MS Australia is encouraging children to have fun reading to change the lives of Australians living with multiple sclerosis (MS) by taking part in the annual MS Readathon.
Each working day five people are diagnosed with MS, a disease that affects the body’s central nervous system producing symptoms such as blurred vision, loss of balance, pins and needles and speech difficulties. With no known cause or cure for MS, this annual event has become one of the largest fundraisers for MS Australia.
Each year the MS Readathon inspires children to help people living with MS by collecting sponsorship from family and friends for the books they read in the month of June. All participants who complete receive a Certificate and reading rewards.
Children are encouraged to race to register either via the MS Readathon website or a registration form from their local school or library. For more information, visit www.msreadathon.org.au or call the State/Territory office on 1300 677 323.
A huge thank you to all the individuals and organisations that have extended their support for the 2008 MS Readathon and its official launch in the ACT. We look forward to the continuing support of the local communities, teachers, friends and family members who will get behind an ACT student and sponsor them during the month of June to help to improve the quality of life for people living with MS and their families.
Thank you to all the wonderful Volunteers and Community Representatives who have extended their help in the program this year and are now preparing to motivate all our wonderful participants to Read for a Reason in 2008. They will be seen in your classrooms, assemblies and libraries across the ACT and its surrounding areas.
With the launch of the 2008 MS Readathon in ACT, the stars are ready to bright once again. Here is what some of our stars from 2007 have to say –
– Teagan Louise Norman from Wagga Wagga raised $1,130 and read 22 books in last year’s MS Readathon and she has already registered for 2008. Teagan says, "I did the MS Readathon because I want to help find a cure for people with MS like my mum and others around Australia. I also like reading so much I thought this was a good idea to show how much I like reading and raise some money for people living with MS. I am lucky to have a mum who even though she has MS tries to do the best she can to stay strong. I want to help other children whose mum or dad are less fortunate than my mum and are in a wheelchair."
– 2007 ACT Top Fundraiser, Cameron Cox raised $ 10,000 and read 32 books in last year’s MS Readathon and has already registered for 2008. Cameron says, “I like to help people and I like to read and doing the MS Readathon I get to do both. I also try to raise more money than I raised the year before, that is my goal this year." In support of the MS Readathon & its team, Cameron’s mum Dianne Cox adds, “I would like to thank all the people who work for the MS Readathon without you doing a lot of hard work the MS Readathon would not be a success it is. As a parent we get the enjoyable part of reading with our kids."
Thank you once again.
2007 was a fantastic year with the MS Readathon being able to help raise awareness and sponsorship for the 18,000 Australians living with multiple sclerosis, thanks to the hard work of community-minded children, parents and schools in ACT and its surrounding areas.
The challenge is set for 2008! The game’s afoot for 2008! Start preparing for an even bigger and better MS Readathon. We look forward to even greater participation to make an even bigger difference by Reading for a Reason in 2008 – are YOU ready?!
Small mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos on former bnts site
On Friday 16/5/08 defence announced that they would go ahead of the unnecessary slaughter of our native Eastern Grey Kangaroos on the bnts site.
With the Indigenous people having a separate legislation to us, I asked Animal Liberation and Wildlife Protect, to ask the Indigenous people to immediately move into the bnts site to claim it, in order to save the site from housing development, and the death/removal of any of the Eastern Grey Kangaroos, a legal move that Wildlife Protect and the Indigenous people had been working on since the protest earlier this year.
Unfortunately everyone felt that there was plenty of time before defence would actually commence their cruel, illegal butchering of our native wildlife, so they didn’t ask them to act immediately.
Saturday 17/5/08 I met up with one of the indigenous people who asked me for some money for food, which they would need on the bnts site, which I handed over to him. Again I warned that they needed to move in immediately, that we were running out of time, but unfortunately he said there was still plenty of time.
They were waiting for the overseas media to arrive.
On Monday 20/5/08, the unthinkable happened.
