Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Sand mining on Stradbroke Island... Long-term rehabilitation plans once Yarraman mine closes in 2027. Photo: AAP
STEVEN RIGGALL
COMMUNITY members have criticised the State governments decision to introduce a national park on North Stradbroke Island to coincide with the cessation of mining activity over the next 17 years. Minjerribah elder Margaret Iselin, known to locals as Aunty Marg, claims the decision will cost hundreds of jobs and leave many families with no employment prospects. But Dale Ruska, member of the Quandamooka people and leading antimining campaigner, said while he did not want to see a national park established, he supported the mine closure because community dependence on mining was minimal. Aunty Marg said she was stunned to hear about the decision to phase out sand mining on North Stradbroke Island by 2027. Aunty Marg described the decision as underhanded, and said she had not been contacted by Anna Bligh or anyone in the state government before the decision was announced earlier this year. Anna Bligh should have come and held meetings and consulted with people here, Aunty Marg said. She hasnt contacted us in any way, she hasnt even called. The decision to phase out mining on
North Stradbroke Island was announced by Anna Bligh on June 20. Ms Bligh said her government would oversee the creation of a national park on North Stradbroke that would cover 50 per cent of the island by 2013 and 80 per cent of the island by 2027. The decision is a further step in fulfilling the green target plan outlined in the governments Towards Q2 policy vision, which proposed a 50 per cent increase in the area of protected wilderness in Queensland by 2020. For Aunty Marg, the introduction of a national park would mean fewer jobs for workers who live on the island. I cant see 470 jobs here if they make this all national park, Aunty Marg said. Theyre advertising now for volunteer workers for the national park, cutting out our workers. She said there were no jobs on North Stradbroke Island before the introduction of mining. There was nothing before mining came here, she said. After the state government closed down the Dunwich Benevolent Asylum on the island in 1946, Aunty Marg said her family was forced to work menial jobs scrubbing floors and chopping wood for a pittance. Her mother and sister worked at a hospice for leprosy patients on nearby Peel Island until it, too, closed in 1959.
The government at the time took everything away, even the shop, she said. Our father went out and worked with the fisherman. He wasnt paid. We were given fish to live on. She said her husband Uncle Pat Iselin worked in the mines and over time was able to earn a comfortable living. We lived through hardship but now we have a beautiful house and we have educated our children, she said. Aunty Marg said the mining industry was crucial to the people of North Stradbroke, including the anti-mining activists who oppose it. A lot of these younger people, they think they can talk for us, but they never lived through what we lived through, Aunty Marg said. Mr Ruska said he sympathised with Aunty Margs concerns. Mining was a godsend for some of the elders here, he said. Mr Ruska said after the state government removed the asylum at Dunwich many of the elders were living in economic limbo, trying to transition to a Western style of life without enough jobs to go around. When the mining operations began in the 1950s, it offered opportunities for employment, but Mr Ruska said times had now changed.
Not all of us are economically dependent on mining, he said. I can only count around 30 families on the island that actually benefit from mining, both employees and contractors. The majority of the workers come from the mainland. Instead, Mr Ruska said the focus of any activism should be in opposition to the destruction of cultural heritage, primarily the clearing of land by mining companies. This island as a whole is very sacred to Aboriginal people, Mr Ruska said. It cant be conceived on a lease-bylease basis. Its all one big spiritual entity. Birthing sites, burial sites, sacred ceremonial grounds have all been disturbed by mining. Mr Ruska said re-vegetated land planted by the mining company, Unimin gave a good impression through green coverage, but did not constitute real rehabilitation. Considering North Stradbroke Island was a fragile and unique environment with World Heritage listing, Mr Ruska said any continuation of mining on the island would amount to a genocidal destruction of spiritual and cultural identity. However, he did not agree with the State governments decision to turn most of the island into national park.
All of this about a National Park is not from the Aboriginal peoples point of view its been dictated to us by the state, its solely their view about what they think will further our interests, Mr Ruska said. He said a better way to protect the island would be to gain recognition of Aboriginal ownership on North Stradbroke, which would ensure a right to a portion of any profits from economic activities on the island, while also conserving its environment through traditional stewardship of the land. The issue of environmental rehabilitation figures heavily in the debate over the future of sand mining on North Stradbroke Island, with activists and Unimin Australia arguing over the impact of mine site rehabilitation. Aunty Marg said the miners had sought her advice early on about which plants to collect to stabilise the sand dunes, something she appreciated. The former sole mining company on the island, Consolidated Rutile Limited (CRL), now owned by a subsidiary of Unimin Corporation USA which is part of the huge Sebelco group, co-published a guide to the flora of North Stradbroke Island with the Queensland Herbarium and the Minjerribah Moorgumpin eldersin-council Aboriginal Corporation. Continued on page 2
Continued from page 1 The guide draws on elders knowledge of native plants and features a series of interlinear notes by Aunty Marg explaining their various uses. Unimins website claims that Unimin is renowned internationally for the rehabilitation of native vegetation and ecosystems on NSIs high sand dunes and shows a series of pictures of alleged former mine sites progressing through the rehabilitation process, from a fully functioning mine to a fully fledged forest. But President of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Simon Baltais contends that many of the photos are actually of natural habitats elsewhere on the island, undisturbed by mining. Some of those photos are very deceptive, Mr Baltais said. Around 90 per cent of the photos are of natural habitats from other parts of the island. Theres a significant distinction between past mining sites and natural sites. Unimin Sustainability Manager and longtime Stradbroke Island resident Paul Smith defended the photos. I think Simon is treading a little bit dangerously there, Mr Smith said. I can provide photographic proof and I can actually put the photographer on the stand if he wants me to. [Simon] is trying to put emotion into an argument there and Im not sure why. The disagreement over the authenticity of the photographs belies a much deeper rift between the miners and opponents of the mine. For years, both sides have fiercely debated the likelihood of the Stradbroke Island habitat returning to its natural state after mining has been discontinued. Mr Baltais d not think it is going to happen. Youll be hard pressed to find any scientific paper which shows a significant return to the biodiversity that once was, he said.
Its really a nonsense to say that they can return these habitats back to their pre-mining condition. Mr Baltais cited a letter written by Griffith University School of Environment Associate Professor Carla Catterall, which cast doubt on the ability of mining companies to fully rehabilitate former mine sites. Professor Catterall quoted an article published in the journal Ecology and Society, which which reviews the myths of restoration projects, including the carbon copy myth, which assumes it is possible to make a copy of an ecosystem that has changed due to human alteration and the fast forward myth, which assumes that restoration can redo in a short period what it takes centuries for nature to accomplish. Mr Smith was unimpressed by the
Its really a nonsense to say that they can return these habitats back to their pre-mining condition.
letter. Dr Catterall has never been to the island, she has never walked through our rehabilitation, she has never done any scientific work on the island, and she certainly has never done any research for any of the people who have done scientific research on the island, he said. Its entirely her opinion whether the mining rehabilitation is successful. We have lots of research from lots of other experts from places including the University of Queensland. Alluding to activists such as Mr Baltais and the Australian Greens, Mr Smith said Professor Cateralls letter had been taken out of context and used as part of a very well orchestrated campaign to misinform the public about the issue.
There comes a time when they have to provide clear evidence other than hearsay and emotion to back up their arguments, Mr Smith said. Professor Caterall said while she had no interest in engaging in a public debate at this time, she was not expecting a favourable response from the sand mining business, saying the letter was intended to stand on its own merits. Regardless of their feelings on the matter, Unimin is preparing to scale down their workforce on the island over the next 17 years to coincide with the state governments plan. In May 2009, before the state government announced its plan to end sand mining on North Stradbroke, CRL sent a letter to the Australian Securities Exchange announcing the intended closure of its Yarraman Mine in 2013 and an anticipated approximate halving of its workforce on the island by 2014. This was before Unimin Australia bought all of CRLs shares in mid-2009. Mr Smith admitted that jobs were going to be lost with the closure of the Yarraman mine, but said that the numbers lost would not be as large as those quoted in CRLs letter. In an earlier press release on the issue, Mr Smith said the company supported 650 jobs directly and indirectly through their operations on North Stradbroke. The figure comes from a commissioned study conducted by Synergies Economic Consulting, which found that Unimin employed 289 people on the island, directly and through suppliers. The other 351 jobs are on the mainland. Mr Baltais argued that tourism would be the major employer on the island in the future, once most of it was declared a national park. Under the current arrangements there will be plenty of long-term jobs into the future, Mr Baltais said. Mining provides transitory jobs thats all.
Thank you for picking up the 2010 edition of The Source. This paper is the end product of more than 14 weeks of work by students from Griffith Universitys Bachelor of Journalism, Bachelor of Communication, and Bachelor of Arts. First of all, Id like to thank our design and production team. These four students put days of intense effort into creating this fine publication to show off our articles. Id also like to thank Trish Ketels and Dr Susan Forde, our tutor and course convenor. The Source could not have happened without their generous support and guidance. The Source Team
Supervising editor trish Ketels Student editors Robert Mukombozi Susannah thomsett News editor Susannah thomsett Lifesource editor Becky Paxton Chief Sub-editors Lily Charles Steven Riggall Sub-editors Ben Dillon Becky Paxton Jordan Philp tim Schaefer Adrianna Webster Layout design trish Ketels Tim Parfitt Newspaper Production Andrew Cramb Ben Dillon Tim Parfitt nadia vanek Photographic coordinator ingeborg Mate Holm Staff photographers ingeborg Mate Holm Dominique Kolarski Becky Paxton Photographic contributions AAP Above Photography timothy Allen of new eden Photography Anaphylaxis Australian inc Brisbane Broncos Jeff Busby Lisa Businovski Leanne Codner Ben Dillon Helensvale BMX ian Hughes Courtney Laidler
Each edition of The Source is unique, as each student decides what stories to pursue. This year, The Source boasts news, technology and sport sections plus the lifestyle and arts liftout Lifesource. The Source also has a website to combine the talents of our TV and radio broadcast students with our online edition; stories in this newspaper which also have a broadcast version available on our website are marked with a symbol. Go to thesource.griffith.edu.au. If you have any questions about anything published here or on the website, please contact Susan Forde at s.forde@griffith.edu.au. Student Editor - Susannah Thomsett
Sally Mann Peter McDonald Heath noon PAWeS Red Dragon Martial Arts & Fitness Steven Riggall the Shock Factor edna Shoeman Michael Spring Mike Swaine Susannah thomsett nadia vanek Udessi Wesley Mission Brisbane Staff writers Jarrod Boyd Lily Charles Andrew Cramb Ben Dillon Liam Doolan Amber Drury Jiahao Du noemi eros ingeborg Mate Holm Amy Ketter Dominique Kolarski Courtney Laidler Robert Mukombozi Drew Musch Tim Parfitt Becky Paxton Jordan Philp Steven Riggall Lidiana Rosli tim Schaefer Michael Spring Susannah thomsett nadia vanek Adrianna Webster emily Williams Proof Readers Lily Charles Amber Drury Amy Ketter Becky Paxton Steven Riggall Susannah thomsett Special thanks to the small team of students (you know who you are) who put in a supreme effort at the end to make The Source a reality. Susan Forde
Up in the air...BMX rider at the Helensvale park. Photo: courtesy Helensvale BMX
The original..The south-easts first satellite city, Ipswich, from the air. Photo: courtesy Above Photography
JORDAN PhILP
NEW studies show that growing numbers of Brisbane clubbers are risking drug addiction as they turn towards party drugs as a cheaper alternative to alcohol. The Federally funded Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) study saw a rise in people becoming addicted to stimulants such as ecstasy, cocaine and speed in an attempt to save money on a night out in Brisbane. In the 2010 Drug Trends report, the IDRS coordinator, Fairlie McIlwraith, said the report found a large group of ecstasy users who preferred consuming illicit drugs over alcohol. We found that 39 per cent of ecstasy users ranked illicit drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine as preferable to alcohol, Ms McIlwraith said. Our annual drug trends reports have found that the location for over half of common ecstasy use is venues like nightclubs and raves. Ms McIlwraith said the study found a large proportion of ecstasy users took drugs despite the health risks and the possibility of addiction. The users we interviewed told us the median price of two ecstasy tablets for one session was cheaper than the cost of several standard drinks in clubs, Ms McIlwraith said. We also found an alarming amount of amphetamine users who would drive under the influence of illicit drugs. Anti-drug organisation, Teen Challenge counsellor Alanna Frase, said she had seen a trend develop with young people putting themselves at risk of addiction when taking so called designer drugs in order to have a good night out. A lot of the younger people we meet in our outreach and rehabilitation centres started using party drugs sparingly, but began to spiral downwards into addiction when they started using them on a regular basis, Ms Fraser said. The ease of just popping a pill quickly rather than drinking for an extended amount of time in some way makes drug consumption glamorous. In 2009, the federal government
Overdose...Recreational drugs such as ecstasy are becoming increasingly common in clubs as a cheap alternative to alcohol on a night out clubbing. Photo: AAP
launched an $18 million anti-drug campaign that featured a series of television commercials targeting users of marijuana, ecstasy and ice. The campaign was shown in cinemas, on television and on billboards, and showed the risks each drug posed. Ms McIlwraith said a comparison of the two Illicit Drug Reporting System reports between 2009 and 2010 showed no substantial progress was made to decrease recreational drug usage in that period.
The two reports show the 2009 anti-drug campaign has had no significant or major affects on the recreational consumption of illicit drugs, Ms McIlwraith. Former Police Communication Centre phone operator Joe Klippelt, said he had regularly taken calls concerning illegal drug use while manning the CBD area emergency phone hotline. Mr Klippelt said on an average weekend the centre would receive more than 50 emergency calls attributed to party
drugs within the CBD. Over a weekend we would get dozens of calls just from people in areas like Fortitude Valley and the CBD with emergencies ranging from overdosing on ecstasy to [behaving] violently, Mr Klippelt said. Hard drug consumption seems to be the norm nowadays amongst the younger generation and is showing no sign of slowing down. Thats not including house parties, pubs and outer suburbs.
Transcontinental Hotel bartender, Jessa Duggin, said she had seen party drugs become a regular occurrence at outer suburban pubs. Its not out of the ordinary for me and the other staff to be offered drugs or to be asked where they could get some, Ms Duggin said. One in five younger people we get in here on busy nights would be off their head. Its becoming just as popular as drinking, if not more.
