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2012 Flickerfest Winners Accounced Plus...Flickerfest Hits The Road

2012-01-24T15:07:00.001+11:00

FLICKERFEST NEWS: WINNERS ANNOUNCED; HITS THE ROAD, BYRON BAY ALL SHORTS

WINNERS OF THE 21st ANNUAL FLICKERFEST

After a highly successful 10 day festival in Sydney with capacity crowds and fabulous parties in the Pavilion bar, Flickerfest Australia’s leading short film festival, announced its International and Australian awards at a star-studded ceremony at the Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach.

Across the 10 days Flickerfest audiences were treated to a selection of award winning short films from Australia & across the world, selected from 2200 entries with audiences experiencing various cultures and a range of Australian stories all united by their creativity, innovation & excellence in the short film form.

Attended by celebrated guests from the Australian and the International film industry, the Closing Night ceremony honoured those entrants with award-winning films within the Academy®Accredited competition.

And the winners are:

Movie Network Channels Award for Best Australian Short Film ‘The Palace’ wr/dir Anthony Maras, prods Kate Croser, Anthony Maras, Andros Achilleos

Icebergs Dining Room & Bar Award for Best Direction in an Australian Short Film ‘Bear’ dir Nash Edgerton, prod Lauren Edwards & John Polson

The SMH Award for Best Australian Screenplay ‘Cockatoo’ wr/dir Matthew Jenkin, prods Matthew Jenkin & Oliver Leimbach

Yoram Gross Award for Best Animation ‘It’s Such A Beautiful Day’ wr/dir Don Hertzfeldt(USA)* Academy ®Accredited

ING DIRECT Award for Best Short Film ‘Ebony Society’ wr/dir Tammy Davis, prods Ainsley Gardiner & Chelsea Winstanley(New Zealand) *Academy® Accredited

...

Flickerfest International Short Film Festival kicked off it's 37 venue national tour in Byron this past weekend.

Celebrated it's 21st birthday in style, & it's 14th year in the Byron region being hosted by the IQ Arts & Eco Centre; with over 1100 people attending over 4 sessions.

A highlight of the shorts packed weekend was the 4th Annual Byron All Shorts - Northern Rivers Short Film Competition, of which 14 finalists films were screened from over 50 local entrants;

The audience as well as the jury, consisting of Emma Moroney, former Supervising Producer from
Movie Network Channel. Bronwyn Kidd, documentary maker and Flickerfest Director, Kathleen
Drumm who helms Screen Australia’s diverse marketing activities across theatrical and innovative distribution. Nerida Moore Screen NSW’s Senior Development and Production Executive and Lisa
Shaunessy independent producer, formerly the Creative Executive at Hugh Jackman’s Seed Productions awarded the following:

The iQ-Flickerfest Jury Award for Best Short Film went to SAE students for 'The Cottage', a moving story about the homeless in Byron Bay, Dir Lorraine Bell / Prod: Rani Willis.

A Special Mention of the Jury went to 'Face Value' by Ellie Alford from SCU- an innovative story about the dangers of internet predators.

The Essential Energy Audience Award went to 'Shall We Dance' the Tommy Franklin story (Byron's own dancing man) by Kurt Mayes & travis Hanley.

A new prize this year, the SAE Emerging Talent Award went to 'Zombie Taco'
a very creative music video clip by the Kamikazi Katz clan, Max Quinn, Callan Brunsdon & Scott Sowter.

...

The National Tour Continues...

Don’t miss bite Size chunks of great cinema coming to a town near you!
Next stop on the 37 venue tour is Adelaide and Avoca on Feb 3 & 4.
Showcasing the Best in Australian, International and Avoca will also showcase the best in Comedy shorts.

AVOCA- 3/4 Feb
Friday 3rd @ 7pm- Best Of Australian Shorts
Saturday 4th @ 7pm- Best Of International Shorts
Saturday 4th @ 9pm- Best of Comedy

ADELAIDE- 3/4 Feb
Friday 3rd @ 7pm- Best Of International
Saturday 4th @ 7pm- Best Of Australian

The tour continues until May so make sure you check out the touring tab at www.flickerfest.com.au for details in your state!