I was informed that defence had begun their inhumane, unnecessary, illegal massacre of just under 100 Eastern Grey Kangaroos, that I had counted on the former bnts (belconnen naval transmission station) site on 2/5/08, when I visited and partially inspected the site, (I requested another site visit on 2/5/08).
First I watched the 6.30pm win News, and watched a kangaroo trampled to death in the chaos, while on the 7pm ABC news, the innocent dropping, fighting for their lives, trying to get up, dropping again, a joey, hopping after it’s mother, as it was shut out while she was trapped into the killing/anaesthetic pen with other innocent, gentle native Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
Kangaroos slipping, breaking their legs, their necks, colliding into one another, into the steel posts, as they jumped at the fences to try and escape the illegal herding of our native wildlife, with females herded into one corner, who were so stressed that they began pulling out their joeys from their pouches and throwing them out.
Kangaroos collapsing and dying from shock.
The anaesthetised for their cruel research had large, appearing to be too heavy, blue collars put around their necks, with the kangaroos, getting up, falling down, trying to get up again, too heavily sedated, seriously injuring themselves.
The incompetence, inexperienced, negligence was evident, none of these people involved in this darting, murder, experiments, knew what they were doing.
With the illegal slaughter, that should never have taken place in the first place, should have been abandoned immediately.
The rspca, who aren’t qualified anyway, and without expertise, left before the herding and darting began, and if the rspca were doing their job, they would never have allowed any of this cruel, illegal slaughter to commence, they should be standing beside us, refusing to allow this to happen.
I felt as though I had lost a part of my life, that was sucked out of me. The tears swelled in my eyes.
What have these gentle native animals, who are not at all dangerous, done to these people, to deserve such undignified, disrespectful treatment.
The scene was that of an abattoir.
Monday 19/5/08 I phoned Peter Garrett’s office and was informed that the illegal massacre began on Saturday 17/5/08.
Each day I phoned Kevin Rudd’s office to try and stop the illegal, unnecessary slaughter of our native wildlife.
Finally on Tuesday 20/5/08, Kevin Rudds’office informed me that Kevin Rudd agrees with defence’s decision, with the person who answered the phone letting me know that she had a typed script in front of her that she was told to read out to callers.
I again contacted the indigenous contact and asked him if he had moved into the site yet, he said tomorrow, Wednesday.
Wednesday 21/5/08, 9am, Finally the Elders moved into the site with their fire, and flag, and claimed it.
The police were called, who surprisingly, arrested 6 Elders, removed them and their flag from the site, and took them away in their paddy wagon.
They have to back in court on 6/6/08.
Below in my emails to the police is more information on this, in assisting the police with several charges, they need to lay on the perpetrators. I constantly phoned the police to request they arrest everyone involved in the illegal, inhumane, unnecessary, cold blooded murders of our native Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
The police continued to arrest the protesters, for sneezing in the wrong direction, in the attempt to weaken the protest, and to try to draw away the focus on the illegal cruelty that is going on inside, where the real criminals lie.
We had celebrities join in with the protest, Lynda Stoner, and Fiona
24-26/5/08, security guards, and possibly others, illegally driving around the enclosure, to illegally herd the kangaroos into the killing pens.
It appeared that all the joeys were cruelly bashed to death.
I am absolutely sickened, and extremely saddened by this local government and Kevin Rudd our newly elected Prime Minister’s mentality in this matter.
Kevin Rudd had the authority to stop this horrifying violence from now and into the future, that was happening virtually right in the middle of our city, but he refused to turn the ACT into an honest, native wildlife caring state.
It is intolerable, to be deliberately encouraging this type of violent, barbaric, cruel inhumane behaviour in our community, taking us back into the dark ages, rather than working together with WCG’s (Wildlife Carers Group) Proposal of our Kangaroo Park/Wildlife Sanctuary, to ensure that we begin behaving like a civilised, educated community, using our Kangaroo Park/Wildlife Sanctuary as an educational tool, etc, for our new generation, teaching them to care, nurture, respect, value, live among, and to love our unique native wildlife and surroundings. Something to be extremely proud of.
