For A Good Cause

Charity begins at home

Having a safe, warm, roof over our heads each night is something many of us take for granted, but for some Australian families, this is an unachievable luxury.

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has helped families all over the world build their own homes. By providing interest-free mortgages to low income families, who agree to undertake 500 hours of labour and volunteer support, more than 77 homes have been built throughout Australia. When loan repayments are made, these are then passed on to another low income family, ensuring the maximum benefit is derived from the money within the organisation.

In the twelve months to 30 June 2007, Habitat for Humanity has helped approximately 41,000 families around the world provide better homes for themselves. Families also gain skills in the building trades and receive financial training, making them a valuable asset to their community and as volunteers for Habitat. Every 12 minutes a family somewhere in the world has a new home thanks to the support of Habitat, their own hard work, volunteers and donations.

You can help by volunteering your time, making a donation – either financial or building materials, or maybe even head overseas for one of the global projects. For more information on the work done, how you can help, or how you can be considered for one of the projects, visit Habitat for Humanity.

Cancer Council bequests

With 24,000 Victorians diagnosed each year with cancer, find out how your Will can make a difference in finding the answer to cancer.

Every 22 minutes, a Victorian hears the words ‘you have cancer.’

But thanks to organisations like The Cancer Council Victoria, 61 per cent of Victorians now survive cancer. The Cancer Council has made rapid progress throughout our 70-year history, but with almost 10,000 Victorians still losing their lives to cancer every year, there is a long way to go.

Your Will is an opportunity for you to join us in leading the fight against cancer. As our largest source of charitable income, bequests (gifts in Wills) are vital to the work of the Cancer Council. By making a bequest to the Cancer Council, you can make a tangible difference in the lives of people facing cancer in your community.

By leaving a bequest, you will play a vital role helping to fund long-term cancer research, important cancer education programs and support services for people facing cancer. Bequests allow us to plan and commence long-term projects with the knowledge that these initiatives will receive continued financial support.

Many people find having an up-to-date Will gives them peace of mind. It allows you to maintain control of your affairs and leaves no uncertainty about what will happen with your estate. When you make or amend your Will, after considering your family and friends, please consider leaving a bequest to the Cancer Council.

All bequests have the potential to save lives. One such bequest, which helped find a groundbreaking cancer treatment from which more than 6 million people have benefited, is profiled in our complimentary Wills Guide and DVD/VHS.

To find out more about our work and about the role of bequests in fighting cancer, please contact us to receive your complimentary copy of our Wills Guide and DVD/VHS.

Phone Glenis Capps on03 9635 5604
Email:
www.cancervic.org.au/bequests

Education’s the key

One of the most effective ways of breaking the cycle of disadvantage is by providing a child access to education.

The Smith Family have launched their mid-year appeal to help disadvantaged children reach their potential through education. Founded in 1922 by five individuals who saw the need to help people in the community, and now employs 500 paid staff and 7,000 volunteers who give their time freely.

According to a survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2005-06, one-in-seven children in Australia under the age of 18 lives in family where no resident parent is employed. In this supposed boom time for the Australian economy, that is a fact to understand for many.

The Smith Family aims to help children achieve their dreams of becoming vets, doctors, or astronauts by providing education programs such as:
• Student-to-student peer-reading program, matching younger children with low literacy levels with and an older child who can read to them on a regular basis.
• Learning clubs for help with homework and assistance
• Financial scholarships to help with basic costs of education.

Help a child reach their goal by donating online today.

Anyone for tea?

There’s nothing better than getting together with friends for a chat over a cup of tea and now you can help raise money while you’re doing so.

Thursday 22 May is the official date of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, but you can host your own morning tea anytime, to raise money for cancer research, education and support services. The goal is to raise $800,000 by inviting friends over for tea, taking part in public tea mornings, or making a donation to The Cancer Council.

The Cancer Council has raised over $40million since its first Biggest Morning tea event in 1994. This money enables funding of over 200 research programs each year, education of preventative measures such as SunSmart and Quit and support services for patients and families, such as the Cancer Council helpline.

You can hold your morning tea at work, school, home, or in your community. They can be small or large, every penny helps, but most of all they should bring people together and raise awareness of the work done by The Cancer Council.

So get the kettle on and find out how to register your event, find a public event or make a donation by visiting www.biggestmorningtea.com.au

All in the genes

As parents, we pass on our genes, good and bad, to our children. For 50 years the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) has dedicated its research to eradicating genetic disease in children.

At a public meeting at Sydney Town Hall in June 1958, paediatrician Sir Lorimer Dods motivated the crown to vote to establish the Children’s Medical Research Foundation CMRF), as it was known until it’s change to CMRI in 1992. As television emerged, CMRF hosted one of the first national telethons, with the first cash donation coming from three 13 year-old schoolboys, who turned up at ATN 7 studios to give 5 shillings of their pocket money.

