Category: News

Australians are urged to ‘gift’ a newly-planted eucalyptus tree in the name of a friend or loved one, in a unique initiative aimed at tackling major environmental issues.

The project, headed by Australian heritage brand Bosisto’s, will see one million eucalyptus trees planted in the rural town of Inglewood, Victoria.

The new plantations – which will eventually cover an area 166 times the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground – will help support local farms and farmers, while helping reduce soil salinity and lower harmful CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.

The public is encouraged to support the project by registering to ‘gift’ a tree in the name of a friend, who will then receive an educational pack including photos of their tree – all for free.

“Eucalypts are an iconic part of the Australian landscape,” said Tegan Abbott of Bosisto’s. “They’re also ideally suited for improving Australia’s climate, given their synergy with our local wildlife and ability to withstand drought and high levels of salt in the soil.

“Because of their hardy nature, these trees can also be planted on ‘marginal’ land which would otherwise not turn a profit. It gives local farmers who rent land to us a much-needed source of extra income and the rural economy gets a boost too. “

On a per capita basis, Australia is one of the world’s largest polluters. In fact, we produce more carbon pollution per person than the United States, the world’s largest economy.

“With 160 years history, and as an Australian-owned company, Bosisto’s feels a unique connection to this beautiful country of ours,” said Abbott. “The time for action is now, to help preserve that beauty and our clean, fresh air for generations to come.”

To give a loved one the unique gift of a named eucalyptus tree, and show your support for Bosisto’s project visit www.facebook.com/bosistos.eucalyptus or log ontohttp://www.fgb.com.au/giftatree

ABOUT BOSISTO’S

Established in 1852, Bosisto’s has been Australia’s favourite eucalyptus oil for 160 years. The family-owned Australian company are passionate about providing natural products with the famous ‘Parrot Brand’ quality trusted by generations.

With a wide range of medicinal uses, eucalyptus oil is most famous as a natural remedy for colds and helping alleviate nasal congestion, but can also be used for muscle aches and sprains as well as endless household uses from deodorising pet areas to mopping floors and freshening laundry.

The World Economic Forum finds that, based on the eight years of data available for the countries that have been part of the Global Gender Gap Report since its inception, the majority of countries have made only slow progress on closing gender gaps, including Australia.

Australia is again ranked 1st for educational attainment, however overall is ranked 24th out of 133 countries who participate. Australia has slipped from 15th place 6 years ago and is ranked behind countries like New Zealand, Burundi and South Africa. In the Asia-Pacific Region, Australia ranks third overall behind New Zealand and the Philippines. This ranking reflects the lack of investment that both governments and business have made in systemic and widespread programs targeting gender equality.

UN Women NC Australia’s Executive Director Julie McKay describes the workforce participation and wage gap in Australia as unacceptable. “It is frankly embarrassing that we as a nation should have the highest educational outcomes in the world, yet not be capitalising on this talent in our workplaces or leadership positions. Women leaving secondary school or university have equal or better results than their male counterparts, yet female graduate salaries are at just 90% of male graduate salaries in comparable industries. The gap in wages and chances for advancement in the workplace get worse as a woman’s career continues. Australian women will retire on average with $114,000 less superannuation than their male counterparts. We need to address this inequality so that women’s talents and contribution to the workforce are treated as equally valuable to men’s.”

Ms McKay says that Australia’s high ranking in educational attainment compared to the low ranking in labour force participation (52nd) is evidence of bias and discrimination that women continue to face in our workplaces. “Employers must work to ensure that targets for women in leadership roles are set and that flexible work practices are fostered. Addressing sexual harassment will also be a factor in improving workforce participation. We must ensure that young girls and women have the widest possible range of career prospects available to them, encouraging them to enter non-traditional careers, negotiate salaries and recognise their value.”

The Report ranks Australia 69th for health and survival. “Despite having a robust health system in Australia, not everyone has equal access to it,” says Ms McKay. “This low rank is reflective of the inequality in our health system. Indigenous women, women living in rural and regional areas and women with disabilities all face serious challenges accessing affordable, quality health services”.

Australia is ranked 43rd in the world for political empowerment, behind India, Uganda and Serbia among others. “We have recently seen in Australia a significant reduction in the number of women in our Cabinet. We seem comfortable to ignore the evidence which shows that gender equality and national competitiveness are correlated,” says Ms McKay.