This deliberate, unnecessary, illegal violence against our very own defenceless, non violent, peaceful, gentle native Eastern Grey Kangaroos, will live on and haunt this community for eternity, and indeed will damage Australia’s reputation.
Kevin Rudd really needs to do a quick re think about what he has allowed to happen here in the ACT, and end this type of violence in Canberra, and throughout the rest of Australia, before it’s too late for our native wildlife, environment.
Emails to Michael Phelan Chief of Police:
Further to this email, and our phone call, to assist you with fraud, inexperienced staff, incompetence, negligence, and cruel and unnecessary destruction of our native wildlife:
The government and defence claimed that they were saving the special native and protected grasslands, and wrongfully accused the kangaroos of killing it off, and thereby killing off other protected species.
The police have witnessed first hand, everyone driving all over this special native and protected grasslands, totally destroying/killing it, along with the other protected species.
Grossly Over exaggerating the kangaroo population.
using security guards to drive around the site in their cars to round up and herd our native Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
Failure to provide a safe, secure, soft, warm recovery area for anaesthetised kangaroos that would lead out into a safe enclosure once recovered from anaesthesia.
Failure to provide the proper care and treatment of injured, recovering kangaroos.
Kangaroos breaking their legs attempting to escape and left lying on the ground suffering, through herding and round up, and in holding pens.
kangaroos breaking their necks attempting to escape herding, roundup, holding pens
kangaroos collapsing and dying from shock through roundup, herding, holding pens
joeys bashed to death on vehicles, with other joeys apparently baited and poisoned, using green pellets, that were seen to eat it, and then collapse, unsure if it was to their death.
kangaroos left traumatised, in shock, distressed, through roundup, herding, holding pens.
live kangaroos bagged and dumped on the trailer as dead, left suffering.
Blood test needed to be taken by WCG from a live joey for further investigation.
kangaroos colliding with one another in holding pens, roundup, herding.
Kangaroos deprived of water and food, with joeys left alone in a holding pen for 3 days, deprived of mothers milk, food, starved till cruelly slaughtered.
I expect immediate action and the immediate arrest and removal of these government bodies, including the rspca, and anyone/everyone else involved in this fraud, conspiracy, corruption, incompetence, negligence, and cruel and unnecessary butchering of our native wildlife flora and fauna, all based on lies.
Hi,
Further to my emails, to which I have not received any replies.
Firstly, may I point out that taxpayers pay your wage, to uphold the law.
No matter who breaks the law, it is your paid job, to arrest the correct people, rather than repeatedly arresting anyone who is attempting to stop the criminals/crime.
tams, contractors, the rspca, defence, etc. have broken the law:
Extreme animal cruelty
Expired licence
Fraudulent application of a licence to kill native Eastern Grey Kangaroos
trespassing
Until the courts determine who is the rightful owner of the former bnts site, you have enough charges against tams, contractors, the rspca, defence, etc, to arrest them, remove them from the site, hold/freeze the licence, and stop any further cruel unnecessary massacre of our native wildlife.
More information on cruel unnecessary kangaroo massacre that commenced 20/5/08 in canberra on the bnts site on www.geocities.com/wildlife_carers_group/, Click on the news panel.
Update – BNTS site visit on 2/5/08, More information on www.geocities.com/wildlife_carers_group/, Click on the news panel. 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, therefore, to secure the proposed Kangaroo Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, by WCG, please keep signing our petition and Click on http://gopetition.com/petitions/save-all-the-kangaroos.html to sign our petition individually, (23/5/08 – almost all cruelly and unnecessarily massacred, commenced 20/5/08) to save ALL our kangaroos PLEASE, and send it onto your family, friends, co workers, mailing list, etc. post it onto your websites, and (CURRENT) www.gopetition.com/petitions/reinstate-our-act-kangaroos.html to reinstate our ACT native Eastern Grey Kangaroos onto the ACT 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.
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.
Disclaimer: WCG 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.
