2009 homeless sleepout

Photo: Thirroul SCCC

This Friday the 7th of August will be a cold and uncomfortable night for fund raising participants sleeping outside to raise awareness about the Illawarra’s homeless community.

The event has been organised by the South Coast City Church (SCCC) to also raise money for local services helping the more than 1500 disadvantaged members of our community.

Participants will spend from 6.30 pm Friday to 7.30 am Saturday under the David Jones bridge link in the Crown Street Mall.

Senior Pastor of SCCC, Peter Starr, says people are simply looking for a way to help.

To register and for more information visit the SCCC website.

Tuesday 11th August 2009, Crossfire caught up with Peter Starr to find out how the Friday night event and how much money was raised. Listen in below.

A homeless reality

Whether the nation is experiencing an economic crisis or an economic boom, thousands of Australians experience hardship.

Homelessness is not a distant or rare issue and it affects families, adults and youth in our community.

A homeless reality will introduce you to a few people close to this national problem.

In December 2008 Kevin Rudd told the nation that homelessness in a country like Australia was simply unacceptable.

Narelle Clay, CEO of Southern Youth and Family Services and National Youth Commissioner, believes the federal governments’ white paper, The Road Home, is a step towards reducing homelessness.

“Public awareness is key to reducing homeless, along with more services and low cost accommodation.”

More than a third of Australia’s homeless are under the age of 25, that is at least 36 000 people. Double the number 20 years ago. Half will be turned away from emergency housing because services are full.

“There remain significant barriers to reducing homelessness because of the lack of adequate, affordable and secure housing and the lack of access to adequately paid, secure, full time employment for young people,” Ms Clay said.

Photo: Jacqueline Wales

The National Youth Commission’s reported in the Australia’s homeless youth project summary that over $1 billion in funding is needed over the next ten years to address the problem.

“Failure to act will diminish the integrity of Australia’s national core value of ‘a fair go’ for all. We are at a moment in time which will either be seen in retrospect as a watershed for change, or an opportunity lost forever,” reports the NYC.

Already thousands of people, including youth, in the Illawarra receive assistance from SYFS and the number of those in need of help is certain to rise with the economic crisis.

Budget response

After the budget was announced it seemed that the Illawarra had been short changed but the University was successful yet again. Locals were left wondering why high profile public concerns such as the Picton Rd, Princes Hwy and Maldon-Dombarton rail link were largely ignored. Federal member for Cunningham, Sharon Bird, spent this week in defending the decisions. Here’s what she had to say about some of the decisions in the Illawarra.

Judy Raper, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Wollongong, spoke on why the University is so successful in attracting funds over other projects. She said the application process has been largely misrepresented, and that not enough has been done to make the community aware of the monumental work planned for the centre and the benefits it can bring to the region.

There were budget decisions other then infrastructure plans that will affect the Illawarra community. Federal member for Gilmore, Jo Gash, is concerned not only about the lack of infrastructure funding, but also some of the announcements that were generally received well. Listen in to what she had to say on the promise of broadband and how much of her electorate will miss out.

Ms Gash also spoke of concerns voiced by older residents who are worried they will be worse off with the pension increase.

Jo Gash is primarily concerned about the lack of funding for the Princes Hwy. She lays the blame on our state MP’s saying that she was of the impression that Matt Brown, the State Member for Kiama, would apply for federal funding to upgrade the Berri by-pass. This past week, it has become apparent that an application was not even drafted.

There has been a lot of anger directed at the state government about a shortfall of funding in NSW.

David Campbell, the Minister for the Illawarra and Transport,  spoke to Crossfire about the criticism.

For more information on the budget visit the federal governments 2009-10 Commonwealth budget website.

Illawarra homeless still an issue

Photo: Jacqueline Wales

Narelle Clay, CEO of Southern Youth and Family Services, spoke to Crossfire in December 2008 after Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced The Road Home, an initiative to decrease the nations homeless population by the year 2020.

More than 100 000 Australians sleep without secure housing.

Narelle Clay joined Crossfire to discuss the on-going problems and whether the economic down turn has meant more people are asking for help.

For more information on where to find assistance visit the Southern Youth and Family Services website.

What’s in your Headspace?

