Hard work gets results for Eden Employment Solutions team

Lacey was a mum at 16 and is now bringing up three children, aged 10 to 14, on her own.

It's a familiar story and for the people who find themselves in situations such as this, it can be soul-destroying with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

But thanks to Mission Australia Employment Solutions Site Manager Regi Moulds and Employment Advisor Crystal Hall, Lacey's breaking out of the welfare rut and looking forward to employment as a social worker. It's a huge step, especially for someone who's had to be a full-time mum and never been employed in the workplace.

"I was in my final year at uni when I approached Mission Australia and they've been helping
me get ready to go into a job," the 31-year-old told The Eden Imlay Magnet in southern NSW.

"They helped put together my resume and helped with the cover letter and all the eligibility criteria, posting things out, internet access so I can keep studying, they covered costs such as uni books it's been wonderful."

While the benefits of having a job are obvious, there is something so much more that Lacey is
getting from this important step in her life.

"I was born and bred in Eden and I was 16 when I had my first child," she said. "I always felt
that the community looked at me as though I wasn't contributing and not having a go.

"Doing this uni degree and now getting ready for job here has been so important for my self-esteem. There are still moments when I get anxious," she added, "especially when I go for job interviews, because I've never done it before. So I ring Regi and she'll ask the questions I'll likely get in the interview and pump up and that really helps."

Mission Australia's Employment Solutions Eden office recently won its third Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) five-star rating (the highest given out) in a row. These ratings recognise the speed at which a person finds a job, the number of people placed in jobs and whether they maintained their new positions long-term.

Regi says it's getting tougher with businesses closing their doors, tourism down, major industry threatened and sheer bad luck such as the Pelagic Fish Processors plant fire. However, Regi and Chrystal have been working tirelessly to find work for many unemployed people of all ages and backgrounds in Eden.

"Some people have never had a career, or there are people with drug and alcohol dependency, mental and physical barriers," Regi said, but they've still managed to place around 80 people in the six months to December.

"But it's not just finding them work, she said. “It's a journey to sustainable employment it might be working out what study is needed to achieve employment, or something simple like helping with resumes and paperwork even how to dress for an interview."

Chrystal added that working with potential employees is also an important part of their work, which takes a holistic approach to employment.

"We're not trying to just put someone in a job," she said. "We like to make sure that it's the right person for the right job so both the employer and employee are happy. Then we keep in touch with them afterwards to make sure that it is a happy employment situation."

For people looking for workers, Mission Australia can help with wages assistance, training and even providing a place to conduct interviews.

In 2009-10, Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions assisted 154,676 job seekers across the nation. If you’re looking for work, or staff, find out more at http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/pathways-sustainable-employment-services

Above photo: Regi Moulds and Crystal Hall flank client Lacey.

Story by Justin Law and courtesy of the Eden Imlay Magnet

Enterprising young men lend a hand after Yasi

Here’s a very welcome good news story from Queensland. Seven young Indigenous Employment Program participants from Cairns recently volunteered their time to help elderly locals clean up after Cyclone Yasi, which swept through late last month.

The young men, who are gaining landscaping and construction skills through Djarragun Enterprises, contacted the local RSL offering to clear vegetation and debris from the yards of elderly people in the community.

They subsequently helped residents in Gordonvale and Mission Beach, clearing their properties and bringing their yards back to a condition that would be easier for them to maintain in the future.

In Gordonvale, they helped clear a mini banana plantation from the backyard of a 92-year-old war veteran. The Djarragun Enterprises crew took two days of hard work to clear damaged plants and prepare the area for re-growth. In the process, the team bonded with the home owner and offered to help her on an ongoing basis.

The young men also travelled down to Mission Beach and spent the day offering what assistance they could, free of charge. The day started early for the crew, who left at 6am for the trip and arrived home after 7pm.

“As the emphasis of the program is to equip our participants to operate in mainstream society, it was a valuable opportunity for them to experience the benefits of giving freely of their time and energy to assist others less fortunate,” said Programs Manager Steve Burrowes.

Djarragun Enterprises is an Indigenous Employment Program social enterprise that operates out of Cairns. Funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), this 15-month program provides an industry-based employment pathway for Indigenous graduates from Djarragun College.

Three Mission Australia live-in support staff work closely with participants at their accommodation, helping them to develop social skills and ensure they are self-sufficient and assisted to make the transition into permanent employment.

Mission Australia also provides post-placement and employment support to young people who complete training with Djarragun Enterprises.

Support Christchurch at the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels game

Mission Australia and our new partners, RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels, are teaming up to support Christchurch earthquake victims at AAMI Park this Friday night.

The Super Rugby home match between the Rebels and ACT Brumbies was initially intended to be a fundraiser for Mission Australia’s youth services. However, in light of this week’s terrible disaster in New Zealand, funds will instead be directed to providing earthquake relief.

Fifty cents from every ticket sold will now go towards helping people in need in Christchurch. Rugby supporters are also encouraged to make a donation to the Mission Australia tin-rattlers who will be at AAMI Park collecting money for earthquake victims. You can find them outside the gates before the match and in the food concourse areas at half-time.

Friday night’s fundraising activities will officially launch the partnership between the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels and Mission Australia. Throughout the year the team’s official Mission Australia ambassadors - Gareth Delve, Adam Byrnes, Tom Chamberlain, Luke Jones, Richard Kingi and Ged Robinson - will help raise funds and awareness for local youth services.

If you going to the game on Friday night, please give generously to Mission Australia’s volunteer tin-rattlers and support our cousins in New Zealand in their greatest time of need.

Freak wave at Manly

New Year's Eve 1947 proved to be memorable for hundreds of bathers on Manly Beach. According to the Sydney Morning Herald of 1 January 1948, a freak wave 20 feet high swept right up the beach as far as the Steyne promenade, and as it receded the clothes and towels of all the bathers on the beach were carried out to sea. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Ron Paul Money Bomb Raises Over $700,000 In 24 Hours !

Ron Paul Money Bomb Raises Over $700,000 In 24 Hours !

MA Housing welcomes 500th tenant

Yesterday’s welcome event for residents of MA Housing’s Blacktown development in western Sydney was made extra special when Jennifer Morgan arrived.

Jennifer is the proud tenant of MA Housing’s 500th home – a milestone celebrated at the gathering in Seven Hills that included Nathan Rees, State Member for Toongabbie, and Andrew McAnulty, CEO MA Housing.

Jennifer, who signed her lease in December, said her new home was “the best Christmas present” she’d ever received. She has since settled into the unit with her dog Tazzo, who she saved from the pound 13 years ago.