With medical researchers of the past saving us from diptheria, tetanus and polio, the research carried out over the last 50 years by CMRI is indeed something to be thankful for. It pioneering work in respiratory distress of newborn and premature babies has dramitically improved the survival rate of newborn babies. Since the change of emphasis in the 1980’s to cellular research, researchers at CMRI have discovered the composition of an enzyme which most cancers rely on to grow. It’s work in fighting cancer continues with the development of anti-cancer treatments and diagnostic tools.

Australian mothers and babies continue to benefit from the CMRI’s pioneering work into foetal alcohol syndrome in the early 1980s. CMRI scientists lobbied the government on the dangers of drinking when pregnant and also worked to improve drug and alcohol support programs for pregnant women.

CMRI is now one of the world’s leading research facilities, dedicated to understanding children’s diseases. This not-for-profit organisation is funded by competitive grants and Jeans for Genes day, and is an Australian organisation worthy of your support.

See how they run

Back in February, we told you about the firemen of the M.F.B. who were off to participate in the Great ANZAC Run. Follow their progress.

Everybody loves a fireman and no more so than when they’re running across a continent for a good cause! One of the most commendable traits Australians have is their patriotism and most see it as their duty to take time out of their busy lives to pay tribute to those who have fought to make life better for future generations.

The brave firefighters of Melbourne Fire Brigade are no different. Not only do they risk their own lives every day to save other peoples, they also do a tremendous amount of fund raising and support for the local community and beyond. This year, the M.F.B. Running Club will participate in The Great ANZAC Run from Gallipoli to London. Commencing the day after ANZAC Day, the runners will follow a route that will include Greece, Turkey, Italy, France and Belgium and will visit many of the significant WW1 and WW2 battlefields and Commonwealth War Graves to pay tribute to the young Australians who gave their life so their country could be free.

During their journey, they will take part in events with local firefighters in Turkey and Greece, light a flame on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, meet the Queen in London and run onto the pitch at the start of the FA Cup!

Physically, this is a huge feat, and it won’t be easy emotionally either. Many charities, including The Alfred Hospital Burns Unit and The Catherine Freeman Foundation will benefit from the money raised by M.F.B. taking on this mammoth task.

We’ll be keeping you up to date with their progress but in the meantime, if you would like to learn more about their route, or make a donation, click here

Happy 80th birthday!

Still flying high at 80, on 17 May 2008 the Royal Flying Doctor Service celebrates eight decades of saving lives.

With Australia being the land mass it is and many areas being remote from community health services, the RFDS plays a vital role in keeping Australians alive. Founded by The Very Reverend John Flynn, a missionary in SA, who became close to the people of the outback in that area. Aware of the distances that separated people from medical assistance, he began establishing bush hospitals, which although vital, only scratched the surface of the problem.

News of his work spread, along with tales told to highlight the plight of remote Australians. A young doctor with an interest in the new world of aviation, Clifford Peel contacted Flynn and they devised a plan to link remote areas of Australia by plane. Unfortunately Peel was killed at war and never saw the foundations he built become the Flying Doctor service in 1928, after tireless fundraising by Flynn.

Even with advances in medicine and technology, the Royal Flying Doctor Service is relied upon by many as their sole medical resource. To celebrate 80 years serving the nation, the RFDS is holding many fundraising events across Australia from 12 to 18 May 2008. The Victorian Section of the service would like to invite anyone born on 17 May 1928 to join them in their celebrations. If you know any upcoming octogenarians that share this birthday, contact Annette Allison on 03 9521 2633.

For further details on the work of the RFDS, events that are happening in your area or to donate, click here.

Helping others

Got a few hours to spare each week and want to help others less mobile? Volunteer Alliance is looking for Meals on Wheels drivers.

Do you want to get involved with one of the best known forms of volunteering? Marwal Centre in North Balwyn and Ashburton Support Services (Ashburton) are seeking Meals on Wheels drivers for a one and a half hour stint weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Make a real difference to isolated, frail and elderly citizens. For more information call Mira Haldun on 9885 3815, or click here.

In the dark

Leading the way in 2007, Sydney turned off its lights for one hour to highlight the danger of global warming. On 29 March, turn your lights off and join the rest of the world for Earth Hour 2008.

No-one can hide from the fact that our world is changing, and not for the better. Every day we come face to face with the effects global warming has on our planet, changing climate, depletion of natural resources such as oil and the end of species that have lived on earth for thousands of years. Simple day-to-day things like switching off lights when you leave a room, using energy efficient appliances and light bulbs and switching to cleaner sources of energy can reduce annual emissions by 5% each year. Once you’re in the habit, you’ll see how easy it is to make a difference, as well as the positive effect on your energy bills.

The goal of Earth Hour 2008 is to publicise the need for all of us to take care of our planet each and every day, not just for one hour each year. Take advantage of an hour without lights and television to have friends over for a chat, or arrange something within your community to draw everyone together.

For more details on how you can save energy day-to-day, the effect carbon emissions have on our planet, or how you can support Earth Hour 2008, click here.

