Members of the Women’s Handball squad held a training camp on 14th-15th March 2009 in Brisbane, as part of its preparation for the Pacific Cup and the Oceania Region Qualifying Tournament for the Women’s World Championship to be held in China in December 2009.
This was the third training camp conducted by Katsu Kinoshita since his re-appointment in December 2008 as Head Coach of the Australian Women’s Team.Katsu took on the role of Head Coach of the Women’s Team which successfully won the qualifying tournament to represent Australia and the Oceania Region in the Women’s Handball World Championship held in France during November 2007.
The March training camp was attended by the following players:
NSW –Gizelle van der Merwe, Jessica Fearnside, Kim Higgins, Milly Thomas,
Vanja Smiljanic
Qld–Jemima Harbort, Mary Kent, Melissa Mellor, Rosa Boyd
The training camp focused on defence; decision-making (both in attack and defence} and effective execution of fast breaks. The team was supported during the camp by Nicky Rolls, Physiotherapist and by Mrs Linda Mellor has helped the team for last three months with catering for lunch at training camps.
The women’s squad will have another camp on 18th-19th April 2009.This will be Open Camp again before the Pacific Cup Camp that is scheduled to start on 14th of May.
For more information about the Australian Handball Women’s Squad and handball generally, refer to the Australian Handball Federation website: www.handballaustralia.org.au or email [email protected]
It has become very reassuring in public contacts made with principal United States politicians such as Bush and Obamma that whatever the past mature man to man negotiation can make principal adjustments to understanding world events, especially the limitations of the Hitler years in Europe. Unexpectedly the figures of that period have been misunderstood because of then of over representation of masterfulness and leadership.
The lesson to be learned then is an important one. Personal and world history needs the shrug of the shouldders sometimes for most of us to advance. Absolute justice so longed for is not a possibility on this planet but comprimise and healthy understanding and manliness can do a lot to see around otherwise unnegotiable corners.
Mischief and plain wrong doing is unacceptable and becomes widely known but cannot be undone directly now because it is the past. Plenty of societeies including the British empire were reponsible for a lot of intended wrong doing which was put right once reformers developed the capabilities and the mandate to move forward. President Obamma is one of those having a go at some of these situations.
Inhuman acts including terror to make impossible public comment cannot be accepted for moral and political reasons. For some they are the only code and there have been examples of this in history all over the world as in Africa today for example. Personal experience (well known to me and well known in this community) has shown determination to bully and maintain bigotory is unviable.
What is needed in international negotiations is development of dialogue and then a mandate to make the changes that correct terible mistakes and inhumanity. When this happens all concerned should be congratulated and a new mandate for change makers accepted.
In the 1950s and 1960s much of the progress that was unfolding, by extending great cities such as Sydney and the first start of native film, acting and drama schools and a native literature, well recognised firstly in the Whitlam years meant here was a high degree of optimism and growing cosmopolitanism not unlike that of Provincial America or the new cities of Canada for example.
This spirit of inventiveness was not restricted to the high arts but farming, particulary broad acre farming which was pioneered here and undertaken often the case in the US an Europe. This spirited efficency meant that the traditional pastoral industries could achieve record highs in achievement and also succede in untried warters because the very old Imperial preferences scheme was no more. Australian farmers still have this leading edge ability.
Also the development of many successful small and medium businesses in major suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne for example has mirrored much of the success of the family based farmers.
Change and leadership became therefore important to business and public leaders. However there also grew an increasing belief in and a need to trust coherency by consulting literature especially the media available throgh books. This change has yet to trickle down fully even to top markets such as Sydney but the continuing prestiege of the printed word satisfies so many.
I know from contact with professional management, and leadership bodies responsible for the formation of so many skilled people, such as nurses, public servants,business people, the armed forces and police that there is a great appreciation of non fiction literature to mentor and train those engaged in serious tasks. I hope that Australians develop their own literature concerning leadership as the need for local solutions is great.
Other literature including indegenous literature is also flourishing. However contact with senior diplomats and politicians here in Canberra has led me to recognise we need a lot of revisions, of accepted accounts including that of World War 2 because very old censorship provisions are noy suitable. Cooperation in this area will be importan
I am an avid attender of meetings of the Australian Labor Party here in Canberra. I learnt early as a young man that the rough and tumble of life meant that to stand up for personal issues, especially human rights, intellectual freedom and opportunity to go forward (some times crawl I must admit) was needed for the planet to be a better place.
I have always stood for and occasionally fallen on my own sword when not up to the mustard when events seemed beyond me. Sometimes evets still are.
Unfortunately at a late meeting of the Australian Labor Party 19 March, gearing up for an important conference concerning housekeeping for our future I was led to believe that MLAs had been instructed to confuse me because of my strong role in international relations.
