly poor people."
And that's where she hopes the $37 million will come in. Results has been lobbying the Australian Government to help combat these diseases in Indonesia, which now has the world's third-highest incidence of TB.
She said the Labor Party committed before the last election to cancel $75 million of Indonesia's debt to Australia if, in return, Indonesia agreed to direct $37 million of it to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB. The fund would than send it back to Indonesia in AIDS, TB and malaria programs.
"The government is getting very close now to making a decision on that and we are very hopeful it will be a favourable decision," she said.
Although Nutt receives only a small stipend for her work, she said she was committed to continuing in her present role and pursuing Results' vision for a world without poverty.
"It's been very fulfilling learning about these issues and some of the great things that are being done, but it's also fulfilling to help bring people in the organisation move from a sense of powerlessness to a sense that individuals can actually make a big difference."
She said since she had her own children it had been harder to find the time to do the work but her commitment had become stronger.
"You hear about children dying before the age of five from things that are so easily preventable and you put yourself in those mothers' shoes and you think, that could have been your child if you had been born in a different country," she said.
"A lot of our members up here are mothers and it really hits them that it could be them watching a child die of diarrhoea when they could be cured with a 10c sachet of rehydration therapy."
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Microcredit
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Donations for Midwest Floods Reach $16.3-Million, by Cassie J. Moore - The Chronicle of Philanthropy - 25th June 2008
Charities have raised at least $16.3-million to help the victims of the recent floods in the Midwest.
The bulk of that figure comes from the American Red Cross, in Washington, which has raised $13-million — about a third of what the group estimates it will need for its efforts in the Midwest.
The Red Cross has depleted its disaster-relief fund and is now borrowing money to pay for to move volunteers and supplies across the country to help with what spokesman Michael Spencer calls “silent disasters.”
“Right now we’re responding to 30 large-scale disasters across the country, and we count on that disaster-relief fund,” says Mr. Spencer. “We’ve got the flooding in the Midwest, we’ve got the tornados that hit Nebraska and across the country in Oklahoma, we also have flooding going on in West Virginia, we’re responding to the wild fires in California.”
Mr. Spencer says the fund’s depletion comes at a particularly bad time of the year.
“The busiest part of hurricane season is just ahead for us,” he says. “We have to have a healthy disaster relief fund for hurricane season. We’re very concerned about that. We need about $80- to $100-million just going into hurricane season because of the volunteers and supplies that we have to move before a hurricane hits.”
Drawing From Disaster Funds
Other charity officials, such as Scott Sundberg, director of communications for the Mennonite Disaster Service, in Akron, Pa., agree that the Midwest flooding is receiving much less public attention, and hence less donations, than other disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. The Mennonite Disaster Service has raised $10,000 so far.
Among the results from other organizations responding to the disaster:
* America’s Second Harvest, in Chicago, has raised $27,700 in cash and about 830,000 pounds of food and products, some of which was donated by corporate donors and other food banks. The group estimates it will spend about $200,000 providing food, water, and groceries to affected areas, which comes out of a disaster-relief fund.
* Catholic Charities USA, in Alexandria, Va., has raised $16,000.
* Farm Aid, in Somerville, Mass., has raised $50,000.
* Feed The Children, in Oklahoma City, has raised $40,070 in cash and has donated 492,626 pounds of groceries at an estimated value of $669,587.22.
* The Humane Society of the United States, in Washington, has raised $200,000.
* Network for Good, a Bethesda, Md., nonprofit group whose online giving site allows donors to contribute to any charity, has raised $5,000 since Friday, June 20, when an appeal went up on its Web site.
* The Salvation Army, in Alexandria, Va., has raised $2.9-million. Most of that came from a $2.5-million grant that the Lilly Endowment, in Indianapolis, awarded on Tuesday to assist storm victims.
* The United Methodist Committee on Relief, in New York, has raised about $23,000.