Before receiving the keys from MA Housing, Ms Morgan was desperate to find safe and affordable accommodation for herself and Tazzo. She has been renting in Sydney’s Lalor Park for seven years when her landlord decided to sell the home and gave her 30 days to vacate the premises.

Due to the severe housing shortage, Ms Morgan was unable to find a suitable – and pet-friendly – place to live and was at serious risk of homelessness.

Eventually, she found basic accommodation at the back of a suburban home, and there she lived without an oven and other important facilities for 18 months.

She was elated when MA Housing called to offer her a brand new pet-friendly unit in Seven Hills. She immediately accepted the home on first inspection.

“Since moving in, I now have enough money left over each week to do a proper grocery shop. The first meal I cooked in my new kitchen was a big traditional oven roast for my mother,” she said.

“I still pinch myself every morning to find I’ve woken up in my new home.”

To celebrate becoming MA Housing’s 500th tenant, Mr Rees and Mr McAnulty presented Ms Morgan with a bunch of flowers, a gift voucher and a photo of herself and Tazzo.

MA Housing – which is part of Mission Australia – has recently taken handover of 35 new homes in the Blacktown Local Government Area, which will provide quality housing for individuals and families.

Located across the Sydney suburbs of Seven Hills, Blacktown, and Lalor Park, they have been built as part of the Australian Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, and will be owned and managed by MA Housing.

Mr McAnulty said that these new developments are making a significant contribution through the creation of more homes for people on low and moderate incomes in Sydney’s west.

“Sydney has a significant affordable housing challenge,” he said. “Thanks to the NSW and Australian governments, these homes – and others being built around the state – are an important step in overcoming the issue.

“Housing NSW should be commended for the design and quality of these new homes. MA Housing’s vision around these homes is to make a long-term and positive difference in the area. By providing good quality homes, more secure homes, more affordable homes we’re helping build stronger communities.”

Central Economic Planning at its Worst

Central Economic Planning at its Worst

“Last week, the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC) presented its results to the Financial Services Committee. As with most other politically-appointed commissions, the results of the FCIC's investigation were easy to predict.  Established by the same congress that gave us national healthcare and with a majority of its members appointed by those who seek to solve every problem with more government intervention, it was no surprise that the commission's findings would favor increased government intervention in the economy. Minority members were not substantively involved in the commission's operations, and the commission attempted to exclude their dissenting views by granting them very limited space to do so…”

Click here to read the full article:  http://bit.ly/fD6xGE

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Media Release: MA's Shell Cove childcare centre achieves highest possible accreditation

Mission Australia’s Shell Cove Early Learning Service (ELS) childcare centre has received a ‘high quality’ accreditation ranking – the highest possible – by the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC).

The accreditation is the national standard that defines the quality of child care.

The centre was tested in 33 principle areas within seven quality categories. They included: staff relationships with children and peers, partnerships with families, programming and evaluation, children’s experiences and learning, protective care and safety, health, nutrition and wellbeing and managing to support quality.

Mission Australia’s Shell Cove ELS achieved ‘high quality’ in every category.

Shell Cove Centre Director Carissa Roberts says: “Mission Australia’s ELS has worked hard to enhance the quality and care provided for children in our Shell Cove long day care centre since taking over from ABC Learning in mid-2009.

“Achieving the ‘high quality’ ranking reflects the work we have put in to ensuring that we are offering not only the best possible care for the children at our centre, but also the best possible environment in which they can develop and learn.
“We are very proud of this achievement.”

Ms Roberts says that, on top of the high quality ranking, there are other exciting developments in store for the centre.

"Over the coming months there will be even more enhancements at our Shell Cove ELS, one of which will be the renovation of our outdoor learning area – made possible by a generous donation from the Abbott Foundation.

“We are currently collecting input from families and the community regarding the renovation before the upgrade takes place over the coming months.

“In addition, after receiving a $400 grant from NSW Health as part of its ‘Munch and Move’ program, we are about to improve and increase our vegetable patch. Expanding our vegetable patch will extend this already popular component of our centre.

“The children just love the hands-on involvement in nurturing and cultivating the produce – which is then used in the daily preparation of the children’s meals.”

Mission Australia’s Shell Cove ELS has an enrolment of 360 children per week and its occupancy rate is 76 per cent. For more information about Mission Australia Early Learning Service, visit: www.missionaustralia.com.au/early-learning-services.

Media contact: Sally Popplestone, mob: 0415 547 626

Media Release: MA Housing hosts 500th home celebration and event for new tenants

Community housing provider, MA Housing, is holding a 500th home celebration and ‘welcome’ event for residents of its new housing developments in the Blacktown area at 12 noon on Monday, 21 February (details below).

MA Housing – part of Mission Australia – has recently taken handover of 35 newly built homes in the Blacktown local government area to provide quality housing for individuals and families.

The homes have been built as part of the Australian government’s nation building economic stimulus plan, and will be owned and managed by MA Housing. The houses are located across the suburbs of Seven Hills, Blacktown, and Lalor Park.

MA Housing’s 500th home was recently tenanted by Jennifer Morgan at the Seven Hills development. Ms Morgan, who signed her lease on 17 December 2010, says her new home was “the best Christmas present” she had ever received.

Ms Morgan had been renting in Sydney’s Lalor Park for seven years when her landlord decided to sell the home and gave her 30 days to vacate the premises.

Due to the severe housing shortage, Ms Morgan was unable to find any suitable places to live and was at serious risk of homelessness. Eventually, she found basic accommodation at the back of a suburban home, and there she lived without an oven and other important facilities for 18 months paying $250 per week.

Ms Morgan was elated when MA Housing called to offer her a brand new pet-friendly unit in Seven Hills. At the inspection she immediately accepted the home without having to give up ‘Tazzo’ – the little dog she had saved from the pound 13 years earlier.

“Since moving in, I now have enough money left over each week to do a proper grocery shop. The first meal I cooked in my new kitchen was a big traditional oven roast for my mother,” said Ms Morgan.

“I still pinch myself every morning to find I’ve woken up in my new home.”

MA Housing’s CEO, Andrew McAnulty, said these new developments are making a significant contribution in creating more homes for people on low and moderate incomes in Sydney’s west.

“Sydney has a significant affordable housing challenge. Thanks to the NSW and Australian governments these homes – and others being built around the state – are an important step in overcoming the issue,” said Mr McAnulty.

“Housing NSW should be commended for the design and quality of these new homes.

“MA Housing’s vision around these homes is to make a long-term and positive difference in the area. By providing good quality homes, more secure homes, more affordable homes we’re helping build stronger communities.”

