Managing director of Ebono Institute and major sponsor of The Generator, Geoff Ebbs, is running against Kevin Rudd in the seat of Griffith at the next Federal election. By the expression on their faces in this candid shot it looks like a pretty dull campaign. Read on
Theatre has the power to explore the heightened edges of life, and it is through using this power that change can happen. We will draw from aspects of performance art including (but not limited to) physical theatre, realism and music.
Something needs to be done about the taboo nature of mental illness. As a society, we don’t talk about mental illness or our demons that may be contributing to those illnesses. FLY: A Theatre Project aims to encourage conversation and initiate change. So much good can come from alerting people that they don’t have to fight their battles alone. Or from simply letting them know that there are others out there feeling the same darkness that they do.
Show time: 7pm
Show dates:
Thursday 8th May (Preview)
Friday 9th May (Opening Night)
Saturday 10th May
Sunday 11th May
Thursday 15th May
Friday 16th May
Saturday 17th May
Sunday 18th May
Wild Law in practice was launched last night at Avid Reader
The big names in Brisbane’s environmental movement rolled up to Avid Reader last night to launch a new book Wild Law in Practice. Editor of the tome and National Convenor of Australian Earth Laws Alliance (ALEA) Michelle Maloney was joined byEmeritus Professor Ian Lowe and Steven White from Griffith University and Professor Douglas Fisher and Felicity Deane from QUT.
The thronging masses were given plenty of opportunity for questions and they flowed thick and fast. Clearly the time has come for a deeper understanding of humanities relationship with nature and that has moved beyond the activism of pioneers like Captain Paul Watson to the legal fraternity.
Interestingly for such an avowedly scientific bunch a lot of the inspiration comes from the work of twentieth century monk Thomas Berry.
Wild Law: In Practice is an edited collection by Michelle Maloney and Dr Peter Burdon. It aims to facilitate the transition of Earth Jurisprudence from theory into practice. Earth Jurisprudence is an emerging philosophy of law, coined by cultural historian and deep ecologist Thomas Berry. It seeks to provide the foundation for a radical shift in law and governance from an exclusive focus on human beings to recognition of human interconnectedness with the comprehensive Earth community.
This volume addresses a range of topics including the effectiveness of environmental law, the practical implementation of the rights of nature, the role of civil society in transforming law and governance, limits to growth and the connections between animal law and Earth jurisprudence.
Four blokes, four beers, one hour and one actor. This honest and darkly funny tale will introduce you to four mates who meet at the same bar at the same time every year. But this year, it’s different….
Not just for the blokes, this smart and witty play explores masculinity, mateship, sexuality and relationships. Ultimately it is a man’s 21st century guide to emotional fulfilment (or not … Maybe it’s just about sex).
Presented by Brisbane’s up-and-coming theatre company, Wax Lyrical, the direction of Zoë Tuffin ensures this show will touch the hearts of the toughest Aussies.
Staged at Blackwall in the old ice cream factory, 51 Mollison St, West End as part of Anywhere Theatre Festival, Bloke is written and performed by Shane Pike and raises questions about Australian masculinity and the troubles faced by our young men (drinking, violence etc). But its not all dark. ‘Bloke’ is a funny and surprisingly touching tale, where the audience get to have a beer with a bloke, George, as he spins a yarn.
Rating: 18+ Duration: 60 mins Tickets: $22
** Please be advised that Blackwall has no disabled access. *
During Lent I have joined some dear friends to lament Australia’s treatment of Asylum Seekers. I have prayed to find a way to encourage my fellow Aussies to re-discover our compassion. As I prayed I got this weird kind of idea about walking to the capital of our country, to appeal to the heart of the nation. And when I discovered that Tri Nguyen was already doing it, I asked him if I could walk alongside him, on the last leg of the journey.
Dave Andrews, centre rear, walking for compassion with Tri Nguyen.
In 1982 Tri Nguyen came to Australia as a boat person, seeking asylum, after fleeing the war and its aftermath in Vietnam. On his arrival he remembers being welcomed by Australians. His family ‘stayed at the Midway Hostel in Maribyrnong “where there was no barbed wire”. Locals ‘taught them English, gave them clothes and meals, and helped his father find a job at Australia Post’. And a group from Moonee Ponds Baptist Church helped bring the rest of his family to Australia eight years later. He says 60 Aussies went to the Melbourne Airport at 2am in the morning to welcome them!
Tri Nguyen walked from Melbourne to Canberra in 35 days towing a home-made wooden boat (an idea inspired by a Leunig cartoon of a man and a duck towing a trolley) as his own gentle plea for better treatment of Asylum Seekers. Tri says when we arrived ‘we were traumatised, but were immersed in hospitality’. I feel ‘very sad the [asylum seekers] coming now don’t experience the same welcome that (we) did’. Tri says we need ‘to change the national conversation about asylum seekers’, which is too negative. ‘We are at our best when we show compassion and work for justice for those who are oppressed’.
