Archaeology Professor Tim Darvill of Bournemouth University, UK
Professor Tim Darvill of Bournemouth University in the UK will be in Canberra next month to deliver a lecture on Stonehenge in the Manning Clark Centre at the Australian National University on Thursday, 15th May, 7.30pm start. All are welcome to attend. The lecture is part of the tercentenary celebrations of the Society of Antiquaries of London (1707-2007) and this particular event is the 2008 Jack Golson Lecture.
Professor Darvill’s lecture is entitled Merlin’s Magic Circles: Stonehenge and the use of the Preseli Bluestones. In this lecture Professor Darvill will show that while Stonehenge’s origins as a ceremonial monument were conventional enough its later history was exceptional. Key to the transformation was the arrival of about 80 pillars of Bluestone rock brought a distance of around 250km from the Preseli Hills of southwest Wales to Salisbury Plain. But why were these stones important? And what did they mean to Neolithic people? Using archaeological evidence from Stonehenge itself and from recent work in the Preseli Hills, and folklore and oral tradition dating back to the 13th century AD, a new picture of Stonehenge is emerging in which the stones themselves can be seen to have perceived magical properties connected with healing. Their re-use in later and ever more elaborate structures at Stonehenge show something of their power and significance and illustrate how the landscape of the Preseli Hills is constructed in microcosm at Stonehenge. People were attracted to the area from continental Europe, and what started out as a local focus became a celebrated place for prehistoric pilgrimage.
This will be Professor Darvill’s first opportunity to speak publicly about the recent excavation at Stonehenge (the first on the ancient site for over 40 years) though he will stop short of revealing exactly what they’ve discovered as the radio-carbon dating of the organic material taken from the site is not yet complete.
One business manager used to regularly yell at his staff who lived in fear of his next explosion. At one government department, a male staff member lodged a claim of Workplace Bullying against his female boss simply so she would back off from her concerns about his poor performance. At a community agency which employed therapists, some team members had not spoken to each other in months.
"People can be difficult wherever you go", says Workplace Relationships Specialist, Ken Warren. "If the truth be told, we can all be difficult at times. But there are some who excel in this regard. When dealing with difficult co-workers or customers, there are three things you must have", Mr Warren says. "Firstly, you need to think before you speak. Secondly, you need to have a plan. And thirdly, you need a gun!" he grins. "Seriously, number three is a back-up plan in case their behaviour worsens.
Having good relationships both within and between teams should be a priority for every workplace", Mr Warren says. "According to the research, positive relationships are the number one thing that helps people to be happy and productive at work. Unfortunately, strained workplace relationships are also the number one thing that contributes to people’s misery at work. Such tensions are a surefire recipe for poor morale, reduced performance, and increased absences and staff turnover", he says.
"It is important to be proactive in either encouraging a positive workplace culture or to act sooner before small problems grow into ones that are much harder to handle", Mr Warren says. "Team members as well as team leaders all have a part to play in contributing to a positive workplace culture".
Mr Warren is soon to run two fun and practical seminars in Canberra at University House, Acton. The first, entitled How to Deal with Angry and Demanding People, will take place on Thursday 22nd May. His second seminar, Secrets to Building a Happy Workplace, will be on Friday 23rd May. Further information can be gained by telephoning 0406 534 800 or through www.kenwarren.com.au
FILM NETWORKING INDUSTRY (AUSTRALIA) INC. ABN:11 352 418 843
3rd FNI(A) Film Entry Application Form 2008
Please Print This Form Out, Complete, & Post with cheque/money order made payable to, Film Networking Industry (Australia), send To:
PO Box 3509, Weston Creek. ACT. 2611. AUSTRALIA.
Early Entries Closing Date: 12 June 2008.
Final Closing Date for Entrants: 24 July 2008.
Achievement Award for Original Rising Star Documentary, Short, Feature, Animation, Television, Music/Score/Music Video. Achievement Award for Best Original Documentary, Short, Feature, Animation, Television, Music/Score/Music Video.
The producer grants the FNI(A) – FILM NETWORKING INDUSTRY (Australia) INC. the right to exhibit the film at the Awards and/or prior to the Awards.
The producer warrants to the FNI(A) – FILM NETWORKING INDUSTRY (Australia) INC. that they have obtained all the necessary permissions to enter the film and that the film does not infringe the rights, including the copyright of any third party.