LILy ChARLES
GENERATION Y has an embedded right to fight attitude, which industry experts say make them more dangerous when they go out drinking. According to Chaplain Watch founder and Senior Chaplain, Lance Mergard, the mindset leads youths to alcoholfuelled, anti-social behaviour, often resulting in violence. Mr Mergard said this attitude seems confusing and dangerous to older generations. It seems to be that there is this type of implied sense of personal right that if you invade my space I will invade yours, but far more aggressively, he said. The respect for others taking latitude, stepping back and really having the guts as a human being to take a second look at whats going on it doesnt seem to be there these days. The issue has become such a problem in recent years it moved police to develop Operation Unite Bravo, a series of two-day operations targeting drunken behaviour and alcohol-related violence in Australias entertainment precincts. Queenslands Deputy Commissioner of Specialist Operations, Ian Stewart, said Operation Unite Bravo was about sending a strong message to Australian youth. We are saying very strongly, if you are going out with the intent to get drunk and cause trouble, you are going to be dealt with, Mr Stewart said. Were not saying dont go to these precincts, were saying by all means go, but you have a responsibility to act correctly and within the law. Operation Unite Bravo first started in December 2009 in conjunction with the State governments Operation Merit program, a 10-week campaign against alcohol-fuelled, anti-social behaviour.
SUSANNAh ThOmSETT
If somebody does something wrong they should deal with the consequences of what theyve done. But people are getting into fights and hurting each other, then only getting a $150 fine its not really cutting the mustard. Mr Farquhar said venues in Caxton Street were working together with Brisbane City Council and other venues to provide a safer environment for their patrons. However, Mr Farquhar said he was unsure whether extra police officers in the Caxton Street entertainment precinct was a sustainable option. Id love to see more police officers on Caxton Street but I dont know if the resources are there for that to happen,
Mr Farquhar said. But the cops who do patrol Caxton Street on the weekends are doing a great job. In the lead up to this years holiday period, the Queensland Government announced an extra $700,000 in funding for their One Punch Can Kill campaign in an attempt to lower the number of violent incidents over Christmas. With advertisements and merchandise already available, Mr Roberts said he hoped the message would start to sink in. A lot of young people recognise the slogan One Punch Can Kill, he said. What weve got to do is to keep repeating, repeating and repeating it so that ultimately people start to think
about what it actually means. The campaign will be built around the third Operation Unite Bravo, which has been planned for early December. Mr Farquhar said last years results proved people needed the message to be reinforced before they embarked on holiday binge drinking sessions. I think the figures and statistics from last year prove that it was a roaring success, hence people have been asking why this isnt happening all the time and not just throughout the holiday season, Mr Farquhar said. Its called silly season for a reason and if they can bring in more police just to stem the activities of those few overindulgent patrons in Brisbane, then I think thats a good thing.
IN AN attempt to keep Brisbanes train passengers safe and feeling secure, Translink employees have been given the legal power to frisk search people, remove them from public transport and detain them before delivering them into police custody. The employees, called senior transit officers, began patrolling Brisbane trains on September 27. The powers were created after amendments to the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 in October 2008 made a new category of authorised person able to detain people who commit physical or sexual assault on trains, or who vandalise Queensland Rail property. Senior transit officers can use reasonable force and handcuffs, and can also frisk search a person they believe to be carrying a dangerous item. The new transit officers are required to undergo training approved by the Police Commissioner. So far only eight senior transit officers are ready for work, with another 25 yet to be trained. Queensland State President of the Rail Tram and Bus Union, Bruce Mackie, said when the RTBU first heard of the powers two years ago, they were met with fierce resistance from their intended recipients, Queensland Rails transit officers. The majority of them felt it wasnt what they signed on to do, and the capacity to search, arrest and remove people from public transport using reasonable force and handcuffs changed the nature of the transit officers jobs, Mr Mackie said. After considerable resistance from the current QR transit officers, the Minister made the decision that would
Then-Minister for Transport, Reginald Mickel, said at the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bills second reading the senior transit officers powers were not police like. The government believes increasing transit officer powers to provide them with a limited power of detention is the best way to increase safety and security, Mr Mickel said. According to the explanatory notes tabled with the Transport and Other Legislation Bill 2008, the amendments were made primarily to improve the publics perception of rail security. Although less than two per cent of all crime in Queensland is committed on the Citytrain network, recent customer research shows that only 70 per cent of passengers perceive there is a satisfactory level of personal safety and security, the notes said. Data released by the Queensland Police Service revealed 209 incidences of common and serious assault, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, and grievous bodily harm occurred on trains and around stations from March 2008 to March 2009. This figure had been relatively static over the five years before March 2008, despite a considerable increase in train travel. Obviously, any level of crime is concerning, however, while there is a perception that railway stations and trains are dangerous, the reality is quite different, the report said. Mr Mackie said while there was a need for officials with powers like senior transit officers, their role would be better served by the police. We believe every member of the public has the right to leave their home and travel to their destination on public transport safely and securely.
samples are required to obtain the swabs at the time of the incident and the swabs are then provided to police for processing and investigation. The Council spokesperson said bus drivers were also requested to provide a voluntary sample for exclusionary purposes. Brisbane lawyer, Robert Champney, said he had serious concerns about the initiative and the recording of DNA evidence by bus drivers. Its a concern that Brisbane City bus drivers are now essentially becoming de facto police officers in that theyre collecting evidence, assumingly theyll have to take down statements as well, Mr Champney said. The Brisbane City Council bus drivers may not have the required training to avoid the contamination of evidence, and whether this evidence would hold up in court would remain to be seen. And theres also an issue of whether the Brisbane City council bus drivers should be doing this function, as it really is delving away from their primary role as an employee to operate the bus. The Brisbane City Council declined to comment on Mr Champneys concerns. Since implementation, the kits and deterrent signage are reported to have had the desired effect, and spitting assaults have steadily declined.
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Paranoid...Victims of workplace bullying often feel angry, upset and scared. Photo: Ingeborg Mate Holm.
only accept complaints after complainants attempt to resolve the bullying internally through an informal process, such as speaking directly with the perpetrator or mediation between parties, or formal processes where available. Pullen says the LHMU provides two kinds of support to bullied members, service and organisation. We provide a legal service, an information service, a personalised service from a service centre that can assist people we could represent that individual person with their employer, or advise them on that, he says.
The beauty of the trade union is we do a little bit more than represent people, we can actually organise people and change the way a whole workplace operates by getting people in the union, by building power, by educating people about their rights, by basically organising workers, which is the big difference from that servicing model. And by gaining respect, by knowing your rights and knowing that you have strength in a union, thats what threatens people and then people wont bully. The LHMU represents 1331 workers under 25 years old, 187 of those in the hospitality industry, and their Member
Assist unit has handled 190 complaints of workplace bullying so far this year. Branch says having a strong network of friends and allies in the workplace is also a way of protecting yourself from harassment and bullying. At the very least you can go and have a chat to them and also, if youre seen as being part of a group, youre not so vulnerable, not so isolated, Branch says. Lakos says she sees her experiences as a learning curve, albeit a steep one. If you dont take responsibility for your own role in things, you never learn for the next time.
Body image...Model gisele Bndchen on the victorias Secret cat walk. Photo: AAP
waif-like models as an ideal body type, is negatively influencing the behaviour of women in Australia.
It does need to change, and we, as the next generation of journalists, need to learn how we can help to change it.
I love Essence and I love fashion. I hate this news and this feeling. It hurts, literally.
nated readership, content knows no such thing as colour, Mancini said. If the writer is passionate and knowledgeable about issues affecting [the magazines] readers, everything else should be secondary in importance. Styleaholics.com Blogger and Style Consultant Najwa Moses said in her blog that the fashion industry in general
Interestingly enough, the things I think should most upset people and inspire boycotts and facebook protests, often seem to go relatively unnoticed
tion, Mapstone says. Black people are rarely featured in mainstream fashion magazines, so it could seem that she doesnt deserve such a high position on an African American magazine, because that role should have been filled by a black woman.
A babys life...Young mothers socialise with their babies at Young Parent Support System. Photo: courtesy Wesley Mission
and life skills, help them connect with relatives and other young people, Ms Hanson said. A lot of young parents are a little isolated, we want to help them link to other people in the same circumstances. Single parents frequently come from another state, and theyre away from their family some of them have no one at all to turn to. In a 2008 study on pregnancy care, Maternal and Child Health Nurse Nicole Carver, La Trobe Universitys Public Health Lecturer, Bernadette Ward, and
Senior Lecturer, Lyn Talbot, said that it was important in antenatal care for the voice of pregnant women to be given weight as well as the voice of experts. Several studies have reported that while continuity of care is important, increased satisfaction with care is more closely linked to caregivers not being rushed, personalising care, listening to womens concerns and making an effort to get to know women, the study said. A Wesley Mission Brisbane spokesperson said the organisations parenting support groups ran on a 12-week cycle,
with each week dealing with a different topic such as changes to the body during pregnancy, pain relief, what to expect after the birth, and where to find additional support. Sometimes we have guest speakers, we have music and movement sessions to help form that attachment between parent and child, the program really varies, the spokesperson said. Approximately 10 to 12 families attend each session. Child health nurses from Logan Hospital run the antenatal classes,
theyre able to offer antenatal checks and after the baby is born the parents can come to the babies classes for more check-ups. We also have a lactation consultant at the babies classes to help with feeding. After the child is one year old, the family can attend the toddlers group its the same principle as the babies groups, but with age appropriate information. The spokesperson said young parents generally joined the YPSS through the antenatal group, and continued on to the babies and toddlers groups. Ms Hanson said Centrelink referred some young parents but the majority joined the antenatal program through the local hospital. Were helping young people and making links with other community groups, Ms Hanson said. According to an Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2006, 45 per cent of Queensland fathers and 57 per cent of mothers surveyed were aged 25 or under when their first child was born. Another ABS study found that in Australia in 2008, there were 67,654 births where the mother was aged 25 years or under, and 37,587 births where the father was 25 years old or under. Visit www.wmb.org.au for more information on Wesley Mission Brisbane and its programs.
Courtside assist...Providing Awareness With education and Sport helps members of Hoop Dreamz perform on and off the basketball court. Photo: courtesy PAWeS
I started coaching five to ten kids, and now were an organisation. I saw the next generation falling into the same traps I was falling into; anti social behaviours and taking risks within their life. I wanted to change that. I wanted to help people help themselves. In his role as coach, Yohan stalks the court, barking out instructions to his young charges with equal parts of toughness and humour. The atmosphere is light and fun, but when the serious stuff begins the players switch on instantly. Such is their respect for their coach and leader. One of the players, Nyamuoch Yakuac, whose family also came to Australia from Sudan, finds Yohans unique coaching style ideal. Hes pretty cool, Yakuac says. He makes us work so hard and he
just pushes us. Hes tough but hes fair. Yohan has been awarded the Pride of Australia medal, nominated for Young Australian of the Year in 2009, a Community Award recipient and the Young Citizen of the Year in 2010. But Yohan does his best to shun such accolades. To be honest, that doesnt interest me, he says. At first, when things like that came up I was hesitant to be in that. I didnt want other people, especially the young people, to see me any differently because I dont see myself differently to them. This is not about getting recognition, this is about improving lives and making a difference. Yohan says he sees his young players as the future of the PAWES organisation, and the ones who will carry on his work long after hes gone.
Thats the great thing about us, it started with a young person and now other young people are catching on, he says. Soon the players are going to be the next volunteers; the ones that are going to take over. Thats really what Id like. Its sustainable. But despite all the positive inroads he has made, the future of PAWES is far from assured. Were okay until the end of the year, but with the new year coming were back to square one, Yohan says. We have nowhere to call home, to train, we have nothing. We rely on volunteers, and at the moment we dont have any. The work required to keep the organisation afloat is tremendous. Yohan is required to create and print the flyers, write permission slips,
negotiate and manage tournaments, coach the team and even drive the bus to and from games. He says the support he receives from the local community is excellent, but wider support is required if PAWES is to survive. This is the reason Yohan created the PAWES Fun, Community and Basketball Day. The day took place at Yeronga TAFE on October 2, and was designed to thank current supporters and attract new ones. We had nothing when we started, absolutely nothing, Yohan says. We had one ball. Weve come a long way, so were using this as a thank you to the people who have supported us. But at the same time we are using it to create awareness for the wider public and everyone else who may come, whether it be government officials or agencies, that we need further support.
LOWOOD resident Louise Slattery is the owner and sole worker of Brisbane Valley Cat Rescue. She says the RSPCA was forced to euthanase 11,000 of the 18,000 cats received through their Queensland shelters over the past two years, which is why she started a no-kill cat shelter at her home. Each year Slattery does her best to save the ever-increasing number of abandoned animals that are left at her door. Grey cats, brown cats, fluffy cats, fat cats and ginger cats, Brisbane Valley Cat Rescue takes them all in, caring for them 24 hours a day. However, with no stable income and so many animals being left with her, she is struggling to cope. Because there are so many cats, I cant actually get around to getting everything done, other than what must get done, she says. But despite the fact that more than 300 cats were left at her shelter this year, Slattery says she is determined not to be labelled a cat hoarder. Instead she affectionately refers to herself as the cat slave. Slattery has devoted her life and her home to re-housing and caring for
Adopting a fully micro-chipped, wormed and de-sexed cat from Slatterys shelter costs $150, but adopting an adult cat from the Queensland RSPCA costs $180. You dont make any money, all you can try and do is to not lose too much, she says. Slattery says she is floating financially, relying on occasional donations to help her pay the bills. Ive got a couple of friends that come over occasionally, but its 99 per cent me, she says. Slattery says she wishes that one day her services will not be needed. She says there isnt enough focus on cats as being pets, companions or friends of the family. People will see a cute little puppy or cute little kitten in the pet shop and theyll buy it on impulse without thinking about the fact that it needs... long-term care, what are they going to do with it on holidays, do they have the room for it at home, are they prepared to pay for all the vet costs when it gets older, are they even going to like it in four months time when its no longer a puppy or kitten, she says. All these animals would be dead if the shelter wasnt here now. It takes a special kind of person to do this job, but Slattery is keen to not be honoured for her efforts. Its not for anyone who is terribly intelligent because they would be smart enough not to do it, she says.