Details:

• What: MA Housing 500th home celebration and ‘welcome’ for tenants of its new Blacktown developments.
• When: 12 noon to 1:30pm, Monday 21 February 2011
• Where: 33-38 Eighth Avenue, Seven Hills
• Who: Tenants for the new homes including Jennifer Morgan, MA Housing’s 500th tenant; Nathan Rees, State Member for Toongabbie; and Andrew McAnulty, CEO MA Housing.
• Interviews and photographs available with special guests and tenants.
• Media contact: Sally Popplestone 0415 547 626

Ron Paul Texas Straight Talk 2/21/11: Read Mises to Understand Why the Fed Caused the Crisis

Ron Paul's Texas Straight Talk 2/21/11: Read Mises to Understand Why the Fed Caused the Crisis .Read Luwig von Mises' The Theory of Money and Credit to understand the connection between the boom-and-bust business cycle and monetary policy.

Urban Quest NT: Do you have the talent to score a touchdown?

Young Northern Territory singers, rappers, groups and beatboxers who think they have what it takes to impress Mark Holden and Deni Hines should sign up for Urban Quest by 1 March.

By taking part in the Urban Quest competition you’ll not only share your talents with the Territory, but also help Mission Australia to develop accommodation for young Territorians who are homeless.

More than a quarter of the almost 5,000 Territorians who are homeless are aged between 12 and 18.

Mission Australia Operations Manager Brad McIver said Urban Quest will address an emerging problem in Darwin and Palmerston: “The majority of young homeless people are fending for themselves and sleep out in improvised dwellings or shack in with friends, acquaintances and really anywhere they can.

“Urban Quest will help generate funds to support the development of accommodation for them through event participation, public donation and finals concert tickets.”

Entrants also go in the running to win cash, studio recording time, mentoring and iPods. Entry costs $10 per contestant and $5 for each additional contestant.

Heats, which are open to young people aged 10 to 19, will be held on: 9 March at Darwin High School, Sanderson Middle School, Palmerston Library and Katherine High School at 3.30pm.

19 March at The Malak Theatre, Palmerston Library and Browns Mart Theatre at 2pm.
Successful acts form the heats will then join Mark Holden and radio host Amanda Pernechele at the semi- finals, to be held on 29 March at Casuarina Shopping Centre at 3.30pm.

Ten acts will then experience a workshop with Mark ahead of the big finals night at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on 2 April at 7pm. Deni Hines will perform on the night and also join Amanda and Mark in the judges’ box to choose the NT Urban Quest winner.

Registrations close 1 March. For more information or an entry form, call 8935 0900 or download a form here.

Applicants can send their completed forms to PO Box 2498 Palmerston 0831, email them to streeterk@missionaustralia.com.au (and pay entry in person at the heat) or delivered in person to Mission Australia @ Level 1, 6 Frances Drive, Palmerston.

Keep up to date with NT Urban Quest at missionaustralia.com.au or facebook.com/missionaust.

Media Release: Groundbreaking new youth homeless services launched in south-west Sydney

The NSW Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney, will today launch a groundbreaking new Mission Australia service to help young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Sydney’s south-west.

Mission Australia’s Canterbury-Bankstown Youth Accommodation Service (CBYS) will offer tailored and specialised care to around 125 young people each year – including young parents with children – many from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Funded by the Department of Community Services, Mission Australia’s CBYS is designed around the needs of young people – whatever their background, culture, language and stage of homelessness.

Traditionally, homeless services – including those for young people – have offered ‘one size fits all’ support that struggled to address the diverse reasons behind an individual’s homelessness and the length of time they’d spent without a home.

Services have also been one-dimensional – that is, only offering one type of support, eg: early intervention (eg: helping a young person avoid homelessness by addressing family conflict), crisis accommodation or transitional housing.

According to Mission Australia’s Irene Drivilas, CBYS provides a new approach to youth homeless support because it offers continuity of care regardless of a person’s circumstances.

“CBYS offers bespoke care according to what fits the young person best,” said Ms Drivilas.

“Young people will enter and exit CBYS at any point – there is no fixed path.

“While we might work with one person to maintain their existing tenancy and avoid becoming homeless, another may be provided with accommodation for 18 months, while another receives post-crisis support where they have been homeless and now needs help to make sure they don’t finish up there again.

“We’re also not constrained by where a young person lives. Care can be provided in the range of accommodation we offer or, if they’re at risk of homelessness, even in the young person’s home.

“It’s all about flexibility – it’s not about making people fit into a system. Young people can move through the service’s different accommodation and support options as needed.”

The NSW Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney, said the NSW Government was providing $928,000 in annual funding for the service.

“I am very pleased to be able to open this new service for young people,” Ms Burney said.

“Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) services such as these address the fact that homelessness is a complex problem and the people confronting it typically have a range of issues to overcome.”

Mission Australia’s CBYS offers:

• A range of accommodation including: an intensive (24/7) supported crisis shelter for young people (16-21 years); four properties offering transitional housing for young people beginning the path towards independent living; and 10 properties offering affordable housing for young people needing long-term semi-independent housing (two of which are designated for young women who are pregnant and/or parenting).
• A youth outreach support program including a designated Adolescent and Family Early Intervention Counsellor. The outreach program will focus on homelessness prevention among 16-25 year olds by providing advice and case management.
• An Education Support Worker to work closely with case managers to link young people to education, training and employment opportunities.

“Canterbury-Bankstown is an incredibly diverse area – culturally, linguistically and economically. Close to 36 per cent of people in Bankstown and 47 per cent in Canterbury were born overseas,” said Ms Drivilas.

“Disadvantage is also common. Canterbury and Bankstown LGAs are the third and fourth most disadvantaged areas within Sydney; youth unemployment is close to 30 per cent; and the median weekly family income in both LGAs is lower than the national average.

“There’s also a shortage of affordable one or two bedroom apartments with increasing numbers of young people, particularly those from non-English speaking backgrounds, drifting into homelessness.

“Given these factors – and the reality that there’s no one single cause of youth homelessness and young people will have a range of reasons for seeking our help – we needed to provide a service that was able to cope with that diversity and not just meet the needs of one group.

“We’re particularly proud of the fact that we’re able to help young parents – singles and couples – and their children.

“Families are one of the groups most frequently turned away from homeless services because of a lack of appropriate accommodation and traditionally these clients would not be able to access a youth service. In a couple’s case the parents would have been split up – mum and child in one service, father in another. At CBYS we have the accommodation mix to keep the young family unit together.

“This is a unique service for south western Sydney and one of the first programs of its type in the country. It represents a new way of addressing the serious issue of youth homelessness and we’re very optimistic it will be a success,” said Ms Drivilas.

Media contact: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080 or 0409 665 495

FOX Forced To Apologize On Air Over Ron Paul CPAC Video Deception !