PLEASE SEND YOUR ENTRY FORM, CHEQUE/MONEY ORDER, made out to Film Networking Industry (Australia) Inc. FNI(A) Filmmakers Members: AU$5, FNI(A) Enthusiast Members: AU$15, Non Members: AU$25, AU$5 discount for Early Entries, AND A COPY OF YOUR FILM (VHS PAL OR DVD FORMAT), TO:
PO Box 3509, WESTON CREEK. ACT. 2611. AUSTRALIA
______________________________________________________
NORA PRESTON
President/Founder
FNI(A) – FILM NETWORKING INDUSTRY (AUSTRALIA) INC. – Founded in 2005.
PO Box 3509
WESTON CREEK ACT 2611
Ph: (02) 6161 1596 Mob: 0407 601 662
Support FNI(A). FNI(A) is an independent, non profit, non government community based charity, run solely by volunteers, with no government funding, saving taxpayers money. FNI(A) relies heavily on donations from the public in order to carry out its work. If you would like to make a donation to FNI(A), please send a cheque/money order made payable to Film Networking Industry (Australia) Inc. to PO Box 3509, Weston Creek. ACT. 2611. AUSTRALIA . or contact us by email [email protected] or mobile: 0407 601 662 to discuss other alternatives.
Thank you for all your support.
Aims and Objectives: to promote and unite the film and music industry; to promote film production and development; improved access to equipment; and annual recognition of achievements in Australian and International Film and Music through FNI(A) Achievement Awards.
Support FNI(A). BECOME AN FNI(A) MEMBER, VOLUNTEER, DOWNLOAD M/SHIP FORM FROM
FNI(A) WEBSITE www.geocities.com/fnia/http://fnia.awardspace.com PO Box 3509 , WESTON CREEK ACT 2611, AUSTRALIA . Mob: 0407 601 662. Email: [email protected] Disclaimer: FNI(A) and the author do not assume or accept any responsibility and shall not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of the information contained in this letter/email.
Wildlife Carers Group copyright site map of Kangaroo Park/Wildlife Sanctuary Proposal for BNTS site
We have succeeded in getting the stanhope government to back down for now, with some of the newly erected fences finally dismantled, although, on 25/4/08, upon inspecting the site, it appeared as though other fences have been erected, once again depriving some of our roos from water, and fresher feed, with only 28 kangaroos counted.
To secure the proposed Kangaroo Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, on the BNTS (Belconnen Naval Transmission Station) site by WCG – Wildlife Carers Group Inc., please keep signing our petition by Clicking on http://gopetition.com/petitions/save-all-the-kangaroos.html to sign our petition individually, to save ALL our kangaroos PLEASE, and send it onto your family, friends, co workers, mailing list, etc. please post it onto your websites.
Nora Preston, (began rehabilitating wildlife in the early 1980’s) Founder/President of WCG – Wildlife Carers Group, has submitted the copyright Kangaroo Park/Wildlife Sanctuary Proposal to Defence and the Local/Federal Government, to include:
Existing enclosure and kangaroos remain untouched.
Largest Wildlife Hospital with public viewing to surgery
Educational Facility
Rehabilitation Facility
Cafes
Viewing Platforms
Extra enclosures for rehabilitating sick, injured, orphaned, native Eastern Grey Kangaroos, plus for other native wildlife.
Kangaroo Park/Wildlife Sanctuary Map of BNTS site, drawn up by committee member Katy Barr.
Please also sign WCG’s 2nd Petition www.gopetition.com/petitions/reinstate-our-act-kangaroos.html, media release relating to this is www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/kangaroo-archives25.html, 23 April 2007. to reinstate our ACT native Eastern Grey Kangaroos onto the ACT Wildlife Rehabilitation Licence for full term rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned native Eastern Grey Kangaroos, noting the fact that the ACT is the only state in Australia, that does not allow the full term rehabilitation of our sick, injured, orphaned Native Eastern Grey Kangaroos, which are acts of animal cruelty. PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD.
These are all acts of cruelty, therefore in breach of the animal welfare act, and will have to stop.
This report will show how out of date the current advisory council is, working off a report, reported in August 1996, however, Report 1, page 5/6, that was stating a report in late 1994, also recommended that the culling must stop, because they were over culling our native kangaroos, and yet, the wildlife rehabilitation licence was never updated to include full term rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned native Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
Report 2, page 5, first paragraph, then contradicts Report 1, claiming that this licence specifically excludes Eastern Grey Kangaroos because of their abundance in the ACT, which is describing the Rehabilitation licence.