Weaker sex?

Women may be referred to as the weaker sex but with the assistance of the International Women’s Development Agency, women in some of the poorest countries in the world are showing just what they’re made of.

This gorgeous photo was taken by Suzette Mitchell in Vietnam and highlights the women that the IWDA support in their own communities, within Asia Pacific region, to use their strengths, knowledge and abilities to conceive, implement and manage projects that benefit the whole of their community. Established over 20 years ago, the IWDA is an Australian not-for profit organisation, that works with grassroots organisations to support and advance the wellbeing of women, and their families, by funding projects and directly addressing poverty, oppression and gender issues in developing countries.

Working within the guidelines of cultural beliefs, IWDA support victims of gender-related violence, rape and child abuse by providing counselling and referral services in areas where it is remote or inaccessible. Many developing countries deploy their troops as peace keeping forces and the return from conflict can be difficult for men, many of whom suffer from post traumatic stress, and express this as physical abuse. IWDA helps these men integrate again with their families by counseling and suggesting non-violent ways of dealing with stress and conflict.

For more information of the works currently undertaken by the IWDA, or to donate, click here.

Speedy firemen

Everybody loves a fireman and no more so than when they’re running across a continent for a good cause!

One of the most commendable traits Australians have is their patriotism and most see it as their duty to take time out of their busy lives to pay tribute to those who have fought to make life better for future generations. The brave firefighters of Melbourne Fire Brigade are no different. Not only do they risk their own lives every day to save other peoples, they also do a tremendous amount of fund raising and support for the local community and beyond. This year, the M.F.B. Running Club will participate in The Great ANZAC Run from Gallipoli to London.

Commencing the day after ANZAC Day, the runners will follow a route that will include Greece, Turkey, Italy, France and Belgium and will visit many of the significant WW1 and WW2 battlefields and Commonwealth War Graves to pay tribute to the young Australians who gave their life so their country could be free.

If you would like to learn more about their route, or make a donation, click here.

Gift of life

What’s the best gift you can truly give anyone? How about an organ donation? As of 3rd January 2008, there were 1875 people waiting for a donor organ.

In 2007, 626 people received transplanted organs from just 198 donors, that’s less than 2006. A lack of understanding of what’s involved, as well as families being unaware of whether their loved one would want to donate organs once they’ve died are contributing factors to this low number. 17th-24th February 2008 is Organ Donor Awareness Week, the perfect time to discuss with family and friends what their wishes are in regards to organ donation and to let yours be known also.

Registering as an organ donor is simple, you can do it at any Medicare outlet or by contacting the Australian Organ Donor Register
To find out more information, you can contact Australians Donate or contact one of the organisations in your state detailed below.

NSW: NSW/ACT Organ Donation Service – Ph: 02 9229 4003
ACT: ACT Organ and Tissue Donation Service – Ph: 02 6244 3071
VIC/TAS: Vic/Tas Organ Donation Service
QLD: Queenslanders Donate
SA: South Australian Organ Donation Agency – Ph: 08 8207 7117
NT: LifeNet NT
WA: Donate West

Hear the call

Sometimes the problems of the world seem insurmountable but if we all do a little we can help in a big way.

The Red Cross Calling Appeal launches in Victoria on 18 February 2008, with the remainder of Australia launching on 1 March 2008. Money raised will aid funding for relief projects in Australia and Asia Pacific and help provide care to the frail, sick and elderly, who in many cases have been abandoned by others. You can help achieve the $9 million target for 2008 by donating money or maybe more importantly, time.

The success of these appeals lies with the many volunteers who give up their time willingly to help raise money and age is no barrier. Last May, Bob McDiarmid of Maroondah in Melbourne, who is in his 90’s, was awarded a coveted Honorary Life Membership of the Red Cross for organising a doorknock collection in his area for the last 42 years! Supported by his wife, Gwen, who was awarded a Distinguished Service Award, it is estimated that Bob has helped raise more than a quarter of a million dollars for the Red Cross.

If you’re inspired by Bob and Gwen and can donate some time to be a collector for the Red Cross Calling Appeal this March, call 1800 008 831. Or if you want to make a donation, you can do so at any Coles supermarket, by calling 1800 811 700 or donate online at www.redcross.org.au.

Sponsor a cow

It’s not cheap to feed a cow – one hay-only fed cow costs a minimum of $1200 a year. You can now help struggling dairy farmers through becoming a sponsor.

The money will help farmers feed their hungry stock, with an emphasis on feeding their breeding stock. For your caring gesture, you’ll receive a photo and identification details of the cow; an invitation to visit the farm to meet the farmer and, of course, the cow. It’s important to remember there are people doing it tough right on our doorstep and sponsoring a cow for $100 a month and is a great way to know your help is going directly to those that need it.

Loving James

Living out your days in a nursing home happens to some, but it is an unexpected and tragic situation when the resident is aged just 20. This happened to James Macready-Bryan as a result of a night out to celebrate his birthday.