The Effects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Clients Following Training of Intern Psychologists
Master of Clinical Psychology (MClinPsych) students at the University of Canberra are conducting research and are seeking adults who are wanting psychological therapy/ counselling and who may also be interested in participating in this research project. The purpose of the project is to compare client outcomes of two therapeutic models, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). CBT is a well-accepted therapy for helping people through a number of difficulties including depression and anxiety. ACT is a newer therapy, but which also has been shown to help people through a number of difficulties, including anxiety, pain, and substance abuse.
We are seeking participants who are over 18 years of age and are currently experiencing mild or moderate levels of depression, anxiety or other psychological, relationship or stress related problem, and who are interested in receiving 10 weeks of individual psychological therapy/ counselling at the University of Canberra Psychology Clinic. The therapy is conducted by Intern Psychologists who have completed 4 years of psychology, and who are enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology program at the University of Canberra and who are eligible for full or conditional registration with the ACT Psychology Registration Board. The Intern Psychologist will be supervised by an experienced Clinical Psychologist. The therapy will be offered at a cost of $15 to $35 per session (which is the normal fee for clients of the Psychology Clinic), and sessions usually run for 1 hour per week. The first two appointments will be assessment appointments to discuss the current difficulties being experienced. The following sessions will involve therapy using either CBT or ACT. For more information contact the University of Canberra Psychology Clinic on (02) 6201 2883 and cite this study. The researcher will contact you with more information regarding this study.
Battery World staff member Jared disposes of a used battery in the recycling bin.
Each year 8,000 tonnes of hazardous battery waste ends up in landfill.
In a bid to preserve the environment, Canberra Battery World has launched a recycling program to encourage the community to stop throwing out this hazardous waste in the normal garbage.
A recent Australian Bureau of Statistics report stated that batteries were the most common form of hazardous waste disposed of in Australian households and that 97 per cent disposed of batteries via their usual rubbish collection.
Canberra Battery World franchisee Mark Roberts said as society became more dependent on portable power, batteries were an increasing environmental problem and a long-term plan was needed to limit the amount of battery waste entering landfill.
"The chemicals in batteries are toxic and can contaminate soil and harm wildlife so we don’t want them going into landfill," Mr Roberts said.
"Most batteries can be recycled so we urge the community to be responsible and bring their used batteries to our store so they can be disposed of safely.
“Our store is conveniently located and has parking so it just a matter or quickly popping in and dumping old batteries in the purple-and-yellow Battery World recycling bins, rather than dumping them into the trash which will ultimately harm our environment.”
Canberra Battery World provides this service to consumers free of charge and not only sorts all batteries collected to ensure they go to the correct recycling plants but also arranges delivery of them to the plants.
Battery World is Australia’s largest and most comprehensive retail battery chain which has access to more than 10,000 batteries and accessories. Along with many other items, Battery World can power a range of household, industrial, recreational, marine, technical and cosmetic items and is the most convenient place for customers to obtain all their portable needs.
To locate your local Battery World store please go to www.batteryworld.com.au or call 13 17 60.
One of Australia’s most adored, multi-award winning female entertainers, Rhonda Burchmore takes her beautiful new album “Pure Imagination” on tour for the first time.
With 25 years experience covering the scope of TV, musical theatre, opera, film and cabaret, “Pure Imagination” the album is the closest performance to Rhonda’s heart.
Pure Imagination will take you on a magical journey of songs and stories about love, life, loss and fantasy, which showcases Rhonda’s multi- octave vocal ability, backed by simplistic jazz influenced, touching arrangements and string orchestration.
Classics such as ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, ‘Unchained Melody’, ‘Crying’, ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’, ‘If You Go Away’, ‘At Last’, ‘In My Daughters Eyes’, ‘Seventeen’, ‘Send in the Clowns’, and ‘The Way Were’ are just to name a few. Chosen for their importance and relevance at certain times of Rhonda’s career, every song has a meaning and place that will be revealed by Rhonda on stage around the country. This is definitely an up close and personal intimate tour.
We all know she’s got some of THE best legs in the business, but Pure Imagination is about something much deeper than that. It’s about a voice which sparkles, climbs, dips and ultimately has two-and-a-half decades of experience wrapped confidently around it.