I am seeking clarification. The tipster was Minister Andrew Barr. Hopefully he man was being helpful.
I think by now the community and the Australian Labor Party accept I play an approriate and important role in developing realtions with other communities as well as resolving impossible to solve situations from time such as the negotiations leading to the end of the Vietnam conflict, the cessation of hostilities between Palestine, Egypt and Israel (President Carter) and of course the evolution of democratic government in South Africa.
The success of any body in these areas should be applauded. Personally I am quite proud.
If you are a resident of Canberra and indeed elsewhere in Australia it has become very clear for a considerable period that Parliamentary broadcast standards have become increasingly academic because what needs to be said and resolved has been off line for too long.
Topics as considerable as the dismissal years, the settlment of great conflicts such as World War 2, and current debates including independence and role of this nation due to its relationships with Europe and the United States, the evolution of democracy in South Africa and the settlement of issues such as the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan have been debated openly by senior politicians and others such as myself here in Canberra.
It is generally admitted that there needs to be a serious look at the many attempts especially by the Commonwealth Parliament to act as a parent and not make available the full story of so much, including the Hitler years, the resolution of the Vietnam conflict with the help of the United States and Russia here in Canberra, the settlement of the conflict between Palestine, Egypt and Israel (President Carter), the evolution of democracy successfully in South Africa as well as national events including the machinery of government negotiations in the case of the Hawke and Fraser governments.
My experience in raising these obvious concerns with senior figures in the Commonwealth Parliament (The Speaker of the House and the Pesident of the Senate) is that they are not interested. Comment even about basic expectations on Parliament’s role to permit and respond to opinion and hot topics simply is not available from the authorities responsible for what takes place.
Freedom of discussion is a fundamental of democracy and should be the expected outcome essential for change and approriate leadership. This has been expected even when the nation was a colony. Unnecessary sabotage to free discussion should not be accepted without explanation
Rumour is that the High Court need a major overhaul to address significant structural and related issues that may be largely attributed to poor early planning.
For example the very large glass front of the building is not supported sufficiently by the moving foundations, particularly also owing to limestone caves directly below. Stress in the building has also contributed to the development of severe leaks in the roof of the building.
The High Court building is a national icon asset for Canberra and the nation, but its future could be very costly. This is a very sad result.
Lets hope globe trotting by planners and politicians does not overlook fixing the this building and other important public projects.
The Canberra branch of Socialist Alternative holds regular political meetings and discussions.You don’t have to be a member of Socialist Alternative to attend – everyone is welcome to come along and check us out.
We meet at 6 pm every Thursday, room G039 Copland Building, Australian National University (except for the Egyptian Socialist Mamdouh Habashi who will talk on Wednesday 8 April. See below for details.)
19 March Socialist Educational: Could there be a revolution in Australia?
26 March The history of Australian anti-war struggles
2 April Afghanistan is not the ‘good war’.
8 April Egyptian socialist Mamdouh Habashi speaks: Israel, Palestine and struggles in the Arab world
Mobile phones to track within 5 Meters
A revolutionary ’live personal tracking system’ allows users to be
located to within 5 meters.
Perth, Western Australia 12th March 2009 – GOTRACK my mobile, a new and exciting location based service from AffinityOne goes on sale in Australia on May 4th 2009. GOTRACK my mobile uses the existing technology found in many modern mobile phones to track and locate subscribers to within 5 meters. The service gives consumers and businesses the ability to know exactly where friends, family and colleagues are, live at any given time from any PC with an internet connection.
Paul Delaney, AffinityOne’s General Manger said “until now Live GPS tracking systems have been limited to larger business users due to the high cost. GOTRACK my mobile now makes technology accessible for the consumer and small business owner”
GOTRACK my mobile functions enable subscribers to not only know the exact location of a user, but it is also possible to fence off “no go” areas and report any movement into these areas; for example competitors premises, taverns or even the shopping centre.
Using an existing mobile phone, the GOTRACK my mobile package will retail for $149 with a monthly subscription of $29.99 and will be available from Authorised Dealers across Australia.
About AffintyOne
AffinityOne are one of Australia leading suppliers of GPS Tracking systems and solutions, based in Perth WA with offices in the United Kingdom. Current customers include Watercorp, Rio Tinto, and Orica along with many local councils and government departments.
For further media information contact:
Julia Delaney
Mobile 0423 624 312
Email [email protected]
Canberra’s premier southside indoor community market offers an impressive showcase of handcrafted items (eg: jewellery, paper craft, aromatherapy items, knitting, cards, prints, quilting etc), plus quality new goods and home produce – plenty to appeal to both locals and visitors.
