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Demand for Dr. Carnie's Resignation (Victoria's Chief Health Officer)

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Demand for Dr. Carnie’s resignation

The Anti-Fluoridation Association of Mildura, along with other Victorian safe water groups, and a number of health and scientific professionals, are calling for the resignation of Dr. John Carnie, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer. The call comes as community discontent with the Government’s mandatory fluoridation policy grows.

Today, the following letter was sent to Victoria’s Health Minister Daniel Andrews.

Dear Minister Andrews,

We are outraged by your government’s continued efforts to force fluoridation on communities without giving citizens a chance to vote on the matter. In this matter the behaviour of Dr. John Carnie has gone beyond anything one would expect or should tolerate from a civil servant. Let us explain.

Most recently Dr. Carnie’s refusal to respond to the basic questions put to him by a number of Australian and international health and scientific professionals, in line with his “no debate policy,” has outraged many in Mildura and around the world.

While Dr. Carnie may truly and honestly believe that fluoridation is safe and effective, public health policy needs to be more than a belief system. It needs to be supported by honest and accurate science that can be defended when challenged. Dr. Carnie has:

a) made statements to the public which are inaccurate as well as others which are biased and misleading (see attachment 1)

b) refused to defend his beliefs in public debate (see attachment 2)

c) failed to answer direct questions addressed to him by Australian and international experts (see attachment 3).

Despite this he is still prepared to force this measure on communities, even when a sizeable number of people in those communities, who have researched this issue for themselves, have made it clear that they do not want to be forced to drink fluoridated water. The only way to determine whether such resistance to this measure is coming from a minority of the population or a majority is to give the electorate of each community the chance to vote on the matter.  But this opportunity has again been denied to them by Dr. Carnie. This is a blatant example of the "arrogance of power."

When politicians behave in this way, at least the electorate has a chance to make their feelings known at the next election, but Dr. Carnie is not a politician but a civil servant making his arrogance immune from normal democratic processes.

The only alternative for those who believe that Dr. Carnie is failing in his job to protect the health of the people, as exemplified by his unwillingness to answer basic questions on a practice he is prepared to force on them, is to seek his resignation. What other recourse do citizens have when their democratic rights are denied?

Thus, we call upon the Minister to set in motion proceedings which will examine this complaint and if he feels that it has merits to remove Dr. Carnie from his position forthwith.

We would add that this issue goes well beyond the dangers posed by fluoridation. If it becomes clear – as it has in this case – that public health policies are not based on sound science that can be defended in public and in writing -it will erode the public’s trust in the institutions set up – at their expense – to protect their health and the environment. The loss of that trust threatens our society in many ways and should not be taken lightly by the politicians running Victoria.

As you will note from the signatures below, this issue is receiving attention well beyond Victoria and the shores of Australia. We expect the worldwide attention to grow as the shocking behaviour of Dr. Carnie is revealed to a larger audience. As Martin Luther King Jr once said, “injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.”

We look forward to hearing your swift response to this complaint.

Sincerely,

James S. Beck, M.D., Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Medical Biophysics, University of Calgary,  Canada

Paul Connett, PhD, Executive Director, Fluoride Action Network, USA

Doug Everingham, MB, BS, Federal Minister for Health 1972-75

Andrew Harms, BDS, former President, Australian Dental Association (SA branch)

Bruce Jager, Chairman, Anti-Fluoridation Association of Victoria

Hardy Limeback, DDS, PhD, former President of the Canadian Association for Dental Research and panel member for the National Research Council Report Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards (NRC, 2006), Toronto, Canada

David McRae, BSc(Hons), Vice-president, Barwon Freedom from Fluoridation, Geelong

Bill Osmunson, DDS, MPH, Dental Clinician, Author, Educator, and Public Health Nutritionist, Oregon, US

Gilles Parent, ND.A., coauthor of «La fluoration: autopsie d’une erreur scientifique», Quebec, Canada

Philip Robertson, BHSc, ND, Carmoora Clinic, Geelong

John Ryan, MBBS, MSc, FRACGP, DCH, FAMAC, FACNEM, FICAN, Brisbane

Jean Ryan, BHSc, Brisbane

Bruce Spittle, MB, ChB, DPM, FRANZCP, author of Fluoride Fatigue (2008)

Daniel G. Stockin, MPH, Senior Operations Officer, The Lillie Center Inc.

Peter Sycopoulis, Spokesperson, Victorian Fluoride Action Group

Kathleen M. Thiessen, PhD, risk assessment professional and panel member for the National Research Council report Fluoride in Drinking Water:  A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards (NRC 2006), Oak Ridge TN, USA.