FOX Forced To Apologize On Air Over Ron Paul CPAC Video Deception ! Ron Paul still knocked them out of the park with his answers to the questions regardless of the setup. This is the quality we are going to need in a President in 2012.

Ron Paul on Stossel: A 10% Solution?

Ron Paul on The Stossel show : A 10% Solution?

Mission Australia welcomes rethink on rental scheme cuts

Mission Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to reverse its planned cuts to the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).

The cuts were announced several weeks ago as part of the Federal Government’s response to the Queensland floods.

“Since the cuts were first announced Mission Australia has been very vocal in making its opposition known and we’re very pleased our voice – along with those of many other concerned citizens and housing and welfare organisations and industry – has been heard,” said Mission Australia’s CEO, Mr Toby Hall.

“Full credit to the government - it recognised this was a mistake and was mature enough to back down from its position.

“NRAS is a key plank in the nation’s fight against homelessness.

“One of the best things we can do to bring down the numbers of homeless people is to “turn off the tap” and stop people becoming homeless in the first place – NRAS plays a significant role in doing just that.”

NRAS boosts the supply of affordable rental housing by providing a financial incentive to community and private investors if they charge 20 per cent or more below market rental rate.

“While NRAS has only been in operation for three years its impact is already being felt – in Mission Australia’s case, particularly in areas like Western Sydney.

“This is a good result and once again we congratulate the Federal Government on its decision,” said Mr Hall.

City gig launches Sounds of the Street CD

The back of Mission Australia’s Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI) headquarters in Surry Hills, Sydney, took on the feel of a block party last Friday when students, staff, friends and family got together to launch the ‘Holiday From Yourself’ CD.

The CD was the creation of graduate students from CYI’s Sounds of the Street program, which is a TAFE-accredited music course.

Last week’s gig was the culmination of the 20-week course in which students learned to compose, perform and record their own music.

Backed by the CYI Band, students performed 11 tracks from the CD – including hip hop, acoustic guitar and heavy rock tunes – to an appreciative crowd.

“What an achievement for all our students – it takes a lot of courage to go on stage in front of a crowd and share so much about who they are and how they experience the world,” said CYI Service Manager CYI Sera Harris about the “rawness” of some of the performances.

“Some of the lyrics are tough to hear – which is why it is important that we listen to what young people have to say through their language of music.”

The performers were welcomed to the stage by Mission Australia’s Director Community Services NSW/ACT Leonie Green. Later in the day Sounds of the Street students received their official Music Industry Skills Certificate TAFE module Certificate I from Ultimo TAFE Outreach NSW Course Coordinator Paul Drury.

Achievement certificates were also handed out by Jannine Jackson, General Manager Sir David Martin Foundation, which is a supporter of the CYI program.

After the show and a sausage sizzle, 15 volunteers from Ben & Jerrys served up ice-cream. During 2010, $1 from every sale of Ben & Jerrys Peanut Cookie-Burra Dough was donated to CYI – which brought in $25,000 to the youth initiative over the year.

“Now it’s come full circle and we can see the fruits of it,” said Warren Minde, Marketing Manager, Ben & Jerrys.

For a gold-coin donation, you can hear ‘Holidays From Yourself’ and see the wonderful cover artwork from CYI Artworks! student Brian Greenwood. To order please email cyi@missionaustralia.com.au.

This 1935 Masters Chevrolet sedan delivery van was the proud possession of Leslie Harold Shaw, whose dairy served the people of Balgowlah and Seaforth in the 1930s and 40s with butter, cheese, milk, ice and other groceries. The Shaw family lived in Myrtle Street (now in North Balgowlah), and several of Leslie's children went to Balgowlah Public School - bush tracks in those days, and not too much traffic to worry about.

Balgowlah Public School changed its name to Seaforth Primary School in 1963. The only part of the original school still standing is the building now used as Balgowlah-Seaforth Library.

Thanks to John Shaw, Leslie's grandson, for the use of this photograph.

Media Release: 300 Melbournians to get a taste of reconciliation on Sandridge Bridge

In a first for Melbourne, Sandridge Bridge will be closed to host 300 guests for the inaugural Taste of Reconciliation: Bridge Lunch on Sunday 6 March 2011 as part of the Melbourne International Food and Wine Festival.

Taste of Reconciliation: Bridge Lunch is a sumptuous four-course lunch designed and served by Charcoal Lane that celebrates the11th anniversary of the Bridge Walks for Reconciliation.

Sandridge Bridge and the surrounding area is significant to Aboriginal history in Melbourne and has been a meeting place of peoples and cultures for centuries including the Indigenous Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples.

Guests from 1pm to 4pm will be treated to a four-course meal of contemporary Australian cuisine infused with native flavours, while local Indigenous leaders share their stories.

Charcoal Lane’s Head Chef Craig Hicks said the Taste of Reconciliation: Bridge Lunch is set to be an unforgettable dining experience.

“The historic significance of Sandridge Bridge will set the scene for a unique celebration of Indigenous culture and food,” Mr Hicks said.

“We will start with canapés in Queensbridge Square before moving to Sandridge Bridge for the remaining courses, which will be served with matched wines.”

The event will be held as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and is supported by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and The City of Melbourne.

Deputy Lord Mayor, Susan Riley said: “The City of Melbourne is pleased to partner with Mission Australia for this wonderful event.”

Tickets for the four-course lunch are $120, with all proceeds going towards Mission Australia’s Charcoal Lane for programs to provide hospitality training and personal development for young Aboriginals and other disadvantaged youth.

More information about the event can be found at: http://www.tasteofreconciliation.org/

Booking enquiries can be made through Charcoal Lane, contact: eat@charcoallane.com.au or (03) 9418 3400 between 9am and 5pm weekdays.

Event details:
What:  Taste of Reconciliation: Bridge Lunch
When:  1pm to 4pm on Sunday 6 March 2011
Where:  First course to be served at Red Stairs in Queensbridge Square, Southbank, before moving to Sandridge Bridge.
Why:  To celebrate reconciliation in a unique dining experience, as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

Interview and photo opportunities:
Craig Hicks – Head Chef at Charcoal Lane
Paul Bird – Mission Australia’s State Director for Victoria
Charcoal Lane trainees

Media contacts:
Emily Lehmann, Fenton Communications on (03) 9600 0006 / 0421 852 501 or emilyl@fenton.com.au
Rachael Nightingale, Fenton Communications on (03) 9600 0006 / 0449881980 or rachael@fenton.com.au

Rand Paul on PBS Newshour w/ Gwen Ifill 2/15/11

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a co-founder of the Senate Tea Party Caucus, speaks with Gwen Ifill about President Obama's 2012 budget proposal, plus his vision for further spending cuts and bringing down the U.S. national debt.