NATASHA Attard was only 15 when ongoing harassment caused her to run away from her hometown of Mackay. Now 24, Attard says she had a comfortable childhood growing up in a well-off family, with two brothers and plenty of friends to spend time with, and even horses to ride. Then at 15 she moved out of home and in with her older boyfriend. A school friend of Attards then also ran away from home, and she offered the girl a place to stay for the night at her new home. It was after that night that Attards life changed forever. One of my friends from school ran away from home, so I told her to come and stay with me, Attard says. Then her mum came around and bashed me. Attard was struck multiple times and thrown down the stairs, and the incident left her with severe facial injuries. Attard says her friends mother had been angry because she saw Attard as a threat to her family. She reported the assault to the police, but Attard says her complaint wasnt taken seriously. I went to the police and tried to lay charges against her, but they told me they couldnt do anything because I didnt have any witnesses.
Pride...natasha Attard is recognised for her hard work at the Brisbane Youth Service. Photo: Lily Charles
They said I couldnt prove that I didnt do it to myself to frame the woman. But I was only 15. I found out later her husband was a police officer. Attard says her friend was unhurt and returned home to live with her mother, but despite that Attard continued to be harassed by the woman for seven months. The woman followed Attard to her school and verbally taunted her until she felt she had no option but to leave town. Telling no-one, she fled to Brisbane leaving her support network behind. She had no money and nowhere to stay, and quickly fell into life on the streets.
My family didnt know I was homeless at first. I didnt tell them because I felt like they didnt care. After a while I knew my dad cared because he would keep putting money in my account for food and things. Living on the streets had made her feel depressed, and lead her to develop a serious drug habit. Attard says she hit rock bottom in 2008 and would often take drugs such as speed and ice to hide her depression symptoms from her friends on the street. She says her old friends and family knew nothing about her new life. I told my dad I needed money for food and stuff, but Id use it for drugs, Attard says.
Attard could not continue to hide her problems from her family and eventually confessed her drug use to her father. With his guidance, Attard enlisted the help of the Brisbane Youth Service (BYS), a community organisation dedicated to helping homeless and disadvantaged youths build better futures. The combined efforts of her father and BYS allowed Attard to travel to Sydney to spend time on her uncles property and undergo rehabilitation. It was there she rediscovered her love of music and also fell in love with her now late partner, Moe. He was the most incredible person Ive ever met, Attard says. Moe passed away in 2009, after he
funding
ADRIANNA WEBSTER
Anaphylaxis Facts Common symptoms of a mild to moderate allergic reaction Tingling of the mouth Hives, welts or body redness Swelling of the face, lips and/or eyes Vomiting, abdominal pain Common symptoms of severe anaphylaxis Difficulty and/or noisy breathing Swelling of the tongue Swelling or tightness in the throat Difficulty talking or hoarse voice Wheeze or persistent cough Loss of consciousness and/or collapse Pale and floppy (young children)
and they sometimes dont believe it. According to Maria Said from non-profit organisation Anaphylaxis Australia Inc., it is important for people affected by allergies to feel able to manage their conditions. Its very much about individuals learning to care for themselves, and learning to manage it themselves, Ms Said said. It affects their life as a whole because its food that were talking about and we eat several times a day. Ellys mother, Annelise Kirkham, has two children with food anaphylaxis and says the concept was initially incredibly difficult to understand. As a mother, I felt desperately guilty to have caused my child to have food anaphylaxis or not to have been able to prevent the risk. So when there was a diagnosis, I felt it was my fault, my responsibility; I was terrified. I had the diagnosis in my head and the script in my hand and I sat down and watched her. She was doing a little skippy dance in front of me and all I could think was shes so carefree and has no idea whats weve been told. You suddenly become terrified and irrational to protect your child. Clinical health psychologist and Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Queensland, Professor Justin Kenardy, said high stress situations where parents and children experienced near-death experiences, could put tension on a relationship. The younger the child the more important the distress level is, especially in pre-preschool level kids, Mr Kenardy said. Anxious and concerned parents create in their children the similar feelings of anxiety and concern. Parents need to remember that young children are born to read their parents
ALLERGY organisations and research facilities continue to struggle for funding even as cases of food allergies and anaphylaxis have increased dramatically over the past five years. As the reportage of allergies and allergic reactions in children continues to rise, allergy organisations in Australia are struggling to find funding to support the growing demand on resources. Maria Said from Anaphylaxis Australia Inc. (AAI) said the organisation struggled to support the increase in families and individuals in need of information, doctors and facilities. AAI is a national support organisation that educates for the allergic individual and we also support anyone whos trying to manage anaphylaxis teachers, childcare workers, health professionals, anyone working in government, Ms Said said. There are no other major patient support organisations that have the outreach that we have. Its predominately a volunteer run organisation. There are two of us who work full-time and three of us who work part-time, and were absolutely run off our feet. Chief Dietician at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) Allergy Unit, Dr Anne Swain, said during her time at the unit she had seen an explosion in patients with food allergies and the need for more resources. Weve started to see patients with food allergies and a number of them also have food intolerances and weve now realised that what we need are more resources, not just for people with food intolerance, but also to help people with an egg allergy, a milk allergy, [or] a nut allergy, which weve begun to develop, Dr Swain said. With such a demand for public health and resources, it is no wonder not-for-profit organisations like AAI are struggling to meet their needs and hoping for more state and federal support. The waiting lists for allergists in Queensland are so huge that there are people waiting to be properly diagnosed and supported. The government in Queensland really needs to do more to acknowledge food allergy as a public health issue, Ms Said said. Queensland Health was unavailable for comment. For further information on anaphylaxis and allergies in Australia, go to Anaphylaxis Australia website (www.allergyfacts.org.au) or the website of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, www. allergy.org.au.
mild mannered...Mana Bar patrons drink and game responsibly. Photo: AAP
employed, has an active sporting career, a fianc and a child, and yet invests several hours a day in his favorite hobby, gaming. For me, gaming is my method of relaxation, Lawson says. I can sit down, leave my stresses aside, get lost in a world for several hours and take out my frustrations with no consequences. Lawson is just one of a growing number of adults who use games as an alternative to movies, television and alcohol as relaxation tools. At the same time, Lawson says he thinks the government is wrong in its characterisation of violent video games as a serious issue. I play violent games all the time and I find it insulting that the government
would assume that I am so easily influenced by violence, he says. I just dont think it has an effect, and definitely no more effect than something violent on TV or in a movie. I think the government is looking at video games as something to blame because its the newest form of interactive entertainment. Blomberg says government need not look far in its quest for more research into the effects of violent video games. The Mana Bar is the ideal candidate. Our venue hasnt had incidents, and its actually quite a rare thing. Were open in the heart of the Valley, the middle of the entertainment precinct, surrounded by other nightclubs where violent incidents occur, and the Mana Bar is incident free.
waste to be disposed of more carefully. The EPHC said the effects of the potentially hazardous e-waste materials that leach into the surrounding environment from landfill were not yet well understood. However, according to the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations (NACRO), donating unwanted electronic items to charity rather than sending them to landfill could also be counter-productive. A survey conducted by NACRO of member organisations found the organisations were receiving overwhelming quantities of e-waste, with 75 per cent of respondents claiming to be oversupplied with e-waste compared with the resale demand for such items. NACRO said the donations were made either out of kindness and overestimation of the value of used electronics, or in attempts by the donors to avoid the inconvenience and cost of going to
the tip. NACROs survey also found that for 95 per cent of the organisation, disposing of e-waste carried costs for their organisations, not profit. Lifeline Brisbane Operations Manager Steve Dawber said that in September Lifeline had found a way to recycle broken e-waste donations. We get a lot of electronic items from the donation systems, we have people to test items and see if they work at our distribution centre, Mr Dawber said. Weve set up a partnership with the Kingfisher Recycling Centre, sending our broken TVs and things to their volunteers for disassembly, who have various mental and physical disabilities. Mr Dawber said the Kingfisher Centre now took all of Lifeline Brisbanes broken e-waste donations, and sold the disassembled items for scrap metal and recycling.
Weird and quirky...trash video was not your every day video rental store
Off to the Philippines...Andrew Leavold isnt afraid of what the world is going to at throw him next. Photos: nadia vanek
independent film projects. Ill basically be living of the proceeds of the liquidation for the next 12 months. First task is to finish off the doctorate and be able to go and teach in the Philippines, and then try to become a paid film maker at some point. Fans of trash video should look out for Leavolds up-and-coming Filipino midget comedy, The Taller They Come in specialist video stores around Brisbane.
Award winning act...(Above) The emerald green Elphaba has wowed audiences across the world. Photo: Jeff Busby. (Inset) Understudy for the role, Zoe Gertz. Photo: courtesy The Shock Factor.
winning film will also be screened at this years festival. 5 Centimetres Per Second tells the tale of three friends who grow up and learn the harsh realities of life together. I thank the Gold Coast Film Festival for inviting us to the Gold Coast again; its a special place for me and our company, Mr Kawaguchi said. I am looking forward to sharing my passion for anime at this years film festival. Mr Awazus animation short, Negadon, was created on a tiny budget over a period of 28 months and has won several awards, cementing his reputation as an artist with extraordinary ability. His eagerly awaited first featurelength film, Planzet, has also been an outstanding success. Mr Tazawas work includes Table and Fisherman, The Place Promised in our Early Days, Eago, Dimension Bomb, Beyond (OAV) and Afro Samurai Resurrection. He is currently working on his directorial debut, Ichirin-sha. The 2010 Anime Showcase is funded by the Regional Arts Development Fund.
Stunning...(top) Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) produced by FUNimation, (bottom) Redline produced by gastonia. Photos: Madman entertainment
Aussie art form...Udessi has 25 artists works showcased. Photo: courtesy Udessi
design, and there is a big range of pieces on my website that arent necessarily anything to do with specific Australian native elements, but just to have and know that you can go somewhere and everything is made in Australia thats really important to me, Ms Wallace said. Whether you buy a handmade bowl or a mass produced bowl it changes everything for me. When you have your breakfast in the morning and its mass produced, its just a bowl; whereas when its handmade you can still see the fingerprints and its slightly wonky... thats what gives it its charm and thats what going to stay
with people and hopefully be passed on to the next generation. Whatever it means for the next generation to come, the craft markets of Brisbane definitely now have a foothold in the culture of the city and theyre reinforcing traditions of reusing the old and creating anew. The next BrisStyle Indie Eco Market will be held on November 6 from 9am2pm at St Augustines Church, Racecourse Rd, Hamilton and the Finders Keepers market will be held on over the same weekend of November 6 and 7 at The Old Museum, Corner Bowen Bridge Road & Gregory Terrace, Herston.
Looking for Alibrandi?...Then look elsewhere. Nato claims the band name wasnt influenced by the book. Photo: Timothy Allen
It had nothing to do with the movie, although it makes it easier for people to remember. Alibrandis music is a unique, fresh sound, which makes the bands live show experience all the more enjoyable. McManus says their inspiration is drawn from a lot of different musical sources, which helps create their own special sound. The beauty of our band is that we all have such diverse tastes in music, he says. Theres a lot of common loves that we share, but theres a lot of music that one likes, and the rest of the group doesnt. I guess the bands we all love are bands like Bloc Party, Manchester Orchestra, Sparta, At the Drive-In. These acts would probably be the four main inspirations for our band.
In saying that, though, I could still list so many other bands that inspire our music and that we love. McManus says it took a lot of money and dedication from the band to get their EP, The Emergency, off the ground, and they are happy it was released on iTunes in late 2009. Of course, every musician would like their work to do a lot better, especially considering we invested so much of our money into it. The key is actually getting people to listen to it. The EP is a quality product that I totally believe in; you can buy it on iTunes, from us at our live shows or from our good friends at Kill the Music. McManus says Kill the Music in Brisbanes Elizabeth Street is an amazing shop that strongly supports local bands.
We urge all Brisbane music lovers to check them out, he says. With so many regular live shows around Brisbane under their belt, McManus says Alibrandi has plans to take their music around the country. In 2011 were going to really start focusing on touring more around Australia. Weve played a bunch in Brisbane, but its time we got out and did our thing in other states. McManus says playing live shows is integral to the bands identity. An Alibrandi show is always loud, energetic, intense, and fun, he says. We love playing live. Its the whole reason we do what we do. Despite the bands big touring plans, McManus says they also hope to go back to the recording studio in the near
On the couch with Brisbanes newest Birds Shellfin spread stoner rock
BECKy PAXTON IF YOU havent heard of local indie band Oh Ye Denver Birds, then get ready. The band and their debut single, Walls recently featured on Triple J Unearthed. They are launching their new song, Your sacrifice, this month while on tour around Queensland. They are also busy recording their debut EP. With influences like Sigur Ros, Sufjan Stevens and Elliott Smith, Oh Ye Denver Birds have a refreshingly off-beat and complex sound that does not dull after a few replays. Their densely layered music has innovative and intricate instrumentation with classical violin, raw guitar, keyboard, trumpet, tambourine, synthesisers and sticks. Front man Dom Stevens, originally from the Sunshine Coast, began Oh Ye Denver Birds as a solo project before gathering band members Josh Spencer, Katherine Gough and Zac Vale to help build their symphonic pop, alternate-electro, rustic folk sound. Stevens and Goughs whispery harmonised vocals, combined with the bands melodies, evokes a feeling of blissful floating. Triple Js Unearthed site shows a long list of positive reviews for Oh Ye Denver Birds. On the site, Triple J Music Director Richard Kingsmill wrote that if Oh Ye Denver Birds were from Brooklyn, theyd be on a million blogs by now. Im happy their home for now is Unearthed, Kingsmill says. But it might not be for much
JORDAN PhILP
JAMES Geekie is one of Brisbane citys main metal promoters and notorious for being the man behind the skins death metal outfit, Defamer. What a lot of people dont know is that hes also the drummer for stoner rock band, Shellfin. If you havent heard of stoner rock before, youre probably imagining red-eyed teenagers in grungy clothes, but Shellfin couldnt be further from that image. Three well-dressed lads and one sweet bass playing lady make up this band, and theyre serious about rocking out. Geekie says despite Shellfin being a few years younger than his other act, Defamer, which has toured internationally, its gotten just as big, if not bigger. Stoner rock isnt the same as metal, he says. Theres a small but dedicated crowd who seek it out, but there havent been too many prolific stoner rock bands in Australias music history that you can point to, so when we came along we were answering a lot of peoples prayers, Geekie says. [Shellfin] formed because Josh and I both lamented the fact that there didnt really seem to be any stoner rock bands in Brisbane, which was a shame because we love the genre so much. Cue a month later and we were in a jam room just playing around and wrote some songs we thought were pretty cool, so we kept at it, on a very casual basis.