Comments
What is America, or more specifically, the American government, doing to stop this sort of tragedy happening again. Well, Bush won’t be in power next time, so perhaps the funding will get approved, and quickly, to get more than an inadequate sandbag band aid solution in approach. Has the got stopped greedy and evil corporates spewing their crap into the atmosphere yet? Acid raid and mass flooding is more than just Mother Nature’s revenge. Governments (and the people who make them up) have allowed the US to go to the dogs. I sincerely hope that Barack Obama and his team can make a real difference. Let’s face it, it can’t really get any worse. Let’s have accountability of government and make sure that they don’t forget the little people, the poor and the homeless. Friends of mine like Donny Sutherland (The Third Wave) have assisted in disaster relief efforts, and are happy to do so, however prevention is better than cause. Sadly, much of the damage is done, like the destruction of the planet via upsetting ocean currents and the atmosphere. Govt and world leaders, time to clean up the mess, and provide sustainable solutions. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.
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The bulk of that figure comes from the American Red Cross, in Washington, which has raised $13-million — about a third of what the group estimates it will need for its efforts in the Midwest.
The Red Cross has depleted its disaster-relief fund and is now borrowing money to pay for to move volunteers and supplies across the country to help with what spokesman Michael Spencer calls “silent disasters.”
“Right now we’re responding to 30 large-scale disasters across the country, and we count on that disaster-relief fund,” says Mr. Spencer. “We’ve got the flooding in the Midwest, we’ve got the tornados that hit Nebraska and across the country in Oklahoma, we also have flooding going on in West Virginia, we’re responding to the wild fires in California.”
Mr. Spencer says the fund’s depletion comes at a particularly bad time of the year.
“The busiest part of hurricane season is just ahead for us,” he says. “We have to have a healthy disaster relief fund for hurricane season. We’re very concerned about that. We need about $80- to $100-million just going into hurricane season because of the volunteers and supplies that we have to move before a hurricane hits.”
Drawing From Disaster Funds
Other charity officials, such as Scott Sundberg, director of communications for the Mennonite Disaster Service, in Akron, Pa., agree that the Midwest flooding is receiving much less public attention, and hence less donations, than other disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. The Mennonite Disaster Service has raised $10,000 so far.
Among the results from other organizations responding to the disaster:
* America’s Second Harvest, in Chicago, has raised $27,700 in cash and about 830,000 pounds of food and products, some of which was donated by corporate donors and other food banks. The group estimates it will spend about $200,000 providing food, water, and groceries to affected areas, which comes out of a disaster-relief fund.
* Catholic Charities USA, in Alexandria, Va., has raised $16,000.
* Farm Aid, in Somerville, Mass., has raised $50,000.
* Feed The Children, in Oklahoma City, has raised $40,070 in cash and has donated 492,626 pounds of groceries at an estimated value of $669,587.22.
* The Humane Society of the United States, in Washington, has raised $200,000.
* Network for Good, a Bethesda, Md., nonprofit group whose online giving site allows donors to contribute to any charity, has raised $5,000 since Friday, June 20, when an appeal went up on its Web site.
* The Salvation Army, in Alexandria, Va., has raised $2.9-million. Most of that came from a $2.5-million grant that the Lilly Endowment, in Indianapolis, awarded on Tuesday to assist storm victims.
* The United Methodist Committee on Relief, in New York, has raised about $23,000.
Comments
What is America, or more specifically, the American government, doing to stop this sort of tragedy happening again. Well, Bush won’t be in power next time, so perhaps the funding will get approved, and quickly, to get more than an inadequate sandbag band aid solution in approach. Has the got stopped greedy and evil corporates spewing their crap into the atmosphere yet? Acid raid and mass flooding is more than just Mother Nature’s revenge. Governments (and the people who make them up) have allowed the US to go to the dogs. I sincerely hope that Barack Obama and his team can make a real difference. Let’s face it, it can’t really get any worse. Let’s have accountability of government and make sure that they don’t forget the little people, the poor and the homeless. Friends of mine like Donny Sutherland (The Third Wave) have assisted in disaster relief efforts, and are happy to do so, however prevention is better than cause. Sadly, much of the damage is done, like the destruction of the planet via upsetting ocean currents and the atmosphere. Govt and world leaders, time to clean up the mess, and provide sustainable solutions. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Changing Colours Movement - review by Rae Threnoworth
Sunday 11:45am Before:
Sitting at one of the 'reserved' tables in the North Bondi RSL club I feel surprisingly energised after a 3-hour drive down from Newcastle this morning. Missioning it down the coast on this Sunday morning on my own after working late at the pub last night, and fluking it through toll bridges and tunnels on my first adventure to the 'big smoke' of Sydney, I realise that people will do so much more in the name of a good cause. When people are passionate enough about a topic, they attract people of a similar attitude and outlook, it's because of this that "The Changing Colours Movement" are a success.