An unfortunate remark, a blow to the head and acquired brain deficiency was the result of this tragic accident. James is now severely brain-injured and a resident of the Gardenview House facility in Melbourne. His parents have established the Macready-Bryan foundation to raise awareness of the more than 6000 young people living in nursing homes, for want of a more appropriate facility. The foundation has already raised $100,000 and is seeking government assistance to build a home for young people with brain injuries.
Find out more about the foundation here

The best bequest

Australia has one of the lowest number of organ donor registrations in the developed world. If, in the past, you have considered giving the gift of life but haven’t decided or want to join the register, perhaps now is the time.

Australians donate is a fantastic website full of information abut this sometimes tricky subject. The website has links, which enable you to register online and can answer all your questions in regards to giving your consent and how and under what circumstances organs are used. Find out more now

Vision Australia

Imagine not being able to pour milk or make the bed. Around 292,000 Australians are blind or have little vision – from two-year-olds to 95-year-olds. Vision Australia supports people who are fully or partially blind, ensuring that they are able to participate in every part of life.

As the population ages, vision problems, such as Age-related muscular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma are on the increase. Vision Australia supports those who may need to find new, more appropriate work or to adapt the home and re-learn basic skills.

They also offer an extensive Braille library, as well as bursaries to tertiary students so they can buy adaptive technology such as screen reading computer software. Or they can come into the home with technology such as a gadget which tells you when a cup is full, or a CCTV reading device which allows people to read their bills or send letters. To find out more about Vision Australia or to donate, click here

African Children’s Choir

Aged seven through to 11, many of the children in the African Children’s Choir won’t get the chance to see their parents live a long life – they have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine and disease. Their young voices sing out on behalf of Africa’s 12 million AIDS orphans.

In spite of their pain, these children sing for hope – and to entertain. The choir aims to raise awareness of the needs of children in Africa, and to raise funds for the development and support of its relief and development programs.
Once choir members have completed a concert tour, they return to their homelands with the support, care and education necessary for bettering their lives and that of their brothers and sisters. They are Africa’s future. For more information, to donate or to purchase a CD, click here

Light in East Timor

The ATA, International Projects Group (IPG) is a group of skilled volunteers who give their time and expertise to provide solar power to remote health clinics and community buildings in East Timor. Solar power systems have significant advantage in remote communities. They have no running costs and require little maintenance.

In 2007, the IPG is continuing its work in installing and training in East Timor with over a dozen projects currently planned. Initiatives include basic lighting for a whole village, system upgrades for an orphanage and installations in a number of community facilities and health clinics.

“The installation of electric lighting will enable midwives to use the clinics for delivering babies at night. This will help to reduce the infant mortality rate (which is believed to be the second highest in the world). Health department statistics for Liquica district show that in Maubara subdistrict, the infant mortality rate was a high 9.22% last year (ie. almost one in ten babies died!). Having better access to clinics in Liquica, with power available for operating at night, will help to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rates.”
Joaquim Araujo dos Santos, (ID 3832), Logistics Administrator, Department of Health, Liquica Hospital, East Timor.
Rural Lighting – a recognised need
East Timor is one of the poorest countries in the region, with the World Bank estimating that over 40% of the population live below the poverty line. This harsh statistic is highlighted when the sun goes down. In rural areas, people prepare and eat their meals using candles or polluting kerosene lamps, the less fortunate simply have the dark.

The ATA believes that the provision of sustainable technologies such as solar powered lighting and micro hydro for electricity can lead to significant development benefits. For example, lighting is a primary determinant of quality of life, and providing lighting at night can assist the operation of medical clinics, especially night clinics, improving operating conditions. A single bulb can allow children to study thereby improving their educational status.

Your support can make a difference
The ATA consistently receives more requests for assistance than it can afford to fund. That’s where they need you to help sponsor a project. For 2007, the ATA is planning over a dozen projects, including lighting and power for hospitals, health clinics and community centers using solar, wind and hydro power. Many of these projects are unfunded, the following gives you an idea of what your donation can achieve:

$100 Basic lighting for a household through the Village Lighting Scheme
$1000 Basic solar power for a community building
$2000 Complete lighting for a health clinic
$4000 Complete lighting for a health clinic and sufficient power to run a vaccine fridge and other medical equipment
$10,000 Complete basic lighting for a village through the Village Lighting Scheme

Click here for a PDF to pledge your donation now

International Projects Group
The ‘International Projects Group’ of the Alternative Technology Association (ATA/IPG) consists of volunteer students and professionals formed with the aim to “alleviate poverty and empower communities through access to appropriate technologies including solar powered lighting”. In partnership with communities, the group trains locals in the installation, use and upkeep of Renewable Energy (RE) systems.

The group has completed the installation of over 40 solar lighting, refrigeration and power systems in remote areas of East Timor. The systems have been installed in health clinics and other community and public buildings where no regular power supplies were available. Technical skills and industry contacts ensure the best systems are developed for each location with special attention paid to developing low maintenance systems. The installation teams include electrical engineers, certified installers and Australian and local volunteers.