Tuggeranong’s ONLY true indoor market promises a genuine community atmosphere, PLUS now includes new outdoors stalls aswell (eg: Sausage Sizzle, Ice Cream Van, Plants and more …)
ENROL WITH A FRIEND OR SIBLING & RECEIVE A DISCOUNT!
Tiny Tales
Age: 7-9 years
Dates: 14-17 April
Tutors: Kristil & Caroline
TINY TALES is a fun and active drama workshop for participants who want to be storytellers. Over the week the group will play drama games and develop their performance skills as they create characters, engage their imaginations and master the arts of the very short story. There will be a short performance at the end of the week for family and friends.
Cost: $192 / child (member) $212 / child (non member)
* sibling and friend discount available
CLOWN-O-RAMA
Age: 10-12 years
Date: 20-24 April
Tutors: Hadley & Pablo
CLOWN-O-RAMA invites participants to come into CYT and clown around. Over the week the group will play drama games, develop their own unique clown character and create a story chock full of crazy clown slapstick antics. There will be a short performance at the end of the week for family and friends.
Cost: $240 / child (member) $260 / child (non member)
* sibling and friend discount available
When: Daily 10am-3pm
Where: C Block Theatre, Gorman House Arts Centre, Braddon, ACT
Bring: Snacks, Lunch & a drink bottle (no access to shops, limited drinks and snacks available from our fridge)
Wear: Warm clothes you can Muck Up in.
Places in workshops are limited
so avoid disappointment and enrol today!
Enrol now by contacting CYT on 6248 5057 [email protected] www.cytc.net
The adult child spring ahead...but what about looking up?
‘Are you sure you’ll be warm enough? Have you got some water? Have you been to the loo?’ Ah yes, the travel realities of parents and children. Except this time it was me, the 27-year-old making sure my 59-year-old mother was equipped for a day of Louvre-ing in Paris.
The last time I went on holiday with Mum, I was 17 with an attitude problem; she was the overbearing, ‘brush your hair dear’ fun-lover. So, had things changed now, after returning from a three-week European adventure?
There are plenty of articles out there about traveling with kids— the ones of an age that need shoe laces tied, to be constantly entertained and who scream when you suggest they try some brie instead of Kraft cheese sticks. But what about an adult child traveling with their older parent? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages
–Money brings richness:
In most cases, money means a more enjoyable holiday; better accommodation, delicious food and actually being able to go up the Eiffel tower. When an adult child can bring money to the experience instead of being a burden begging for a Mickey Mouse toy from Euro-Disney, there are opportunities for richer experiences. –Mind over matter
While in Switzerland, I was riding a bicycle at breakneck speed (well…I exaggerate a tad)— Mum eventually caught up. ‘Why are you riding so fast? Look around you.’ And instead of focusing on the road, I looked up—she was right. Blue sky with a frieze of jagged mountain ranges, cows with bells, farmhouses like out of chocolate advertisements. Mum’s mature ‘smell the roses’ attitude of an older parent can bring more inspiring experiences. And vice-versa; conversations about a nations’ political system are far more engaging over a limoncello than ‘I wanna see Disneyland’. –Flesh out those skeletons
Every family has a skeleton or two rattling about in the closet. As a child, they remained bony, and remain so when afternoon teas don’t exactly provide to backdrop to flesh out Aunt watsername never got married and why uncle hoosit isn’t invited to Christmas.
After a few vinos one night Mum and I got into an introspective mood and chatted about the past; what it’s like for her to have found true love at last, her family background, what I should do with my life. Being in a foreign place allowed us to explore the comfort zone of our usual conversation topics.
Disadvantages
While it’s all sounding like a living Hallmark card, beware the disadvantages of traveling as a parent with an adult child. Freaky Friday Forever
The days of being spoon-fed are at the extremes of life; when as a child the airplane of peas came to you. Then there comes the time when that spoon feeder has ‘senior’s moments’, and general vagueness which give a doorway into future senility. The adult child then takes over the role of parent.
Observe:
Still walking around in a jet-lag haze, Mum and I were choosing some munchies at a Parisian Supermarche…
Me: “Would you like some carrots? How about some tomatoes? This cheese is nice—“
Mum: “Arg! Let me think!”
Me: “Are you feeling OK? Do you need a rest? I can take you back to the hotel— “
Mum: “Shush! I’m not a 5 year old!”
But truth was in a way, she was. Tired and cranky, I expected her to chuck a tantrum right there next to the fromage frais. And she would have gotten lost back to the hotel in the rabbit warren of the Paris Metro and streets. After a few days and more sleep, eventually I learned not to be so patronising, and Mum let me take the reins a bit more.