Headspace is an Australian National Youth Mental Health Foundation focused on providing physical and mental health advice and care to people between the ages of 12 and 25.  The foundation has launched a television ad campaign to raise its profile and has a strong presence online where its target audience tend to go first for help. Kellie Marshall, Deputy CEO of the Illawarra Division of General Practice spoke to crossfire about what services Headspace clinics provide.

For more information check out the Headspace website.
If you would like to talk to someone at Headspace Illawarra call: 02 4225 1184

Headspace Illawarra full details

Address: 1A Denison Street Wollongong NSW 2500
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Contact Details: Phone: 02 4225 1184, Fax: 02 4225 0606, Email: headspace@idgp.org.au

Fifteen Pages of fame

JACQUELINE WALES

A quick flick through the pages of Birds reveals the ingenuity of a sub-culture that has been lingering underneath the mainstream world of media for decades.

With photocopied pages and handwritten issue numbers, the mini-magazine provides the opportunity for anyone to have their fifteen pages of fame.

Birds, a mini-zine. Photo: Mary-Helen Daly

Zinesters, as the authors call themselves, are the personal and contemplative members of generation Y. The generation that most believe, has lost itself in the self indulgent life online. Rather, this unique culture thrives on new ideas and originality, and the motivation of a person to put their thoughts where their paper is.

Built around the DIY ethic of an entrepreneur and carried along by the punk rock culture, zines emerged in the 1930’s to serve the minority and cover the topics ignored by mainstream media. These days, the topic content is wide-ranging and almost impossible to categorise. Zines cover everything from comics, dogs and diaries to politics.

“Some people write about their illnesses or their divorces. Some just write about their general day-to-day life.”

There are few hard and fast rules for zines. Traditionally circulation must be below five thousand to truly be a zine, although some have surpassed this point.

Photo: Jacqueline Wales

Dave Roche, 26, is an old substitute teacher from the United States and has moved on from the mini-zine and onto the mini-book. OnSubbing, the first four years is a published version of Dave’s mini-zines and is well-known to zinesters.

many zinesters have taken their diaries out from under the bed and photocopied them onto the pages of a personal zine, also known as the ‘perzine’.

“I laughed, I cried, I nearly pooped my pants…his style is captivating, his imagery amazing,” one of his readers says in a review.

Although zinesters cling to handwritten notes and plain white paper, the digital world has helped forge links between zinsters across the world.

On a trip to Australia, Dave Roche dropped in to visit one of his fellow zinesters, Susy Pow, and delivered a reading of his mini-book in her share-house basement.

The online world has also expanded the circulation of zines. Fans can now easily connect with each other and trade their zines world wide.

Putting one’s opinions or hobbies on paper is personal enough for most, but many zinesters have taken their diaries out from under the bed and photocopied them onto the pages of a personal zine, also known as the ‘perzine’.

“They’re popular because they’re intimate,” says Susy Pow.

“Some people write about their illnesses or their divorces. Some just write about their general day-to-day life.”

The Zine Fair is where it all comes together.

Wollongong zinefair. Photo: Jacqueline Wales

Zinesters of all ages and interests descend on a day filled with chocolate-frosted cupcakes and badge buttons. Hobbyists come together to trade old and new zines, explore ideas and techniques and to share opinions. Workshops on how to save time and money on your bedroom production lines attract a fair crowd. Beneath the lively chatter you can almost hear the itch of each aspiring zinester, eager to get home and apply their newly learned tricks of the trade.

Zines are not only churned out by amateur writers, but also by artists and graphic designers still sketching their way through academic acknowledgment. Some have turned the self-publishing technique into their own personal art galleries.

This is the case with Flaps, an artistic zine designed by two Sydney career artists. Their latest edition is a collection of paintings, sketches and photographs of the Architecture in Smith Field.

Flaps, an artistic zine. Photo: Jacqueline Wales

Curiosity draws people in to explore this sub-culture and zines have everything needed to attract and retain a crowd. Unique content, an unpolished style and personal appeal, makes these crafty mini-zines both attractive and addictive.

Zinesters have escaped the orthodox methods of the mainstream publishing market, and without rules, there are simply no limits when it comes to zines.

Upcoming Zine Fairs:

Sydney Writers’ Festival: Sunday May 24 2009

This is not art: 1-5 October 2009

World’s Greatest Shave… IS THIS WEEKEND!

Colouring or shaving your hair can help raise money for a great cause. Each year the Leukemia Foundation run the World’s Greatest Shave to help raise money to provide care and support for patients and their families affected by the disease. The money will also go towards finding a cure. So join in and colour or shave at many events held around the Illawarra.

