Issues news

Have you ever watched that local behind-the-scenes show Fire 000? It follows NSW fire brigades as they fight fires, attend natural disasters and rescue cats and of the growing "Real life Heroes" reality show genre (Bondi Rescue/ Search and Rescue/ Border Control) Fire 000 is probably my favourite. I'm quite happy to view it from the couch but if If you prefer your flame fighting action a little more 3D then you'll be pleased to hear that for the first time in two years, the New South Wales Fire Brigade is seeking new, male and female, recruits. The NSWFB is encouraging people from all walks of life and experiences to apply for full-time positions. Obviously a certain level of fitness and strength is a must but a bit of lateral thinking and the ability to pick up skills quickly wouldn't go astray either. Applications close June 27 so if your still holding on to that childhood dream (and maybe that ride-on fire truck) then now is the time to act! Click here more info.

4real is a television series which sees prolific music producer Sol Guy take artists like Joaquin Pheonix, Eva Mendes and MIA to areas of the world where young leaders are, often under extreme circumstances, working for change on some of the most pressing issues of our times. The latest installment of this great series is 4Real Kibera; Kibera being the capital of Kenya and the largest slum in Africa. In late 2008 Raila Odinga became Prime Minister in a power share deal with President Mwai Kibaki; the fallout of the election saw political violence that left 1200 dead, 300,000 displaced and the city of Kibera in tatters. Although things seem to have settled now, Kenya is still a struggling country. This Wednesday, QLD artist network, Bandwagon, is presenting the Australian launch of 4Real Kibera. Head down to oxford Arts from 8pm for screenings of 4REAL episodes as well as an exhibition from 20 of Australia's most respected underground artists. Entry is by donation or $10 after 9pm.

How gorgeous is this shot? Alethea Gold - a renowned International stylist who specialises in children's wear - recently spent over a year gathering images like the one above; all of which have been compiled into her magical book, "Children of China". Featuring littl'uns from Hong Kong to Tibet, "Children of China" is not only a beautiful window to another culture and a reminder of the universal language of youth but 100% of the net profits from the sale of the book will be donated to the Chi Heng Foundation to support children orphaned or affected by AIDS. Aids is a massive problem in China where the disease exploded in the 90's (due to black market drug sales) and was exacerbated by the recent earthquake. "Children of China" would make an awesome and heartwarming gift to yourself or someone else so email here for personal orders or here to order in bulk .

In an age where physical perfection appears to be prized above all else and overly airbrushed images are the new reality, the number of people with eating disorders continues to rise. It is estimated that around 2-3% of Australians identify as having an eating disorder and it's not unusual to see children as young as seven presenting with symptoms of this often fatal condition.
As we all know, a picture paints a thousand words and Art exposing eating disorders is a unique opportunity for all those budding artists out there to express their opinion on the issue of body image within society.
This issue affects each and every one of us. We are calling on you to tell us how you feel. The exhibition will involve works from sufferers of eating disorders and their loved ones so if you have any experience with this or simply have something to say on this important topic now is the time to get involved.
The exhibition will take place at the Stephen Mori Gallery in Darling Harbour. The gallery has the ability to display all types of media, so get creative. Sculptures, videos and recordings will be accepted along with the more traditional paintings and drawings.
Funds raised from the sale of specified paintings will be donated to CEDD which is a foundation in NSW which supports sufferers and funds treatment and support programs for those whose lives are affected by eating disorders.
Entries for the exhibition close on July 18 so if you would like to be a part of this fantastic project then please send the following information to here
Name-
Age-
Title of piece (can be untitled)-
Media/Materials-
Estimated size of piece-
Brief Description (optional)-
Piece to anonymous or name displayed?
To be sold?
Any further technical information required for the appropriate display or sale of your piece.

Brrrr!—It’s getting chilly out there. Shouldn’t you put on a sweater? But before you go looking for something wooly to wear, consider this: Do you really want to put on something that itches, smells (think musty mothballs and wet dog), and causes sheep pain, misery and death? We didn’t think so.

From having huge chunks of their backsides hacked off in a gruesome procedure called “mulesing ” to being shipped to the Middle East to be turned into kebobs, the Australian wool industry is a bloody business full of pain and suffering. Luckily, it’s easier than ever to find sheep-friendly fabrics like polyester fleece, acrylic, cotton flannel, Gore-Tex, Thermolite, and Thinsulate at most mainstream merchandisers.

Want to help sheep? Boycott Australian wool and tell all of your Little Bo “Peeps” to do the same. Join our Activist Network to get active for sheep today!

The often volatile relationship between women and alcohol is once again in the spotlight with a report stating that the number of young women hospitalised after binge drinking has doubled in less than a decade. Published today, the report highlights a rapid ascent in the number of females aged 18-24 being hospitilized after one - or ten - too many; rising from six people out of 10,000 in 1999 to 14.6 in 2006. While I've never been hospitalized, I often - as I'm sure many of my peers do - wonder whether the amount of alcohol I consume on the average week is safe. I'm of an age where a beer is highly appropriate in most situations and also work in an industry where attending booze-soaked events is almost a job requirement. That being said though, I'm a bit of a nanna and am I think kept my dignity (and liver) by the fact I'm usually the first one home for a cup of tea and an episode of Ladette to Lady. Once again, alcopops are baring the brunt of these findings - but (as akin to stomach acid as I find them) does the answer really lie in continually hiking up the price of them? Won't teenagers just start turning to cheap beer and goon? Perhaps the incedents of young women - and young people in general- drinking more correlates with the increased social pressures on those of Gen Y? Perhaps for women in particular it stems from low self-esteem or maybe a post-feminist desire to 'keep up with the boys"? Maybe social networking sites have made us so bad at communicating face-to-face that we feel the need to get sloshed to do so? So many factors that go beyond the price of Bacardi Breezers. Hmm.

This is sick. Police shot dead a beautiful polar bear in Iceland. Why? Because they didn't have tranquillisers. Go here to read about this callous act of cruelty. Sometimes I really dislike the human race.