The ATA has been operating for 25 years and is a registered charity. An information sheet on the ATA and the International Project group is attached. For more information on the group including a report on last years activities and an article from ReNew magazine, visit the website by clicking here

Earth from above

Frenchman Yann Arthus-Bertrand aims to photograph, ‘from above’, the state of the planet at the start of the twenty-first century. Many lucky Victorians were able to see his stunning exhibition in late 2006, but more sponsorship is needed if photography-lovers from other states are to have the same opportunity.

The photographs explore the fragility and beauty of our planet, aiming to deepen understanding of our impact on the environment and to act as a record of where things are, thus allowing for future monitoring by scientists and other photographers.

The first ‘Earth from above’ exhibition opened in Paris in 2000; it has since been seen by more than 50 million people in 40 countries. If you or your organisation is interested in helping out with funds or ‘in-kind’ sponsorship, your generosity will be going towards a wondrous project, which enriches both our lives and our appreciation of the landscape from which we are inseparable. Find out more

Adopt a senior pet

Thinking about getting a pet but concerned they might be too much to handle? The RSPCA have launched a ‘Four legged seniors’ programme, encouraging people to recognise the values – and savings – of having an older pet.

Many people don’t have the time or inclination to train a lively puppy or kitten. An older pet doesn’t make the same demands and can now also be a cheaper option. The current price for an adult cat is $85, but a senior cat (over 7 years) can now be taken home for $55. A senior dog is $125, as against $180. And for those living in Melbourne, the RSPCA is offering 25% off the price of clinical services for the life of the animal.

A senior pet is usually house trained, more socialised and easier to handle than younger animals. Not only are they great company, a senior pet is often so very grateful to have a home, they are more than willing to adapt to your house rules! For more information on finding a new faithful friend, click here

The gift of giving

It’s coming up to that very important time of year – when the Red Cross come knocking on your door to ask for your help, so that they can give communities across Australia and the world a new chance in life.

The Red Shield Appeal aims to ease the suffering of those in drought-ridden areas and they’re calling on all of us to do our bit. It’s easy to take the basic comforts of everyday life for granted and although we may think we will never need assistance from a service like the Red Cross, hard times can come to anyone – ourselves or those we care for.

Giving others the chance to spend their energy on improving their lives instead of just basic survival is a fantastic gift in society which prides itself on its standard of living and a fair go. To find out about the great work the Red Cross do everyday or to donate online, click here now

Creativity at work

For those suffering a mental illness, dealing with associated issues such as social isolation can be just as difficult as the illness itself. ‘Mi glass creations’ has found a great way to get people recovering from mental illness back into work.

‘Mi glass creations’ offers an integrated workshop environment in which all employees work along-side each other in an equal capacity for award wages. They make glass products such as platters, desk trays, coasters and other products out of glass, which can be personalised with a corporate logo for a gift.
Many people with a mental illness can and want to work but their opportunities are limited. Mi glass creations, run by the mental health fellowship, is a fantastic initiative, giving people the chance to get back into employment. For more information, click here

How you can help

If you are looking into becoming a volunteer, the St Vincent De Paul Society, or St Vinnies as everyone knows them, has a new web page from which you can access details on how to get involved.

St Vinnies members and volunteers work hard to assist people in need and combat social injustice across Australia. Home visitation has been an important aspect of St Vinnies’ work for the past 130 years, whereby people are visited in their homes in order to provide support, friendship and material assistance. Your local St Vinnies shop is not only the source of affordable goods for the public, but also provides those most disadvantaged or living in poverty with much-needed clothing and household goods. For more information about becoming a volunteer, click here

Training grants

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are being encouraged to apply for funding to train aged care sector nurses in medication management, allowing more qualified Registered Nurses to focus on managing the clinical care of residents.

More than 3,150 enrolled nurses working in residential aged care have already been offered places in the training progamme. The funding is available to all RTOs, including TAFEs, universities and private organisations that are authorised by their state or territory nursing regulatory authority to provide training in this area. Interested aged care providers should contact their approved local RTO as soon as possible and advise how many Enrolled Nurses require the training. For more information click here

Enjoy your grub?

Chef Steve Sunk and Aboriginal students throughout the Northern Territory have worked together to create a new Australian cuisine which combines thousands of years of accumulated knowledge about native plants and animals with the Western cooking.

Fancy a bit of char-grilled crocodile tail? Think you might just enjoy bush turkey casserole? Walkabout Chefs is a book with over 40 recipes such as these, which also contains alternative ingredients should you not have wallaby or turtle handy at home. But it’s great to learn about and experience some of the native wisdom through the book’s descriptions of how Aboriginals survived so well before European settlement. And it’s a trip into many, varied regions of our fine brown land exploring our rich indigenous culture through the one thing we all need and love – food. Find out more

Liquid gold

This month, James Harrison made his 900th donation of ‘liquid gold’. For over 51 years, James has given plasma, a key component of blood, to help others in need, which means he is helped save thousands of lives.