Relocation has proven to be devastating, stressful and cruel to the kangaroos by separating them from their families, which means the incorrect mobs will be relocated together, that will cause shock/death, and is really just a profiteering exercise for whoever engages in this activity.
The Kangaroo Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Proposal will prove to be the most humane option to take, over the option to unnecessarily relocate.
The population is small at the BNTS site, May last year, we counted under 100 kangaroos, 25 April 2008, we counted approx. 28.
The government has shown in media releases that they really don’t know what the kangaroo population is, ranging from 32 million in March/April media releases, to Maxine Cooper, Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, 15 million, and Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister for the ACT Government, 22? or 24? million, couldn’t agree to what the Australia wide kangaroo population is.
We have the same devastation now to what we had in 1994, over culling, grossly over exaggerating the kangaroo population by the commercial roo industry, farmers, advisory panels, etc.
It is time to put an end to the senseless, cruel, unnecessary kangaroo killings/relocation, avoiding acts of animal cruelty.
The immediate reinstatement for full term rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroos on the ACT Wildlife Rehabilitation Licence.
As far as the Kaleen residents are concerned, they bought their properties near the BNTS site because there was no housing there, and were close to the kangaroos, giving them a high property valuation, taking that away from them, with now putting a housing development in place, will drastically reduce the value of their properties.
The hessians were never removed, and are spooking the kangaroos as they wildly flap around in the wind, causing undue stress and disorientation.
The newly erected fences must be immediately dismantled, to allow the families to regroup again.
SAVING AND CARING FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, AND ALL OUR NATIVE WILDLIFE. More information on www.geocities.com/wildlife_carers_group/. Click on the news panel for news on our native Eastern Grey Kangaroos on the defence sites, the rehabilitation licence, and animal welfare issues.
NORA PRESTON (began rehabilitating wildlife in the early ’80’s.)
President/Founder
WCG – WILDLIFE CARERS GROUP INC. – Founded in 2004.
PO Box 3509
WESTON CREEK ACT 2611
Support WCG. WCG is an independent, non profit, non government community based charity providing animal/wildlife care, rescue/rehabilitation and is also an animal/wildlife welfare group, providing protection for our wildlife/animals, run solely by volunteers, with no government funding. WCG relies on donations from the public in order to carry out its work. If you would like to make a donation to WCG, please send a cheque/money order made payable to Wildlife Carers Group Inc. to PO Box 3509, Weston Creek. ACT. 2611. AUSTRALIA. or contact us by email [email protected] or mobile: 0406 056 099 to discuss other alternatives.
Thank you for all your support.
Aims and Objectives: To promote the general welfare and continued survival of native fauna and flora as an essential element of the environment, and specifically to undertake the specialised care necessary for the rehabilitation of orphaned, sick and injured native birds and other animals, to promote public awareness of the need to conserve existing wildlife species, and an understanding of their particular habitat and feeding requirements. Support WCG.
Become a WCG MEMBER, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE CARER, download the m/ship form from www.geocities.com/wildlife_carers_group/ and join up. Thank you for all your support.
Let us start with a disclaimer: mental illness affects everybody differently and we all have varying experiences with treatment. This article is but one viewpoint and may not represent your reality.
For many, consulting with and receiving treatment from a general practitioner (GP) is common when we are unwell and experiencing a mental illness. Our GP is usually our central point or base for all of our healthcare requirements: people may be prescribed medications, referred onto a psychologist, or other treatment or therapy. Our GP is probably the first to recognise, if you haven’t already, that you have a mental illness when presenting any symptoms. There are many ways to treat mental illness and to become well again, so talk to your doctor first.
It may not be surprising for you to know then, as GP’s are so important in our mental health recovery, that some people can have bad experiences. There are many reasons why this may be so: treatment of mental illness can take time; GP’s have so many other skill areas outside of mental health to keep abreast of; there are so many other medications and treatment options available; our GP’s can’t really know everything about us nor what we are experiencing internally, as we have a limited time window in which to convey how our mental health is; and we ourselves, as people living with a mental illness, may have difficulty in explaining how we feel or in recognising and conveying any mental health symptoms; plus the simple fact that GP’s are human, not robots, and sometimes make unfortunate mistakes.