Daniel Zalec, BA, MA, Chief Writer, Anti-Fluoridation Association of Mildura

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

This Email from: Diana  Buckland, Kallangur, Queensland, Australia

07 32853573    [email protected]  

www.dianabuckland.webs.com

PROFESSOR ROGER MASTERS – VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR AND CRIMINALITY – ADVERSE HEALTH & BEHAVIOUR FROM SILICOFLUORIDES

 http://www.dartmouth.edu/~rmasters

Report from FLUORIDE RESEARCH on Water Fluoridation & Crime in the United States of America

http://www.fluorideresearch.org/381/files/38111-22.pdf

FLUORIDATION   OF COMMUNITY WATER/KIDNEY DISEASE

http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/gfm663v1

http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/kidney/

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Oesophageal Cancer – The Next Epidemic" by Derek & Janice Ferguson

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Oesophageal Cancer - The Next Epidemic
OESOPHAGEAL CANCER – THE NEXT EPIDEMIC © 2009
By Derek & Janice Ferguson
The ACT launch and personal book signing in Canberra will be held at The Healthy Life Store at The Canberra Centre in Civic on Saturday, 12th December, 2009 from 11.30am following this week’s great 1000 word article in “The Catholic Voice” newspaper.
Our book, “Oesophageal Cancer – The Next Epidemic” has now been available for almost 2 months, since its release in Wagga Wagga in early October, 2009.
The book has been well received across the communities of Araluen, Lockhart, Wagga, Cowra, Braidwood and Merimbula where I have personally promoted the book.
The reports and feedback we have received say the book is “a good read” and “not a tissue box job.”
Our aim of helping others along their journey and to raise the awareness of the prevalence of Oesophageal Cancer is succeeding. Many medical professionals have expressed their support for the book towards this objective. Lives have now been saved as readers and/or their families have taken action to get medically diagnosed if they suffer from reflux on a regular basis. I thank the people who have contacted us with their stories following the launch of the book.
My thanks to WIN TV Wagga, Prime TV Wagga, The Daily Advertiser – Wagga, 2WG Wagga, The Catholic Voice – ACT, and The Cowra Guardian Newspaper for their support.
Thanks to Charles Sturt University – Wagga and The Cowra Rotary Club for making us feel so welcome and to the many outlets which have accepted the book and are supplying it to the public, most at no additional cost, so that profits from the sale of the book can be directed to voluntary organisations and cancer research. Thanks goes to David Foster, my printer from “Active Print” Wagga for the $1,000 donated from his profits to CanAssist. More guest speaking engagements are already booked or in the process of date selection at various service club venues in Forbes, Grenfell, Canowindra, Temora, Merimbula, Braidwood, Lockhart and Wagga. Please ring us if you wish us to visit your group.
I also wish to thank the hundreds of people who have taken the time to stop and discuss their experiences with us about cancer in general, reflux or the many medical or alternate remedies that they have found successful for themselves. I feel confident that the sequel, due to be published after March, 2012, will contain a multitude of revelations, helpful hints and positive comments from many of these wonderful people and will again provide another resource that is sorely needed across the country and indeed the world.
Derek Ferguson
 

“Oesophageal Cancer – The Next Epidemic” © (released Oct 2009).
Can you help me help others by sharing this story?
Oesophageal Cancer is caused by reflux. If you have reflux, then you are prone to developing Barrett’s Oesophagus and then have a one in ten chance of contracting Oesophageal Cancer.
 
The book raises the awareness of Oesophageal Cancer across the country and indeed the world. Our story and the way we have written it is helping all patients, carers, families and friends, regardless of which cancer has struck their lives.
 
Read how Derek & Janice turned the negatives of what may have become a gravestone into milestones of achievement and survival.  
 
Publisher: Derek Ferguson 2009
Price: $29.95 rrp Australia
Please ring me on 02 48464078, 0407-641-063, at www.oesophagealcancerbook.com  or by e-mail at  

Thanks
Derek Ferguson

OPEN STUDIO ARTISTS – OPEN THEIR DOORS FOR NEWCOMERS

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Watercolour wash drawing by Howard Sedgemen - a member of Canberra Art Workshop
Canberra’s longest-running open-studio community art group is opening its doors to new members – offering a reduced, introductory fee from New Year’s Day.

“Canberra Art Workshop is now welcoming new members of all ages to join our work groups in our studio in the M16 Workspace in Mildura Street,” the workshop’s president, Rick Cochrane, has told The Word.

The work groups run weekly. They are subject-specific, including experimental painting, portraiture, life drawing, printmaking, pastel and watercolour, in a studio equipped with easels and art equipment.

“Our work groups operate in the studio day and night, seven days a week from January to December … they’re self-organised by artists of all ages, including students, retirees and working people,” Rick said.

Members of Canberra Art Workshop normally work without a teacher in their studio sessions. They share ideas freely and learn from each others’ experiments and successful artworks. As well, the workshop periodically runs tuition and workshops with professional teachers and noted artists.