GoodStart Childcare Ltd appoints new Chief Executive

Respected public administrator and healthcare CEO Julia Davison has been appointed Chief Executive of GoodStart Childcare Ltd, Chair Robin Crawford announced today.

GoodStart is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in May 2010 by Mission Australia, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the Benevolent Society and Social Ventures Australia to acquire and run 661 ABC Learning Centres.

Ms Davison comes to Australia’s largest childcare operator from a long career as a health services administrator and senior public sector executive, including five years as the chief executive of Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide and eight years in senior executive roles with the NHS in the UK.

Ms Davison was most recently the Chief Executive of WorkCover SA where she successfully moved the organisation’s focus to enabling clients to return to work and steered significant associated legislative change.

She is the Chair of Catherine House, a not-for-profit working to solve women’s homelessness with sustainable, long-term solutions, is a board member of the Territory Insurance Office, NT, and has previously held a number of other non-executive roles.

“The GoodStart Board is delighted that Julia is taking up our offer to become Chief Executive,” Mr Crawford said.

“Her experience in successfully bringing together stakeholders from disparate organisations and sectors at times of significant organisational change makes her uniquely suited to taking the helm at GoodStart.

“Whether it has been running a large hospital or at WorkCover SA, Julia has been able to strike that important balance between social and economic objectives for the benefit of clients or service users, while ensuring different groups are able to participate in the decision making process.

“Julia is joining GoodStart at a key time, with many exciting initiatives and changes occurring both across the sector and within our organisation.

“GoodStart is in a solid position in our ninth month of operating over 660 ABC Learning Centres, with increasing occupancy rates and healthy surpluses reinvested back into the business, while government reforms are focusing on improving those all important outcomes for Australia’s children.

“The Board is confident Julia is the right person to manage that continued growth at this time of change.”

Ms Davison said she was excited by the opportunity and was looking forward to meeting as many of the parents and staff as possible at local ABC Learning Centres around the country.

“I’m delighted to have the chance to work in one of Australia’s most interesting organisations at a time when there is so much opportunity,” Ms Davison said.
“GoodStart is a unique organisation with a strong, committed staff providing quality childcare to more than 75,000 children every week, families who have a strong connection to their centre, and a Board and management team with a fantastic vision for transforming childcare in this country.

“I’ve always prioritised working in areas where I think I can add public value, and I know that will be the case as I move into the role at GoodStart.”
 
GoodStart’s vision is for Australia’s children to have the best possible start in life through the provision of high quality, accessible, community-connected early learning and care.

Darwin services closed as area on cyclone alert

Mission Australia has closed all its Darwin services ahead of the cyclone that is expected to hit the area in the next 24 hours.

Staff closed services – including those that operate 24 hours - yesterday afternoon in response to torrential rainfall and “cyclone-like” winds up of to 98km/h. By 9am this morning Darwin had recorded almost 340ml in the 24-hour period and trees and power lines had been toppled.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a cyclone warning for coastal areas from the Daly River mouth to Point Stuart, including Darwin and the Tiwi Islands. A tropical low travelling along the coast less than 30km west of Darwin this morning is expected to move out into the sea and intensify into a cyclone.

Mission Australia staff in Darwin are liaising with police and local health professionals to ensure vulnerable and homeless clients are safely sheltered.

All schools, shops and government services in the area are closed until the cyclone passes and the all-clear is officially given. Mission Australia managers will reassess the situation tomorrow and take the lead from government as to re-opening services.

With the area experiencing winds above gale force, residents have been advised to make final preparations ahead of the expected cyclone.

Shelter and safety information:

The Northern Territory Emergency Service site contains practical advice for residents in cyclone zones.

When sheltering in a home it advises the most protected area is usually the smallest room. Also:

• Central hallways might give greater protection 
• Rooms with few or small windows are preferable 
• Solid doors with additional bolts offer greater security   
• Metal screens or solid shutters give more protection against flying debris

The Emergency Service site also lists local emergency cyclone shelters in Darwin, Palmertson and nearby rural areas. Residents are reminded these shelters do not admit animals, provide food or special baby needs.

For more information visit www.bom.gov.au/nt/ or listen to 105.7 ABC Darwin or by listening online. The Darwin page of the ABC site also provides Bureau of Meteorology and emergency services updates, safety advice as well as social media links.

Hope through hospitality

More Melburnians are finding out about the innovative work being carried out at Mission Australia’s Charcoal Lane thanks to features running in six Fairfax community newspapers.

Trainee Marley Kennedy and Head Chef Craig Hicks were interviewed by Mary-Jane Daffy and photographed by Teagan Glenane for a feature on the how hospitality can be used to tackle disadvantage.

Marley, 25, who is nearing the end of her traineeship at Charcoal Lane, talked about the positive impact the restaurant has had on her life:

"I wanted to connect with the Indigenous side of it all, to be able to pass on my knowledge about our culture and food to others," she said. "I feel like I'm embracing a positive outlook. I have cousins up in Albury who look at me and see that if I can do it, they can do it.”

She has since been approached to work at a resort in Uluru: "I feel like I'm getting into a new period in my life, and seeing things I never ordinarily would have."

Interviewed just 10 days into his new role at Charcoal Lane, Craig Hicks said he aimed to deliver the very best training to his students.

"We are setting up training sessions where they (the students) get sent out to a bakery, a butchery, a piggery and learn all the different skills," he said.

You can read the whole article on The Northern Weekly site

Taste of Reconciliation

If you’re in Melbourne on Sunday 6 March why not sample the unique native flavours of Charcoal Lane at the Taste of Reconciliation Bridge Lunch. Running for three hours from 1pm, this unforgettable outdoor dining experience on Melbourne's Sandridge Bridge celebrates the joining of Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures.

Tickets are $120 per person for a four-course lunch with matched wines. There are only 300 places available for this unique event, so book early to avoid disappointment!

To learn more about this Melbourne Food and Wine Festival event, visit tasteofreconciliation.org

Visit Mission Australia's Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island resources page for our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), the latest indigenous news, current affairs and policy updates.

Ron Paul: The Kudlow Report 02/14/11

Congressman Ron Paul joins Larry Kudlow to discuss his recent CPAC straw poll victory, his reaction to comments from Donald Trump, the likelihood of defeating Barack Obama in 2012, the message of liberty, and various points from his speech at CPAC 2011.

Ron Paul : Making Mubarak a puppet dictator our mistake

America's attempts to spread its ideals around the world should not be achieved by force or money, believes US Congressman Ron Paul, who says Washington's efforts to buy influence in countries like Egypt have failed and will always fail.