Finding the right GP, listening and doing what they ask in treating your mental illness, is a vital factor in you again becoming mentally well. The question then becomes, what should I look out for in a GP? This has no simple answer and, in line with our initial disclaimer, varies from person to person. Here are some points for you to consider:
FOR SOME, THE RIGHT GP IS:
Not going to necessarily agree with any self diagnosis you have made on your own mental health, this may not necessarily mean you are incorrect in your own assessments – a grey area, but worth considering in your next GP appointment.
Approachable and sincere, they may ask you how you feel emotionally and what day-to-day life is like for you, an example: how is your partner themselves dealing with your mental illness and potential change in personality?
A good communicator: an important set of skills that so many people, including some GP’s, need to further develop. We may feel more respected as a person and not just as an illness or a list of symptoms if our GP is a good communicator.
Somebody you trust and have confidence with their professional skills: opening up and sharing your feelings with others, particularly as they relate with mental health, can be difficult at the best of times. Trusting and the ability to confide in your GP is very important – try not to hold back because you feel ashamed or uncertain with what is happening, being open and honest with your GP assists them with their assessments, in getting you well again and sooner.
Able to recommend several treatment options for you: medication, counselling or a different type of therapy, you may even benefit from all of these at the same time.
Above are some examples and considerations for you when finding the right GP. Overall, there needs to be a strong and trusting relationship between both of you. There is no science or correct way of choosing a GP, if you are uncertain with particular outcomes you can always seek a second opinion. However, that said, don’t instantly give up on your GP if you didn’t hear what you wanted to from them or if the treatment option is causing you some grief – try to persevere or seek somebody you think more suitable for your own needs.
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher trains Duffy Primary School students for Walk Safely to School Day
Walk Safely to School Day is coming up on Friday 2 May and Canberra primary school students are expected to put their trainers on and get involved.
Hundreds of students from across the ACT will walk to school on the day as part of this national health initiative. Some local primary schools including Duffy, Farrer, Wanniassa, Richardson and Queanbeyan West Public will reward walkers with a healthy breakfast when they arrive at school.
The Canberra community has shown its support of the initiative with local organisations ACT Policing, the Brumbies and SnowyHydro SouthCare all getting involved.
Walk Safely to School Day is a true community event organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia. It is sponsored by the Australian Government and supported by all State and Territory Governments, along with the National Heart Foundation, beyondblue, The Cancer Council Australia, Planet Ark, Diabetes Australia, the Australian Council of State School Organisations and the Australian Primary Principals Association.
For information on Walk Safely to School Day visit www.walk.com.au or to find out about activities in the ACT visit feetfirstact.blogspot.com
Vikings First Grade started the second half of its Vodafone Shield encounter against Gungahlin 10 points behind but went on to win 40-10.
It was 27 minutes into the first half when Gungahlin opened the scoring with a try. They scored another unconverted try with four minutes left in the second half sending Vikings to the break scoreless.
Winger Eddie McLaughlin didn’t waste time when the break was over; scoring a converted try that turned the tide for Vikings.
It was the first of five conversions from six tries for Brock Mcgarity.
Adrien Clements scored Vikings second, five minutes later giving the home side the lead.
From there Sione Talua scored, McLaughlin scored his second and Tim Talua scored.
Donovan Felice, backing up from the Colts win, contributed the last Vikings points with a try with eight minutes to go.
Coach Pat Langtry was pleased with Vikings finish to the preseason competition.
“Starting slowly and lacking field position we turned over too much possession early in the game.
“Gunghalin are a quality team and used the ball well in the wider channels when presented with such opportunities.
“Second half adjustments saw an intelligent and more streetwise approach to our ball control which saw sharp advancement of the ball into earned space and assisted in building pressure on well organised defence.
“Congratulations to Jack Muscat, Jake Cannon, Jake Knight, Michael Harkins, Lix Lealiifano and Sione Taula who were on debut, playing in the top grade with limited experience as they performed admirably at the same time the experience and leadership of the older heads was impressive."
Tim Talua was awarded three points Best and Fairest, captain Marty O’Brien was awarded two and prop Jack Muscat received one.
Adrien Clements was voted Players’ Player.
Second Grade:
Vikings Second Grade ended a close third round Vodaphone Shield match against Gungahlin in a draw.
The 17-all encounter saw Richard Joyce, Andrew Steele and Kyle Brooke each cross the try line for five points.