The members range from emerging artists to beginners. Half-year membership of the workshop will be offered from New Year’s Day as a $50 introductory fee (normally an $80 annual fee). “This has to be the best possible Christmas gift anyone can give to a Canberra artist,” Rick said.

New member inquiries are now welcome. Contact: Rick Cochrane, President (0411 759 838)
 

BACKGROUND – Canberra Art Workshop

Canberra Art Workshop is a lively, self-funded, not-for-profit, open-studio community art organisation with about 200 members.

It has helped shape Canberra’s contemporary art scene since it was formed by local artists more than 60 years ago – when it was called the Canberra Art Club.

It never had a permanent home, moving from one temporary studio to the next throughout its history – often only a step ahead of the bulldozers. In the 1950s the club’s studio was in disused fibro huts, where it hung 18 paintings from the prestigious Blake Prize, including now famous works by Donald Friend, Eric Smith, and Lawrence Daws. It also brought to Canberra teachers like John Coburn, Clifton Pugh, John Brack, Joshua Smith and Lloyd Rees.

The club was an active and successful driver both for a National Art Gallery and the Canberra School of Art (now part of the ANU).
 

 

A challenging first Paddy Pallin Adventure Race in Canberra

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Paddy Pallin Adventure Race Canberra 28Nov09
A record field of 164 teams tackled the second race of the 2009/10 Paddy Pallin Adventure Race Series in Canberra over the weekend.
The opening leg of the classic course saw teams scatter amongst the rocks and tracks of Mt Taylor to collect a number of checkpoints adding to a total of 100 points in any order that they wished.  It proved a hectic start and some interesting route choices as the leading teams looked to gain the upper hand early on.  
Youth prevailed and the ‘YEAH’ men, aged only 15 and 16 years, came into TA1 first with a minute and a half gap.  Their transition wasn’t a quick one though and the Newcastle-based Flash Barry’s Fan Club were onto their tails heading out onto the bike leg.  One team that really enjoyed their time on Mt Taylor were adventure racing debutants, The Triple 0 on Speed Dial Crew, who decided to fully explore the area and were on foot for three hours.  The enthusiasm and attitude they showed when exiting TA1, eager to keep going and experience all the race had to offer, is what adventure racing is all about!
BlackHeart/UltraFit Magazine looked to be strong on the bike and it proved correct as they moved through the field from fourth to arrive at TA2 in the lead, one minute ahead of BlackHeart/Salomon and Flash Barry’s Fan Club who were neck and neck.  ‘YEAH’ men had lost some time and came through in fifth. Puzzle Partners were well onto the way to victory opening up a twenty minute lead by the time they were off the bike.  This leg which ran through Oakey Hill, the corner of Deeks Forest and finished with the famous ‘Luge’ section of the Stromlo single track network.  The smiles of the competitors coming into TA2 could be seen from a far distance!
The second of the run legs was up next and the leaders had no trouble navigating around the eastern flats of Mt Stromlo, extending their lead to seven minutes over Flash Barry’s Fan Club.  The Pink Flamingos had a cracker run and got to within one minute of the leading female team, Puzzle Partners.  Old Butt Slow, the third placed mixed team, opened up a gap on the fourth place team, Delerium and looked to consolidate on the next bike leg.
After enjoying one last section of single track the teams headed for the Lake and some cool relief on the water.  Before reaching the kayaks teams navigated their way through the pines of Deek’s forest and past the Government House.  As the heat began to take a toll the on the field the kayak leg was shortened for all but the top 12 teams who were able enjoy their view of the National Museum and swim from Spinnaker Island back to transition area.  The leader board was shaken up slightly with BlackHeart/Salomon moving into second and Flash Barry’s Fan Club only holding a forty-three second gap to Pro Mac Lite in fourth place. Having regained a substantial lead on the bike Puzzle Partners were looking good to maintain it to the finish.
Enjoying a healthy lead allowed BlackHeart/UltraFit Magazine to cruise to the finish thirteen minutes ahead of BlackHeart/Salomon who won the mixed category. Pro Mac Lite leap frogged Flash Barry’s Fan Club into the last overall podium spot and second place in the male category.  Lost and Confused were the second mixed team and Old Butt Slow the third.  Puzzle Partners won the women’s category ahead of The Pink Flamingos and Run Like a Girl 1.
The Novice race saw teams begin on foot from the pavilion at Stromlo Forest Park.  Much like the Classic start, runners took off in all directions in search of the optimum route amongst the creeks and scattered forest of the Holden’s Creek area.  It was The Strugglers who were first back to transition ahead of Bearing Down and the leading women, Team JET.
The ensuing bike allowed many teams to regain time lost orienteering and the field was bunched when they reached the end of the longest leg of the race.  The front five team were only separated by two minutes.  Team JET rode strongly to pull away from the chasing pack in the women’s category whilst Bearing Down didn’t have the best of legs and dropped away from the pack.
Jumping into the kayaks The Incredible Hulks were holding off Eat My Dust and Crystal Approach.  The pace was hot and the shoulders hurting as the time gaps allowed teams direct sight of each other and the charge to take the lead was on!  The surges and mind games did little to break up the pack and it came down to the final leg and final check point of the race.  The family team of Racing Rieses found the correct sign and answer the quickest giving them the opportunity to head for the finish first and take the win.  Thirty-eight seconds later Crystal Approach crossed the line and The Incredible Hulks were only a further twelve seconds in arrears.  Eat My Dust missed an overall podium place by a meagre four seconds but did take third in the mixed category.  Team JET were eighth overall and the leading female team. Cycle Ed Chickadees took second and Pedal Pushers were third in the female.
A huge thank you to Canberra for hosting yet another cracker event and to our sponsors for providing prizes and support for this series: Paddy Pallin, Fitness First, icebreaker, World Expeditions, Salomon, Sea to Summit, UltraFit Magazine, Australian Geographic Outdoor Magazine, GU and Red Bull.
For complete results and photos and to enter the next events of the series go to: www.arocsport.com.au