Local birds soaring...Oh Ye Dever Birds going national. Photo: Lisa Businovski
longer if they keep writing songs this good. Lead guitarist Josh Spencer says he has been playing in bands since he was in grade nine mainly because he wanted to be cool and wasnt good at football. Spencer says after the Splendour in the Grass music festival last year Stevens asked him if he wanted to be in the band. It sounded like a pretty good idea, so I went along with it, Spencer says. I guess its grown quite a bit since Doms home recordings. Its gone from folk music to more electronic, beat-driven sounds. Spencer says the band likes to travel up to Stevens barn on the Sunshine Coast every weekend to create their music. We get to get away from the city lifestyle and relax in the hills, he says.
Like any band, really, its always good to get drunk and just jam on stuff so weve gotten into a bit of that recently up there. Spencer says the upside of being in the band is getting free drinks, meeting new people, going to new places and getting to play music. And the downsides loading gear out of venues and being broke, he says. Spencer says his best gig was sharing the stage with Akron/Family. They got us all up for a huge jam when we played with them in Sydney, he says. When asked how he would describe the bands sound, Spencer says: Hitty hitty sounds, knock knock wow! That really is the only way I know how to describe it. You can see Oh Ye Denver Birds at No Years at Brisbane Powerhouse on December 31.
Despite the casual intent, Geekie says things have been going better for Shellfin than expected due to the bands unique sound and live stage performance in a vast landscape of copycat bands. Well, like I said, there arent too many bands doing this kind of heavy rock that wanders all over the place, he says. A couple of our songs are quicker and in-your-face, where other songs tend to go on for five to six minutes and wander all over the musical landscapes of epic, fast and slow. Shellfin have an EP titled Stay For Tea out, but Geekie says these days you can only get hold of it online. You cant get physical copies of the EP anymore since it sold out ridiculously quick, over about three or four shows, especially after we got great reviews. Geekie says the band has a do it yourself ethic, spreading the music as far and as cheaply as possible. We released the album online for free and there have been hundreds of downloads from our bandcamp site, shellfin.bandcamp.com and now all the blogs are picking it up and loving it. Its a lot harder I find to get this sort of music out there than in metal, its a harder crowd to seek out, so were really pushing it to be taken for free. Shellfin are going from strength to strength, describing their sound as if Queens Of The Stone Age and Kyuss had a baby, we would be that baby. Shellfin launch their debut album on November 20 at The Globe Theatre in Fortitude Valley.
Picturesque...newlywed eka Shah (top) enjoying her traditional wedding with Menhendi (bottom) henna tattoos being drawn on friends and family. Photos: Peter McDonald
groups has created opportunities for a more diverse culture. Traditionally in Indian culture you wouldnt find people from the south of India marrying people from the North of India, but now this is a common occurrence, Chandra says. Before it was a very caste-orientated system of Punjabis marrying within the Punjabi network and vice versa.
In the old days the caste system created big gaps between groups, but nowadays its very well accepted. The thinking was different, they thought in terms of comparing horses to thorough-breds. There was a way of thinking that skills and education should be kept within the family and therefore marriages should be kept within the same
class to create more assets and security. With more financial security and more exposure to the international community, separation of classes and cultures is now less common. At the end of the day its just exciting to get married and be able to share your religion and beliefs with close family and friends, its such a beautiful way to celebrate your love, Shah says.
thanks to the amazing work of The Prince Charles Hospital. Read Lawries life changing story at www.findingcures.com.au
While Aussie students are sucking up vodka from plastic buckets on Thailands Phi Phi Island or catching the swell in Bali, many do not realise there is another affordable and beautiful Asian country right on our doorstep, writes Becky Paxton.
MALAYSIA is fascinating. Like many places in Asia, the colours, smells and tastes are bizarre and intense. Sitting just above the equator, the country enjoys summer conditions all year round with temperatures ranging between 21C and 32C; perfect for exploring a place home to some of the most pristine tropical jungles in the world. Although it is best to keep in mind the rainy season is between November and March on the east coast and between April and May on the west. Newcastle University student Georgina Ramsay, did a one month exchange in Malaysia in July but was initially unsure about travelling to the country. I thought Malaysia I know nothing about Malaysia; I didnt know that I want to go there, she says. [But] just because Malaysia isnt as high up on the tourism radar does not mean it has less to offer. With its three major ethnicities being Malay, Chinese and Indian, Malaysia is commonly described as a melting pot of cultures; however it is anything but. Envisage lots of pots bubbling away separately in the same kitchen and you have a more accurate depiction. Ramsay says as a traveller you could never get bored with Malaysia for the religious and ethnic diversity is unparalleled. You should prepare to see Hindu temples, Islamic mosques, Buddhist temples, Hokkein temples etc. This diversity extends not just to the people but to the food as well, she says. A visit to Malaysia is not complete without a visit to its capital city Kuala Lumpur and a visit to Kuala Lumpur is not complete without tasting frog porridge and having the dead skin of your feet eaten off by hundreds of nibbling fish. Despite whole frog carcasses floating in the bowl, Ramsay says frog porridge was honestly the best food she ate in Malaysia a big call considering how much amazing food is available. It was the spiciest, and it just tasted different to everything else (but in a good way), she says. As for the skin-hungry fish, dipping your feet in amongst their sucking gobs is thrilling and the tickling of their mouths against the soles of your feet and toes is something that takes a few minutes to get used but in the end your feet feel fantastic and sparkle with cleanliness sort of. Taman Negara National Park is a popular tourist destination in Malaysia. It is known as one of the worlds oldest rainforests, older than both the Amazon and the Congo, at roughly 130 million years of age. The park is 4343 sq km stretching across three states; Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu. Taman Negara sells tourists the chance to see wild tigers, elephants and panthers. Sadly this is not a common occurrence. Our guide confessed during our jungle night tour that he had spent months trekking through the jungle in search of a tiger, yet the most he saw of one was its faeces left behind. So if you are travelling to the park to see a tiger, expect to be disappointed. But disappointment should not be used in the same sentence as Taman Negara. The place is breathtaking. A simple ride in one of the wooden boats down the river winding through tropical canopy is enough to fulfill the nature-hungry traveller. Pink-leaved trees line the bank; their rosy reflection in the emerald water, magical. You may even catch a glimpse of a flying hornbill or macaque swinging in the tree tops. Ramsay says the park was more beautiful than she had ever expected. A trip on a fine afternoon is like a dream; the sunlight dancing on the shallow waters surface upon, he says. Many tribe members hide in their palm frond shelters, shying away from visitors. Ramsay says the Batek people were very mysterious. I wish I had gotten to spend more time with the women, but I did get to spend time with the children (cheeky cheeky!!), and also the men who were surprisingly easy to talk to and very approachable. Although ecotourism is transforming the traditionally nomadic hunter-gathering lifestyle of the Batek people. They are beginning to stay in the one area longer and do not have to gather as much food or make their own clothing, for they receive money and gifts from tourists. Ramsay says she learnt a lot about the way the Batek people lived and the traditions they still followed. It was a great way to view how indigenous lives manage tradition and modernity, she says. Callahan says that while he enjoyed meeting the Batek people, his experience was marred by the banana and palm leaves. They spoke about their lives and you were able to interact with their children, who were as interested in me as I was with them. Callahan says he felt very comfortable visiting the Mah Meri people in Pulau Carey. The wedding ceremony they allowed us to experience was beautiful, the villagers were happy and friendly and I felt a lot less obtrusive than while at the Batek village. Callahan says he would recommend travelling to Malaysia because of its small tourism industry. You would have a lot more opportunity to experience the real culture rather than a culture that has been mutated by decades of tourist influence. A lot of people do not realise that Borneo is not the name of a country but of the worlds third largest island. Although you have to fly across the South China Sea to get there, two states in Borneo Sabah and Sarawak are in fact, parts of Malaysia. The rest of the island is part of Indonesia. Sabah is known as the land below the wind for it lies beneath the typhoon belt but the place can receive over 4000mm of rainfall in many parts annually. You can travel by bus, providing that flash flooding does not cut your journey short, to the northernmost point of the island, the tip of Borneo, to see some delicious afternoon sun bathing the crystal ocean. It is incredible to watch a black storm in the distance sweep across the sea towards you, transforming the landscape within minutes. About an hour from the tip is the town of Kudat where you can meet the people of the Rungus tribe. The indigenous peoples of Malaysian Borneo are collectively known as the Bumiputera, not Orang Asli and there are also many different tribes. The Rungus people offer you the opportunity to share their culture with some rice wine, traditional dancing and the opportunity to watch in awe as they play wooden flutes with their nostrils. You can then experience sleeping overnight in their bamboo longhouse. More must-dos in Sabah include visiting the Orang Utan Reserve at Sepilok and seeing the famous rafflesia, the worlds largest flower, which only blooms for three days. Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah. You can expect all the glorious gems of Asia and more; striking ocean sunsets, bustling markets, and wildly delicious food. Off the coast of the city is the Tunku Abdul Marine Park where Sapi Island offers white sandy beaches lapped by glittering water home to clown fish in reefs you can snorkel. Ramsay says it was nice being so close to the ocean after staying on the Peninsula however Kota
A visit to malaysia is not complete without a visit to its capital city Kuala Lumpur, and a visit to Kuala Lumpur is not complete without tasting frog porridge and having the dead skin of your feet eaten off by hundreds of nibbling fish.
illuminates the river a sparkling orange; captivating amongst the towering pink and green foliage. Taman Negara also offers a rare tourist experience that is both amazing and unsettling. The indigenous peoples of Peninsula Malaysia are known as the Orang Asli and are the descendents of the earliest inhabitants of the land. There are 18 Orang Asli tribes and 869 communities. The Negrito Batek tribe still live in Taman Negara, much the same way as their ancestors did; largely untouched by modernisation. Visiting their village is marketed as a tourist attraction at the park. But if you are expecting to see an untouched jungle community, you may be shocked to step into the village and see many foreign tourists. Griffith University student Corey Callahan, 27, who also did an exchange in July says his experience at the Batek village was bittersweet. Here we were privy to the lives of a proud native people who accept tourists into their village and give their time to demonstrate a few aspects of their traditional lifestyle. But beyond the showmanship and beyond the relatively small amount of money this endeavour makes them, there was a definitive air of sadness in their village as their lives were constantly intruded remains of foreigners presence in the form of discarded cigarette packages and litter. He was disappointed by the seeming ignorance of tourists, blind to the way they were influencing these peoples lives. People need to be aware of the impact they have as tourists on any environment because just by visiting a place, whether it be a rainforest walk, a reef, or a native village, they are disrupting its native state and it will never be the same again, he says. There are many opportunities to experience the culture of the Orang Asli peoples throughout Malaysia, and communities such as the Mah Meri people in Pulau Carey Island in Selangor, welcome you to do so. While the experience may feel intrusive, the proceeds from tourism are an important element in helping preserve the traditional customs of the Orang Asli tribes and serves as a valuable source of income for the people. The warmth and beauty in their lifestyle, the way natural resources are not exploited but used efficiently and thoughtfully, the rich artistic traditions dancing, carving and weaving the tight-knit family atmosphere and the gorgeous smiles of the children are moving and unforgettable. Ramsay says she really enjoyed sitting with the ladies and watching them make handicrafts from
Kinabalu was also different in other ways. It was much more open, life was lived more on the streets, the markets were continuous and not obviously for tourists; this was where the locals shopped, and tourists just happened to watch. The smells and lifestyle were different, and the overarching Islamic presence was not so overwhelming here, she says. There are whole communities living in houses built on stilts in the ocean in Kota Kinabalu. Ramsay says her highlight of Kota Kinabalu was visiting a water village where she was warmed by the generosity of the people who satiated her curiosity about the place. The children were the cheekiest I had ever encountered, she says. Callahan also says the simple walk through the stilted fishing village was one of his definitive experiences in Malaysia. Its one of those rare moments that really deconstruct the barriers of internationalism and make you realise just how similar everyone is, he says. Mt Kinabalu is the pride of Sabah. It is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia at 4095.2m above sea level. Locals believe the peak to be haunted by spirits of their dead ancestors. Tens of thousands of people climb the mountain each year. Most climb to the summit and back in two days, which sounds impressive, until you learn an international Climbathon is held on the mountain annually where extreme athletes conquer the peak within two and a half hours. Dont let this fool you; the climb is tough. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia student Mei Xin Chua, 21, who lives in Kuala Lumpur says one of her best life experiences was climbing Kinabalu but that the vertical ascent was a grueling trek. The physically challenging climb was indeed a precious memory because believe it or not, Mt Kinabalu is a jaw dropping environmental stunner that sprawls into the heavens, she says. On the first day climbers usually trek the humid mountain terrain for anywhere between three to six hours depending on fitness level, before reaching the Laban Rata Rest House where dinner and showers are provided. If you reach the cabins on a clear afternoon, the view is stunning; you can stand above the clouds and watch the sun set behind them. As evening falls, so does the temperature. Kinabalu is unique in that you can go from wearing a singlet and shorts, sweating in the heat, to being so cold you cant take your hands out of your gloves to click your camera. Laban Rata sits at 3272m high, understandably there are power shortages. Kinabalu may be the first time you exhale frost breath while showering for the water is like ice. Although you may be exhausted and think sleep
will come easy, shortness of breath at such high altitude can make it difficult to relax. So go to bed as early as possible for sleep is needed when you have to wake at 2am to commence the climb to the summit in complete darkness. But when you stand at the peak watching the sun rise, the clouds in mystical bows across the jagged rock, it all feels entirely worth it. Callahan says climbing Mt Kinabalu was one of the highlights of his travelling career. Being able to observe the sunrise from 4100m over a skyline of jagged mountains and preliminary cloud formations really puts life in perspective. It was at moments like this that you really appreciate how wondrous the landscapes of the world can be, he says. STA travel advisor, Liz Gurashi, says her company does not get many students wanting to book holidays solely to Malaysia. It is more Thailand and Bali that is a much bigger market for students, she says. Gurashi says most people go to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore as a stopover but that they are not places that people go for two weeks holiday. But Ramsay says Malaysia is an excellent place for a holiday. It is the perfect combination of tourist sites, urban super-modern cities, beautiful beaches and traditional Southeast Asian lifestyles. I am sure you could not find this combination anywhere else in the world. Gurashi says in the high season period that coincides with university holidays, July and November February, you can fly return to Malaysia with Brunei Airlines for roughly $700. A direct flight to Kuala Lumpur via Malaysia Airlines is around $1000 but if budget airlines are not a problem for you, then Air Asia and Jetstar offer some cheap student friendly deals. Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur starts at around $47 per night for a two star hotel and if your budget is tight, there are 8-10 bed mixed dorms in Kota Kinabalu for $12 per night, including breakfast. One Australian dollar is worth nearly three Malaysian ringgit so once there, your money will go a long way. For all the natural beauty of Malaysia, it is the remarkable kindness and humour of the people that will see this country etch its way into your heart. Ramsay says the people of Malaysia have a hospitality that is incomparable. In Bali you are treated like a tourist but in Malaysia you are treated as a potential friend. Callahan says while attractions like climbing Mt Kinabalu are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it is the people who give you the best memories. The people were the primary reason I think I enjoyed it so much, everyone was so friendly and helpful, I am already planning a trip back over.