– Cooneys Tavern, 234-236 Keira St Wollongong, Thursday 19 March 7:00pm-12:00pm (you must be over 18) Contact: Summah Mckinnon on 0432 536 442

–Bunnings, Lot 205 Gipps Street Wollongong, Saturday 14 March 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM Contact: Tara or Julia on 02 4225 2611

– Westfield Warrawong, Corner King and Cowper Street, Saturday 14 Mar 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Contact: Centre Management on 02 4276 1566

– South Coast Portuguese Association Ltd, 127 Flagstaff Road Warrawong, Saturday 14 March, 5:30 PM Enjoy a three course meal (entrée, dinner and dessert) and feel free to have your hair shaved on the night to support the Leukaemia Foundation. Adults: $30.00 and Kids: $5.00 (then $1.00 for each year of age to 16 years) Contact: Joe Alves on 0412 105 302

– Corrimal Bowling Club , 47 Francis Street Corrimal, Sat 14 March 6:00 PM, Contact: John on 0419 287 108

– Bellambi Bowling Club, Corner Pioneer and Rathery Roads, Sat 14 Mar 5:00 PM Contact: Susan on 02 4285 9444

–ALbion Park RSL, Cnr Tongarra & Hamilton Road, Fri 13 March 7:00 PM, Contact: David De Rosa on 02 4256 1200

–Warilla Bowls & Recreation Club, Jason Ave Barrick Heights, Sunday 15th March, 2:00 PM Contact: Kim on 02 4295 9595

There are so many venues to choose from so go along and give a small donation because every dollar counts.

Meeting called to discuss transportation of nuclear waste

A public meeting was held last Tuesday to discuss the possibility of transporting nuclear waste through the Illawarra region. Representatives from The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO), members of the South Coast Labour Council and local MPs attended the event. I spoke to the Secretary of the South Coast Labour Council, Arthur Rorris about the items raised at the meeting and whether Port Kembla is the definite destination for the nuclear waste.

Clean up Australia day a success for Wollongong

Clean up Australia day beings thousands of Aussies out each year to help pick up the trash cluttering our beaches and park leands. The Illawarra had its own success on Sunday when 1100 people turned out to help clean up more than 30 sites from Helensburgh to Dapto.

 

 Environment Education Coordinator for Wollongong City Council, Mike McKeon, says plastic bottles, glass and cigarette butts make up the majority of the trash collected. 30% of the garbage collected is recyclable. The council is still consolidating and sorting garbage but so far the Illawarra’s collection count is up to 12 tonne.

 

 

Australians have long been conscious of the need for a clean environment, especially in an age where global warming is already showig its effects, but more needs to be done do help reduce waste. Taking simple steps

such as using reusable coffee cups or photocopying double sided can help in reducing the amount of trash filling our landfills.

 

 

In agreement with Mr McKeon, The Clean Up Australia group says cigarette butts and tobacco related products are Australia’s biggest litter issue. Almost 50% of the trash collected from urban areas is cigarette butts.

 

Two United Diver Clean up Australia Day participants emerge from the harbour

 

Waterways are a primary focus of the Clean Up Australia Day, an estimated 7 billion tonnes of rubbish enters the world’s oceans each year, Wollongong harbour was no different. On Sunday the University diving club and United Divers scoured the Harbour floor picking up rubbish.

 

Des Peros of United Divers says everything from plastic to fishing robs can be found under the water. Marine debris is not only a pollution problem is also kills up to 1million sea birds a year along with thousands of other types of marine life.

 

 

The United Divers team on Sunday after cleaning up the Harbour

 

Listen to the report…[Audio http://www.musicwebtown.com/wales/254825%5D

Jobs in the Illawarra lost in hard times

Almost 300 jobs in the Illawarra have been axed with Pacific Brands’ closing down the Bonds factory in Unanderra and King Gee in Bellabmbi. The Bellambi factory is set to close in July while Bonds will stay open until Feruary 2010. Nationwide 1850 people will be made unemployed when the work is moved overseas.
Pacific brands also manufactures Holeproff. Dunlop, Stussy, Mossimo, Berlei and Hard Yakka. This decision is another hit to the region with the loss of 100 jobs from the closure of Keelong detention centre on Friday.