Southside Christmas Market

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Southside Christmas Market
Southside Christmas Market
  • Saturday December 19
  • 10am – 2pm
  • Macarthur Scout Hall
  • Coyne St (just off Isabella Drive, in front of the mpowerdome sports centre)
Huge range of stalls and entertainment throughout the day
  • Xmas Gifts, Cards & Decorations
  • Xmas Puddings & Cakes
  • Huge range of Jewellery (gem-stone, beaded, crystal, fairies and more …)
  • candles
  • all natural skin care
  • seated massage
  • hand-made toys & teddies
  • dolls clothes
  • names & themed door hangers & wall plagues
  • new age gifts
  • fairy & fantasy range of cameo’s, earrings, prints etc
  • lucky dips for the kids
  • cakes, slices & lollies
  • general art & craft
  • ice cream van
  • mobile coffee van
  • sausage sizzle

and heaps more …..

 

for more info:

email [email protected]

visit www.canberrasouthsidemarket.com

or call Jennine on 0411445768

A fun romp for Xmas!

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Ray Cooney''s farce is loads of fun
It Runs in the Family
Review by Shanna Provost
 
Canberra Rep finishes its 2009 season with a great belly laugh! It Runs in the Family, playing until 12 December at Theatre 3 is hilarious.
 
British Playwright Ray Cooney is the Master of farce. He manages to weave so much complication (brought about by the insatiable lying of his main character) through this comedy that it can’t help but be chaotic. It appears he also is the Master of the double entendre, British bawdiness and frustrating crossed wires. So much so that at one point an audience member threw his hands up in despair (while shaking with laughter).
 
Directed by Walter Learning (Steel Magnolias, Summer and Smoke, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest for Rep), has enlisted a strong cast to help him pull off this whimsical piece. And farce requires strong characters to be effective.
 
Peter Holland always plays the English gent well, and as the once lascivious and constantly scheming Dr David Mortimore he gets to hone his skills here.
 
The entire cast is strong, but the standout is Tony Falla who has the dream role as the fall guy to Mortimore’s selfish manipulator. His comic timing, energy and willingness to take risks make this play a delight to watch.
 
Young actor Josh Hogan does very well in his theatre debut as the troubled teen Leslie Tate, and the more experienced Brandon Martignago plays the cross-dressing Dr Mike Connelly with gusto.
 
Although a relatively small role this time round, Ian Croker plays an excellent lisping Sir Willoughby Drake and Ian Hart is hilarious as an elderly patient with touches of Spike Milligan in his demeanour.
 
The female actors fare well, with Steph Roberts shining in her role as the acidic Rosemary Mortimore. Veteran actor Marie Jensen plays Nana so well you just want to give her a hug!
 
The set is well thought out and designed to support the bustling action: hospital gurneys and wheelchairs are trotted in and out at lightning speed; the windows become a key element and the curtains are put to very good use.
 
All in all, a jolly good romp that is fast paced, packed with giggles and the occasional side splitter that is well worth seeing for a bit of Xmas fun.
 
