The hub of home-grown inspirational women
It is estimated on any one night there are 46,000 homeless women in Australia. The largest single cause of homelessness in Australia is domestic and family violence, which mostly affects women and children. But thanks to one Australian social enterprise, women like Judy and single mum Kellie, are turning their lives around and finding they do have a future after all. Those of you who commute to work in one of our major cities will be … [Read more...]
Thousands of women will cross the borders of Syria on International Women's Day to join Bushra, who this week became the one millionth Syrian refugee. According to UNHCR more than 472,000 women and girls have now fled Syria to neighbouring countries. Bushra, a 19 year-old mother of two, became the one millionth registered refugee from the Syrian civil war when she registered with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in the Lebanese city … [Read more...]
If the Prime Minister Julia Gillard wants to appeal to more women voters, the SISTER2sister mentoring program is just the type of initiative the Federal Government should be funding in the lead up to the next Federal Election on September 14. The SISTER2sister mentoring program has changed the lives of hundreds of girls in Western Sydney but needs more funding to keep it going and to roll it out Australia wide. After government funding … [Read more...]
On 2 June 2013, 33 year old Joanne Tremonti will run 90 kilometres through the South African desert to raise funds for Parkinson's, a disease afflicting her dad Gerry. You can help Gerry Tremonti as well as many other sufferers of Parkinson's disease, by sponsoring Joanne's participation in the one of the worlds greatest ultra marathons. Joanne Tremonti first took up running because her father was a keen runner. These days she is running … [Read more...]
Jennifer Evans has been keeping herself busy since winning the 2012 season of My Kitchen Rules with her friend Leigh Sexton. In addition to becoming a mum to three-month-old Harlow, Jennifer has set up a charity for underprivileged children and launched her own unique range of Thai pastes made from ingredients sourced from rural growers in Thailand. Dubbed the cooking show's 'princess', Jennifer Evans has spent months in the crop fields on … [Read more...]
This is a story about women helping other women. On 11 November 2012, Sydney women opened their hearts and their wallets in support of the local arm of Dress for Success, a global charity dedicated to improving the lives of women. Leading the fund-raising effort was Sydney business woman and philanthropist, Maureen Houssein-Mustafa OAM. Dress for Success Sydney is a registered charity that outfits disadvantaged women free of charge, in high … [Read more...]
Neighbours actress Gemma Pranita, Home & Away actress Rhiannon Fish, radio and television presenter Charli Robinson, Channel Nine News presenter Alison Ariotti, celebrity chef Karen Martini, Nashville actress Clare Bowen and TV presenter and foodie, Alana Lowes, have been named by the Cancer Council as celebrity ambassadors for Girls Night In 2012. One in three Australian women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. This October, … [Read more...]
Golf clubs around Australia are invited to ‘pink up’ this October by participating in Breast Cancer Network Australia’s (BCNA) Pink Golf Day in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With an increasing number of women taking up the sport, the PGA of Australia is using it's considerable influence to encourage golf clubs across Australia to get involved in the BCNA initiative. Local golf clubs are encouraged to sign up and turn hot … [Read more...]
Update 21 Sept 2012: Aussies set New World Record for World’s Largest Makeup Class Priceline and Bourjois will be attempting to set a new a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest makeup class on Thursday 20th September at Sydney’s Martin Place. This is a charity event so those in attendance will be encouraged to make a donation. However, all participants will receive a goody bag worth $100 and a certificate of thanks for … [Read more...]
Each year the Guardian Angel Knitting Program encourages knitters of all levels to pick up knitting needles, hone their skills and donate their woollen creations to Australians in need. Now in it's 14th year, the Guardian Angel Knitting Program is running throughout the winter months from June to August. Knitted items include clothes, blankets, scarves, beanies and other garments. Guardian Pharmacy has once again partnered with Variety - the … [Read more...]
High Tea for Habitat is an annual event held in September every year in support of Habitat for Humanity Australia (HFHA), an independent non-profit organisation working to reduce housing poverty in Australia and overseas. HFHA has built over 100 homes in Australia, and launched two major national projects that will repair and build over 39 homes for families affected by the Queensland floods and Black Saturday bushfires. Help support the good … [Read more...]
Epilepsy Action Australia (EAA) is asking Australians to ‘Forget Me Not’ for Purple Day on Monday 26 March; a day dedicated to increasing awareness of epilepsy, the world’s most serious brain disorder¹. New research findings² from Epilepsy Action Australia reveal epilepsy is a forgotten condition that is poorly understood in the community³. “The number of people with epilepsy in Australia exceeds that of many well known diseases … [Read more...]
The Butterfly Foundation, Australia’s leading non-government organisation representing eating disorders and body image, has announced Mrs Australia Globe 2011, Karen Gee (pictured far left), as its first ambassador. “It is a privilege to be chosen as the first Ambassador for The Butterfly Foundation and I am so proud to be working with Butterfly to help them change the way we look at ourselves, and to help young people love who they are … [Read more...]