When one or both of you can’t get past the role reversal; for the younger realising their parent’s mortality— for the older, being babied, then such a travel arrangement is destined for disaster. Fitness levels
Even if you get on like best friends, there are the practicalities to contend with. Levels of health and fitness are required for even the most sedate bus tour or standing in museums, tolerating foreign foods and nipping around crazy traffic. While age does not necessarily equate to fitness, there may be a disparity between each of you. A better holiday is one where you are both of about the same huff and puff, rather than impatient waiting at the tops of stairs.
So, should you travel with a parent/child?
With the baby boomer generation bounding into retirement, and having inheritances to blow and time free to do it, there comes the opportunity for travel. This may be with a spouse or alone, or with a child of adult age, who is financially independent.
As with any travel buddy, choose wisely— similar expectations and abilities, as well as personality compatibility are essential. But the benefits may well be worth it—a special bonding between parent and child, before it’s too late.
The Needle and the Damage Done
Written and Performed by Fiona Scott-Norman
Directed by Paul McCarthy
The Q Performing Arts Centre Queanbeyan
5,6,7 March @ 8.00pm
Tickets $17-$32 www.theq.net.au or phone (02) 62980290
"Needle is a perfectly timed emotional rollercoaster, with roaring laughter giving way to shock, embarrassment, horror and back to laughter again. Horrifically embarrassing, infinitely uncomfortable and one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen," Kate Buchanan, The Geelong Times
Comedian, DJ, writer, ex-critic and Green Room Award winner Fiona Scott-Norman will lead audiences through an unbelievable top ten of the most cringe-worthy music in the world. The Needle and the Damage Done is two parts nostalgia, four parts cultural satire and ten parts shock and awe comedy.
Born in England, within hearing range of Benny Hill’s theme song, stand up comic and DJ, Fiona Scott-Norman has been collecting bad vinyl since she was old enough to shoplift a Rolf Harris record. "I’ve always been obsessed with bad music…the foisting of appalling music on innocents has always given me a thrill. People cry laughing at this show."
She has had sell out performances at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, performed Needle at The Sydney Opera House, won a Green Room Award, had rave reviews at The Adelaide Cabaret Festival and appeared on ABC’s TV The Collectors.
Part slide-show, part show and tell, part cabaret, part stand-up The Needle And The Damage Done takes audiences on an hysterical journey through the musical excesses of William Shatner, VFL footballers, christians, Bernard King, white supremacists, Torville and Dean, racists, and John Laws. Two parts nostalgia, two parts cultural satire, ten parts shock and awe.
Parental guidance is recommended for this production
Centrelink''s Sarah Frew and son Connor load the truck with donations
Centrelink staff member, Sarah Frew, led a donation drive with a difference over the past fortnight, culminating in a truck full of boxes and a long drive for a good cause.
Sarah, who works at Centrelink’s National Support Office in Tuggeranong, has been busy collecting bandages, blankets and pet food in a bid to help care for the animals affected by the Victorian bushfires.
Sarah coordinated the drive amongst Canberra staff and received a phenomenal level of support.
“Centrelink already has hundreds of staff on the ground helping people who have lost everything and I thought it would be nice to do something for the little critters who cannot speak for themselves,” Sarah said.
“We have received overwhelming support for the drive and the staff in Canberra have been very generous with donations.
“We were hoping to receive enough donations for 10 or 15 boxes but we ended up hand-delivering 28 boxes to animal rescue charities.”
Sarah’s husband Pat and son Connor hired an enclosed trailer and transported the donations from Canberra to Victoria last Friday.
“It became a bit of a family affair. My sister-in-law lives in Victoria so we just wanted to do our bit to help out.”
The donations have been divided between Wildlife Victoria, Animal Aid and the RSPCA to assist with rescue efforts.
Centrelink staff in Canberra have also raised over $10 000 for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal, with donations still pouring in.
In addition to this, numerous blankets, clothing & toys have been collected for residents and will be transported to Victoria in the coming days.
Media contact: Siobhan Dillon, Centrelink Media, Ph: (02) 6155 2776
The horror of the Victorian fires has moved many Canberrans to give generously to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal. But while some people might have foregone a movie ticket or a bottle of wine, at Goodwin Aged Care Services’ three villages, residents and staff have raised more than $9,000 by donating part of their pensions and wages.
Goodwin CEO Bruce McKenzie said the company had launched its own donation drive in response to requests from residents, clients and staff who were keen to do their bit to help those affected by the fires.
“Even if they’ve only got a little bit to give, just about everyone has given something,” Mr McKenzie said.
A cheque for $9,273.80 was handed over to the Red Cross on Friday.