WHAT: It Runs in the Family
WHERE: Theatre 3, Ellery Crescent Acton
WHEN: 19 November-12 December
TICKETS: $25-$35  
BOOKINGS: www.canberrarep.org.au or 02 6257 1950
 
 
 
 
 

An honour for legendary Indian filmmaker: Yash Chopra

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Mr Benoit Ginisty, left, presented Yash Chopra with the 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards FIAPF Award.
An honour for legendary Indian filmmaker: Yash Chopra
 
By Rama Gaind
 
“A legend of the Indian film industry” – Yash Raj Chopra – was honoured in Mumbai for outstanding achievement in film at a ceremony in Mumbai on October 29, 2009.
He was presented with the APSA 2008 FIAPF Award by the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) and FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producer’s Associations.
The award was announced at last year’s APSA ceremony which Mr Chopra was unable to attend due to a family bereavement.
This year the award was presented to him personally by FIAPF director-general, Benoit Ginisty, at the opening night celebrations of the Mumbai Film Festival.
Mr Chopra humbly accepted the award “as a recognition for the Indian Film industry as a whole and for myself personally”.
Presenting the award, Mr Ginisty said: “… we honour a legend of the Indian film industry, Mr Yash Chopra, for an outstanding career dedicated to cinematic excellence”.
APSA chairman Des Power congratulated Mr Chopra “for serving his industry with dignity and drive. He deserves our appreciation and well wishes for the future”.
 
Prolific filmmaker
Yash Chopra, as he’s popularly known, is a prolific Indian filmmaker and screenwriter and is said to be the most successful producer of Bollywood films to date.
At 77 years of age, his energy has not waned with his company continuing to diversify its interests. 
The biggest banner in Bollywood – Yash Raj Films – is set to take the small screen by storm. Yash Raj Productions is making its debut on the small screen with its show Rishta.com and 
Yash Raj Films has also launched its own music label called Yash Raj Music and produces DVDs, videos and VCDs under the Yash Raj Films Home Entertainment label.
Some of the highly successful movies which Yash Chopra has made as director include Waqt, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila, Dil To Pagal Hai and Veer-Zaara. He produced many more box office hits including Dhoom and Dhoom2, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Mohabbatein, Fanaa, Bunty Aur Babli, Salaam Namaste, Chak De India and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
Yash Chopra initially worked as an assistant to I. S. Johar, and then for his director-producer brother, B.R. Chopra. He was given his first directorial opportunity in Dhool Ka Phool by Baldev Raj. Later he set up his own movie production company, Yash Raj Films.
In 1973, Daag was his first movie under the Yash Raj banner.
His string of hits with Amitabh Bachchan made him one of the golden directors who had a special working relationship with the Big B together with Ramesh Sippy, Prakash Mehra, Manmohan Desai and Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
Mr Chopra has received several Filmfare Awards and has countless other decorations to his credit. 
Yash Chopra has received the Priyadarshini Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema by the Deputy Prime Minister Mr L.K. Advani.
He is the only Indian film producer and director to receive the BBC Asia Awards twice – in 1998 and 2001 for his outstanding contribution in films.
He was also chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2001, the highest honour given in the Indian film industry.
For promoting tourism through his films, he has been awarded with a Certificate of Recognition from the British Tourist Authority, British Film Commission and the Swiss Government.
Yash Chopra has been honoured at several film festivals including receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th Pune International Film Festival 2006. He was honoured for distinguished service to the film industry, along with the Egyptian comedy superstar Adel Imam and the Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman, as the Asian, Arab and Hollywood ‘honourees’ at the Dubai Film Festival four years ago.
He has also received France’s highest civilian honour, Legion of Honour, and he was the first Indian to be honoured in the 59-year history of BAFTA with a lifetime membership for his contribution to the Indian film industry.
Long may Mr Chopra’s success continue!
 
 
 

Australia is a winner at APSA on the Gold Coast

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Samson & Delilah - a winner at APSA on the Gold Coast.
Australia is a winner at APSA on the Gold Coast
By Rama Gaind
 