The 2 hour show will feature songs from “Pure Imagination” as well as some of Rhonda’s well known performances from musicals and shows such as ‘Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend’, ‘Fever’, ‘Sway’ and ‘To Sir With Love’ and some fabulous tap dancing thrown in, all backed by the amazing Ray Alldridge Orchestra
“from Bette Midler to Burt Bacharach, from Anthony Newley to the inimitable Peggy Lee, Burchmore segued from soul to swing to croon and sensual jazz, backed by the stylish and impeccable accompaniment of the Ray Alldridge Orchestra. Burchmore knew how to vamp and weave and spell, and she fascinated the audience with anecdotes of her childhood, meeting her idol Midler and singing a Bacharach song to the man himself. Whether raising goosebumps with ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ or belting out her Midler version of ‘I’m A Woman’, the effervescent, electrifying Burchmore raised the bar with Pure Imagination and brought world-class entertainment to Canberra’s own world-class Teatro Vivaldi. Diamonds maybe a girl’s best friend, but Pure Imagination is pure gold under Burchmore’s artful alchemy, it doesn’t get better than this” – Peter Wilkins, Canberra Times April 08.
www.rhondaburchmore.com
FRI 8TH AUG CANBERRA THEATRE, www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
$55 inc B/F, $50 inc B/F for students, seniors, pensioners discount
Hello and welcome again to your Weekly Wot’s Wot in Folkus…
ed.
Page 3 item in the Sydney Morning Herald today says, "In a move clearly aimed at young women, a new kind of lo-calorie Vodka Cruiser …. is being promoted in Sydney bottle shops with the offer of free condoms and the chance to win a free pole dancing kit." says it all really doesn’t it… the Thugby League driven, Alan Jones adoring, Morris Iemma controlled, cultural centre of the universe……….
INDEX
1. This Week in Folkus
2. Next Week in Folkus
3. Parish Notices
4. The Comics
5. Sport
1.
This Week In Folkus – MORE STUNNING FOLKIE QUALITY!!!
The Folkus Room, (operates out of The Serbian Cultural Centre & Club) 5 Heard St. MAWSON ACT .. eastern side of Southlands Centre and just off Athllon Drive.. CHECK OUT OUR NEW MAPS PAGE…. www.thefolkus.org.au
Friday 23 May – The Transylvaniacs In Concert … Free range, backyard-distilled folk music direct from the villages of Transylvania to the catacombs of Mawson…….. BE THERE!
2. …….
Next Week In Folkus … THREE BIG SHOWS and they’re all BEST quality to the core …BOOK NOW!
Friday 30 May .. King Curly and The Doomsday Piano with some friends of theirs; Jordan Best
Saturday 31 May .. Sat Arvo Jazz – 2pm to 5pm … floor spots plus Judi Pearce & The Arrangement
Sunday 1 June .. The Yearlings; Doctor Stovepipe
3.
Parish Notices……..
3a. The Folkus Room is offering annual subscriptions. … WE NEED YOU!
3b. The Canberra Irish Players are near to finishing rehearsals for another hit out ….Make sure you keep a night free for the Irish Community Players latest production of Bernard Farrell’s "therapeutic" comedy, "I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell", which will be on at the Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson St, Weston, from 2nd to 5th June at 8 pm. Tickets cost $20 for Adults and $15 for Concessions, and bookings will be available at the club in a few week’s time on 62887451. Don’t miss the play that helped launch Liam Neeson’s career…
3c. Folkus on Blues is about to get happening. If you are a bluesy performer we would like to meet with you or your representative at The Folkus Room (Serbian Club, Heard St, Mawson) at midday on Saturday 31st May. If you can’t attend, or arrange a representative, and would like to be part of the Folkus initiative, please email me to that effect and I’ll see that your act is included. It would help too if band reps could come armed with a list of available dates – your diaries ladies and gentlemen.