A visit from the Japanese Navy

In 1906, at a concert held in the Victoria Hall in the Corso, Manly, there were some exotic guests - officers and men from the Imperial Japanese Navy, who were visiting Sydney. The Japanese visitors were greeted at Manly Wharf as they arrived by ferry, by a volley of blanks fired by the local company of volunteers. They were escorted to the Victoria Hall, where they were welcomed to Manly by Mayor E W Quirk (pictured). Their leader, Commander Ishikawa, responded, and his remarks were translated by a young Lieutenant, Seizo Kobayashi.

Lieutenant Kobayashi (1877-1962) had an extraordinary career. He visited Australia several times. In 1912, he served on the Royal Navy ship HMS Collingwood as an attache. During WWI, he was awarded the US Navy Cross, for his actions in support of the Allied fleet. After WWI he represented Japan on the committee for disposal of enemy vessels, and no doubt saw to it that Japan received her share of Germany's naval fleet.

He returned to Sydney in 1928 commanding the Idzumo, and hosted the NSW Premier, T R Bavin, to a dinner on board. He inspected the guard of honour at Government House. Clearly, he would have spoken English fluently, and the succession of diplomatic postings he undertook may well have had a deeper espionage role.

Kobayashi rose to become an Admiral in the First Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy, and was a Rear-Admiral during the Japanese campaign in Manchuria. From September 1936 to November 1940, he was the Governor-General of Formosa (now Taiwan), where it is reported that he carried out a policy of 'Japanization'. He must have had blood on his hands.

It must have been rare indeed for a Japanese combatant facing the US forces in WWII to have been decorated by them in WWI.

Kobayashi resigned his post of Admiral in early 1945, and attempted to lead a group of officers of uncompromising bent, the Imperial Rule Assistance Political Society, hoping to persuade the Emperor not to surrender. The defeat of Japan put an end to his political hopes.

Misha's life has turned around

Misha* started drinking when she was still in high school. Like so many teenagers, she thought having a few drinks would make her feel more confident and less anxious. It never crossed her mind that one or two drinks would quickly lead her into the relentless grip of alcohol addiction.

Rather than helping her to relax, alcohol only fuelled her anxiety. By the tender age of 17, this teenager who once sparkled with life was a “suicidal and hopeless” alcoholic. “My life was being wasted,” says Misha. “I felt like my future was going nowhere. Mentally, I was in a bad place and I couldn’t dig myself out of it.”

Then Misha reached out for our help, and thanks to loyal supporters like you, we were able to be there for her. By the time she arrived at our Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS), years of drinking had taken their toll on Misha’s mental and physical health and her feelings of self-worth.

 “The first few days were the hardest,” she recalls. “I really wanted to give up. But then I thought about all the hurt I was causing my family and how much I wanted to change my life. I thought about all the effort I’d put in so far, and I knew my family was so proud of those small steps. I didn’t want to let anyone down.”

The DAYS Residential Rehabilitation Program is the only youth program of its kind in Western Australia. It is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week program that offers intensive support to youth who are battling drug and alcohol addiction. DAYS supports at-risk young people to reach their full potential by minimising drug-related harm, through education and support.

Support young people in need today.

*Name and image have been changed to protect the identity of our client.

Australians more likely to volunteer in 2011, says survey

A recent survey by Vodafone has revealed that the number of people planning to volunteer with a charity in the next 12 months had more than doubled from 30 per cent in 2010 to 68 per cent this year.

"There's a generosity gene and this nation has it in spades," social researcher Bernard Salt said.

Those who said they would take part in a community fundraiser this year had risen from 31 per cent to 67 per cent.

Respondents' willingness to help a stranger in need was also up, from 59 per cent to 66 per cent.

Mr Salt said the results reflected "a profound shift in social values" and we've already seen evidence in the massive response to the Queensland flood and cyclone disasters.

More than $212 million has been donated to the Premier's Disaster Relief Fund and more than 80,000 people have offered their time and effort through a hotline set up by Volunteering Queensland.

Mission Australia supported Volunteering Queensland’s post-flood efforts by establishing a call centre in our Sydney Head Office to take calls on the Queensland body’s behalf.

Australia and New Zealand jointly topped the first World Giving Index, compiled last September by the international Charities Aid Foundation. It ranked 153 countries according to donations, volunteering and willingness to help strangers.

"All of a sudden, generosity and kindness are in," Mr Salt said in yesterday’s Sunday Mail. "The world has changed since the GFC.

"Prior to this event and perhaps even prior to recent natural disasters in Australia there was perhaps a tacit approval, almost an admiration of the quality of greed. But that view has now been turned on its head.
"There's a new morality and civic-mindedness. There's almost a spiritual element to it."

According to The Sunday Mail, survey found nearly two-thirds of people (62 per cent) disapproved more of greed than five years ago.

The biggest shift in opinion was among Generation Y - those aged between 18 and 30. But Mr Salt said research showed the volunteering spirit spread across all age groups.

People aged 35 to 44 were most likely to help strangers while Australians aged between 44 to 55 were most likely to help family members in need. Those over 55 did the most by volunteering their time.

About 47 per cent of Australians regularly donate to charity and most volunteers report that donating their time had a good effect their relationships.

Nearly half the respondents in the survey (43 per cent) said they were most likely to be motivated to donate to an appeal after natural disasters.

Click here to find out about Volunteering opportunities with Mission Australia

If you have any questions about volunteering with Mission Australia, call the National Volunteering Hotline on 1800 110 578 or email volunteering@missionaustralia.com.au

Ron Paul Interview On CPAC Win With Fox and Friends

Ron Paul Interview On CPAC Win With Fox: Goes In On Trump
Check the guy on the far right texting during the interview,

Rowing

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Rowing-2nd best4th 4 crew in nsw

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Location:Penrith

Thank u for looking after artys sister xx

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The bible

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Ron Paul Wins CPAC Straw Poll !

February 12, 2011 C-SPAN
Ron Paul Wins CPAC Straw Poll!

Ron Paul CPAC Speech : The Patriot Act is the destruction of the fourth amendment

February 11, 2011 C-SPAN
"Foreign aid is taking money from the poor people of a rich country and giving it to the rich people of a poor country..." - Ron Paul
The Patriot Act  has nothing to do with patriotism , it is the destruction of the fourth amendment  says Dr. Ron Paul ...We Have To Go After The Military Industrial Complex!

Ron Paul: US to blame for Egypt chaos

RT's Dina Gusovsky talks to Congressman Ron Paul about the situation in Egypt, the future of the Conservative Movement, and whether or not he will run for President in 2012. Dr. Paul says that US foreign policy contributed to the situation in Egypt, and, so far, he is undecided about whether or not he will run again.Libertarian Movement is growing. WE AMERICANS ARE SICK OF THE POLICE STATE AND THE ILLEGAL WARS

Media Release: Strong report card for Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions

Mission Australia Employment Solutions has received a strong report card for its work providing employment services to job seekers across the country.