Acclaimed Australian film Samson & Delilah has won the Best Feature Film Award at the third annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards ceremony which were announced on Queensland’s Gold Coast on November 26, 2009.
The glittering occasion was attended by more than 800 film industry luminaries from the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
Produced by Kath Shelper and written and directed by Warwick Thornton, Samson & Delilah previously won the Camera d’Or prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, six major awards at the recent Inside Film Awards in Australia and has been nominated for 13 Australian Film Institute Awards.
Representing the first time an Australian film has been nominated in the Best Feature Film category of the APSA’s, Samson & Delilah competed against four films by renowned filmmakers from China (Chen Kaige, Lu Chuan), Iran (Asghar Farhadi) and the Palestinian Territories (Elia Suleiman), to receive the highest accolade in film in the Asia-Pacific region. Warwick Thornton was on the Gold Coast to accept the award.
Jury member Gina Kim (Republic of Korea) said: “Samson & Delilah has a very special something – the integrity of the filmmaker, the passion and the sincerity of it is really beyond comparison".
The awards were determined by an International Jury headed by notable Chinese director and producer Huang Jianxin, joined by Tahmineh Milani (Islamic Republic of Iran), Gina Kim (Republic of Korea), Aden Young (Australia), Andrew Pike (Australia) and Pryas Gupta (India).
Japanese star Masahiro Motoki was on the Gold Coast to receive the Best Performance by an Actor Award for his performance in Okuribito (Departures) and the Best Performance by an Actress Award winner was Korea’s Kim Hye-ja for Madeo (Mother).
China’s Nanjing! Nanjing! (City of Life and Death) received two awards: Lu Chuan for Achievement in Directing and Cao Yu for Achievement in Cinematography.
Best Screenplay was awarded to Asghar Farhadi for Darbareye Elly (About Elly). The Jury awarded two Jury Grand Prizes to the director of Darbareye Elly (About Elly), Asghar Farhadi (Islamic Republic of Iran), and the director of The Time That Remains, Elia Sulieman (Palestinian Territories). The Time That Remains is the first film from the Palestinian Territories to be nominated in the APSAs.
Best Documentary Feature Film was awarded to Hashmatsa (Defamation) a co-production between Israel, Austria, Denmark and USA and Australia’s Mary and Max, produced by Academy Award winner Melanie Coombs, won Best Animated Feature Film. Ye Haeng Ja (A Brand New Life)from Republic of Korea was awarded Best Children’s Feature Film and is produced by Lee Chang-dong, previous APSA winner for Best Feature Film in 2007, Secret Sunshine.
Thailand’s Sawan Baan Na (Agrarian Utopia) won the UNESCO Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of cultural diversity through film and the Award was accepted by the filmmaker, Uruphong Raksasad. This is the first year that Thailand has been nominated in the APSAs.
Japanese producer Isao Matsuoka was the recipient of the FIAPF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film. Mr Matsuoka was on the Gold Coast to personally accept this great honour.
Four high commendations were awarded by the Jury: to Yang Ik-june for Best Performance by an Actor for Ddongpari (Breathless; Alisher Khamidhodjaev and Maxim Drozdov for Achievement in Cinematography for Paper Soldier; Tahaan: A Boy with a Grenade for Best Children’s Feature; and Gandhi’s Children for Best Documentary Feature.
Representing 16 countries and territories, 37 films were finalists in the awards, with winners coming from Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Palestinian Territories, People’s Republic of China and Thailand and high commendations from the Jury for films from Australia, India, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation.

Wide-reaching appeal

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Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen and Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan in Twilight: New Moon.

Wide-reaching appeal

By Rama Gaind

Here are some new films which should appeal to a wider cross-section of audience and a variety of tastes.
Twilight: New Moon: A teen soap opera with enhanced cinematography which has been ambitiously taken on by director Chris Weitz. It has also been liberally sprinkled with a lavish score.
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is keen for an eternal connection with her century-plus vampire lover, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison), who has a strange attraction with his sparkly, milk-white complexion and sculpted cheekbones.
The film, which remains true to the book, copes with absence of the lead for a short time, but one of the strong points is the characterisation of Bella. She displays an appealing vulnerability through the pain of teenage yearning.
A handsome barrier comes in the form of werewolves as Bella grows closer to an old native American friend, Jacob (Taylor Lautner).
Watch out for vampire cameo appearances from Dakota Fanning and Michael Sheen.
2012: December 12, 2012 is said to be the doomsday date.
Director Roland Emmerich is a disaster movie expert who has destroyed cities and continents. Through his remake of ‘Godzilla’ he had ravaged New York and the world’s capitals were blasted with the help of an alien invasion in ‘Independence Day’. When he produced and directed ‘The Day After Tomorrow’, he froze this planet under sheets of ice.
Global destruction on the big screen now just doesn’t attack cities or mankind, but reconfigurates the planet.
Based on the myth of the Mayan calendar’s 2012 prediction sees the end of the world.

The Boys are Back: As a single father to two boys, journalist Joe (Clive Owen) tackling touchy issues with understandable sincerity.
Scott Hicks gives us a plausibly moving and funny film.

 

Invigorating mix of culture and cosmopolitan lifestyle in Bangkok

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Andrew Cornelio, director of sales and marketing at Dusit Thani Bangkok with International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan at the 9th IIFA weekend in Bangkok in June 2008

Invigorating mix of culture and cosmopolitan lifestyle in Bangkok

By Rama Gaind

Thailand radiates an energising mix of culture and a 21st century cosmopolitan lifestyle which is nowhere more apparent than in Bangkok.
With a population of 64 million, this is one capital city where the numbers matter: there are crowds everywhere, but you don’t feel uncomfortably confined.
Once you get used to the humidity (which takes a monumental effort) and bumper-to-bumper traffic, you get down to the business of sightseeing.
First on the list is a visit to the dazzling Grand Palace with The Temple of the Emerald Buddha which is Thailand’s most sacred site.
Built in 1782 – it was home for 150 years to the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government. Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom.
An inspection of Wat Phra Kaew (temple of the Emerald Buddha) which is located in the grounds of the Grand Palace is a must.
Until the 20th century, this complex was the official home of the Thai monarchy. Here you can see some spectacular examples of a range of architectural styles including authentic Thai and Italian Renaissance.
It also houses the Emerald Buddha. The Buddha figure, dating to 43BC and originating in India, is carved from green jade and adorned in intricate gold ornaments. There’s so much to see here, along with the Grand Palace.
However, beware because there’s a strict dress code for when you visit the Grand Palace with The Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Women should be modestly dressed, with no see-through clothes or bare shoulders.
Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops).
You should not have bare feet and if you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks.
Thailand is ‘Amazing’! Being able to see some of it, courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has left me yearning for more memorable experiences on a return trip – very soon.