When there are only a few shopping days left until Christmas, Australian consumers are flocking to local shopping centres around the country on the hunt for last minute Christmas gifts. But before you start grabbing for whatever's left on the shelves, consider this - every year online auction sites are inundated in the weeks after Christmas with unwanted gifts from well meaning family, friends and colleagues. The good news is that it's not too … [Read more...]
By purchasing a charity gift this Christmas you are giving the most precious gift their is, 'hope' for a better world. It may sound idealistic but isn't Christmas the season of miracles? Oxfam refer to their range of charity gifts as 'the gifts that give twice' because when you purchase an Oxfam Unwrapped Gift the recipient not only receives a personalised card that lets them know you are thinking of them this holiday season. But they also … [Read more...]
Women are doing their bit to help men on the rocky path toward good health by volunteering as "Mo Sistas". Glenn McGrath is doing it, as is Ita Buttorse, Dick Smith and a number of other high profile Australians. In fact, the list of local sporting, entertainment and business leaders who donate to charity continues to grow. With over 4.6 million taxpayers making a donation in the 2008 to 2009 financial year, it seems that philanthropy is as … [Read more...]
Good Beginnings, a national charity building better outcomes for children in vulnerable communities, is calling on Australians to help build better futures for children suffering from neglect and abuse. At least 1 in 10 Australian children will suffer from neglect or abuse, and recent national figures show that the number of children removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse is on the increase. During 2009-10 alone, there were 286,437 … [Read more...]
The Mater Mothers’ and Mater Children’s Hospitals are vital facilities operating in South East Queensland. Both hospitals need constant funding to support patients from pregnant mothers and their unborn babies through to young children. This is where the Mater Foundation helps. For the past 50 years the Mater Prize Home Lottery has been making dreams come true for some of its luckiest supporters, whilst raising much needed funds for sick … [Read more...]
The Salvation Army launched its National 2010 Red Shield Appeal today at luncheon in Sydney. More than 500 of Sydney’s business leaders attended the event where Gail Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of The Westpac Group, gave the keynote address. The national target for the Red Shield Appeal 2010, which includes a business appeal and direct mail campaign, is $75 million. This year, the annual Salvation Army doorknock will take place on the … [Read more...]
After exceeding their initial target of 200 million litres of water for the Hattah Lakes wetlands, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is now aiming to purchase an additional 200 million litres of water to add to the Hattah Lakes in northern Victoria near Mildura. The Hattah Lakes are part of the 16 internationally important wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin, renowned for its unique and diverse wildlife which is now under threat … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
Can you get through Ocsober? We humans are strange creatures of habit. Not only do we form habitual ways over time, we also become so reliant on these habits, they become part of our very psyche. Sometimes, we even begin to bow down to them like prehistoric man and his blaze of fire, like the Incas before the God Viracocha – kneeling at the altar of habitual worship. We all have our habitual Gods. Some of us rely on the slip of a credit card … [Read more...]
Life Education Australia (LEA), Australia’s largest private charity providing drug and alcohol abuse prevention and health education, has announced the participation of three high profile television personalities for LEA’s major annual fundraising event, Ocsober. Launched last year, Ocsober challenges Australians to cut out alcohol and go sober in October, getting friends and colleagues to sponsor them in order to raise money for LEA. The … [Read more...]
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) is an international, independent, medical-humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, health care exclusion and natural or man-made disasters in around 60 countries worldwide. Medical Assistance Médecins Sans Frontières is an international, independent, medical-humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency … [Read more...]
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is committed to inspiring people to achieve a healthy environment for all Australians. For over 40 years ACF have been a strong voice for the environment, promoting solutions through research, consultation, education and partnerships. Better plans for dealing with climate change With so much to lose and so much to gain, right now is the time to act on climate change. Your donation will help us be … [Read more...]
I decided after visiting Nepal last year that I would like to return, not as a trekker, but as a volunteer, to help promote a sustainable future for this enchanting mountain kingdom and its beautiful people. After doing my research I found an NGO in Nepal called The Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP). This project aims to encourage eco-friendly trekking, minimise human impact and encourage the Nepalese people to work within their … [Read more...]
Romania is home to some of Europe's most neglected bears, held captive in appalling conditions for the sake of tourist entertainment. Singer and actress Natalie Imbruglia (pictured) travelled to Romania with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) to film a documentary on these incredible animals, and the tireless work being done to rescue and rehome them in a beautiful forested sanctuary. Natalie says was shocked to face the … [Read more...]
At www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au, you can find a selection of gift ideas that will save the day in more ways than one. With Oxfam's latest range, you’ll be safe from that awkward feeling that follows giving an unwanted gift. And most importantly, your gift can help save people around the world from poverty. Because when you buy something from the catalogue, your donation goes straight to help support our programs. And in return, we’ll send you … [Read more...]