James is the world record holder for blood donation, but you don’t need to make as many donations as he to make a difference in people’s lives; every single donation helps. One in three people will need a blood transfusion at some time in their life and demand for blood is expected to increase more than 100 per cent in the next decade.

And if you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than this generous 70-year-old, who still makes regular appointments (25 a year!) and sets off from the NSW central coast on a 166km journey to Sydney’s CBD to make his donation. Now that’s commitment. To become a blood donor, click here

Maureen’s reminder

Maureen reminds us of a way to help the disabled: save your ringtabs from drink cans.

I was wondering if your readers were aware that they could help provide wheelchairs for disabled people by saving their ringtabs from drink cans. I learnt this when I met a carer of disabled persons and have set up a container at work for the collection of ringtabs. Apparently, the tabs are recycled into wheelchair parts.

If anyone knows where to deposit them after they’ve been collected, please let us know at

Heroes to a Nation

There is one thing you can do to help the current bushfire crisis: recognise the courage and generosity of our volunteer firefighters with a donation.

Though these heroes give so much without expectation of remuneration, they deserve our financial support. In the current crisis, volunteers are being mentally and physically stretched to the limit. So stretch yourself and open your wallet to assist these marvellous men and women do what they so bravely do. You just might need them one day. Visit your state or local country fire authorities website.
Go there

Saving Waste

Those born in a thriftier era will be used to the concept of re-using waste. Our grandparents darned socks, patched elbows and renovated old coats into new jackets. Later generations tend to throw it all away. So this issue we suggest you have a rethink about items lying unused in your cupboards – and if you don’t want to re-use them, then recycle them using the fabulous Planet Ark “recycling near you” websearch facility find out more

Don’t dump it, recycle it! This is the Planet Ark and Sensis ‘Recycling Near You’ website. You can search for local recycling information either by Council AREA or PRODUCT. Go to the Recycling near you website and enter your postcode, suburb or council name in one of the forms below to find where you can recycle in your local area. Most local councils and shires list really helpful and comprehensive tips on how to be a very good citizen!

Who is Jackgreen?

Jackgreen is a 100% Australian owned renewable energy retailer, endorsed by Planet Ark, which offers consumers a way to reduce their impact on the environment by off-setting greenhouse gas emissions from their household energy use. The good news is that this does not cost more!

How does this work?

Jackgreen guarantees that for every kilowatt hour of energy used by their customers, an off-setting kilowatt hour of renewable energy is generated from sources such as low-impact hydro and wind. This guarantee is independently audited annually to ensure a sufficient quantity of renewable energy has been generated on behalf of our customers.

The company passes on the benefits of their low-cost operations to their customers, allowing them to offer renewable energy products *at the same price as government-determined default energy tariffs.

The offer is:

100% renewable energy
No Contract
GreenPower Government accredited
No extra Cost*

As well as seeing themselves as experts in retailing renewable energy, their bigger ambition is to educate the community and drive incremental change for the next generation.

Why not try it, you have nothing to lose and the environment has everything to gain!

Go there or phone 1300 46 5225

Jackgreen is 100% Australian owned company, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and is licensed by the New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian Governments to retail energy (QLD license pending).

Charity Begins At Home

Perhaps you have a cause of your own, or one close to your family or friends, which deserves recognition and support. The Philanthropy Australia website has general information on how to start your own non-for-profit or charitable organisation.

The website stresses the importance of gaining legal advice and, with over 230,000 organisations competing for funds, it would be wise to ascertain whether your charity is perhaps a bit too similar to others. Nevertheless, the Philanthropy Australia site has some good information for beginner philanthropists as well as links which offer further information.
Go there

Great Grannies

In Africa, fourteen million children have been orphaned by AIDS and are now being raised by their grandparents. In 2002, a group of twelve women from Wakefield, USA, heard their stories and decided to help. Today there are 30 Wakefield Grannies groups across Canada and the US.

The Wakefield Grannies help to provide financial assistance to the African grandmothers, or ‘GoGos' as the South Africans call them. Their ‘grandmother to grandmother' campaign throws fundraising events such as concerts, play-readings and quilt sales. But it's not all about money. Each woman has an individual grannie to whom she writes letters, and the recipients have expressed how much it means to them to know that there is someone across the oceans who cares.

The spontaneous generosity of the Wakefield Grannies is an inspiration to us all. To find out more or get involved.
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Attitude Determines Altitude

Despite contracting Polio at age one, Suzi Duncan has lived the fullest of lives. After getting her pilot's licence, she started ‘Wheelies with wings', a program that offers flight training for the disabled, to enable them to have the exhilarating experience of flight. Its motto is ‘Attitude determines altitude'.

