change.org and the value of people power,

Most often, we pop into your inbox with breaking and popular petitions started by change.org users that you can support — today, we thought we’d share some of the fruits of your labour: the victories!

Every week, hundreds of Australians start petitions using change.org‘s platform — about big national issues as well as local changes they want for their neighbourhood, town or state. Like these little beauties:

• Lismore’s public library has been saved from closure and further budget cuts after 619 people signed Louise’s petition.
• A local council in Victoria will ensure a kids playground is made safer after 47 people joined a parent’s petition to build a fence between the play area and a road.
• Residents started a petition and came together to convince their body corporate and shopping centre to start recycling properly.

What’s great, is that people like you are helping these petitions to win. By moving your cursor, signing your name, and sharing it with friends, you are making the difference between these changes happening or not. It’s a domino effect. What we like to call people power. 

There’s a lot to celebrate — so have a read below about what people have won recently using petitions and people power, then start your own if you have something you want to change.

Enjoy!

Karen, Owen, Tony, Nathan and the Change.org team.

The ones you might have seen in national media:

Sapphires DVD distributor apologises over “racist, sexist” cover

After the iconic Sapphires movie was released in the US with the cover relegating the Aboriginal female stars to the background, more than 18,000 people joined Lucy’s petition asking for it to be changed. Now Anchor Bay have issued an apology and committed to reviewing the DVD cover — with Lucy saying it helped shine a light on sexism and racism in the entertainment industry.

Middle Earth is saved

New Zealanders celebrated the protection of Milford Sounds, which played the part of Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings movies. Over 30,000 signed a petition against the construction of a massive, environmentally destructive tunnel through the area, and in July, New Zealand’s Conservation Minister rejected the plan to build the tunnel!

Twitter adds a “report abuse” button to crack down on rape threats

Talitha, a 23 year old woman from Sydney, started her petition after experiencing an “horrific torrent” of abusive and threatening tweets, and hearing many other women were having the same issue of Twitter deeming them acceptable. After 130,000 people signed petitions across the globe, Twitter have now rolled out a “report abuse” button and other measures to protect users from abuse and rape threats.

A heap of local wins happening around Australia:

• At risk of being closed due to funding cuts, a local childcare centre in South Australia will now get ongoing funding thanks in part to this petition started by a mum.
• Security and safety at O’Sullivan Beach boat ramp will be upgraded after 153 people signed a petition to their local Mayor.
• After fans petitioned Sony Pictures, they gave the film “Evil Dead” a wider release in Australian cinemas.
• Qantas have removed American Staffordshire Terriers from being banned on flights — 6,000+ people used Pauline’s petition to pressure the airline.
• The Federal Government has granted a mother permanent residency so she can stay with her family after 900+ people signed her family’s petition. 
• A “miracle” melanoma cancer drug will be made more affordable after families needing the drug and supporters petitioned the government to add it to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
• Bellingen Hospital replaces leaking roofs after online and offline petitions from staff, patients and families gathered 2,847 signatures.
• A rape crisis support centre has been saved from closure after the Northern Territory government to reversed a decision to cut funding following a petition and media pressure.

And there so, so many more… check out other victories from around the site right here — or stay up to date by joining us on Facebook.