David Mailou received three points Best and Fairest, Donovan Felice two, and James Tupai one.
Andrew Talina was voted Players’ Player.
Third Grade:
Vikings Third Grade won the Vodaphone Shield third round match against Gungahlin by forfeit.
However to give the players a run a game proceeded with Toby O’Brien, Sam French and Sean Mahamba each scored tries and Leon Kessey converted one to bring the Vikings tally to 17 points.
Gungahlin was leading by two points when they forfeited.
Vikings Best and Fairest points went to Kim Reid (three), Leon Kessey (two), and one point each to James Rewi-Wetini.
Players’ Player was awarded to Matt Smith.
Colts:
A lean Vikings Colts side, trimmed of its usual starting players who were stepping up to cover first grade, were too strong for Gungahlin, winning 48-12.
Roydon Awa, Scott Irwin, Dave Haskew, Michael Davies, Shane Venter and Josh Hegarty each scored tries with Criag Wilkinson chiming in with two.
Nathan Lalliard kicked four conversions.
Wilkinson voted three points Best and Fairest as well as Players’ Player, While Peter Henry was awarded two points Best and Fairest and Roydon Awa one.
There’s nothing like the emitting of carbon to spark off a protest – and I’m not talking about climate change.
Thursday’s Canberra leg of the Olympic Torch relay could flash scenes of serene placard holders, smiling families with balloon-toting children or it could ignite in a hot bed of troublemaking chaos – it all depends on the type of protesters that turn up.
The success of promoting a cause through protests and rallies relies on getting the message across to effect change – but how many of these protesters are fuelled by true conviction and how many are present for popularity or plotting for trouble? The types of protesters are the true, the trendies and the troublemakers – which ones are good or bad for the cause they purport to support?
What is a protest?
Protests are a part of some societies – they are the voice to an idea, a cause, and can be summed up by some catchy by-line ‘save the X’, ‘free the Y’. Protests can range from candlelight vigils outside embassies to Molotov fuelled rage and car overturnings.
The Olympic torch relay is but one example that has aroused such a range of reactions, radiated by the full spectrum of protester types.
True Protester
Who is a true protester then? They are the people that follow the cause in all sincerity – the real vegans, not the ones who wear Nike shoes with leather upper. The real greenies, who chain themselves to Huon pines for months on end. They are the organisers of protests and can actually describe what they mean by ‘anti-globalisation’ with an articulate and passionate explanation, backed up with reasoned and evidenced facts.
Trendy Protester
Whereas if anyone ever did a survey of the crowds at protests they’d also come across those who cannot explain what drove them to leave their house – the trendy types whose idea of green is to use recycled loo paper only to have a 20 minute shower. Trendies are identified by rubber bangles and rainbow bumper stickers with slogans of ‘save-the-whales-dolphins-green-tree-frog’. On a sunny day, they love a stroll with their mates, even to anti-globalisation protests that in principle should see them naked of their jeans sewn on shores far away and shipped to a store on Queen St.
‘Sorry day’ is one example of trendy protesting, the champagne socialists with kids piggy-backed on shoulders walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge – but would they give up their house if it was on traditional land? The trendies may seek publicity for themselves, like the French Olympic team with their chic little badges to encourage unity – who are not even frog-spined enough to say ‘Free Tibet’. Even if they came right out and said it, do they really know what it means suddenly uproot and remove infrastructure, even if provided from via a despotic foreign invader, from an agrarian based economy?
Despite trendies wearing more ribbons than a West Virginian kiddie beauty pageant entrant, do they detract from the credibility of the cause, thereby diminishing the ultimate aim? No, they’re just jumping on the bandwagon – not everyone can be a Condoleeza Rice of current events, but trendies can follow the lead of true protesters, and help them out by getting in the faces of politicians.
Troublemaker protester
Helping the cause is not on the mind of the bloke with the hair product and fu^% Bush t-shirt who replies to the query of why globalisation is bad: ‘ I dunno, I’m here to impress the chicks’.
If not to impress, then to cause distress and unrest – the troublemaker protester is the one we see on the news, their flannelette shirt dragged along the concrete by riot-geared cops, stubbled face hidden behind dreadlocks and snarling dogs. One imagines a post-protest get-together of counting how many pigs they punched.