Unwind at the Centara Grand
It had been an exhaustive day, so relaxing over dinner at the Centara Grand Hotel reminiscing about the 2008 Indian International Film Awards made for an exciting evening.
Spending a few hours with Andrew Cornelio, director of sales and marketing at Dusit Thani in Bangkok, was quite refreshing. He elaborated on a memorable experience when his hotel hosted the “most famous Indian actor” Amitabh Bachchan, along with his wife, Jaya, their son Abhisek Bachchan and his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Andrew said he could not believe how the hotel was full of many other “famous people from Bollywood” and abroad – and he got to meet some of them. “I can’t wait to host the event again!”
India is ranked number one on the list of most films shot in Thailand, followed by Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, USA and China. The future looks rosy for Bollywood.

Bright future
Thailand’s national committee on film production recently approved a 2009-2011 master plan to promote Thailand as the hub for shooting films with post-production facilities. The Thailand Film Office will make several recommendations for incentives to attract foreign filmmakers to shoot in Thailand
Director-general of the tourism development section of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Dr. Seksan Narkwong, says “Everything from sci-fi ‘moonscapes’ and prehistoric dinosaur caves and rock carvings to our famous beaches, modern cities and tropical rainforests, Thailand has a wealth of locations to shoot and stories to tell”.
For more than 30 years, Thailand has provided production services for foreign filmmakers and offers a wealth of experienced crew and cost-effective budgets. Production support crews have become adaptable in the different demands of filmmakers from different countries.
The Thailand Film Office estimates revenue from foreign film shoots at US$57.8 million in 2008.
It seems that just as Indian production houses are eager to seek out a competitive source in south-east Asia, Thailand too is keen to welcome Bollywood with open arms.
May such collaboration continue for a very long time!
 

Daring artist wins Citynews Artist of the Year at ACT Arts Awards

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Pic by Silas Brown Citynews

A daring Canberra artist who has made the naked human body her art medium has been named 2009 Citynews Artist of the Year at the 19th Annual ACT Arts Awards.

Min Mae, 33, of Ainslie is a busy single mother who also choreographs and dances for the Radiance women’s dance company. She was described by one judge as “a philosopher who takes the big questions in life and explores the possible answers to them by using the body."

Mae received a $1000 cheque from the ACT Chief and Arts Minister Jon Stanhope, along with a painting presented by Solander Gallery owner Joy Warren.

Whilst her medium could be considered controversial, Mae is adamant that her artworks are empowering, not exploitative.

"Nudity is essentially human…my medium is living flesh”, she says.

Mae’s tableau forms are stunning, and most appealing to the human eye. She uses the body to explore her ideas including death, poetry, the subconscious and even art movements.

At the Arts Awards Ceremony, Michael White from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance announced that veteran Canberra actor Oliver Baudert had won the 2009 Green Room Award and a special Peer Recognition Award went to Street Theatre director Caroline Stacey.

Canberra Centenary creative director Robyn Archer presented a Special Critics’ Award to retiring gallery owner Helen Maxwell, praised for her support of women and local and indigenous artists.

Other Canberra Critics’ Circle awards went to artists Johannes Kuhnen and Gilbert Riedelbauch, Julie Ryder, curator Geoffrey Farquhar-Still, writers Tatjana Lukic (posthumous), Omar Musa, Julian Fleetwood, Kel Robertson, Jackie French, John Dargavel., film-maker Andrew Pike, choreographers Sandra Griffin and Michelle Heine, theatre directors Geoffrey Borny, Cathie Clelland and Kate Shearer, playwright David Finnigan, designer Gillian Schwab, papermoon productions, actors Graham Robertson, Tim Sekuless, Jordan Best, Helen Brajkovic and Lexi Sekuless, singers Moya Simpson and Karen Fitzgibbon, conductor-singer Tobias Cole, composer Tim Hansen and musical directors Robyn Holmes and Vincent Plush.

 

Canberra Spirituality Church

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The Canberra Spirituality Church offers fortnightly Sunday Services, Classes, Special Events and Workshops to enhance personal and spiritual growth and foster wholeness in mind-body-spirit.