‘Wheelies with wings' also offers a scholarship program and is looking for people to apply. The scholarship covers accommodation, meals, ground and flight training and reasonable travel expenses.
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Kids Quality Of Life

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, he or she misses out on so much. Simple pleasures such as family outings are not possible. Through Camp Quality, Gry Thompson is raising funds to provide about 100 children living with the disease with the chance to visit Dreamworld and Sea World in Queensland, along with their carers. A worthier charity would be hard to find.

For these kids, a five-day holiday is a dream come true. Funds are needed for airfares, coach transfers, accommodation, entry fees and meals, amongst other expenses. A quick whip around friends or family could help to make a real difference to these sick kids. Camp Quality never relies on door-to-door or telemarketing to fundraise, so if you donate you won't go on a list and get called evey night at dinner time.

To donate, send a cheque to Fiona Setchell, Area Manager, Camp Quality Ltd, 41 O'Connell Street, North Melbourne, Vic 3051, call (03) 9329 6566.
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It Was A Wild Life

With the sudden and shocking death of conservation-crazy Steve Irwin, we felt it important to pay tribute to his passion – animals. There are still many endangered species in our country and one group, Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), are working as tirelessly as Mr Irwin to keep the importance of these precious creatures in our consciousness and to keep them safe from harm's way.

AWC are a registered charity and as such, any donation you make is tax deductible. They rely on the support of individuals and organisations – 90 per cent of their funding goes towards conservation and 10 per cent towards fundraising and administration, so you can be sure your money isn't going down some bureaucrat drain. It will be put towards practical, hands-on projects such as land acquisition, feral animal control, weed eradication, fire management and the translocation of endangered species.

To find out more about AWC and discover the various ways you can support them other than through donations visit their website.
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Anika’s Foundation

In 2004 seventeen year old student, Anika, decided to end her life. Her shocked and saddened family and friends spent time trying to understand her decision – Now they've also created a foundation to make sure other children in need can get help before the worst happens.

Although a high achieving and creative student, Anika suffered from depression. Her family has created the Anika Foundation to create an income stream to find our more about this crippling, and potentially fatal, mental illness. Objectives of the foundation include:

To put together a unique group of people well placed to raise and professionally invest in order to generate a permanent income stream to fund research prizes in the area of Adolescent Depression and Suicide. This will include:

Medical Research
Social Research
Educational Research

To raise awareness about the problems of youth depression and suicide in the course of fund raising activities and functions organized by the Foundation.

A limited number of clinical psychologists in the public system.
Lack of facilities and long waits for specialised care.
Lack of communication across social sectors (healthcare, family, schools, etc) including issues of following up those hospitalised for self harm and/or displaying other symptoms.
A lack of community based 'youth-friendly' alternatives for young people at risk of suicide.
A failure by care givers to recognise the early symptoms of depression; or equivalently, to treat them as 'normal conditions of adolescence'.

To involve family and friends and interested members of the community in the activities of the Foundation.

Visit the Anika foundation now to learn more about this special project, or to make a donation.
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Beyond Blue Balloon World Record

Champion balloonist Ruth Wilson has felt driven to raise awareness about male depression since her brother took his own life four years ago. In August she will attempt a world record distance flight, which she hopes will raise funds for the soon-to-be-introduced beyondblue info line.

Ruth's brother joined the army at just 17 years of age and had struggled with depression since returning from the Vietnam war. At 55, the father of five made a decision to end his life. Ruth feels a deep empathy with the many men who are reluctant to seek help and believes in the value of the beyondblue info line, a national service set up to assist men with their anxiety.

With a particular focus on men in rural areas, the phone line will provide professional help that could stop troubled souls from taking the final step. The beyondblue helpline will be available form July on 1300 22 4636.

In 1979 Ruth won the inaugural Australian Ballooning Championships. Over the ensuing years she has taken on the Swiss and Austrian Alps, and flown in numerous other countries.

For more information on Ruth and her adventures, click here

For more information on beyond blue, click here

Helping the Orphans of Chiang Mai

Opened in 1966, thanks to the generosity of a local woman who bequeathed her home and land for the purpose of creating a foundation for children in desperate situations, Ban Kingkaew Orphanage in Chiang Mai is home to up to 60 babies and children at any one time.

All either abandoned, removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect, or because they are the children of parents serving long jail terms, they are cared for by a dedicated band of Thai nannies, nurses, teachers and Buddhist nuns. The children are raised in a peaceful and loving environment, no doubt benefiting from the stability, routine and spiritual guidance offered.

When the children reach six years of age they are transferred to a larger, state-run facility that is home to more than 200 children and teenagers. Understandably it is traumatic for the children to leave the familiar, loving environment of Ban Kingkaew. A group of Australian volunteers are currently raising funds to help build an extension to the orphanage so that the children will be able to remain there until they are independent.