As I sit here organizing my camera equipment and fiddling with my pen, people are casually but quickly moving about making the finishing touches to the Benefit Concert being held here today. There is a cruisy and united vibe about the place and no body seems to be stressing or panicking about the expected crowds arriving in the next couple of hours, not to mention the media expected to arrive for the press conference being held in twenty minutes. The crew are organized and focused – the specific intention of saving the whales is evident and all about are people flashing whale tales arm symbols as often as their smiles as a sign of unity, dedication and good humour.
Today's activities coincide a week long International Whaling Commission Meeting being held in Chile as of Monday, to raise awareness and money and help to bring about peace in our waters and to bring a final, necessary ban on whaling of any kind. It's been 22 years since Commercial whaling was subjected to a moratorium by the International Whaling Commission, although this is hotly contested by a small number of countries. The ban on commercial whaling was agreed by the IWC in 1982, finally implemented four years later although there are two IWC members who still continue to kill whales - Japan for what it calls "scientific research", and Norway because it does not accept the moratorium. Whaling and other threats have led to at least five of the 13 great whales being listed as endangered.
As a group, we ask:
Isn't it time to consider a non-lethal form of scientific research Japan?
The Benefit concert has been organized under The Changing Colours Movement, a movement brought together by a local Sydney band Mojada. Marco, Chad, Wes, Neil and Pat have recently taken some time off after a 3-month adventure and recording of their album over in the US. During this time the boys acknowledged the dire need to shine colour and light on to the horrific and pointless killings, which take place in our oceans, and to encourage the community/world to stand up to the Nations who refuse to take responsibility for the declining numbers of whales and dolphins in our oceans. This is what they endeavor to do today as the first of many events in the name of ending the slaughter of the people of the ocean.
"As 'The Changing Colours Movement' it is our passion and goal to promote sensitive and thoughtful discussion, and to bring general awareness to the issue of whaling to our generation."
Monday 10:32pm After:
Looking back over Sunday's events, not only have I connected with some amazingly motivated and inspired people but I have walked away feeling I have more knowledge and motivation on the topic because of this. It's comforting and endearing to know that there are people who aren't so out of reach that share this passion to rescue these giant beauties of the sea. They too are awake, aware and can acknowledge the need for people to unite and speak up to make these necessary changes so that our children can share our love for these ocean mammals.
The day kicked off at 11am and despite the bitterly cold wind whipping it's way along Bondi beach, media, celebrities and people in the local community made the effort to show their resilience to the world. To formalize the day's events, a press conference was held outside of North Bondi RSL club with celebrities the likes of Hugh Jackman, Gyton Grantley from channel 9's Underbelly, Bessie Bardot, Lauren Eagle (World Champ water skier and Miss Teen Universe), Nicole Atherton (World Jnr. Womens surf champ) Aaron Jefferies from McLeouds Daughters, Star Wars star Leanna Walsman, and Bardot singer Belinda Chappel showed up to help speak out on the Anti-whaling cause.
Joined by Australian band Mojada were special guests Waverly Mayor Ingrid Strewe, Deputy Mayor Dominic WYkanak, CEO of Greenpeace Steve Shalhorn, And CEO of IFAW Erica who voiced their knowledge and opinions to open the publics' eyes on some very real and very important facts which pro-whaling organizations are trying to keep quiet.