Exotic get-away...(From left to right) The Rungus tribe in Kudat, the Water Village in Kota Kinabalu,
City adventure...A group of ecotourists stop along Brisbane River as part of an Urban Adventures tour, which is growing in popularity. Photo: courtesy Edna Schoeman
AUSTRALIA hosted more than 5.1 million international visitors last year according to Tourism Australia statistics, so it is perhaps no surprise there is a growing interest around the nation in sustainable tourism or ecotourism. Research shows high volumes of tourists consume large amounts of resources, meaning it is crucial that more environmentally friendly approaches to tourism are adopted. Without ecologically sustainable practices, our national treasures such as reefs and rainforests may be at risk. The idea of a form of tourism that offsets a travelers carbon footprint and has a positive impact on the environment is wonderful in theory, but can ecotourism actually live up to its claims on a practical level? There are some critics who doubt the supposed positive impact these strategies have on the environment. Some tour companies and accommodation providers essentially falsely market their products and services as being green. Ecotourism Australias National Quality Standards Manager, Kristie Gray, describes this practice as green washing. You need to do more than offer people the opportunity to reuse their towels and sheets when they come and stay with you, Gray says. Thats not eco anymore, thats a given. Ecotourism Australia has become the
first organisation in the nation to develop a multi-level certification program for businesses in the tourism industry that adhere to best practices in the areas of climate action, ecological sustainability and respect for culture. Businesses receive a level of certification based on how environmentally sustainable their operations are. She says ECO Certification is a lengthy process and requires a high level of commitment of time and money on behalf of the applicant. Weve had people that have had
be green and people are showing the tendency to select green products over those that are not, Gray says. Brisbane Urban Adventures is a Brisbane-based day tour company that provides travelers with an eco-friendly experience. Brisbane Urban Adventures Director, Shaun Gilchrist says the companys tours are organised around low carbon impact activities such as walking, cycling, and using local public transport. Gilchrist says not only do tourists want green travel options, but they also
Being responsible, being eco friendly, being green these are terms that have become quite generic to most people...The focus is now on doing something that has a positive impact.
applications in progress for 12 months and more, Gray says. Gray says business owners that want ECO Certification must be willing to evaluate operating procedures, assess suppliers and products, submit a business plan, and pay the certification fee. If applicants successfully meet the guidelines, they receive ECO Certified status and may display the internationally recognised logo on their products and marketing materials. Gray says the visibility of this logo has a pay-off for businesses because its presence is important to tourists. Its not just the hippies and the activists these days its quite cool to want to have a positive impact on the communities they visit. Being responsible, being eco friendly, being green these are terms that have become quite generic to most people, Gilchrist says. The focus is now on doing something that has a positive impact. Gilchrist says the tour company has an agreement with Carbon Neutral, a non-profit carbon abatement company to offset any carbon they produce, and they help the community by making regular donations to local charities. They support local organisations such as Surf Life Saving Australia, Save the Children Brisbane, WSPCA and the
RSPCA, by donating $100 per month to each charity. Gilchrist says although Brisbane Urban Adventures is only in its first year of operations, it has already experienced a sharp growth in participant uptake and received substantial publicity including two television appearances on Channel Sevens The Great South East program, as well as on New Zealands TV One Good Morning Show. Gilchrist attributes the success of the new tour company to its community involvement and the environmental focus placed on the tours. People like that feel good sensation of doing something for the environment, Gilchrist says. According to a 2008 report by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism Ecotourism is becoming a cutting edge strategy in the tourism industry and Australia leads the world in green tourism products. The study showed more than 700 ECO Certified operators in Australia. Ecotourisms growth shows travellers are becoming more aware of the impact that their holidays have on the environment, but it remains unlikely that they will change to green activities entirely. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation estimates that ecotourism will make up 10 to 15 percent of all revenues from tourism worldwide in 2010, and they predict that profits in this sector will continue to grow annually.
FOR some tourists, the draw of green travel is not about becoming ecofriendly alone, but rather the unique travel experiences that green travel companies offer. take the example of 23-yearold French tourist, Fiona Nicolas, who is currently travelling around Australia. Her carbon footprint is important to Nicolas, who wants to ensure that throughout her travels her Haviana thongs leave as faint a footprint as possible. nicolas recently participated in a cycling tour around Brisbane organised by day tour company, Brisbane Urban Adventures. i chose Brisbane Urban Adventures because they have smaller groups and their tours are more adventurous than most, she says. So far, Nicolas has done two tours with Brisbane Urban Adventures. She says she prefers this companys tours over other types of tours because they are off the beaten trail, showing participants more than just the standard major tourist attractions. You get to experience more of the local culture this way, nicolas says. Shaun, our guide, told us funny stories and anecdotes along the way with smaller groups its more intimate and the guide can share more than just basic information. nicolas opts for green travel options whenever possible and says that ecotourism has not placed any limitations on her travel plans. the French tourist says the motivations behind her eco savvy travel choices are logical ones. if youre having fun doing it and youre making a positive contribution to the environment at the same time, then, why not?
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Toronto city by night...T Dot, as it is referred to by locals offers some great sights. Photo: AAP
genuinely incredible sights to take in, he says. There is something here for everybody, I truly believe that. Just a 20-minute walk from the tower lies the shopping precinct of Queen Street West in the centre of Torontos CBD, which is also its creative heart. Fashionista Este Mancini is as passionate about the shopping district. Queen St West has always been my favourite place to visit in Toronto, Mancini says. It is the perfect spot to come for shopping, to eat at cafes and to just soak up the artistic atmosphere. It is definitely unique and very popular with locals in their 20s. Queen St West boasts some of Torontos best vintage shopping, especially in the Kensington Market area, which has justifiably earned its title
as Torontos most vibrant and diverse neighbourhood. Kensington Market is the go-to shopping destination for Toronto locals and tourists who want access to the unique fashion from up-and-coming young local designers and vintage specialty stores that make up the majority of the shops and boutiques in the district. But it is not only the shopping that attracts visitors to Kensington Markets; the area is also well known for its rich multicultural atmosphere and dining opportunities. Mancini took me to her favourite place to eat in the area, Irie Food Joint. Situated at 745 Queen St West, Irie Food Joint serves up traditional West Indian dishes such as jerk chicken and roti, accompanied by West Indian beers like Red Stripe. The meals are authentic, affordable
and would serve as the perfect end to a busy days sightseeing in Toronto. Another must do is a visit to Dufflet Pastries, which can also be found in the busy shopping precinct. The store opened in 1982 and is now the place to go to find the citys finest pastries. With offerings ranging from cheesecakes to cookies, and hot chocolate to espresso, it is no wonder that Dufflet Pastries is such a dessert mecca. High on your tourist to-do list should be a visit to Casa Loma in Torontos midtown, famous for being the only existing full-sized castle in North America. Casa Loma was the one-time home for financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt and was built over a three-year period from 1911 to 1914. Visitors to Casa Loma can take a selfguided audio tour of the breathtaking
castle, which is surrounded by five acres of beautiful gardens that are open to the public from May to October. A trip to Toronto is not complete without taking in the natural wonder that is Niagara Falls. Around an hours drive from the Toronto CBD and situated on the Canadian-United States border, Niagara Falls is best visited in the more temperate period from May through to mid-September. In addition to the spectacular falls, youll find an abundance of amusements at Niagara Falls including the Maid of the Mist boat ride that will take you from the Canadian docks, past the base of the American Falls and into the basin of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, to gambling at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Among the many other Niagara attractions are Louis Tussauds Waxworks, the Mystery Maze, go-karting, and Skylon Tower, Niagaras tallest total entertainment complex. At the end of the day when youre looking for somewhere comfortable to lay your head in Toronto youll find you are spoilt for choice. But if youre looking for a convenient urban retreat, the centrally located Drake Hotel on 1150 Queen St West is a great place to start. The Drake Hotel proclaims to be a hotbed of culture, is one of Travel and Leisure Magazines Top 500 Hotels in the World and was voted second in TripAdvisors list of Torontos best hotels. The hotel combines new and old, creating a contemporary destination complete with sushi bars and live indie music venues. For more information on Toronto, check out the following websites: City of Toronto: www.toronto.ca Kensingston Market: www.kensington-market.ca/ CN Tower: www.cntower.ca/ The Drake Hotel: www.thedrakehotel.ca/
Chopsticks ready!...A modest version of the Korean BBQ theme. Photo: Ben Dillon
that is live octopus. Among the more dangerous treats to try in Korea (which also includes the deadly blowfish), live octopus, or Sannak-ji, is a dish best dunked liberally in sesame oil before swallowing the severed but still twitching tentacles. Fatalities can occur as a result of eating this dish. In 2008 a man in Gwangju died after choking on a live octopus tentacle, when the octopus suction cap stuck in the mans throat. Korean restaurants in Australia cant offer the full gamut of Korean delicacies, especially some of the more bizarre offerings, there are still some gems to be found locally.
Young-Sun Hwang is a Korean who immigrated to Australia in 2005, and was initially unimpressed with the quality of Korean restaurants here. When I first arrived here I thought the [Korean] restaurants were not authentic because the food didnt taste like in Korea, Young-Sun says. But now there are some restaurants which are trying to be more authentic by using the ingredients we use in Korea, not local substitutes. My favourite Korean foods are bibimbap and bulgogi, which is best cooked on a charcoal fire, I think all Korean barbecue tastes better on charcoal. The most popular Korean dish is
actually a style of eating rather than one dish, and is one that Australians would find both familiar and different at the same time. The Korean barbecue is one of the finest culinary experiences on offer, and almost every street corner in Korea provides the opportunity to savour this unique dining experience. Korean barbecue is a social event as much as it is a meal, centring around a table with a charcoal or gas fired barbecue at the centre, with a hotplate over the flame. The meat is cooked on the table in full view of the diners, having first been delivered as raw strips or marinated pieces of meat, which are then cut into smaller pieces with scissors as it cooks. Spread around the rest of the table will generally be individual bowls of rice, a soup or two, a basket of different types of salad leaves, a paste made from three different beans and various spices, and more side-dishes (including kimchi) than you can poke a chopstick at. As the meat becomes cooked diners take up utensils, grab a bit of meat and enjoy the mix and match of meats, salad leaves and sauces. Coupled with the beverage of your choice for Koreans this is usually a distilled rice-wine called soju and family or friends, the Korean-style barbecue is a unique and flavoursome experience. In Brisbane we recommend O Bal Tan, Madtong San and Hanwoori in the city, Po Sok Jong in Fortitude Valley, and Lee House Korean Barbecue in Sunnybank, which provides the authentic charcoal barbecue experience.
Brunch Basket...tasty treats at Poppys Basket Bakery. Photo: ingeborg Mate Holm
POPPYS Basket in Grey Street is handily located near South Bank train station, making it easy to get to for those who want to avoid parking in the busy surrounding roads. Step inside and you find yourself in deli heaven. Unfortunately, the decor of the place isnt quite what you might expect from a good deli. The interior has quite a cold feel to it, with uncomfortable tables and chairs. Similarly, you shouldnt stop by Poppys Basket if you are looking for morning smiles, because while the service is efficient, the friendliness is minimal and the presentation could easily have been done at home.
your way to somewhere else, but is not necessarily the place youd choose for a leisurely brunch.
