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SPA President <president@population.org.au>	12:43 PM (22 minutes ago)
to me

Sustainable Population Australia www.population.org.au info@population.org.au 02 6288 6810

• a front page report on the Crawford Fund Conference in Canberra last week
• two articles, one by Tim Roberts and Nigel Stace, and another by Leith von Onselen
• précis of remaining speeches from the Ethics of Migration seminar in April
• book reviews of ‘Adventures in the Anthropocene’ and ‘Facing the Population Challenge’
• a submission by SPA on child marriage
• members’ page with two letters and a hymn
• SPA news including branch reports and an excellent initiative by the Queensland branch on reducing unwanted pregnancies in Australia
• list of branch committees excluding WA’s which was elected last weekend after the newsletter printing

All the best,

Jenny Goldie
SPA President

Undress Runways, the organisation behind Australia’s largest sustainable fashion show, are returning to their home town of Brisbane for their 4th annual event, after taking on Melbourne and the Gold Coast earlier this year.  The show will take place at Factory One on Saturday the 11th of October in Brisbane’s West End, and will feature thirty sustainable and ethical designers from all over the country.

Undress Runways’ event coordinator, Edda Hamar, says the Undress team have gained a lot of experience from taking their show to two new cities.

“We’ve learned so much from taking our show to Melbourne and the Gold Coast this year, and we’re so excited to bring an more sophisticated and innovative event to our hometown,” said Ms Hamar.

“Our new location is going to be incredible… the new space is allowing us to bring our audience a bigger runway and some fresh, sustainable aesthetics that we’ve been planning for a long time.”

Guests at Undress Brisbane will enjoy three runway shows, organic cocktails, live DJs and have the opportunity to purchase VIP tickets to access runway-side seating and exclusive privileges.

The 2014 Undress Brisbane show is proudly sponsored by Ethical Clothing Australia. For more information on the event, designer application forms and a behind-the-scenes look at the 2014 Melbourne and Gold Coast runway shows, head to http://undressrunways.com. Tickets on sale September 1st.

There are dangers to women in the workplace who do not have properly fitted work wear.

The US Department of Labor (USDoL) reports that “Poor fit compromises the protection offered by the garment or equipment. The lack of appropriate PPC and PPE can cause serious safety and health risks for women, and men of smaller sizes, who rely on protective clothing and equipment to help them keep safe. Having inadequate or ill-fitting clothing, boots, gloves, or safety equipment presents a safety hazard for any worker.”

Until recently, the scarcity of appropriate protective clothing was blamed on the relatively small numbers of women in workplaces requiring protective clothing.

That is no longer an excuse. USDoL points out that “Personal protective equipment intended for use by women workers should be based upon female anthropometric (body measurement) data.”

The good news is that an increased focus on OH&S generally, and better design means there are now specific ranges of protective clothing designed for women.

‘Cripes.  Why’s that young fella gotta train so late?’ Edgar complained as he buried his grey head under the pillow.

‘His body clock’s stuffed from all that boxing,’ said Susan.  She pulled up the doona and snuggled into him.  Dull thumps punctuated Beethoven’s Ninth from the radio as they drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Susan picked some lemons.  There was only one fruiting tree in the backyard of their block of flats perched on the edge of Highgate Hill but this year it had produced fruit enough for all the residents.

Susan knocked three times on the door of number six.  Chantelle answered it, holding her grizzling daughter Nicky in her arms.  The collar of Chantelle’s dressing gown was jerked up around her neck.

‘Oh, it’s you Mrs Barnes.’

‘Please, call me Susan.  How are we this morning?’

‘So so.  Nicky’s been up all night.’  Chantelle winced as she moved Nicky to another spot on her hip.

‘Goodness gracious me.  What’s happened to her jaw?’

‘She fell over.’

‘But…’.  Chantelle’s gaze shot out like a dart from a nerf gun.  ‘Would you like some lemons?’

‘Oh no, Jason can’t stand them.  But thank you.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, quite sure.’  Nicky’s grizzling crescendoed like a banshee.  Chantelle wore only thongs and the chilly westerly stabbed between her toes.  ‘If you’ll excuse us, Mrs Barnes…’.

 *

At dusk that night, Edgar rolled the wheelie bin to the kerb.  He waved as his neighbour Jason pulled into the garage.  Jason didn’t wave back.

 *

Early the next morning Edgar filled the kettle and switched it on.  From number six came the sound of dull thumps.  Again.  Goose bumps ran up Edgar’s spine.

 *

At breakfast, Edgar could only manage one piece of toast.  ‘Susan, we have a problem.’

‘What?’  Edgar hadn’t used this tone since their son had been busted using pot at the school formal.

‘Last night I saw Jason in the garage.  He hasn’t got a punching bag.’

‘Well, what’s he punching then?’  Susan poured herself a second cup of tea.

‘Oh no’.  Susan stood up and began to pace back and forth across the linoleum floor.  ‘We’ve got to do something.’  Edgar gently squeezed Susan’s hand.

‘We’ll have them over for a cup of tea.  You talk with her and I’ll have a yarn with him.’

‘That child is only two years old!’

‘And it’s no way to treat a woman.  If he does it one more time we’ll call the cops.’

© Marissa Ker 2014

I sat on the small verandah of the Stones Corner library, next to the box for returning books.  I looked out over a large courtyard fringed with trees.

I started on my Spanish homework.  A young couple were sitting on a park bench opposite me.  She was pregnant and things were heated between them.  The man spoke tersely to her, his face like a schoolyard bully.  She stared off into the distance, her gaze steely, fixed and defiant.

I finished my Spanish homework.  They were still there.  This time they seemed to be engaging in real dialogue and I felt my heart relax.

I checked my emails.  Uh-oh.  She was sitting in the same spot facing forward.  He had turned around 90 degrees on the bench to look at her in profile.  He was sneering and speaking unkindly to her.  I didn’t understand a word but facial expressions are universal.

I stepped inside the library and approached one of the librarians, an older woman.  In a confidential tone, I asked ‘Can I ask you something as a woman?’  She gave me her attention.  ‘See that couple out there? They’re arguing.  She’s pregnant.  I feel bad in my conscience.’  The librarian looked over at them.  ‘I see.  Have they been at it for long?’

‘At least half an hour.  What shall we do? Have you got any flyers for a domestic violence support service?’

‘Why don’t you just go and sit there. I’ll watch them from here. ’

So I made a big show of planting my bum on the seat, plonking down my bag and glancing in their direction.  I stayed for as long as I could before I met my friends at the café up the road.

© Marissa Ker 2014