Bunna Lawrie, famous as lead singer in the band 'Coloured Stone' many years before and the first Aboriginal person to be awarded an Aria was also present through out the length of the day. Bunna who is the songman for his Mirning tribe performed a traditional Whale calling ceremony. The whale has a special place for Bunna and his people as the Southern Right whale is their totem animal, (an entity that watches over their tribe). The ceremony consisted of Bunna saying a prayer for the whales in his native tongue, followed by singing and dancing and calling the whales in. The spirits of everyone were lifted in delight as Chad from Mojada yelled "Whale!" and a couple of hundred meters out of Bondi Beach, water spouts could be seen coming from a couple of whales traveling up our coastline.
It was evident the connection we have with these whales, from our singing "Wiberu, Wiberu We Love you.. Wiberu We love you.." (Wiberu is Mirning's name for the Humpback whale) and sending out our peaceful united vibes of protection being rewarded by there presence. I can't imagine a world without them, one where we would have to explain to our children what these magnificent creatures were and why they are no longer part of our Earth. No sense can be made from it… being the only reason for their extinction would be man's greed for money and power. This greed is unsustainable and inevitably will lead to not only the wiping out of the whales, but an end to the income that these ignorant few are making from them. There is so much more to be learnt and if necessary, money to be made, from the living and breathing whale industry.
After the traditional and political aspects of the day on the foreshore of Bondi had wrapped up, the real party started. Kicking off the musical celebrations was Gin Wigmore, a young Kiwi girl with the most unique and energetic style I've seen in a long time.
Her style has been described as something of a mash up of Neil Young, Blondie and Macy Gray, You can check out her stuff at http://www.myspace.com/ginwigmore
Following Gin with everyone all the more happier and relaxed thanks to Sol beer's contribution to the event was the acoustic sounds of Melanie Horsnell.
Soon enough, everyone was in the partying mood and the music started to pump everyone up a bit more thanks to an Aussie hiphop band Budspells (http://www.budspells.com), the soulful sounds of Decklan Kelly. In between sets Dj's Jimmy 2 xox, and TARAS dj's kept everyone dancing.
(http://www.myspace.com/themojada) Volunteers on the day even stopped what they were doing to come and celebrate with the boys who had created this awesome event and mass awareness through media and word of mouth to help the charities "Surfers for Cetaceans" and the "Whaleman Foundation". Judging by the crowd's reaction of dancing, jumping and singing along, Mojada are a band to be reckoned with. Afterwards, Mojada called special guest Bunna up on to the stage for 5 songs including a great cover of "Aint No Sunshine" by bill withers, which he sang in his native Koori tongue. The energy in the room was intense with a clear message of unity. We're the new generation and although we like to party, we aren't going to allow these slaughters to continue.
Ending the night with a bang are local award winning Sydney band who were recently reviewed by Drum Media as "the tightest band in Sydney". Set to the stage with their explosive energy, everyone let loose before heading home to bed (or various after parties) ready for the Monday morning which was soon approaching.
King Farook's online profile can be seen http://www.myspace.com/kingfarook
It had been the most successful day and "The Changing Colours Movement" couldn't have asked for a smoother execution of the first of many events to come in the name of peace and protection of our waters, bringing people together with focused intentions and harmonious vibes. After putting this first event together in only four weeks with such success, I can only imagine the size and impact the next one will have thanks to Mojada, Sol beer, the musicians, celebrities and everyone who contributed on the day. It goes to show that big things do happen when people come together as one. Our voice grows louder and can reach this message further and further.
For more information on the whaling issue, you can visit Surfers for Cetaceans and Whaleman.org
Please also visit www.myspace.com/thechangingcoloursmovement to show your support and join the thousands of people now speaking up.