The troublemakers may get the journos foaming at the mouth, but does their behaviour really help the cause? They might try to justify their actions as ‘nice guys finish last’ and ‘passive resistance is for pussies’. On one level, they may be right – it takes a shake-up to shock anyone into change anymore. But troublemaker protesters who use gratuitous violence as their vehicle are bad for the cause – they turn the politicians away as much as the general voting public. For a cause to be heard and acted upon, getting politicians on side is essential because all they care about is the next election. Sure, in countries that don’t have elections, I can understand a bit of biff, but do Parisians really need to throw eggs and bottles at the relay bus and Londoners need swarm upon the torch runner?
When that flame comes by, will there be peace-signs or sirens? For the sake of the Olympic cause of unity and humanity, let’s hope the true and trendy protesters lead the way.
The Australian Handball Federation [AHF] wishes to congratulate the Australian Men’s Team for winning the Oceania Handball Federation World Championship Qualifying Tournament held at Wellington, New Zealand during 7th-10th April 2008. This victory entitles Australia to participate in the Men’s Handball World Championship to be held in Croatia in January 2009.
The AHF is proud of the way the Team blended the skills and experienced of veteran players who recently returned to competitive handball, with the enthusiasm and energetic skills of younger players and the available players from the WC2007 National Team. These veteran players who represented Australia in past world championships included Taip Ramadani, Jason Hoppner, Russell Garnett and Karim Shehab whilst debut team members consisted of Richard Ridley, Ognjen Matic, Curtis Eitzen, Mladen Turanjin, Todd Morschel and Daniel Kelly.
The AHF is particularly proud of the way that the Team overcame some difficulty as a result of the inability of a number of its members based in Europe to join in the qualifying tournament. Due to the qualifying tournament conflicting with European Club competition and the OHF being unable to accommodate Australia’s preferred dates, those players unable to participate included: James Blondell [Sweden], Bevan Calvert [Denmark], Tim Jackson [Denmark], Darryl McCormack [Sweden], Josh Parmenter [Denmark], Lee Schofield [Sweden] Ognjen Latinovic [Faroe Islands] and Nemanja Subotic [Serbia].
The whole team which did Australia proud by earning a berth in the next World Championship comprised of:
Player No. Player Position State
2 Taip Ramadani Pivot Australian Capital Territory
5 Todd Morschel Pivot Queensland
7 Jason Hoppner Centre Back Queensland
8 Michael Thomas Right Back New South Wales
11 Adrian Van Bussel Right Back New South Wales
12 Karim Shehab Goalkeeper Queensland
15 Daniel Kelly Right Wing Queensland
16 Jim Varkanitsas Goalkeeper South Australia
19 Anthony Deane Left Wing New South Wales
20 Russell Garnett Centre Back New South Wales
21 Ognjen Matic Left Back New South Wales
24 Curtis Eitzen Goalkeeper New South Wales
27 Richard Ridley Left Wing New South Wales
28 Mladen Turanjin Left Back Australian Capital Territory
The Team was supported by: Katsu Kinoshita [Assistant Coach, Oceania Region Qualifier], Steve Jackson [Team Leader], John Calvert [Team Manager], George Tsai [Physiotherapist], Kristof Frankowski [Masseuse] and Alex Gavrilovic [AHF President].
Having successfully won the Oceania Region title, Australia is all set to undertake the remainder of the planned training camps and activities which form part of Towards Croatia 2009 Program.
The AHF also wishes to congratulate the New Caledonian Team for winning the OHF Nations Cup, with Australia as runner up. Special mention and congratulations to the Cook Islands for the first ever win in OHF competition, to run 3rd with New Zealand in 4th place.
For further information about this article, please contact the AHF Media & Public Relations Officer, Violi Calvert thru email: [email protected]. or by phone: + 61 408 22 77 94.
This is a special Annual event for National Heart Week.
The Workplace Walk Challenge is on Tuesday 6th May 2008 from 12.30pm, starting at the Ferry Terminal Acton Peninsula.
The walk is for 30 minutes, it is not a race or distance challenge, just a 30 minutes stroll towards the Captain Cook Memorial and back.
Every participant receives a certificate. There is a $500 prize for the "best dressed" community group, and a ‘lunch’ for "best dressed" corporate group. So why not get a group together with your organisation t-shirt or whatever, and join in the fun!
We are asking for a ‘gold coin’ donation per participant to the Heart Foundation (ACT) for Heart Week. ACT CISM hosts this Challenge to promote exercise and group recreation as good stress management strategies.