3d. The notice with depth & C21…. Follow The Folkus into winter. The program just keeps getting better. We are also expecting to be able to present more jazz and blues/roots stuff as aficionados of those genres become more aware of the breadth of our charter.
4. … Hello John,
An old man was on his death bed, and wanted to be buried with his money. He called his priest, his doctor and his lawyer to his bedside. "Here’s $300,000 cash to be held by each of you. I trust you to put this in my coffin when I die so I can take all my money with me." At the funeral, each man put an envelope in the coffin. Riding away in a limousine, the priest suddenly broke into tears and confessed, "I only put $200,000 into the envelope because I needed $100,000 to repair the roof of the church." "Well, since we’re confiding in each other," said the doctor, "I only put $100,000 in the envelope because we needed a new X-ray machine for the pediatrics ward at the hospital which cost $200,000." The lawyer was aghast. "I’m ashamed of both of you," he exclaimed. "I want it known that when I put my envelope in that coffin, I enclosed my personal cheque for the full $300,000."
Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her;
if you can bounce high, bounce for her too,
Till she cry "Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover,
I must have you!" Thomas Parke D’Invilliers .. (F Scott Fitzgerald)
Stay Well & Truly Silly Gentle Folk
Bill Arnett
The Folkus Room
Canberra’s Acoustic Preference
61-2-62627265
0407 434 469 www.thefolkus.org.au
"No Strangers Come Here – Just Friends We Have Not Yet Met"
All Welcome, suited to beginners and those with some mosaic experience
About this workshop:
Sydney based mosaic artist, Christina Macaulay, will guide participants through some of the traditional laying techniques to create a replica of a segment of a roman mosaic, 25cm square. A choice of 5 roman mosaic templates will be provided. The method we will learn is a traditional laying technique as taught by the Mosaic School in Ravenna, Italy.
The material we work with is unglazed porcelain tile which offers a similar palette to the marble used in roman mosaics of the 2nd and 3rd century. Christina will cover a range of mosaic methods, but the workshop will focus on the laying style that achieves the look of the traditional mosaics of the early Roman period. This course provides a solid foundation in design and techniques which will enable participants to continue on with more ambitious mosaic projects at home.You will also be provided with information about materials used in both traditional and contemporary mosaic works, adhesives suited to specific situations, and some basic rules about mosaic design and laying styles.We will also cover setting up a home workshop and occupational health and safety issues that relate to mosaic practice. Course notes will be provided.
About your Tutor:
Christina Macaulay is a Sydney mosaic artist based at the Lennox St. Studios in Newtown. Christina trained in mosaic at the Ravenna School in Italy and with Emma Biggs in London. She teaches at her Newtown Studio and the Mosman Community College and has taught residential courses at the MacGregor Summer and Winter Schools. In Spring 2008 she will teach at the Grafton Artfest. Christina has completed several commissions for private clients in Sydney and Canberra and exhibits her work locally. She is a skilled tutor who enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge and skills in this ancient art form with her students.
Where: Strathnairn Arts Centre HOLT ACT
When: Sat. 2ND & Sun. 3RD AUGUST
Cost: $275 per person (Includes tuition, all materials, grouts, adhesive, backing board and use of tools)
For enrolment details please contact Christina on
P:02 9557 9550, M: 0403 988 545 or E: [email protected]
Jennifer Hutchison, CEO of Yarra Valley and Dandenongs Marketing
Attracting tourists from India to Victoria
By Rama Gaind
Jennifer Hutchison, as the CEO of Yarra Valley and Dandenongs Marketing, takes pride in selling the many tourism attributes of this Victorian region to the national and overseas market.
In particular, she has been investigating market strategies involved in attracting international tourists.
Speaking of the numerous ways in which this could be done, Ms Hutchison’s eagerness could not be curtailed. A goodwill mission to China and Hong Kong has proved successful, with a trip to India set to reap dividends in the very near future.
Ms Hutchison is quick to point out that tangible inroads are also being made into the Indian market by tourist offices in Sydney, Gold Coast, Port Douglas and Port Stephens.
The Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs region gets around 26% of the international visitors that come to Melbourne.