Article and Photography by Rae Threnoworth
Flickr online gallery - updated daily
Blue Element Photography Portfolio
Myspace Page
For more information on the whaling issue, you can visit Surfers for Cetaceans and Whaleman.org
Media Man Australia Profiles
Environmentalists and the environment
Bondi Beach
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Sitting at one of the 'reserved' tables in the North Bondi RSL club I feel surprisingly energised after a 3-hour drive down from Newcastle this morning. Missioning it down the coast on this Sunday morning on my own after working late at the pub last night, and fluking it through toll bridges and tunnels on my first adventure to the 'big smoke' of Sydney, I realise that people will do so much more in the name of a good cause. When people are passionate enough about a topic, they attract people of a similar attitude and outlook, it's because of this that "The Changing Colours Movement" are a success.
As I sit here organizing my camera equipment and fiddling with my pen, people are casually but quickly moving about making the finishing touches to the Benefit Concert being held here today. There is a cruisy and united vibe about the place and no body seems to be stressing or panicking about the expected crowds arriving in the next couple of hours, not to mention the media expected to arrive for the press conference being held in twenty minutes. The crew are organized and focused – the specific intention of saving the whales is evident and all about are people flashing whale tales arm symbols as often as their smiles as a sign of unity, dedication and good humour.
Today's activities coincide a week long International Whaling Commission Meeting being held in Chile as of Monday, to raise awareness and money and help to bring about peace in our waters and to bring a final, necessary ban on whaling of any kind. It's been 22 years since Commercial whaling was subjected to a moratorium by the International Whaling Commission, although this is hotly contested by a small number of countries. The ban on commercial whaling was agreed by the IWC in 1982, finally implemented four years later although there are two IWC members who still continue to kill whales - Japan for what it calls "scientific research", and Norway because it does not accept the moratorium. Whaling and other threats have led to at least five of the 13 great whales being listed as endangered.
As a group, we ask:
Isn't it time to consider a non-lethal form of scientific research Japan?
The Benefit concert has been organized under The Changing Colours Movement, a movement brought together by a local Sydney band Mojada. Marco, Chad, Wes, Neil and Pat have recently taken some time off after a 3-month adventure and recording of their album over in the US. During this time the boys acknowledged the dire need to shine colour and light on to the horrific and pointless killings, which take place in our oceans, and to encourage the community/world to stand up to the Nations who refuse to take responsibility for the declining numbers of whales and dolphins in our oceans. This is what they endeavor to do today as the first of many events in the name of ending the slaughter of the people of the ocean.
"As 'The Changing Colours Movement' it is our passion and goal to promote sensitive and thoughtful discussion, and to bring general awareness to the issue of whaling to our generation."
Monday 10:32pm After:
Looking back over Sunday's events, not only have I connected with some amazingly motivated and inspired people but I have walked away feeling I have more knowledge and motivation on the topic because of this. It's comforting and endearing to know that there are people who aren't so out of reach that share this passion to rescue these giant beauties of the sea. They too are awake, aware and can acknowledge the need for people to unite and speak up to make these necessary changes so that our children can share our love for these ocean mammals.
The day kicked off at 11am and despite the bitterly cold wind whipping it's way along Bondi beach, media, celebrities and people in the local community made the effort to show their resilience to the world. To formalize the day's events, a press conference was held outside of North Bondi RSL club with celebrities the likes of Hugh Jackman, Gyton Grantley from channel 9's Underbelly, Bessie Bardot, Lauren Eagle (World Champ water skier and Miss Teen Universe), Nicole Atherton (World Jnr. Womens surf champ) Aaron Jefferies from McLeouds Daughters, Star Wars star Leanna Walsman, and Bardot singer Belinda Chappel showed up to help speak out on the Anti-whaling cause.
Joined by Australian band Mojada were special guests Waverly Mayor Ingrid Strewe, Deputy Mayor Dominic WYkanak, CEO of Greenpeace Steve Shalhorn, And CEO of IFAW Erica who voiced their knowledge and opinions to open the publics' eyes on some very real and very important facts which pro-whaling organizations are trying to keep quiet.