Currently, Ban Kingkaew orphanage is not accepting foreign volunteers. To find out more about volunteering abroad, click here

For donations to the orphans of Chiang Mai:
ANZ Bank BSB 012 140
Account number 5208 91409, attention Ban King Kaew

A New Best Friend

Cordelia's Canine rescue in Sydney saves dogs from death row and sets them up in happy homes. If you've got some time on your hands and would enjoy the comfort and fun of a new best friend by your side, consider adopting a pet.

Some dogs don't enjoy being left alone for the majority of the day whilst their owner is at work. Older dogs or dogs with special needs can find it difficult to get comfortable with a clan of kids. Some breeds are too delicate of nature to be around boisterous families and would much prefer a comfy lap to snuggle up on.

If your lap is loving, if your home would benefit from the security of a pet, or if you just love animals and want one in your life, click here.

A Child’s Life?

Child Wise has achieved a lot in the twelve years it has been established in Australia. Founder, Bernadette McMenamin, worked for ECPAT International in Bangkok to help establish a global campaign against child prostitution. With few resources they lobbied successfully for extraterritorial (child sex tourism) laws in 43 countries.

Child Wise conducts training in countries such as Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia in areas where child sex tourism has been known to occur. The workshops are attended by staff from local tourism industries such as taxi drivers hotel receptionists, tour guides, concierge, housekeeping, karaoke and internet shop staff. Training manuals in the local language support the workshops and equip tourism staff to identify and report suspicious behaviour by tourists. In preventing child prostitution Child Wise does not just turn around the life of the child – the impact on families, now reunited, who never again expected to see an eight or ten or twelve year old taken from their village cannot be measured.

Child Wise's Choose With Care program is an innovative prevention program which aims to minimise the risk of child abuse occurring within organisations working with children.

Child Wise cannot continue to change the way children can be protected by society with support. If you wish to help make a difference to the lives of children, and also allow them to have a happy childhood free of sexual abuse, exploitation and fear, visit CHILD WISE now and click the make a donation button.

Mates’ Mates

The loss of a much loved animal can seem as heartbreaking as our first love. The thousands of dogs, horses, camels, mules, donkeys and pigeons that served beside their mates in the Australian Defense Force are to be honoured with a war memorial in Canberra.

The RSPCA is calling for donations to create the RSPCA Australia Memorial to Animals in War, which will be permanently placed in the surrounds of the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial.

Animals have played an important role in times of conflict, working in transport, tracking and communications, as beasts of burden, and living alongside troops as cherished companions and mascots.

The centrepiece of the memorial will be a torn fragment of a bronze horse's head taken from the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial, erected in Port Said, Egypt, and destroyed in a riot during the Suez Crisis in 1956.

These animals are a part of our military history. By commemorating the enormous contribution they made, the RSPCA hopes to encourage greater respect for and better treatment of the animals who share our lives today.
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Phone (02) 6282 8300

Breaking the Cycle

We all know the importance of education. You can sponsor a student through the Smith Family's educational program, Learning for Life, which aims to break the cycle of educational disadvantage many children experience through sickness or tragedy.

For less than a dollar a day, the scholarship contributes to the cost of educational “extras” such as books, uniforms and school shoes. As students progress through their education the amount of money awarded to them increases in order to meet their growing financial needs.

The Smith family makes sure that Learning for Life scholarship recipients have regular contact with a support worker who provides personal support for students and their families.

Read about the Learning for Life's many success stories at www.smithfamily.com.au

Grand Vision

250 million people worldwide are blind or vision impaired simply because they don't have a pair of glasses. To combat this problem, the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) has just developed a program called 'Grandparents with a Grand Vision'.

The campaign invites Australian grandparents to make a donation on behalf of each grandchild. Funds raised will help support the critical eyecare work ICEE is performing in countries in desperate need.

ICEE hopes that this is initiative is another way grandparents can involve themselves in young lives of those special grandchildren. ICEE was on the ground in Sri Lanka after the Boxing Day Tsunami. One volunteer, field optometrist Nina Tahhan, has just returned. "ICEE has teams working to restore sight to thousands whose lives were devastated by the tsunami. Many quite literally had their glasses washed away while many more simply have never had access to an eye examination prior to the ICEE teams arriving.

"Over the two weeks we are in country, we see close to 200 people a day. Unfortunately, we are having to turn away hundreds of people. The need is just so great as there are simply little or no eye care services in place," she said.

"My first patient was a lovely woman named Ginanamma. She was a 70 year old grandmother who said she hadn't seen very well since she was about 20 years old - in fact she had never had an eye test - by the end of the consultation, she literally knelt on the floor and kissed my feet!

"There are so many more stories like this and I am lost for words as to how I am feeling but this is easily the best thing I have ever done in my life. A pair of glasses can cost as little as $5 but when it restores sight to a child who cannot see, its worth is beyond measure."

ICEE is an Australian based not-for-profit development organisation. To make a tax deductible donation contact the International Centre for Eyecare Education on 1300 66 42 33. Supporters will receive a certificate of thanks acknowledging the grandchildren and know the joy of giving sight to those in need.
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