All services held at

  • Pearce Community Centre in Collett Place, Pearce.
  • Services are held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday evenings at 7pm.
  • Healing from 6.45pm.
  • Stay for tea afterwards and meet some like-minded folk!
  • Your donations help grow this Church, and your presence is always appreciated.

 

  • XMAS FAIR – Buy all your presents in one day!
  • Saturday 5 December 2009
  • 2pm-8pm

With Xmas not far away, it’s time to start thinking about gifts for your loved ones and the Canberra Spirituality Church’s Xmas Spiritual Fair is a great place to go shopping.

The Spiritual Fair will be held on Saturday 5 December from 2pm to 8pm at the Pearce Community Centre in Collett Place, Pearce where the Church’s services are held.

Another great series of free talks will be part of the day and readers will also be available.

  • No service December 27.
  • First service in 2010 is January 24

Inclusive Heart-centred Spirituality

INCLUSIVE – All people welcome… All paths honoured

HEART-CENTRED – Choosing love and peace, and replacing ignorance and fear with awareness and courage

SPIRITUALITY – Supporting your connection with the One. We honour the many names for God, the many paths to God, the many ways to worship God.Universal love is within each of us guiding us to dynamically express our wholeness, wisdom and abundance. We acknowledge the universal wisdom in the teachings of many spiritual masters and on varied spiritual paths.

Our mission is to be a sanctuary where we support a diversity of spiritual ideas, and where all can know Universal energies.

Pastor Lucy is on the Pastoral Care Unit team of The Canberra Hospital, Woden and is available for staff, patients and their loved ones.

Events and Classes

  • Healing Circle for experienced Healers
  • Development of Healing Class for beginners
  • Both run by well-known local healer, Lesley Schneider, $8 a class
  • Mediumship training – dates coming soon!

Healing List – if you would like to add a loved one’s name to our Sunday service healing list hat will be read out during our Healing Meditation, please contact Lucy

Prayer List – if you would like to send a prayer up to Spirit through our church, please contact Lucy with details of your prayer.

What is a Spirituality Church? The word ‘Church’ is a bit off-putting…

A Spirituality Church is similar to any church in that it offers a place for you to slip out of the rest of your busy life and find that place within you that knows how to connect with Spirit, how to trust the flow of your life and how to look at your life from a more loving, powerful and harmless perspective.

What it is not similar to would be a traditional church in a religious sense of the word. It is believed that one often travels through religious lives to spiritual lives – the difference being that Spirituality is about the expansion of Light, learning how to trust the connection to one’s own initiative and intuition and breaking free of the old religious man-made rules about duty, guilt, shame, segregation and authority.

We are all connected to God, Goddess, Great Spirit, Universal Light, Buddha, Mohammed, Jesus – whoever and whatever your belief system allows – and we also carry a spark of that divinity within us to develop and heal ourselves with, and the others.

To take our Light beyond us is our life purpose and in essence, it not what we do during our time on this planet – it is about who we are, and what we choose to project, every day.

At our church, the mood is light, meditative, healing and the music is contemporary and uplifting, with an interesting talk each service about an aspect of life and how to get the best out of it.

Then, at the end of a service is the medium, who, as someone connected to both the physical and the spiritual worlds (a bit like a telephone operator) can offer messages from either loved ones in Spirit or advice from your team of guides. Everyone has this ability, and these mediums are no different to you, except that they are using themselves as an instrument through which Light (and with it information, knowledge or healing) is passed – similar to a bridge between ‘heaven’ and ‘earth’. By learning how to clear a space within oneself, we can all use this ability.

We also offer mediumship, healing, reiki, spiritual and personal growth courses and classes for those who would like to develop their own inner wisdom and abilities, and am always happy to offer volunteer positions at Church for those who would like to now take their work beyond themselves.

In time, we will also be offering childcare for those who can only attend with their children, in particular single parents and a library will be re-established for those eager to learn and study. 

For more info please visit our website www.lucybaker.net/CanberraSpiritualityChurch.htm

 

WIN an iPod when you use mHITs

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WIN an iPod

mHITs is the fast new way to use your mobile to pay for coffees, lunches, drinks snacks…anything! Just pay by SMS!

For your chance to win an iPod nano, just use mHITs at any mHITs venue and you automatically enter the draw! The more times you use mHITs, the more entries you get in the draw!

mHITs is available at Coffee Guru in Canberra.

Visit www.mhits.com.au for more info.

WIN an iPod when you use mHITs

By
-
0

mHITs is the fast new way to use your mobile to pay for coffees, lunches, drinks snacks…anything! Just pay by SMS!

For your chance to win an iPod nano, just use mHITs at any mHITs venue and you automatically enter the draw! The more times you use mHITs, the more entries you get in the draw!

mHITs is available at Coffee Guru in Canberra.

Visit www.mhits.com.au for more info.

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