Poppys Basket Bakery & Deli Shop 3, 166 Grey Street, South Bank, Brisbane Ph: (07) 3844 0144 executive Chef: troy Fisher Owners: greg and gayle Fisher Open: Monday to Sunday: 6:30am 6:00pm Our ratings (out of 10): Food: 4 taste: 7 Service: 5 Ambience: 6
JORDAN PhILP
IF YOU live in Brisbane, chances are youve either been to, or know of, the Pancake Manor, if only because its one of the few restaurants in the CBD thats open 24 hours, making it perfect for when youre out and about late at night (or early in the morning) and hunger sets in. Pancake Manor is a bit of an institution and has been serving pancakes to the Brisbane dining public for more than 30 years. Housed in a converted cathedral on Charlotte Street, just a short walk from Queen Street Mall, its worth a visit just to see the building itself, which is more than 100 years old. The interior boasts high ceilings and
US, said she enjoyed being an assistant in a recent cooking demonstration held by the Kings Diner Chinese Restaurant. Ms Silverman said she preferred standing up helping the chef and watching the cooking close up than sitting in the audience. I would love to get in here again next week, she said. Ms Silverman said it would be good if the councils website listed the name of the demonstrating restaurant each week so class participants could better plan
which sessions they attended. Im a big fan of Thai Wi-Rat, but I missed them, hopefully they will come round again, she said. The council spokesperson said the participating restaurants had all commented they had experienced a substantial increase in business on Tuesday evenings since the classes commenced. Although not all Chinatown Mall restaurants chose to participate in the program, it was likely that more would
join at a later date, she said. Participating restaurants currently include Golden Palace Chinese Restaurant, Thai Wi-Rat Restaurant, Green Tea Restaurant, Kings Diner Chinese Restaurant, Chingu Restaurant, and PhoB Vietnamese Restaurant. According to the council spokesperson, the classes were funded from the Chinatown Malls special levy. But this cost is minimal as the participating restaurants undertake the classes with their own staff and
ingredients, she said. Local valley resident and regular class attendee, Paul Wright, said he enjoyed the classes because they created a nice sense of community within a big city. Its good to see people come together to share each others cultures, Mr Wright said. Its pretty awesome that its all free too. Not a lot is these days. Call (07) 340 838 195 to book your seat.
have everything a sweet-tooth could want. Hot fudge brownies, warm flourless chocolate cake, chocolate saucy pudding, caramel and banana tart, Spanish churros, baked lemon and lime cheesecake, berry deluxe sundae, the list goes on. The desserts all cost $15.90, are served on dinner-sized plates and come with decadent sauces and sculpted chocolate embellishments. Its enough to make anyone want to skip the main course and go straight for the sugar fix. But for those who want something savoury, Freestyle Tout does offer a range of lunch and dinner options, including Chinese five-spice duck salad ($16.90), wagyu beef burger ($17.50) and sauted chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto ($22). Freestyle Touts Emporium restaurant also offers an intimate function room and hosts a number of regular social functions, including book clubs and salsa dancing classes.
freestyle Tout 50/1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley Ph: (07) 3252 0214 www.freestyletout.com.au Open: Mon to thurs 10am - 10.30pm Fri & Sat 10am till 11pm Sun 10am till 10pm Closed: Public holidays Our ratings (out of 10): Food: 9 Wine: 8 Service: 6 Ambience: 7
SRC back giving students Core skills test favours official voice on campus private ed: Principal
DANIEL ROCKETT
GRIFFITH Universitys Brisbane and Logan students will regain their collective voice following the reintroduction of a Student Representative Council (SRC), the first in more than five years. But the new council will not be a student union: Elected representatives will be unpaid, and students will not pay a membership fee. Griffith University Pro-Vice Chancellor, Colin McAndrew, said each campus will be represented by an elected President, Secretary and Treasurer. Instead of student members fees, the new SRC will be funded by the university. Its not a union that people will join, it will just be a representative body, Mr McAndrew said. Griffith Universitys last SRC folded in 2006. Former SRC President, Glen Chatterton, said the organisation collapsed following the introduction of the Howard governments voluntary student unionism policy. VSU was the reason why the Griffith SRC ceased to exist, Mr Chatterton said. The then-government saw [student unions] as a breeding ground of political opposition. Before 2006, universities across Australia were required to charge students a services fee which usually funded a student representative organisation. Under the Howard governments reforms it became illegal for universities to force students to belong to a student union or to pay it money for services, unless they chose to. Mr McAndrew said he agreed that VSU played a big part in the former SRCs demise. The [old] SRC was only ever a political or advocacy body, and didnt have any revenue beyond the fees students paid, Mr McAndrew said. When the fees stopped, it fell over. Mr McAndrew said while it will consist of only a few elected positions, the new SRC will be in its early stages in 2011 and may yet evolve into something bigger. The history of the previous SRC was that they kept adding positions from year to year and at the end they had something like 32 positions, it was getting a bit crazy, Mr McAndrew said. Having said that, it will be up to the SRC itself to devise its own future. The SRC could decide to introduce some form of payment for representatives in future years. Nathan campus law student Elizabeth Macaulay, said the establishment of a new SRC would have a positive impact on student life. It will be really good to have students advocating for other students and to have someone to talk to who is not involved directly with the uni, Ms Macaulay said. Another law student Fatima Raza said the student body could look at more than just issues affecting campus life. It will be a good chance to broaden horizons and think about policies and politics outside university as well, Ms Raza said. Following Octobers elections across the Brisbane and Logan campuses, the new SRC will take office in December. Griffiths Gold Coast campus has a separate student guild which will be unaffected by the new changes.
Click here for a radio version of this story, or go to www.thesource. griffith.edu.au
mIChAEL SPRING
A STATE school principal has criticised the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test, saying it unfairly privileges private school students while punishing their state school peers. Kimberley College Principal, Paul Thompson, said the biggest problem with the test was that an individual schools results were averaged and their average mark helped determine the overall position (OP) for that school. Mr Thompson said this led to some schools excluding children with lower academic scores in order to maintain their high OP ranking. Schools which exclude children on the basis of lack of academic ability and send them down the road to the state school, they enhance their own OPs, and they lower the OPs of the people in the state schools, Mr Thompson said. Mr Thompson said there were problems with the content of the test that were common with tests in general, in that it did not accurately evaluate students thinking abilities. What tests do is they punish people
for making mistakes and making mistakes is the basis of learning, Mr Thompson said. So in other words, if a kid goes home and tells his parent I got everything right today, the parent should be worried, because all hes doing is demonstrating what he already knows. Kimberley College student, Gideon Aidei-Okyere, agreed with his Principals view. I dont see how it actually tests students on their abilities or what theyve learnt really, because most of the questions would have to be applicable to everyone, and not everyone does the same things, Mr Aidei-Okyere said. Fellow Kimberley student Jared Heinemann, who is repeating Year 12 to improve his OP, said his teachers told students the QCS test was the most important factor in determining their ranking.
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JORDAN PhILP
THE $300 million upgrade at the intersection of Mains Road and Kessels Road will improve one of Brisbanes worst traffic choke points, with benefits for Griffith University and its students in particular. The intersection has been a high priority for both federal and state governments for some time, but planning for the project stalled due in part to indecision over which road
Its quite a unique project, a very complex project because they have to keep the traffic flowing through the intersection all the time that the construction is going on with minimum disruption. So its something that students would be potentially very interested to observe and study the methodologies used to achieve those objectives. The Mains and Kessels Road intersection upgrade project is scheduled for completion in 2014.
Update...Michael Meadows, Chris Matthews and Marcus Waters, the advocates for curriculum changes. Photo: Becky Paxton
go to the Aboriginal people, who have a demonstrated history over thousands of years in sustainable living, and ask for help. Mr Waters said Australias rapidly growing population, consumption rate and environment abuse were issues not given due importance, and the Aboriginal epistemology involved a necessary emphasis on respecting the sacred land. Mr Waters said Aboriginal knowledges encouraged students to be socially conscious of their actions and to participate in their community. He said students and teachers alike needed to realise that their learning process began before their first day of semester and continued long after. For example, an engineering student who could develop technology for sustainable living needed to realise that was the role they played as part of their community.
We are dealing with the oldest intellectual property in the world, something that all Australians should identify with and be proud of... We want Indigenous knowledges incorporated within all courses.
to the ongoing effects of colonialism, he said. We are still in a process of healing and getting our heads together. Mr Waters said an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge base and pedagogy emphasised a circular rather than a linear system of teaching which was about ensuring the same opportunities available today were left for future generations. Mr Waters said issues such as climate change and sustainability were already encouraging people to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and living. People are thinking the system we have now is simply not working, lets This to me is how we best embed an Indigenous knowledge base into the classroom, he said. Mr Waters said part of teaching this knowledge base was to encourage people to move away from the individualist, materialist mindset of modern society. Mr Waters said Australias history of colonialism neglected the intellectual capacity of the Aboriginal people to contribute to global society. We are dealing with the oldest intellectual property in the world, something that all Australians should identify with and be proud of, he said. Professor Meadows said Indigenous Australians had a legitimate philosophy that was largely absent from formal
education. They have valid perspectives that we are missing out on, he said. Indigenous knowledges should be a fundamental part of our education, like learning to read and write. Mr Waters said those involved in indignising the curriculum would become leaders in what needed to be done to save the world. I dont mean to sound romantic, but that is what is at stake, the very future of the world we live in, he said. Dr Matthews said the importance of Indigenising the curriculum lay in improving the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. We cant even relate on a human level, he said. He said Australian history had seen the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people begin with the European policy of Terra Nullius the land belongs to nobody. Dr Matthews said the gap in health and education needed to be closed. But we have to be careful about what this means, he said. Dr Matthews said he did not want to return to a policy of assimilation where non-Indigenous Australians believed improving the situation meant Indigenous Australians can become more like us. Mr Waters said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also needed to be open to non-Indigenous people. We are all Australians and we need to fully understand and appreciate what that means, he said. Professor Meadows said the Working Partys task was about making a change in the way Indigenous issues were dealt with at Griffith and there was no set time frame on this. Professor Meadows said Indigenising the curriculum was a slow process in which relationships needed to be established with Indigenous communities, not just among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students at
Griffith University. It takes a lot of time, talking to elders, keeping the Indigenous community informed, but if we end up with the outcomes we want, it will be worth it, he said. We want to make sure we actually make a difference, not just produce a report to be put on the shelf. All of us really want to make a change. He said it was his personal wish that every student who graduated would know more about Indigenous affairs. Dr Matthews said Indigenising the curriculum was about creating the opportunity for students to learn in cross-cultural environments. Fundamentally what we would like to achieve is for students to critically evaluate the discipline, to look at how the discipline is culturally constructed and to critique the law and education systems, to see whether it excludes or includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and values their knowledge, he said. The people who come out of university are going to be our next generation of leaders. They need the ability to see beyond what theyve been brought up with, it is a valuable skill for everyone. Mr Waters said respecting, valuing and incorporating the knowledges and perspectives of a countrys Indigenous people within not just the education system but the entire structure of a society was an international movement now. If we dont do this, we risk becoming backward to the rest of the world, he said. Mr Waters said the incredible success of the movie Avatar had prompted questions about why such a narrative had proven so popular. The film reflects a social consciousness in relation to the partnership between the worlds Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. It is an important issue of our time.
Pressure...international student ingeborg Mate Holm balances study stresses and pregnancy. Photo: Susannah thomsett.
NOEmI EROS
go to public sector healthcare, which could leave them with less financial burdens but still provide high quality care, she said. Free support for pregnant women and new mothers is available and referrals can be made by doctors to community health centres. These centres are in all states, provide very thorough medical services and are free of charge. An unplanned pregnancy can be even more stressful, as it represents drastic lifestyle changes and not everyone is happy to follow through with them. A 25-year-old man, who did not want to be identified, said his relationship with his university student girlfriend
dissolved after she had an abortion to end her unplanned pregnancy. My girlfriend was very career driven and her degree meant the world to her, he said. She always had definite plans of what she wanted to achieve professionally and when she fell pregnant we both knew it was not the right time. After her abortion she threw herself into university even more than before and we rarely saw each other until we eventually decided our relationship wasnt working. It just really wasnt the right time for us to have a child together. Support is available for expectant and new mothers, but Ms Wallace said she
realised it was sometimes hard to ask for help. Never be afraid to ask for help, Ms Wallace said. Often women are quite proud and like to be independent, and if people are struggling we dont like to admit we arent doing well. Its much better for you to ask for help if you need it. There is no stigma. Ms Wallace recommends visiting Family Planning Queensland services (www.fpq.com.au) and contraception, pregnancy, baby and parenting website The Bub Hub (www.bubhub.com.au). Most universities also offer oncampus student health and counselling services.
DEBATE is continuing once again over the benefits of the Northern Territorys Bilingual Education policy, including whether children in bilingual schools are able to perform academically as well as children in monolingual schools. The NTs bilingual policy, which allows students in some schools in the state including those in remote areas to be taught in a combination of English and their Indigenous language, has been the subject of ongoing debate for almost two years.
them more in their childrens education. Dr Mushin said the reason some Indigenous parents did not send their children to school was not because they did not want the best for their children, but because they were uneducated themselves, which made it difficult for them to justify to their children why they should have to go to school.
Click here for a video version of this story, or go to www.thesource. griffith.edu.au
thanks to the amazing work of The Prince Charles Hospital. Read Lawries life changing story at www.findingcures.com.au
Student car buyers guide: Get off the bus and on the road to freedom
Buying a car can be a daunting experience no matter who you are, but the task can be especially difficult for students who may never have bought a car before and for whom price can be the deciding factor. Automotive journalist Ben Dillon has come up with a guide to help you find a decent ride for under $3,000.
VALUE for money and good quality should be your top priorities when buying a car, followed by other important considerations such as what the ongoing running costs (such as servicing, registration and insurance) of the vehicle are likely to be. But before you prepare yourself to start bargaining, there are three basic rules you need to know before you buy your car. KNOW WhAT yOU WANT This is often easier said than done, as many buyers dont know what they want until they start looking. Start by thinking objectively about how you will use your car for short trips, long trips, the daily commute. This information is relevant as it will help determine the size of car you need as well as how much you will need to set aside for things like running costs. Or maybe youve always loved a certain make or style of car and having a car that fits into that ideal type or style is important to you. Whatever your preference, if you temper your enthusiasm for specific car features with factual research about the various cars on the market, youll have a stronger starting point. DO ThE GROUNDWORK The emphasis in the car buying game is on doing adequate research first, but it doesnt have to be boring. While the internet is great because it allows you to view a kaleidoscope of vehicles from the comfort of your own home, its really worth getting out to some used-car yards in person to get a feel for the various models on offer. Despite being the most time consuming part of the buying process, checking out cars can also be the most exciting, as you flit from one car yard to another to scope out whats on offer. Youll probably find that there arent a lot of car yards that cater to our budget of $3000, but they do exist and visiting them will give you the best idea of what is actually available in the real world. Mike Price from Car King Moorooka recommends making a firm budget to stick to it when looking in car yards. Tell the salesperson why you are visiting so they can help you, Price says. Do you want to look, test drive or buy? If they really want your business they will help you even if you are just looking. When dealing with used-car salespeople be honest but firm and avoid being bullied or coerced into a sale. Also, dont believe anyone who says the car wont be there tomorrow, as 99.9 per cent of the time that is a lie used by the seller to get you to part with your cash faster. But dont despair, there are honest used-car dealers out there who will be more than happy to help you in your search. One more tip is to also look at cars that cost $1000 to $1500 more than your budget. If you find a car you like through a private sale or auction then you will be able to get it for a better price than you would from a dealer. This difference in price just may make a car previously out-of-reach a purchasing reality. GET IT ChECKED OUT BEfORE yOU SIGN ANyThING Youve looked around and you have a fair idea of what you want and what is available in your price range. But you dont want to drive off in your new car only to discover later on that youve purchased a dud, so its important to seek advice from a qualified mechanic before you buy and, if possible, get them to check out the car for you. RACQ offers comprehensive prepurchase inspections and reports that range in price from $170 to $355. Most local mechanics will be able to carry out a similar sort of inspection, probably for a lot less. If you have a mechanic that you trust, then get them to do it for you. Tom Tripcony, a retired mechanic with more than 40 years experience, says his tips for looking for a 3K hero are simple. Obvious things to look for are rust on the body and whether the engine smokes, Tripcony says. Most people get scared if there is any smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, but real mechanical issues arent just a puff of smoke, it is continuous, smelly and theres a lot of it, he says. If youve ever been to a concert where theyve used a smoke machine youll know the type of smoke Tripconys talking about. Smoke like that indicates serious problems. It is also very important to drive the car youre thinking of buying for a decent amount of time; anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour is enough. While driving, use all of your senses to pay attention to whats going on with the car. Think: Does it smell funny? Can you hear whining or banging noises that are not coming from your passengers? Use your hands and body to feel the car as you are driving; this will tell you everything you need to know about the way the car drives and whether there are any issues. There should be no slack or looseness in the steering. The brakes shouldnt go all the way to the floor before they work, nor should the clutch (if its a manual). Clunking, crashing, banging and whining noises are all bad signs and may indicate suspension or gearbox/differential problems. And while its not fantastic news if the car does any of these things, its also not likely to be catastrophic. Many people have joints that crack from time to time, but they get about just fine. The same goes for cars. You will, however, know something is wrong if any of these noises are louder than a normal conversation or have a jarring effect on you. This means the car is bad news. If something doesnt look, sound, smell or feel right, use common sense and your intuition and just walk away. Some tips and tricks you might like to consider There are a lot of ifs in buying a car, and if you have the time and willingness to learn, there is money to be saved and sometimes made (legally of course). 1. Car auctions This is a good option for those with intermediate automotive knowledge.