Congratulations to last year’s winners – The Warehouse Circus (Community) and UNISYS (Corporate).
Christians in the ACT are beginning their campaign for the upcoming ACT election. The election is an important one for Christians as it is likely to be the only election to be held in Australia this year, and there are many important issues in the ACT that could swing Christian votes.
Recently a group of Christians of different professions and denominations met together at the Parkway church in order to prepare strategies for the election, which they could then communicate to their churches.
ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said that a recent demographic analysis of the 2007 Federal election results by Australian Development Strategies showed that the Christian vote significantly impacted the outcome.
“This assessment provided valuable confirmation of the importance of the Christian vote and the fact that it is not held captive by one particular party, but can be won or lost by either side,” Mr Wallace said.
“We anticipate that the Christian vote will also be important in the ACT election.”
ACL ACT State Director Richard Thackway also spoke at the breakfast, and laid out several key events that the ACL will be holding as the election draws closer:
“We are planning to hold several meetings for all the church leaders around Canberra, as well as having experts talk at forums, inviting candidates to talk to the Christian constituency, and maybe even holding a large event for the major parties just before the election,” Mr Thackway said.
“Our focus in the election will be particularly on the issues of open and transparent government, the negative impact of the sexualisation of society, and the importance of strong families.”
Mr Wallace said that because decisions made in the ACT can flow on and affect the rest of Australia, this election will be a particularly crucial one, and Christians need to be aware and involved in the issues.
Smoke alarms are life-saving devices that provide benefits for occupants. They detect smoke well before any sleeping occupant would and provide critical seconds to implement actions to save life and property. Smoke alarms are designed to detect fire smoke and emit a loud and distinctive sound to alert occupants of potential danger.
Since September 1994 new homes in the ACT have been required to have mains-powered smoke alarms installed. It is also a requirement to have smoke alarms installed in home extensions that impact on sleeping and living areas.
Smoke alarms are mandatory in ALL dwellings in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Evidence from the USA, where smoke alarms have been in wide use for 20 years, shows a reduction in house fire deaths of more than 50% in those homes where working smoke alarms are installed. The data available in Australia supports the USA figures.
If you have a working smoke alarm you are reducing the fire risk to yourself and your family and/or your tenants.
The NSW government introduced legislation on 1st May 2006 where ALL homes must have a smoke alarm. In some states this legislation already existed and other states are expected to follow.
Do I use battery operated or Mains connected smoke detectors?
Why use mains connected smoke detectors?
• The detector will still work (limited to no battery backup) if the batteries are not changed.
• Indicators and testers are powered by the mains and do not rely on the charge in the battery.
• They are connected to the mains power and use this power to sound the alarm.
• If desired, the detectors can be linked together if desired to activate other detector alarms and make the alarm sound throughout the house.
• Note: the battery should be changed each year to ensure operation if the power is lost.
Why use battery operated detectors?
• They are less expensive to install.
• Some form of smoke detection is better than none at all.
How many do I need?
A smoke alarm outside sleeping areas and on each additional level provides a reasonable degree of protection from the threat of fire. In a single-level home, two alarms are sufficient if all the bedrooms connect to a common passageway from the living areas.
Extra alarms will be required in homes with separate sleeping areas. Where occupants tend to sleep with doors closed, a smoke alarm should be installed in each bedroom, particularly if heaters or electrical appliances are used in those rooms.
Where should I put them?
This depends on the size and layout of your home.
Smoke alarms are required to be located so that they detect smoke before the smoke reaches the sleeping occupants. The sound level emitted by the smoke alarm is designed to wake sleeping occupants to give them time to escape from the building.
In residential dwellings, villas, townhouses, apartments and units etc, smoke alarms should be installed in every storey, as summarised below.
In storeys containing bedrooms, smoke alarms are to be located on or near the ceiling
* in every corridor or hallway associated with a bedroom, or
* if there is no corridor or hallway, between the part of the building containing the bedroom and the remainder of the building, dwelling or unit
A smoke alarm should be installed in every storey which does not contain bedrooms. In these storeys, a smoke alarm should be located in the path of travel in which the occupants will most likely take to escape from the building. This will ensure that the alarm is sounded before the smoke prevents the occupants from escaping from the building. If the bedrooms are located on the first floor or upper floor level, then the smoke alarm should be located near the area of the interconnecting stair.
For additional safety, building owners may also install smoke detectors within each bedroom.