“When women are economically, socially and politically empowered, national competitiveness improves in the long term. It is in the national interest to close the gender gap.”

UN Women is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their rights worldwide.

The Australian National Committee for UN Women is the National Committee for UN Women in Australia and is committed to supporting UN Women through advocacy, public education and fundraising for global women’s issues.

In a world-first exclusive, the Queensland Government’s Super Star fund will bring renowned physicist Brian Cox to Brisbane to lead a Journey Through the Cosmos with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Arts Minister Ian Walker said Journey Through the Cosmos was a great synergy of music, voice, science and film in an unforgettable multi-sensory experience from 6-9 November 2014.

“Leading the production will be international rock star particle physicist Professor Brian Cox, the presenter of the global smash–hit series Wonders of the Universe,” Mr Walker said.

“Journey Through the Cosmos includes a world premiere and features a full orchestral and choral performance of Holst’s The Planets’ Suite with cosmic image projections created by Brian Cox as a star–studded backdrop.”

Mr Walker said Journey Through the Cosmos would include a live simulcast to regional venues throughout Queensland, with lectures, a recital and a dedicated schools program as part of the Super Star initiative.

“The Super Star fund is a $3 million commitment over four years to bring international artists to Queensland, cultivate local talent and build local capacity,” he said.

“Journey Through the Cosmos will be a major drawcard for interstate visitors and will help the Newman Government achieve its goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure by 2020.”

CEO of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Sophie Galaise is thrilled the QSO is presenting this world-first for Queensland.

“This initiative is part of the QSO’s ongoing commitment to provide a gateway to great musical experiences. Our fine orchestra continues to offer diverse programs and some of the best national and international artists to Queensland audiences,” Ms Galaise said.

Journey Through the Cosmos joins other Super Star projects including an exclusive production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, directed by internationally-acclaimed Shakespearean ‘super star’ director Michael Attenborough presented in March – April 2014 by Queensland Theatre Company, in collaboration with Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe.

The first Super Star project is an exclusive season of Kenneth MacMillan’s production of the ballet Romeo and Juliet at QPAC from 27 June – 5 July 2014, presented by the Queensland Ballet and featuring internationally acclaimed dancers Tamara Rojo and Carlos Acosta.

Journey Through the Cosmos will be presented at QPAC. For information: www.qso.com.au

Queensland Government lauds its success at “Delivering results and driving exploration success”.

According to a Media Release just received from the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, key reforms to State Government mining permit approval processes and new service delivery targets are helping to achieve results and drive exploration success for Queensland.

The Director-General of the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Brett Heyward, today released a new report highlighting his department’s ongoing work to ensure Queensland remains globally competitive and an attractive destination for exploration investment.

“My department is transforming the way our services are delivered to ensure the state’s resources sector remains globally competitive and our regulatory framework encourages exploration activity and opportunities for sustainable growth in regional Queensland,” he said.

“We are introducing better systems to improve the way mining permits and approvals are decided and setting new customer service delivery targets to make our decision making faster, more open, accessible and transparent.

“We also continue to deliver reforms to improve frontline service delivery, reduce red tape and streamline the regulatory frameworks that support the exploration sector.

“These practical reforms will deliver greater certainty to resource companies and communities alike and make Queensland a more attractive place to do business.”

Dr Heyward said exploration investment by industry in Queensland is at near record levels this year at $1.3 billion; including $1.1 billion in coal and petroleum exploration for the past twelve months.

“Queensland has also increased its market share in private capital investment against the rest of Australia.

“My department’s reform process is already removing obstacles to exploration and mining, but there is much more to do in close partnership with industry, landholders and local communities.”

Dr Heyward said the department’s report outlines some of the key exploration activity indicators and reforms underway.

Key reforms to support increased exploration activity include:

•           A new streamlined assessment pathway for coal and minerals exploration permits, meaning permits not subject to native title can be determined within six months or sooner;

•           New land being released for exploration through competitive tendering and making geoscientific discoveries and new data more accessible;

•           The $30 million Future Resources Program to fund seven new initiatives to help industry maximise the success of exploration ventures and improve Queensland’s geological knowledge;

•           A range of legislative reforms to modernise and simplify the regulatory framework for mining and exploration to cut red and green tape by 20 per cent;

•           Online lodgement for exploration permits modernising the old “over the counter” application system;

•            Expanded self-service and permit maintenance functions for industry through MyMinesOnline.