mazda 121...the once-laughable bubble car is now kind of cool. Photo: Ben Dillon
ford festiva...A solid and reliable student option, and a great example of substance over style. Photo: Ben Dillon
Cars sold at auction can be cheap, making it a good place to pick up a bargain. But remember, as with private sales, at only $3000 there is likely to be no warranty with the car. On the upside, when you decide to sell, you may be able to flick the car along for more than you paid for it. 2. Get your checks done As well as a mechanical inspection, it is a good idea to get a REVS (Register of Encumbered Vehicles) check to ensure there is no money owed on the vehicle. This check costs $12.85 and can be done by post, just visit the Fair Trading Qld website (www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au). 3. Private sales Private sales can be good, but use your instinct; drive the car, ask to see the service records and ask how much money has been spent on the car recently. Also, ask straight out if money is owed on the car and if its ever been in an accident. Most of the time, these answers will indicate the honesty of the seller and the car. Dont be overly suspicious, though, as you could miss a bargain that might just require a new spare tyre or a general service. 4. Registration In Queensland, cars are taxed by the number of cylinders in their engine the more cylinders the greater the cost. An average four-cylinder car costs around $650 per year to register (including mandatory CTP insurance), while a six-cylinder costs around $850. To lessen this upfront cost, an alternative is to pay your registration every six months, or to opt for a car with a smaller engine, or even a motorbike or a scooter. 5. Servicing Servicing your car is where it gets expensive, as labour in almost every workshop is charged at more than $70 an hour. If you take your car to a main dealer (like Ford or BMW) for servicing, youll be looking at double or triple that amount. Cars need attention from time to time and, as daunting as it may seem, some of the minor servicing can be done at home by anyone, including the mechanically illiterate, thanks to easy-to-understand literature available at many spare parts shops and online tutorials. Oil changes are a great way to get into doing it yourself car maintenance, as the costs are low and the job is relatively easy.
Another one that is even easier is changing the air filter. While conducted less often than an oil change, it is important to do this according to your cars servicing schedule. Some general guidelines are: * Oil changed every 10,000 to 20,000 km and checked weekly. * Air filter changed every 40,000 to 50,000 km and checked yearly. * Spark plugs, points and leads checked monthly and renewed as needed. 6. Warranty Dealers and auction houses must, by law, provide a statutory warranty on any car they sell, although there are some exclusions. For cars under 10 years old, that have driven less than 160,000 km, the warranty is for three months or for 5000 km, whichever comes first. For cars older than 10 years, clocking over 160,000km, the warranty is for one month or for 1000 km. These warranties apply only to parts of the vehicle that are unfit for the intended use and generally dont apply to parts that wear-out like tyres, suspension, brakes and electrics. A dealer warranty can be of benefit if one is offered at your price point, although you should read it carefully to see exactly how much of the cost the dealer will pay for every component covered in the warranty. AT ThE END Of ThE DAy For all of the above information there are caveats, the most important being that if you are seeking a particular bodystyle (like a convertible) or brand, just go for it. If there is a sexy (but rusty) Alfa Romeo you lust after, then buy it. Seriously. But be prepared for the consequences, whatever they may be. It could be everything youve ever wished for, or a total nightmare that will provide years of amusement for your family and friends. It may cost a lot of cash or cause a lot of heart-ache, but this is automotive character building at its finest and you will remember it later on when you can afford to buy shiny late model cars where everything is in good working order. Trust me, it will be more fun to recount the torrid affair you had with a gorgeous-but-temperamental Italian in your youth, than endure a boring lifetime of Toyota ownership.
Mario reflects...2010 marks 25 years of running and jumping. Photo: ian Hughes
Transformed... Heath Noons self-portraits, taken to demonstrate his weight loss. Before Body Blitz (left) and after the 12-week challenge. Photo: Heath Noon
for fat entering lipocytes),Mr Walker said. And without adequate follow-up he will be right back where he started. I see the benefits in such challenges to promote a healthy weight and the 12week challenge strategy is very popular in the contemporary media and the community responds well, he said. The challenges provide great motivation and awareness, but many drop out because they set their goals too high; and can promote dangerous behaviour that is brought out in a competition setting, including skipping meals and in extreme cases anorexia and bulimia. Accurate guidance must be given before during and after these challenges otherwise they may pose serious health risks to these clients, he said.
Mr Noon said he was motivated to enter the competition after recognising the amount of weight he gained when his mother was diagnosed with a rare disorder called Lymphedema, which attacks the immune system and causes body parts to swell up. During the summer holidays following his mothers diagnosis, Mr Noon turned to food to deal with the situation. I had no motivation and slept up to 16 hours a day, he said. I suffered a lot of anxiety and depression and generally felt terrible when I looked in the mirror. This weight gain was primarily a result of the stress of procrastinating and leaving everything to the last minute. I looked to food for comfort, to selfmedicate.
Mr Noon said he realised he needed to change if he was ever to pick up the pieces of his stagnating life. So he entered the BodyBlitz Challenge and hasnt looked back. Mr Noon said the fact that he lived on a university campus, surrounded by friends who loved nothing more than to pressure him back into an unhealthy lifestyle, made the transformation even harder. I really think that in life, moderation is the key and its not the end of the world if you have a few beers or a few slices of pizza, Mr Noon said. You just get back into it the next day. What Ive learnt is that life is a marathon and that you will have your good and bad days.
I guess its how you deal with the bad times that make you into the person you are. Unfortunately, life is full of negative people and as soon as you eliminate these people from your life, half the battle is done. Mr Noon said in the future he wished to help his mother get back into shape and would like to start his own personal training business. Although I wish to be a lawyer, I would love nothing more than to start a personal training studio on the side with my best mates, he said. I do, however, realise that I still have a lot of work to go in transforming my body to the best it can be, but I view that as a positive challenge and not a negative thing.
It has completely and utterly changed my life...Not even just the way I live, but the way I act and treat the world, definitely for the better.
the show: It has completely and utterly changed my life. Not even just the way I live, but the way I act and treat the world, definitely for the better, Ms Trattles said. Mr Deen said in spite of, or perhaps because of, Australias rapid rise the global obesity scales in the last decade, the national fitness industry was booming.
The fitness industry is making a hell of a lot of money out of the obesity problem, he said. But according to Fitness First Personal Trainer, Tye Tirrell, gym franchises, together with The Biggest Loser, are already making an impact on obesity in Australia. Mr Tirrell said Fitness Firsts membership number had grown as a result of their association with The Biggest Loser. Weve had a fifty percent increase in our membership since the show aired and weve just advertised a Biggest Loser special for our members with the winner taking home $10,000, he said. But big companies like Fitness First are not the only ones working to promote a healthier lifestyle to Australians. Individuals like Meaghan Trattles are also playing their part. Since her participation in the show Ms Trattles vowed to dedicate her life to promoting healthy living and proper education, but warned the issue of obesity in Australia had to be targeted in the right way or the efforts could fail. Im going to be dedicating my whole life to stopping this problem, its about knowledge and correct marketing
campaigns for the right way to lose the weight and keep the weight off, she said. There are way too many campaigns being promoted that simply dont work. Mr Deen said part of the solution was educating Australians to prevent developing poor eating habits. I dont think the fitness industry alone can change it, education has the ability to create a change, he said. The problem is personal trainers are unable to relate to obese people, with the school of thought that obese people are lazy but the issues go deeper than that, theres a gap between knowing they need to do it and knowing what to do. The Biggest Loser series has been criticised by some health professionals for setting contestants up for failure and relapse back into an unhealthy lifestyle. But Mr Deen said the show gave contestants a sufficient amount of education and preparation to change their ways. The show definitely prepares its contestants, but its about responsibility for your own weight, he said. Were all given the same opportunities, and its just a matter of whether you leave the house with the right attitude.
Driven...Despite retiring from official ultra marathons, Farmer says he is not finished and is currently training for a run across the Americas covering 21,000km. Photo: AAP
one thing: developing a frightening familiarity with pain. He says ultra marathon races have a huge impact on the body, resulting in conditions such as bruised kidneys, stress fractures, swollen legs, split lips, blisters, severe dehydration, and even ears made raw and bloodied by sunburn which, in Farmers case was due not to inadequate sun protection, but rather to the force of the sun in the Simpson Desert. Farmer reinforces this point by explaining how the Channel Nine news crew following his progress were able to cook eggs on the bonnet of their 4WD. Youre just exposed to the conditions for such long periods of time, and youre pushed to such a limit where your body
an in-depth understanding of their own body, what it can take, and how pain can be used to keep them on track with where they are in the race. According to Rogers, ultra runners differ from other athletes because they have accepted pain as inevitable and a normal part of what they do, and they use it to their advantage. For these athletes, the mental component almost takes precedence over the physical. They are different in terms of their level of control, and maintaining that control, over their body and their mind, which is what sets them apart, I think, she says. Its that focus which is different, not just focusing on what the task is, but
youre sick, youre injured, its cold, its hailing, its blistering heat, so what? you just do it.
is incredibly stressed and its easy for it to tip over the edge and break down, and thats exactly what happens. Naturally, that hurts, and naturally, its a huge achievement to overcome it, and thats where your inner strength is drawn from. Brisbane Sports psychologist Allira Rogers has an understandable awe for achievements of ultra marathon runners. She groans in disbelief as she tries to understand how these elite runners are able to continue to push to such incredible lengths. Rogers is familiar with the drive, perfection and competitiveness of athletes, something which, she says, ultra runners exceed. According to Rogers, the difference s in how different types of athletes associate and dissociate with pain. She says running hundreds or thousands of kilometres fine-tunes an athletes ability to block out pain, inuring it to stress and injury. But, she says ultra runners also have the ability to associate with pain, gaining focusing in on what their body is doing, and they are definitely more tuned in to that, its a characteristic of these athletes. Farmer agrees and explains this drive in his own straightforward way. The difference ultra runners have with the rest of society is that they dont accept excuses. You know, youre sick, youre injured, its cold, its hailing, its blistering heat, so what? You just do it. Its this philosophy that helped Farmer gain confidence in his abilities, knowing he could persevere and succeed simply by working harder than anyone else. If his competitors werent up at 5am training each morning, he knew he could beat them. Simple. The ultra marathon made its first real appearance in the Australian mainstream media in 1983 after 61-year-old Cliff Young astonished the nation in the 1000km Sydney to Melbourne Foot Race. During the race Young, who is Farmers hero, defeated a field of elite
ultra marathon runners while wearing a pair of galoshes and a give it a go attitude. It was a seemingly impossible achievement, due in part to the fact that Young didnt realise that at night time the expected practice was to rest, so he simply kept on running. Yet despite the incredible nature of the sport and the fact that it is one of the toughest sports in the world, ultra marathon running remains in relative obscurity. Perhaps some of the ongoing obscurity and limited appeal of the sport can be attributed to the anti-social hours required, both for training and for competing in the races. Farmer notes that training runs would often take on a sour note for him, when the unusual sight of a man running along the road at 3am prompted teenagers to throw beer bottles out of their car window at him. The appeal can be even harder to understand given the sport is certainly no magnet for sponsorship or prize money. While Farmer explains that for some races the first prize was a paltry $150, he shrugs off this apparent deterrent tbecause its not about the money. Farmer recalls one competitor by the name of Joe Record, who was so poor that after scraping the money together to get to the starting line he would sleep on a park bench until race day. He says that while most athletes would be horrified at such a prelude to a weeklong race, Joe was somehow able to not only compete, but win. Farmer says he recalls only too well the pain in Vail, Colorado, in 1995. It was his second attempt at the TransAmerica Foot Race and, after coming second in 1993, he was aiming for nothing less than first place. He remembers pushing the pace from day one, only to prove by day 22 that he was human after all, as his body struggled under the pressure of running almost 80 kilometres per day.
According to Farmer, it was during these low moments in his races that the devil inside almost succeeded in persuading him to quit, telling him that people would surely understand. Almost, but not quite, and he carried on despite the pain in his leg. Over the next 10 days his leg improved and he moved up in the pack from last place out of 30 runners on day 22, to limp over the George Washington Bridge at the finish line in New York in fourth place. It wasnt super-human powers that got him through the Race, but the simple knowledge that he was strong enough to finish and that he had put in the work that made him ready for it. Rogers says it is likely to be years before ultra marathon running starts gaining serious public recognition. Rogers talks with awe about the accomplishments of another ultra runner, Dean Karnazes, it becomes clear that these determined athletes have an amazing power to motivate others. Ultra runners are the ones who show us you can do anything, and you are capable of doing anything and your mind and body can be pushed to its limits, she says. Thats very much something I respect. Although running a thousand kilometres doesnt appeal to everyone, Rogers says that doesnt mean you cant follow in their footsteps. She says just hearing about the achievements of ultra marathon runners can help people gain appreciation for what they are capable of and the power the mind has over the body. Farmer is adamant he hasnt raced his last ultra marathon and encourages others not to pursue a career in ultra running but to pursue anything they have a passion for. He laughs as he recites his mantra, which he says he is sure will be put on his tombstone: There is no force on this earth greater than your own personal will.