“We know that the international percentage is higher than we can measure,” she said. “Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs is as big as Switzerland. However, Dandenong is not as sophisticated as the Yarra Valley.”
About an hour’s drive out of Melbourne, venturing into this region is an experience that should not be overlooked.
Statistics show that for the year ending December 2007, there were almost 1.5 million overnight visitors to Victoria, with 325,161 visiting regional Victoria. An estimated 26,718 people visited the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs, which represents annual average growth of 8%.
Ms Hutchison’s enthusiasm for future tourism growth cannot be contained as she elaborated on her visit to India last year as part of a tourism delegation.
She pointed out that 30 million Indians travelled outside India every year, with visitor expenditure from India being AUD$232 on trips to Australia during 2004.
Official statistics reveal that for the year ended December 2007, tourists from India to Victoria had increased by 13.8%. About 32,375 visitors of Indian origin visited Victoria – an increase of 10.8%. This trend is likely to increase with forecasts of almost 135,000 in 2016, a jump of over 16%.
Ms Hutchison recalled fond memories of her short stay in India when crucial meetings were held with tourism representatives in Mumbai, New Delhi and Jaipur.
“First stop was in Mumbai where we met with 90 travel agents and told them about Dandenong, penguins on Phillip Island and the Yarra Valley,” Ms Hutchison said.
“After a little hesitancy in grasping the geographical standing of the Dandenongs, it was referred to as Melbourne’s hill station,” she said. “I am confident that it will lead to a good yield with the honeymoon and incentive market. “
In the capital of New Delhi, it was a day of presentations with Thomas Cook and Cox and Kings, a company which celebrates 250 years in 2008.
“Then it was on to Jaipur for six days for a trade show in which 40 different Australian tour operators and 100 agents from all over Australia. I was very happy with the trade mission. There was excellent input by representatives of the trade industry, who worked sincerely and were enthusiastic about learning more.
“I’m excited about the possibilities for Australia and have high aspirations … I was amazed at the burgeoning wine industry in India, cool climate wines that are soft on the palate.”
While in India, she didn’t let the opportunity go by without visiting Udaipur with her husband. She stayed at Fateh Prakash Palace which is classified as a Grand Heritage Palace. It was a soothing break from the rigours of city life with picturesque views of Lake Pichola, Jagmandir Island Palace, Lake Palace and the Sajjangarh Fort.
Away from the hectic work schedule, Ms Hutchison got caught up with the cricketmania sweeping the country as she backed the winners when India won the 20-20 cricket and it was a “fascinating experience” to be in the crowd when India won against Pakistan.
“The crowd was happy to learn that we were Australian.“
As the Australian Men’s Team steps up its Towards Croatia 2009 Program in preparation for its participation in the 2009 Men’s Handball World Championship, I wish to share this video taken at the 2007 World Championship. The World Championship will be held in Croatia in January 2009.
The fantastic goal by Bevan Calvert in the game versus France was selected as ‘Play of Day’ and was shown before the Denmark vs Norway game which was watched by millions of people.
Go Aussies!
P.S. Rough Translation of commentary:
"If there was a question regarding Australia’s participation in the World Championship, there was no question as to the determination of Bevan Calvert. It was such a close shave that the Goalie should shave off his moustache."
The Lions Club of Canberra Lake Tuggeranong are holding a charity ball and auction at the Erindale Vikings club auditorium on June 21, 2008, starting at 6 p.m.
The band Little Rock will be performing and all proceeds from the night will be used for projects to assist the community.
Major auction items include signed memorabilia from U2, the Rolling Stones and Peter Brock and more items would be most welcome. To donate items please contact Heath on 0400190622.
Tickets are on sale at the auditorium or you can call 6121 2131. It should be a great night and your support would be greatly appreciated.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) also known as, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), affects 140,000 Australians. This poorly understood illness, not only by the general public but unfortunately by some within the medical community as well, places severe limitations on the daily lives of those affected by it. It is estimated that 25% of people affected by it are permanently bed or house-bound. Currently there is no known cause for ME/CFS and no cure.