Bunna Lawrie, famous as lead singer in the band 'Coloured Stone' many years before and the first Aboriginal person to be awarded an Aria was also present through out the length of the day. Bunna who is the songman for his Mirning tribe performed a traditional Whale calling ceremony. The whale has a special place for Bunna and his people as the Southern Right whale is their totem animal, (an entity that watches over their tribe). The ceremony consisted of Bunna saying a prayer for the whales in his native tongue, followed by singing and dancing and calling the whales in. The spirits of everyone were lifted in delight as Chad from Mojada yelled "Whale!" and a couple of hundred meters out of Bondi Beach, water spouts could be seen coming from a couple of whales traveling up our coastline.
It was evident the connection we have with these whales, from our singing "Wiberu, Wiberu We Love you.. Wiberu We love you.." (Wiberu is Mirning's name for the Humpback whale) and sending out our peaceful united vibes of protection being rewarded by there presence. I can't imagine a world without them, one where we would have to explain to our children what these magnificent creatures were and why they are no longer part of our Earth. No sense can be made from it… being the only reason for their extinction would be man's greed for money and power. This greed is unsustainable and inevitably will lead to not only the wiping out of the whales, but an end to the income that these ignorant few are making from them. There is so much more to be learnt and if necessary, money to be made, from the living and breathing whale industry.
After the traditional and political aspects of the day on the foreshore of Bondi had wrapped up, the real party started. Kicking off the musical celebrations was Gin Wigmore, a young Kiwi girl with the most unique and energetic style I've seen in a long time.
Her style has been described as something of a mash up of Neil Young, Blondie and Macy Gray, You can check out her stuff at http://www.myspace.com/ginwigmore
Following Gin with everyone all the more happier and relaxed thanks to Sol beer's contribution to the event was the acoustic sounds of Melanie Horsnell.
Soon enough, everyone was in the partying mood and the music started to pump everyone up a bit more thanks to an Aussie hiphop band Budspells (http://www.budspells.com), the soulful sounds of Decklan Kelly. In between sets Dj's Jimmy 2 xox, and TARAS dj's kept everyone dancing.
(http://www.myspace.com/themojada) Volunteers on the day even stopped what they were doing to come and celebrate with the boys who had created this awesome event and mass awareness through media and word of mouth to help the charities "Surfers for Cetaceans" and the "Whaleman Foundation". Judging by the crowd's reaction of dancing, jumping and singing along, Mojada are a band to be reckoned with. Afterwards, Mojada called special guest Bunna up on to the stage for 5 songs including a great cover of "Aint No Sunshine" by bill withers, which he sang in his native Koori tongue. The energy in the room was intense with a clear message of unity. We're the new generation and although we like to party, we aren't going to allow these slaughters to continue.
Ending the night with a bang are local award winning Sydney band who were recently reviewed by Drum Media as "the tightest band in Sydney". Set to the stage with their explosive energy, everyone let loose before heading home to bed (or various after parties) ready for the Monday morning which was soon approaching.
King Farook's online profile can be seen http://www.myspace.com/kingfarook
It had been the most successful day and "The Changing Colours Movement" couldn't have asked for a smoother execution of the first of many events to come in the name of peace and protection of our waters, bringing people together with focused intentions and harmonious vibes. After putting this first event together in only four weeks with such success, I can only imagine the size and impact the next one will have thanks to Mojada, Sol beer, the musicians, celebrities and everyone who contributed on the day. It goes to show that big things do happen when people come together as one. Our voice grows louder and can reach this message further and further.
For more information on the whaling issue, you can visit Surfers for Cetaceans and Whaleman.org
Please also visit www.myspace.com/thechangingcoloursmovement to show your support and join the thousands of people now speaking up.
Article and Photography by Rae Threnoworth
Flickr online gallery - updated daily
Blue Element Photography Portfolio
Myspace Page
For more information on the whaling issue, you can visit Surfers for Cetaceans and Whaleman.org
Media Man Australia Profiles
Environmentalists and the environment
Bondi Beach
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Westpac Community Treasurers' Awards - 2nd July 2008
Media Man Australia attended and reported on Westpac Community Treasurers' Awards
Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
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Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
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