Tomorrow’s role models
Wednesday, November 19, was International Men’s Day (IMD).
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The following day, Thursday, November 20, was Universal Children’s Day.
The IMD theme this year is working together for men and boys, keeping men and boys safe.
The aim is to tackle both youth suicide and our tolerance of violence against men and boys.
Also important on the agenda is to keep boys safe so they can become tomorrow’s role models, and by promoting fathers and good male role models.
Men’s life expectancy is also part of this year’s theme, with a focus on keeping men and boys safe from avoidable illness and death.
The International Men’s Day website has information.
Other websites to search for include Fatherhood Foundation, Dads 4 Kids, Manhood Homepage, Men’s health and Wellbeing.
On a local level, there are women and men doing great work to improve our society for all, on an equitable basis.
There is amazing strength, creativity, kindness and potential in the hearts and minds of men.
If you’d like to know more, contact local support services or feel free to contact me.
Tom Hausfeld
Cobargo
Future at risk
Australians are in a funk.
Business and consumer confidence is bottoming as the Abbott Government undoes new industries such as renewable energy, instead propping up old fossil fuelled industries, promoting the burning of native forests for electricity and lowering environmental standards.
Wake up Tony, Joe, Mathias and Andrew, a 70 per cent reduction in investment in renewables, with carbon emissions up, should be bleedingly obvious you are behind the times, putting the next generation’s prospects at risk.
Prue Acton
Wallagoot
Dangers of asbestos
During Asbestos Awareness Month my fellow ambassadors Cherie Barber, Don Burke, Scott Cam, Barry Du Bois, Scott McGregor and I speak with one voice to all Australians about the dangers of asbestos to homeowners, renovators, tradies and handymen hoping they’ll hear our potentially life-saving message.
For those who think asbestos-related diseases are a thing of the past, think again.
There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres and if breathed in, it can have the potential to cause mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that can take 20 to 50 years to develop.
There is no cure and people have a very short life expectancy - just 10 to12 months after diagnosis.
I lost a good mate Harold Hopkins to mesothelioma because he breathed in asbestos fibres when he was a young bloke on building sites so I know first-hand how dangerous asbestos can be.
Asbestos can be found in at least one in three Australian homes and it doesn’t matter what kind of home you live in, brick, weatherboard, clad or fibro, so if it was built or renovated before 1987, it will most likely contain asbestos.
Australians need to think smart, think safe and get to know asbestos this November by visiting asbestosawareness.com.au because it’s not worth the risk!
John Jarratt
Asbestos Awareness Month campaign ambassador
Fight for Angel Flight
While the future of our Angel Flight charity still hangs in the balance – I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to the people of country Australia and local councils for publicly supporting our organisation.
The many thousands of our volunteers, who generously give their time to help Australians in need, appreciate the immense community support Angel Flight has received in our struggle for survival.
We have strongly argued our case in a detailed submission to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority – and we now must nervously wait to hear the outcome of their deliberations.
Angel Flight has flown 17,000 flights over the past 11 years, providing no-cost transport for isolated people of all ages seeking vital medical treatment in major cities.
Our charity wants to continue that work.
Angel Flight believes that where you live shouldn’t deny you safe and swift access to medical expertise and treatment.
We are about eliminating distance and distress for those in need.
The kind and supportive messages we have received from concerned local councils and rural communities all over Australia have lifted our spirits and made us more determined to fight to keep flying.
Too many people in many remote towns rely on Angel Flight for assistance and we can only hope that common-sense and compassion overrides red tape when CASA finally makes its decision on our future.
Staying silent is not an option, and with your encouragement and support we will keep fighting and flying.
Bill Bristow AM
CEO Angel Flight Australia