Fourteen employment offices in Victoria, NSW and Queensland have been awarded the maximum ‘5 Star’ rating for their efforts in helping local job seekers find work.

The sites are: Sale, Bairnsdale, Lake Tyers, Mallacoota, Omeo and Orbost (Victoria); Castle Hill, Bega, Eden, Muswellbrook, Scone, Toronto and Merimbula (NSW); and Caboolture (Queensland).

The ratings, awarded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), recognise both efficiency (the speed at which a person is found a job) and effectiveness (the number of people found jobs for and whether they maintain their new positions long-term).

Employment services within an area that receive a 5 Star rating are considered to be performing at 40 per cent or more above the average.

Other positives from the latest round of ratings include: 

• 26 Mission Australia Employment Solutions sites were rated at 4 Stars.
• 95% of Mission Australia Employment Solutions sites achieved 3 Stars or more.

Mission Australia’s Executive Leader of Employment Solutions, Dr Prins Ralston, said the results were a welcome recognition of his team’s commitment in finding work for unemployed people throughout the country.

“We’re just over the moon at what our sites are achieving – particularly those that have picked up five stars, it really means a lot to us all here,” said Dr Ralston.

“Our team has worked so hard over the past 12 months helping job seekers find the right role or assisting local employers fill their vacancies.

“Normally, all the recognition we need is knowing we’ve done our job well – getting someone into work – but receiving this level of support really puts the icing on the cake,” said Dr Ralston.

Media contact: Paul Andrews 0409 665 495

Beyond Babylon

Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall is destined to become a national debate and an international controversy because it dares to speak the plain truth in a world of lies!

Beyond Babylon
Introduction

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 1
Survival Guaranteed!

The DEVASTATION unleashed against America and her British allies was without precedent. Destruction was everywhere and a body count impossible. The catastrophe was beyond calculation.

Europe - gripped with a messianic furor - justified this mass destruction of the body to "save the soul." Besides, they have the blessing of the pope. His white robes are stained with the blood of many martyrs.

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 2
Why National Defeat?

Why are we in mortal danger? Why will the American, British and Jewish people SUFFER national defeat? How could Europe ever turn against us?

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 3
Truth or Consequences

As global tensions increase, and threats of confrontation escalate, we might very well wonder whether humanity will survive. Unless there’s a GOD to intervene, we have a bleak future indeed: a DEAD PLANET! Will earth become a nuclear fireball? Will charred bones - aftermath of unleashed atomic fires - and the smoldering ruins of a suicidal civilization be all that’s left?

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 4
Victims of Tradition

Whenever our behavior gets out of control, God lets us loose control! When we’re held hostage to bad habits, and refuse to let them go, we go into captivity! A national lack of discipline results in God sending corrective punishment! Then we wake up and get with it, and beg God to save us. The whole purpose is to bring us to our knees and senses.

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 5
Europe's Fate

What’s going to happen to Europe? We know what’s going to happen to the American and British peoples, as well as to our Jewish brethren. The coming WORLD CRISIS is prophesied to fall especially hard on them. Why?

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 6
Jesus and the Jews

Why don't the Jews accept Jesus?" I've been asked that so many times. My usual reply? "Why haven't the Christians?" At least the Jews are waiting for the proper imperial restoration. The Messiah's coming to sit on DAVID'S THRONE - not Caesar's or "St. Peter's." The Anointed One's going to rule from JERUSALEM - not Rome!

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 7
Elijah's Key Role

Israel's about to host the greatest showdown on earth! A spiritual conflict of interests will create such a scene in Jerusalem that the whole world will watch! Zion will be an arena of prophets and sorcerers, warriors and kings! The forces of good and evil are set to duel: the sons of light will battle the sons of darkness, and truth will confront error head-on!

Ron Paul : I Believe Tomorrow Will Be A Very Wild & Violent Day In Egypt!

February 10, 2011 MSNBC
Ron Paul  : I Believe Tomorrow Will Be A Very Wild & Violent Day In Egypt!
The common man up against the elite oppression. I'm afraid the one's with the gun's will be the victor.


Mubarak is a typical megalomaniac and is making the wrong decison but wake up people, he is the same as the bastards that are running our coutries. He's a bastard and a psycho and an egomaniacal nut but that doesn't make him any different than most heads of state in the world and that includes European Union officials and the US. You think any of them would leave if you went out in the street and demanded it? No, but they would send tanks against their own people.

Ron Paul on CNBC Street Signs 2/9/11

Congressman Ron Paul talks about his first hearing as chairman on fhe Subcomittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and his continuing fight against the Fed and its destructive actions.

Locking out the homeless to pay for roads, bridges

Oh for $20 million dollars to do some advertising to help the homeless.

It certainly worked for the mining industry.

You can guarantee there'll be no TV ads in outrage that the federal government has decided to strip nearly a third of the money from one of their own landmark homeless policies – the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) – in response to the Queensland floods.

We have a huge problem with homelessness and affordable housing in Australia, and we'll never meet the self-imposed targets for reducing it if we keep raiding the kitty.

More than 105,000 Australians are homeless. Melbourne and Sydney are now considered to be two of the most unaffordable cities for housing in the world and we have less affordable housing than any other developed country.

To their credit, the Rudd government and the former minister for housing Tanya Plibersek not only put the issue of homelessness back on the map, they cemented it at the centre of government policy.

They decided that a major part of the way forward was to 'turn off the tap' – to stop people becoming homeless in the first place.

The National Rental Affordability Scheme was a key element in turning off the tap.

The scheme boosts the supply of affordable rental housing by providing a financial incentive to community and private investors if they charge 20 per cent or more below market rental rate.

The fewer homes built as part of the scheme, the more individuals and families at risk of homelessness.

The community services sector was happy with the policy, and more importantly, it is working.

Take Mary for example, who came to Mission Australia after being evicted from her home when she was unable to meet the cost of her rising rent. She and her five children at times sought shelter under a bridge in Western Sydney.

We helped her into temporary housing, provided her with support to deal with a range of personal issues, and worked with her to find a permanent home – which as it turns out was partially funded through NRAS.

Or consider another client, Anna, who had been suffering the effects of a mental illness on-and-off for most of her adult life.

Anna had stayed for short periods in boarding houses, other times on the street and had been turned away by a string of other organisations before she came to us.

But as she explained, all she really needed was someone to help her maintain a stable tenancy.

Thankfully, through NRAS – along with some Mission Australia funding – Anna has done just that.