Over the Easter weekend I joined Tri Nguyen and three other asylum seekers, Linda, Daniel and Majid on the last leg of their walk from Melbourne to Canberra to take that message to the heart of the nation.
This is the message Tri delivered on the grounds of Parliament House:
‘Thank you Australia. Thank you for the gift of refuge that you have given me and my family. Thank you for giving this gift of refuge to generations of migrants who have sought asylum in this land.
“While I was a stranger, you welcomed me. While I was a boat person seeking asylum, you responded with compassionate hospitality. While I was vulnerable and without hope, you cared for me and welcomed me into a safe community where healing could begin.
“Thank you to all the elders, past and present, the traditional custodians of this land for your gracious welcome of all people seeking refuge in this land. In your vulnerability you call me your brother. In your suffering you call me your sister. You affirmed to me that together we are God’s family.
“Thank you Malcolm Fraser, it was your Government, which sought a bipartisan approach, working in collaboration with other countries, that responded to a generation of Vietnamese refugees. We are forever grateful.
“Thank you Australian Parliament for continuing to seek ways to respond to the great need of people in the world fleeing war, persecution, oppression, marginalisation … seeking asylum. For many Australia is their last hope.
“Thank you to my wonderful friends Linda, Daniel and Majid for walking with me from Melbourne to Canberra, sharing in the laughter, tears, the pain and the joy in our common humanity receiving welcome and hospitality. You are an inspiration!
“I too have a dream! That in thirty two years time, your children will walk from towns and cities to Canberra to thank the Australian people and the Australian parliament for giving their parents the gift of refuge.
“I too have a dream, that Australia will continue to be a nation that welcomes the strangers, that cares for the vulnerable and gives a fair go to all who are seeking refuge.
With the country commemorating the Anzac Centenary between 2014 and 2018, Friday 25 April will mark one of the most important national occasions on our calendars this year. At South Bank, we are honouring this day with a week of free family-friendly events in the parklands.
Film screenings at Rainforest Green
Free movie screenings will be held nightly at Rainforest Green between Tuesday 22 and Sunday 27 April from 6:30pm. The movies have been chosen to reflect the theme ‘A World at War’ and include The Great Escape and War Horse. Pack a picnic blanket and enjoy the evening with your loved ones. No bookings required.
Tribute Exhibition: Love in Wartime
The Tribute Exhibition will feature poignant photographic and literature based on the theme ‘Love in Wartime.’ This free display will be set up outside The Courier-Mail Piazza from Tuesday 22 to Sunday 27 April.
ANZAC Eve Concert at the Piazza
Queensland Symphony Orchestra and RSL (Queensland Branch) unite to present a free community ANZAC Eve Concert on Thursday 24 April at The Courier-Mail Piazza to honour current and ex-serving men and women, remembering those we have lost in past and present wars. The concert starts at 6:30pm and will also be streamed live on the Rainforest Green big screen. No bookings required.
War Stories at the Piazza
War Stories includes a range of free entertainment such as story-telling, music, a reading area and postcard station where you can write a message to a loved one. This event takes place on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April from 10am to 3pm in The Courier-Mail Piazza. No bookings required.
One of the Impact Factory’s take home messages is “Pick up the phone”
South West Chamber of Commerce Event
South West Chamber of Commerce has much pleasure in presenting James McNamara – Founder of The Impact Factory
Date: Thursday 1st May, 2014
Place: The Loft, 100 Boundary St West End 4101
Time: 6:45 – 7:00am starting time
James McNamara’s mission is to “inspire and educate people to become contributing leaders”. James teaches refreshingly practical approaches to leading teams towards better engagement and ultimately higher performance
James is an experienced group facilitator, keynote presenter and one on one coach. He has a proven history of working with Business Owners, Managers and Sales People to help them ‘solve the people puzzle’. He has a detailed working knowledge of the leadership and communication skills which will influence people to follow your lead willingly.
Whether it’s leading a team, managing difficult behaviour, selling a product/service, or making you and your business sound sensational in print, James provides unique and practical insights into how to improve your results.
Typical feedback for James’s work includes;
“Worth its weight in gold.”P. Strother, Cairns
“Great, energetic and full of useful material – great!” P. Sith, Cairns
“All managers and supervisors should do this course. If you get these
skills right, the rest is easy.” M. Kerl, Qld Transport
“The most beneficial training I have done in the past 10 years. Perfectly related and specific to my current role and situation. A genuine eye opener.” S. Gettings, Brisbane
“James has this uncanny way of tailoring his presentations to totally tap into where you are at in your own workplace” J Excell, Sydney
Some of James’ clients include Queensland Police, Hyne Timber, The Tatts Group, Queensland Corrective Services, Propell National Valuers, Brisbane City Council, Cairns Regional Council, Northside Trusses and Frames, Fitec Australia, Franklyn Blinds, Altitude Financial Services…just to name a few.