“I believe this report demonstrates that we are listening to our customers’ feedback for faster, more efficient approval timeframes, and we are actively responding to that call.

“The resources sector is a key pillar in Queensland’s economy and we will continue to collaborate with industry to build a modernised and more efficient regulatory framework that provides greater certainty for exploration activity and investment in Queensland,” Dr Heyward said.

A copy of the DNRM performance highlights and key indicators report is available at: www.dnrm.qld.gov.au

 

Brisbane born actress Julia Billington has just landed a major role in the new independent Aussie feature The Trouble with E. The film is in pre-production and starts shooting on November 18th.

In 2006 Julia left Brisbane to study at NIDA the prestigious drama school based in Sydney. Since then she has lived in almost 10 different places but remembers her childhood in the suburb of Indooroopilly. “My childhood was largely spent running around in bare feet, playing street cricket, riding bikes down to the local park, and climbing trees.”

Julia has always had a natural disposition for performing. At the age of 6 she would sit her bemused Maths Teacher parents down to watch poetry enactments, with Roald Dahl’s “Dirty Beasts” being a personal favourite. As she got older her passion grew. She took every opportunity to be involved in acting.

At age 14 she distinctly remembers a conversation with Stephen Matthias, her high school drama teacher, who she believes played a large role in shaping her adult life. “He drew me aside after the closing night production of “Dags” in which I played the lead girl and in response to my disappointment that yet another production was over, he gently said, “Well, why don’t you do this as a career?””

The promising young actress already has some impressive credits to her name. She received rave reviews for her portrayal of Rachel Corrie in the show “My Name is Rachel Corrie”. Billington is the sole performer in the 90-minute one-woman show documenting the tragically short life of the young the peace activist. The project resonated strongly with Julia and “was made even more magical by it being performed at La Boite, back in my home town, Brisvegas.”

In Sydney earlier this year she played the lead in the revival of, “Top Girls”, Carol Churchill’s classic play about Thatcher’s Britain. She has just finished a successful stint at the Brisbane Festival with the phenomenally successful “CUT SNAKE”, which is now in its fifth season and has a sixth already booked. She devised the theatre project with director Paige Rattray.

Julia will now be playing the role of country girl, Trish, in independent Australian feature film The Trouble with E.  Trish is the love interest of the leading character, E, and Julia says of the character, “she is strong, full of conviction, humour, and also vulnerable. It’s a beautiful cocktail to play.”

This role could be Julia’s big break. One thing is for sure. Her drama teacher, Mr Matthias, will be cheering her the whole way.

Music lovers are invited to a live gig at State Library of Queensland, designed especially for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

On Friday 15 November, popular Brisbane bands The Gin Club, The Stress of Leisure and Jakarta Criers will take to the stage for 4Senses, a multi-sensory performance that uses sight and touch to make music accessible to everyone, including people with a hearing impairment.

4Senses co-creator Tony Browne, said the event will use film track projections, visual light shows, and subwoofer seats to bring the joy of live music to people who might not normally have a chance to experience it.

“I’ve always believed music is more than one dimensional,” said Mr Browne. “Great live music is about the energy in the room and the way performers and the crowd build that energy together, and our aim is to extend this experience out for everyone.

“We’re thrilled to have such prominent acts as The Gin Club, The Stress of Leisure and Jakarta Cries involved in the project, and can’t wait to hear, see and feel their music as it takes over the library,” said Mr Browne

State Librarian Janette Wright said State Library was delighted to partner with 4Senses and Deaf Australia to present this inspiring event.

“Music has a magical ability to bring people together, and can be central to expressing our identity as individuals, as communities and as a culture,” said Ms Wright.

“For the past six months, State Library has been celebrating and exploring this quality, through the exhibition program Live! Queensland band culture.

“4Senses will be the last event in the Live! exhibition series of events at State Library, which closes on 17 November, and will definitely send the exhibition off with a bang!” she said.

4Senses is an 18+ only event. A cash bar available on site. Tickets are $30, with all profits donated to Deaf Australia. Bookings slq.eventbrite.com

When: Fri 15 Nov, 7pm
Where: SLQ Gallery, level 2, State Library of Queensland
Tickets: $30, bookings slq.eventbrite.com