Australia’s first all abilities playground opens in Sydney

When Sydney children of all ages and abilities were finally able to play side-by-side thanks to the opening of Livvi’s Place, Australia’s very first all abilities playground, actor and father of 8, Jay Laga’aia (pictured) was there, celebrating alongside Justine and John Perkins, founders of the Touched by Olivia Foundation.

Located at Timbrell Park at Five Dock in Sydney, Livvi’s Place is an initiative of the Touched by Olivia Foundation and is the result of more than two years of collaboration with founding partners, City of Canada Bay and Leighton Contractors. The all abilities playground was officially opened yesterday amid a crowd of excited parents and children, all keen to explore what some families of children with disabilities have called; a magical place and a dream come true.

Designed in consultation with leading academics, play, disability, and landscape experts and the local community, Livvi’s Place aims to dramatically reduce the barriers experienced by children with special needs and their families, helping to give them a level playing field for life. Read more

Young people buying more crap for a good cause

While 15 – 29 year-olds are often branded as the apathetic Generation Y, Oxfam Australia reports the number of young people buying charitable gifts has doubled since it started its Oxfam Unwrapped program in 2005.

The percentage of young people purchasing the gifts has risen steadily from 8 per cent in the first year to 16 per cent in 2009 based on purchases to date. Analysis of last year’s sales also reveals that quirkier gifts like cattle manure – which helps people in Sri Lanka who use it as a cheap fertiliser to increase their crops – are most popular with the 15 – 29 age group.

Over the same period, the popularity of the gifts among 30 to 44 year-olds, generally considered to be Generation X, and the 45 to 59 year-old ‘Baby Boomer’ Generation has remained relatively steady. Read more

Greenpeace Giving for Christmas

The Greenpeace giftshop is packed with remarkable presents that can help change the world. By giving a special gift from the Greenpeace gift catalogue, you are giving someone the power to make a difference. Think of it as environmental activism in giftwrap. It’s the ideal present for friends and family who already have heaps of stuff. You are giving them a unique gift that gives back to the planet and the recipient also receives a personalised interactive e-card.

The Greenpeace giftshop contains real items needed to win environmental campaigns. You can buy a friend a gift that will help stop climate change, keep GE out of Australia or halt logging in an ancient forest. It can even save a whale. Gifts start from as little as $10 for a campaign sign, up to $200 to protect our oceans are under threat from overfishing and deep sea trawling.

Other Greenpeace Gifts include: Read more

Oxfam Unwrapped – Give the Gift that Gives Twice this Christmas

Oxfam Unwrapped is a collection of life-changing gifts that give twice: once to a friend or loved one and secondly, to those who haven’t got much at all.

Buy an Oxfam Unwrapped gift and your friend or loved one receives a card, showing how their gift can make a difference in the developing world, and the donation goes to where it’s needed most – supporting Oxfam’s life-changing programs.

Oxfam Australia works with poor communities in 27 countries around the world, and the Oxfam Unwrapped catalogue only contains real items that people around the world need to change their lives for the better. Read more

Ocsober Is Nearly Over!!

I put an exclamation point on the title of this article because I wanted to you to think I was really excited for Ocsober to be over and that I was rolling about on the floor, clutching at my throat, gagging for a shooter, gasping for a martini, choking for a lick of the edge of a salted magarita glass.

A month without a drop of alcohol is something many adults would never even contemplate and I must admit something to you – I didn’t think I could do it. Read more

The 2010 Men of Cricket Calendar

Earlier this week, 3 mobile, sponsors of the Test Series in Australia, launched the 3 mobile Men of Cricket Calendar in aid of the McGrath Foundation. This limited edition calendar, supported by Cricket Australia, features photographs of Australia’s hottest cricketers.

The twelve Australian team members participating as part of the Cricket Australia’s Cricket Cares initiative are: Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Graham Manou, Tim Paine, Shaun Tait and Shane Watson.

Each of the ‘Men of Cricket’ gave their time in aid of the McGrath Foundation, with all proceeds from the calendar contributing towards the placement of McGrath Breast Care Nurses nationally and increasing breast cancer awareness among younger women in Australia.