ANDREW CRAmB
GRIFFITH University has a fine tradition fostering elite athletes, and swimmer Katie Goldman is no exception. At 18-years-old, Katie Goldman is preparing for her first Olympic appearance in 2012 and has already competed internationally at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The swimmer, who is also studying interior design at Griffith, said she stunned even herself at the Australian Championships in March when she finished two hundredths of a second outside the 800 metre freestyle Australian record, beating her personal best by 11 seconds. This year has been my best year, but coming so close to the Australian record was probably the most exciting thing, Ms Goldman said. Goldman said balancing her university studies with 30 hours of training each week required organisation and focus. Last year was quite hectic having grade 12 and swimming. This year with uni, the sports college has been really good and so last semester I was only doing part time, she said. Griffith Sports College Manager Michael Jeh said Goldman was friendly and dedicated and one of a number of talented elite athletes at the college. Its the whole mission of the Sports College that people like Katie can study
So close... goldman places fourth in the 400 metre freestyle at the Commonwealth games in Delhi. Photo: AAP
there by yourself, youve always got someone there pushing you along. Although Goldman now competes at an international level, she said swimming for her was still about having fun. Youve got to work really hard towards your goal, she said. You know nothing comes easy but
also having fun with it and being a good sport, thats really important. As long as you enjoy what you do, youre going to do well at it. For now, Goldman said her focus is firmly on her sports career. She said she looked forward to the direction it was heading, but was glad
she would have a career in interior design to fall back on. I mean, Im not going to be a swimmer forever, but at this point in time Im definitely focused on swimming, she said. Its going quite well for me and I love it.
group of jellyfish stung her midway in a race. But she soldiered on and surprised herself with seventh place. Through her extensive training, Codner has also met many new friends, including her second great inspiration. My coach Leanne Southwell has been my main inspiration, Codner says. She is 42-years-old with four kids and still gets out and trains with us every morning. She raced at the Hawaiian Iron Man Championships last year and placed 5th over all. Although Codner and her fellow team mates are happy with their achievements, they are still disappointed by the coverage triathlons receive in the media. She puts it down to not a lot of people being familiar with the sport unless they personally know a triathlete. The only way people usually know about triathlons is if they are involved in the sport or live on the coast where these events take place, Codner says. Other than that there is not a lot of opportunity.
Determined...Codner places 19th in her age-group at the World triathlon Championship in Budapest, Hungry in September. Photo: Leanne Codner
UfC mixed martial arts competition...Champions Chris Haseman (right) and Hale vassa (left). Photo: Courtesy Red Dragon Marital Arts and Fitness
far has been amazing. Weve had all of the locally based, long-term MMA people and teams involved in the show, and in addition to existing fans of the sport from those gyms, a whole range of people from outside of any training background in martial arts has started taking an interest, Cooper says. Australians are clearly becoming increasingly interested in MMA and also much more knowledgeable, its been great to see the change over the years. Cooper says despite Australias relatively small population, the country
has produced some of the worlds best MMA fighters to date. Even without many people realising it, Australians have a long and proud history in MMA, he says. People like Chris Haseman, Elvis Sinosic and Larry Papadopoulos have been fighting at a high level in Japan and elsewhere internationally since the mid-1990s. Were only a relatively small country, but like many sports weve always produced greater athletes than we should proportionally in fight sports.
With the sport growing fast here, I think youll see a whole host of Australians competing in MMA around the world in the next few years. Promoter and head of New South Wales MMA organisation Cage Fight Championship, Luke Peccutti says combat sport is not only entertaining, but promotes healthy living and a disciplined lifestyle. A lot of people who start training in MMA started out just to try something different because it involves a lot of Olympic style sports like boxing, wrestling and judo, he says.
Peccutti, who has held more than 3000 MMA events through CFC, says he has seen MMA become a positive influence in childrens lives. Ive seen kids come in off the street and focus their energy on training rather than being out there getting in trouble, he says. Once they start doing competitions, they are evolving, getting better and really pushing themselves to accomplish their goals. The Ultimate Fighting Championship can now be seen at selected times on digital sports television channel, One.
Dont let the men intimidate you, if you enjoy it then go for it, she said. Work hard, but make sure you are always having fun. For more information on becoming a rugby union referee, call Paul Heath on 0409 192 396.
Australian pride...ellyse Perry (right) enjoying a moment with a fellow teammate. Photo: Michael Spring
(soccer), but missed the teams historic win at the Asian Cup in May this year. It would have been a bitter disappointment for Perry, if not for the fact she was in the West Indies winning the Twenty20 World Cup for Australia. McInnes is fully aware of Ms Perrys dilemma and expects her to be unavailable for an upcoming Four Nations tour. That probably doesnt match up to a soccer world cup and thats her decision, and well respect whatever decision she
makes, he says. Perry is yet to make a decision. I think Ill certainly make the decision then and there, not only what is good for me, but also the team as well, she says. In between deciding and training for events, Perry hosts Channel Tens Football Stars of Tomorrow which focuses on soccer at grassroots level. Ms Perry, though, has made the wise decision to earn a degree in politics and
economics, something she says helps her put sport in its place. Its great to have university; its probably one of those things that keeps the balance, Ms Perry says. I like to be able to take my books away when were on tour and have somewhere to escape to and read aboutit gives me a future outside of sports as well. For now, though, her future is very much inside sport.
With talent, educated speech, looks, and exposure, Ms Perry has become an important sports figure, particularly in womens sport. Mr McInnes believes there are other women who have the talent to play two sports at the highest level, but who lack the drive that Perry has. Weve got some young girls coming through the system now that are either very good hockey players, netball players, who are also representing Australia at cricket at youth and senior levels. Besides dedication and desire, Ms Perry has a clear advantage playing two sports allowing her to keep fit and transfer skills across codes. This was evident in the Twenty20 final, when Ms Perry was called to bowl the last ball of the game, with New Zealand needing a six to snatch victory. I had to hesitantly bowl the last ball to her and she whacked it pretty hard, but I just managed to stick a foot out because she hit it straight back at me on my big clumsy boot, and it stopped so we won the world cup which was great, he says. Ms Perry is hoping her success will inspire young girls to play sports and bring publicity to womens sport. Considering I played two sports that were typically male dominated, it would be nice to see more girls playing it and feel like theyre not intimidated by the men, or not allowed to play because its more of a boys sport or whatever else, she said. Few could argue with Perrys reasons for playing sport in an age of mercenaries, over-hyped divas and perennial bad boys. Its all about the game itself. Thats what sports has always been for me purely for enjoyment, she says. Watching Ellyse Perry perfect her craft brings joy to many people. Just like an actor who can sing and dance a triple-threat. A term she will undoubtedly redefine.
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to get the children moving. Carina Cricket Clubs Assistant Program Coordinator for the In2Cricket program, Julie Brook, said the program was popular amongst school-aged children and that enrolment numbers at the Carina Club had reached an all time high. We think the [In2Cricket] program is bringing more kids into our junior ranks as well, Ms Brook said. Queensland Cricket also wants to attract more fans with Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds to the sport. Theres more people immigrating to Australia [and] were looking to provide the exposure [to the game of cricket] as an option for them to become part of Australia, Mr McLatchey said. According to Queensland Cricket, previous marketing campaigns resulted in a national 20 per cent increase in game participation over the past seven years.
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LILy ChARLES
THE BRISBANE Broncos have been nominated for two major charity awards this year, but according to one of their star players, their work is all for the kids and not for the recognition. Following a significant restructure of their charity program in 2009, the Broncos now support seven organisations as charity partners, including the Starlight Childrens Foundation and Mission Australia. But Broncos second-rower, Corey Parker, said they do it for the kids, not the media coverage. I dont do this stuff to get recognition by any stretch of the imagination, Mr Parker said. Ive seen firsthand the difference sporting identities can make in childrens lives, and through the time Ive been at the Broncos Ive been able to meet people who are involved in organisations, and if they need me to lend a hand here or there, Im happy to do so, he said Mr Parker lends a hand as Ambassador to the Starlight Childrens Foundation. Starlights Fundraising Campaign Coordinator Claire Cunningham said the charity had developed a special understanding with the NRL star. The whole WOW Brisbane Broncos team supports Starlight throughout the year, but we have a special relationship with Corey Parker, Ms Cunningham said. Corey has contributed greatly to Starlight through visits to the Starlight Express Room, attended Starlight Five Chefs Events where he has also donated wonderful prizes to help us raise muchneeded funds. As well as providing financial support to charities, the Broncos maintain a personal relationship with each of their charity partners, with players acting as ambassadors and making public appearances for the charities, as well as weekly
Generosity...Broncos rugby league team and Corey Parker (inset) supporting charity partners. Photo: courtesy Brisbane Broncos
visits to community centres. Community Services Coordinator for the Brisbane Broncos, Jess West, said team members played a vital role when charities were in need. The players are the face of our club and they can make a huge impact when
we go to schools and hospitals, Ms West said. You can see how much they can really lift the spirits of the children they are significantly brightening the childrens days. Theyre very important and they do
a great job. Corey Parker was nominated for the Telstra Ken Stephen Medal at the 2010 NRL One Community Awards, but lost out to the Canterbury Bulldogs Andrew Ryan. I know Andrew Ryan does a lot of
stuff in the community and by all means, good on him that he won the award, Mr Parker said. It wasnt one of those awards that youre disappointed in losing. Whoever was going to win it did a good job.
We find if someone is really talented, say a 10-year-old whose skills are great and theyre running circles around kids their age, we try to match that skill up to a higher level. They can then be playing with 13 year olds and thats really good for them to develop, and not get bored and frustrated. Its frustrating for me to watch club soccer sometimes when kids have to be divided based on age, because it doesnt reflect their abilities or help them for
their future, he said. Mr Case said the soccer school provided kids with more benefits than just sporting skills. At the end of the day, any type of activity like this can only be a positive thing for children when theyre growing up particularly when they come into the classes and all of a sudden they have to deal with other children and different personalities, Mr Case said. Theres a lot more benefits to what we do than just playing soccer.
Pumped and primed...Players from the nine nBL teams shape up for the 2010/11 season. Photo: AAP
AND1, now the official apparel supply partner. World renowned sports equipment manufacturer, Spalding, has joined forces with the NBL as official ball partner. A press release from the NBL stated under a five year deal, NBL games will be broadcast live on Channel Ten and digital sports station ONE HD nationally until the end of the 2014/15 season, starting with minimum two games shown per week for the 2010/11 season. The NBL also unveiled a new marketing campaign, which will be released nationally to increase public support for the sport. The television commercial, launched at the beginning of the season, focuses on the unique elements and the unpredictability of the sport. Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer, Larry Sengstock, said the marketing campaign highlights the advantages of basketball over other popular sports. Unlike competing codes, the
National Basketball Leagues appeal is that from the moment the game starts until the final siren anything can happen anytime, Sengstock said. There are no nil-all draws, no drawnout penalty kicks, no waiting for a result. It is non-stop action for the whole family. On television, or live in the stadium, basketball is promising to be one of the most exciting spectator sports for fans. The point of difference for the NBL is linked to a key part of the game structure the 24-second shot clock, Sengstock said. The constant action and urgency created by the ever reducing shot clock means that players are always on the edge; looking for the next quick pass, the next screen and the unexpected shot. Although Queensland already has the most NBL teams, there is talk of a Brisbane-based team joining the league to compliment the Gold Coast Blaze, Townsville Crocodiles and the Cairns Taipans in Queensland.
A meeting was held at Carina Leagues Club in August in the hope that Brisbane could once again have a team of its own. A passionate group of 50 locals, including former Brisbane Bullets player Leroy Loggins, met with Larry Sengstock and the NBLs General Manager of Operations, Chuck Harmison, to plan how best to put together a Brisbane team. After witnessing the passion, work ethic and shared vision displayed by the group at the meeting, I am feeling optimistic that there could indeed be a Brisbane team in the NBL for season 2011/12, Sengstock said. Ultimately this group will need to rally appropriate financial backing as well as corporate and community support by November if they are to have a chance of obtaining a license in time for the 2011/12 season. New teams are only granted licences if they demonstrate a clear plan that ensures long term financial stability. The Brisbane Bullets were, until 2008, one of only two teams that had survived
Unlike competing codes, the National Basketball Leagues appeal is that from the moment the game starts until the final siren anything can happen anytime...it is non-stop action for the whole family
since the NBLs 1979 inception. The Bullets played out of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, winning three championships and making it to the grand final play-offs 20 times. Brisbane and Gold Coast basketball fans can show their support for the NBL by following local team Gold Coast Blaze.
...17 per cent of Australian children aged 5-17 were overweight and nearly 8 per cent were obese.
the government to take advantage of the new sports strategy, as they were a department of Griffith University and not an incorporated body. If we had access to government funding we could develop new sporting programs on campus, we could develop new facilities or upgrade our facilities,
so we could offer more to people, Ms Johns said. However, the ASCs Stuart McLennan said all recognised national sporting organisations were invited to apply including Australian university sport. Ms Johns said as children grew their interest in sports declined. Even if they had been involved in sports in primary school, not all of them would continue to be involved in sport in high school and even less would continue to play sport in their university years. The creators of Australias new sports vision have identified the same problem and have made one of the main focuses of the sports reform agenda a Sport and Education Strategy. This strategy was developed to increase the role and effectiveness of sport in schools, and to increase the
number of children playing sport. The ASC said it would include programs aimed at specific targeted populations, including indigenous groups, people with disabilities, women, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) groups, and rural and regional populations. While decisions by the Australian Sports Commission Board on how to allocate the funding have not yet been finalised, Mr McLennan said once the decision was made further advice would be provided to each NSO.
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multiple choice