For the last 12 months she has been in the same safe and stable home. It's the longest she's been in one place for years.

However, then came Queensland's great deluge and the federal government's subsequent plans for rebuilding.

In addition to its flood levy the government announced a number of cuts to help fund recovery efforts – including to the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

The scheme has been earmarked for slashing by nearly a third – from 50,000 homes to 35,000 – to save $264 million over the forward estimates.

The floods across the country have caused immense human tragedy and the nation stood up to help those in need.

Clients at Mission Australia's Brisbane homeless service, Roma House, volunteered to sandbag properties and help with the clean up of inundated homes.

From the first to the last we fully support the need to rebuild and the need to make sacrifices and savings to pay for those efforts.

But is it fair to penalise the weakest in our society by cutting back a key plank in the nation's fight against homelessness?

What rationale could there possibly be to justify taking a roof away from the likes of Mary or Anna to rebuild roads?

An easy target perhaps, but frankly it's unacceptable.

Our most vulnerable don't have $20 million to run a campaign to get this decision overturned. More likely, they'll cop it and sit silently resigned to the fact under our bridges and in our parks.

The government needs to rethink this measure – and if not, the Parliament must correct their error – and put homeless policy back on track.

The men and women of Roma House were willing to pitch in and help their fellow flood-affected Queenslanders.

The question is will their countrymen and women – and our political representatives – help them in their time of need?

This opinion piece appeared in The National Times

Ron Paul on Fed Policy

Ron Paul on Fed Policy
Feb. 8 2011 | A look at what it will tale to end the economic damage from Ben Bernanke's inflationary policies, with Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX).

Egypt

Our 30 Year Mistake

“The events in Egypt of late have captured the attention of the world, as many thousands of Egyptians take to the streets both in opposition to and in favor of the current regime.  We watch from a distance hoping that events do not spiral further into violence, which will destroy lives and threaten the livelihoods of average Egyptians caught up in the political turmoil…”

Click here to read the full article:  http://bit.ly/e3DukD

Follow Congressman Paul on Twitter!  http://twitter.com/RepRonPaul

Ron Paul : Foreign aid is money wasted

February 07, 2011 News Corp
Ron Paul  "Next Week Or Month There Will Be A New Dictator In There In We'll Just Keep Sending Money" Long live Ron Paul. I hope he's not the next JFK. Ron Paul for 2012!!!

Spit tram centenary

This month marks a significant anniversary in the story of transport in Sydney, the centenary of the first tram service from Manly to the Spit and Sydney.

Several deputations to the Minister for Works from Manly Council and Manly Tramway League took place between 1901 and 1907, and finally Parliament passed The Spit to Manly Electric Tramway Act in December 1908. Work began on 12 January 1910.

The line ran from the Spit to the high ground of Balgowlah through heavy cuttings, along the ridge of Sydney Road, descending via Ivanhoe Park to level ground in Raglan Street, a journey of just over three miles. Regular services began on 9 January 1911. The track was single line, with three crossing loops (Parsley Loop, Condamine Loop and Ivanhoe Loop). Trams ran at half-hourly intervals, and it took 25 minutes to cover the distance fom the Spit to Manly.

A specially-decorated J class tramcar bedecked in greenery, with the slogan 'Advance Manly' painted on its prow, departed from the Spit terminus for Manly on the afternoon of 9th January carrying the offical party. Among the dignitaries were Dr Richard Arthur, MLA, Mr R T Ball, MLA and Dr Nash, MLC. They were met at Raglan Street, at Ivanhoe Park, by Mrs Griffiths, the wife of the Minister for Works, who cut the ceremonial ribbon with the assistance of Mayor of Manly, James Bonner. It was now possible to travel to Sydney and back by tram for 7d.

Ron Paul: How Foreign Aid Creates Instability and Isolates America

02/07/2011

How Foreign Aid Creates Instability and Isolates America




by Ron Paul

The events in Egypt of late have captured the attention of the world as many thousands of Egyptians take to the streets both in opposition to and favor of the current regime. We watch from a distance hoping that events do not spiral further into violence which will destroy lives and threaten the livelihoods of average Egyptians caught up in the political turmoil. I hope that Egyptians are able to work toward a more free and just society. Unfortunately, much of the blame for the unrest in Egypt and the resulting instability in the region rests with U.S. foreign policy over the past several decades. The U.S. government has sent more than $60 billion to the Egyptian regime since the Camp David accords in 1978 to purchase stability, including more security for the state of Israel.

We see now the folly of our interventionist foreign policy. Not only has that stability fallen to pieces, with the current unrest, but the years of propping up the corrupt regime in Egypt has led the people to increase their resentment of both America and Israel. We are both worse off for the decades of the intervention in Egypt's internal affairs. I wish I could say that we have learned our lesson and will no longer attempt to purchase or rent friends in the Middle East, but I am afraid that is being too optimistic. Already we see evidence that while the U.S. historically propped up the Egyptian regime, we also provided assistance to groups opposed to the regime. So we have lost the credibility to claim today that we support the self-determination of the Egyptian people. Our double dealing has not endeared us to the Egyptians who now seek to reclaim their independence and national dignity.

Diplomacy via foreign aid transfer payments only makes us less safe at home and less trusted overseas, but the overriding reality is that we simply cannot afford to continue a policy of buying friends. We face an ongoing and potentially deepening recession at home, so how can we justify to the underemployed and unemployed in the United States the incredible cost of maintaining a global empire? Moral arguments aside, we must stop sending hundreds of billions of dollars to foreign governments when our own economy is in shambles.

American media and talking heads repeatedly pose the same loaded questions. Should the administration encourage the Egyptian president to remain or to resign? Should the U.S. ensure Mohamed ElBaradei or current Vice President Omar Suleiman succeed current president Mubarak? The best answer to these questions is that we should just do nothing, as Eisenhower did in 1956. We should leave Egypt for Egyptians to figure out.

Some may claim that this is isolationism. Nothing could be further from the truth. We should enthusiastically engage in trade, allow travel between countries, but we should stay out of their internal affairs. We are in fact more isolated from Egypt now than ever because the regime we propped up appears to be falling. We have isolated ourselves from the Egyptian people by propping up their government as we isolate ourselves from the Tunisians, Israelis, and other recipients of foreign aid. Their resentment of our interventionist foreign policy makes us less safe because we lose our authority to conduct meaningful diplomacy when unpopular regimes fall overseas. We also radicalize those who resented our support for past regimes.

Let us hope for a more prosperous and peaceful era for the Egyptians and let us learn the lessons of our 30 year Egyptian mistake.

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Ron Paul is America's leading voice for limited, constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, a return to sound monetary policies, and a sensible foreign policy that puts America first.