Co-Founder and Chairman for the McGrath Foundation and Australian cricket legend, Glenn McGrath, said he continued to be impressed by the guys’ willingness to get involved with the project. “There’s no doubt that when you’re travelling as a team there is an amazing sense of family among the guys but I’m blown away that everyone continues to offer so much support to the McGrath Foundation.” Read more

Day for Daniel

Daniel Morcombe (pictured) was abducted in December 2003 from the Keil Mountain Road overpass in Palmwoods, Queensland. Police now suspect the 14 year old was murdered. In 2005 Daniel’s parents Bruce and Denise Morcombe, established The Daniel Morcombe Foundation. The foundation’s mission is simple – protection, safety and opportunity for children.

30 October is Day for Daniel. Now in its 5th year, Day for Daniel continues to grow on a National scale and is recognised as Australia’s largest participation event of its type. Read more

Oh, Ocsober – I’m Rolling Sober

I’m going okay. No, really. I mean it. Not being facetious in the least.

Sure, I’d love an icy, fizzy G&T at the onset of cactus hour, a snifter of red after dinner. I’d even love a little nibble on a salty margarita rim as Saturday evening emerges from a warm day in the garden. Sigh. My old glass-ridden friends.

But I must admit, I’m not missing them. I thought I would. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to make re-acquaintance somewhere in the not-too-far-distant future, but it’s really surprised me how easily I’m working through life without my glass-ridden drinking friends. Highball, champagne glass, brandy balloon, shot glass, flute. You name it.

These are the friends that are so much fun to be around. Popular, sweet, delicious, hilarious, with that uncanny knack to make you feel comfortable, relaxed and confident at any given moment. They are also the friends with whom you can drown your sorrows, but there’s one drawback. Well, actually, many drawbacks.

They’re not very loyal. And they certainly don’t have your best interests at heart. They may be there during fair and even stormy weather but when it comes to picking up the pieces at the other end, or even offering support post-drama or post-party, well… they really let you down. They also sock it to you. Big time. Leaving you with an ill feeling of regret, pain, even vomiting.

No friend is worth vomiting over, let alone damaging your brain cells, heart and liver. Read more

Cheers to a Sober October

Oh boy. It’s started. A sober October.

My tee-total commitment to raise funds for Life Education’s invaluable initiative – Ocsober – is about to begin. Thursday, to be exact. At midnight. Well, one second past midnight if we’re getting technical.

And no, I’m not getting schnookered tonight nor tomorrow night. My days of binge-drinking are long over and, truth be told, any more than a glass or two and I’m snoring on the couch like Nanna after a sherry spree on Christmas day.

On top of this, getting my fill of bubbles, Baileys and bourbon before Thursday would pretty much kybosh any of the sentiment behind the whole Ocsober enterprise – namely, to help educate our kids on the perils of excessive drug and alcohol consumption.

Life Education Australia has been empowering young people for almost 30 years to live stronger, safer and happier lives. Founded by the Reverend Ted Noffs, Life Education provides a series of programmes and initiatives (like Healthy Harold the giraffe) to educate children (and parents) in the hope they will make positive life choices for a healthier existence, free from debilitating substance abuse. The organisation also covers other vital childhood issues such as bullying, smoking and healthy food choices. Read more

Oxfam Christmas Cards and 2010 Calendars

Order your Christmas cards and calendars early this year, from Oxfam’s great new range, including the new 2010 Aboriginal calendar (pictured), featuring 12 original designs by talented indigenous artists and using soy based inks.

All card designs are exclusive to Oxfam Shop, and all of the artists, including indigenous artists, receive royalties, with the profits supporting our work around the world.

If you would like to personalise Oxfam Shop’s Christmas cards, click here and use our NEW Oxfam Shop Card Creator.

The Oxfam Shop Card Creator has a magnificent range of quality Christmas cards printed with eco friendly inks on recyclable recycled card. All cards come complete with envelopes and can be customised with your own message.

Oxfam also sell Christmas cards with standard greetings, if you don’t want to customise your card.

All artists, including indigenous artists, receive royalties from the sale of the cards, with profits supporting the work of the Oxfam Shop and Oxfam Australia. Click Here to visit the Oxfam Shop today!

For more information visit the website www.oxfamshop.org.au

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