May is International ME/CFS Awareness Month. The ACT ME/CFS Society is encouraging the ACT community to break the isolation of those affected by ME/CFS through an awareness campaign and fundraising for support and research. This year we are promoting the Canadian medical treatment guidelines (the Canadian consensus document) in the ACT. These guidelines provide a clinical case definition and guidelines for medical practitioners that are regarded as a benchmark for best practice treatment of the illness.
“Everyone knows, directly or indirectly, someone who has ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is important that we, as their friends, family and community, reach out to these people and break the isolation and disability of their disease” said Ms Mary Campbell, President of the ACT ME/CFS Society.
People with ME/CFS have symptoms such as profound exhaustion, memory and concentration impairment, muscle pain, sleep disturbance headaches and other flu-like symptoms. In some cases the illness causes persistent disability while others it follows a relapse and remitting course.
“Many sufferers of ME/CFS not only face months of tests for diagnosis and a life of daily limitations but a world of stigma and misunderstanding.” Ms Campbell said.
Help us show support for those affected by ME/CFS. Donate by calling 6290 1984 or put someone you know in touch with the ACT ME/CFS Society.
ACT ME/CFS Society provides support, information and advocacy for people affected by the illness. It provides support services to its members such as self-help courses and support groups as well as access to a support worker and telephone information support service. The Society also provides information to patients, medical practitioners and the public; and promotes research.
For more information visit the website at www.mecfscanberra.org.au or email the centre at [email protected].
Mogo Zoo’s chimpanzee exhibit is in its final stages of completion. Our dream is almost a reality. Holly and Luis would love you to join us for this special occasion.
When: Sunday, 1st June, 2008 – 9am to 4pm
Where: Mogo Zoo, 222 Tomakin Road, Mogo, NSW
Entry: Normal admission prices apply – adults $20, children $10, families $54 (2 adults & 2 children 3-15 yrs)
The day will be fun-packed filled with activities including a jumping castle, cartoon characters handing out treats for the kids, show bags, animal dress-up parade and special keeper talks.
Holly’s 20th Birthday Party Raffle
The first 20 tickets drawn will help celebrate Holly’s 20th birthday with a private party to be held on the Chimp Family Fun Day on 1st June, 2008
Raffle tickets are $2 each and can be pre-purchased from the Zoo’s reception.
Live in Canberra Executive Director Jeremy Lasek speaks with potential new Canberrans following a seminar in Pretoria.
The Live in Canberra and Skilled and Business Migration Program team returned from South Africa last week with many strong leads for future skilled and business migration as a result of the Live in Canberra seminar series held in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria.
Over 300 highly qualified South Africans attended the seminars that included presentations from several Brumbies players who promoted the opportunities in Canberra for skilled and business migrants. Live in Canberra supporter Premium Placements Director, Jandy Godfrey was also on hand to inform people of the many job opportunities in Canberra.
Several South Africans who have already chosen Canberra as their destination to live and work attended the seminars. New ACT Darters Netball coach, Bronwyn Bock-Jonathan brought her family along to the Cape Town seminar to learn more about life in our capital before their arrival in June.
The presence of the Brumbies players at the seminars sparked plenty of interest, with the players having high profiles in South Africa. Brumby and Wallaby, Guy Sherperdson was raised in Canberra and spoke very highly of Canberra as a place to live and work.
The team liaised with several South African based migration agents leading up to the visit and invited their clients to attend the seminars. As a result the team was able to speak directly to people already committed to moving to Australia who possessed the skills needed in Canberra. The association with the migration agents has proven very successful, with some committing to visit Canberra to be better able to promote the city to their clients.
New enquiries from South Africa are still being received daily with the visit accounting for a significant spike in website visits and requests for Live in Canberra information packs.
With the ACT Government committing further funding to address the skills shortage in Canberra the Live in Canberra and Skilled and Business Migration team will continue to work together to target overseas markets.
Media contact: Jeremy Lasek, Executive Director, Live in Canberra
Mobile: 0417 652 771