SBS SCREENED FLiCKERFEST SPECIAL

Highlighted films will include:

Franswa Sharl
Directed by Hannah Hillard / Winner, Audience Choice (Most Popular) Short Film, Flickerfest 2010.

Via Gori
Directed by Lazaro Hernandez / Winner, Best Direction in an Australian Short Film, Flickerfest 2011.

The Cat Piano
Directed by Ari Gibson and Eddie White / Winner, Best Animation Short Film, Flickerfest 2010.

Netherland Dwarf
Directed by David Michôd / Best Australian Short Film, Flickerfest 2009.

*contact SBS TV for screening times or additional information

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Richard Branson on Measuring the Success of 2011, by Richard Branson

2012-01-03T21:26:00.001+11:00

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As I look out across the ocean, savoring another sunset on Necker Island, I find myself reflecting on a busy and exciting year for myself and the Virgin Group. There were a couple of setbacks: In January, I ruptured a cruciate ligament in a ski accident, which meant that I had to travel to France and South Africa on crutches; in August, a fire here destroyed the great house. But we have ended 2011 in a much happier way, with my daughter Holly’s wedding to Fred Andrews, a shipbroker. This seems a good time to jot down a few of the year’s highlights.

I have written previously that success cannot be measured in wealth, fame or power, but by whether you have made a positive difference for others. The accomplishments of the past year of which I am most proud involve my efforts to raise awareness of and financing for Virgin Unite, along with the new philanthropic ventures we launched.

Because it is our responsibility as entrepreneurs and business leaders to tackle the issues our society faces, from climate change to poverty. To find solutions, we at Virgin have had to consciously cast aside traditional thinking, form unusual partnerships and consider unorthodox answers. Here are some of our most effective actions:

1. Taking the initiative.

The Carbon War Room is a business-focused, global NGO we set up three years ago to find profitable solutions to tackling climate change: Our society does not have to make a choice between economic growth and saving the environment. CWR is a nonprofit fixated by profit.

We made great progress over the past 12 months. Rather than waiting for governments to work out policy solutions, the CWR team launched two game-changing websites: one to promote efficiency in shipping; another to rank and chart the latest in sustainable aviation biofuels.

Earlier this year CWR launched a program to help finance energy-efficient retrofits of buildings, which was kicked off with a
$650 million investment scheme in Florida and California.

2. Reducing, reusng, recycling and planning for the future.

We must also ensure that we conserve our planet’s resources and maintain diversity. This year Virgin Unite struck up a great partnership with WildAid to campaign for the banning of shark-finning, the barbaric and wasteful act of cutting a fin off a living shark.

WildAid estimates that 73 million sharks per year are killed for this dish.

This project is in its early days but we are making great progress, thanks in part to the support of Governor Jerry Brown of California, who signed a bill banning the sale and possession of shark fins.

Already, many top restaurants and hotels no longer serve shark-fin soup.

3. Championing unconventional solutions.

Over the past 50 years, drug usage has gone up and jails have filled.

Though millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent trying to stamp out this illicit trade, the prohibitions have merely fueled organized crime. It is time that we try an alternative approach. This year I was fortunate to be part of the U.N. Global Commission on Drug Policy, which found that the costly war on drugs has backfired, producing little to no results.

A decade ago, Portugal became the first European country to officially abolish all criminal penalties for personal possession of drugs – a brave and successful policy. Jail time was replaced with offers of treatment for addiction: many critics feared this would attract “drug tourists” and exacerbate Portugal’s drug problem.

The results of a report commissioned by the Cato Institute in April this year suggest otherwise. It found that in the five years after personal possession was decriminalized, illegal drug use among teens in Portugal declined and rates of new HIV infection caused by sharing of dirty needles dropped, while the number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction more than doubled.

Portugal’s brave stand amounts to a decision to “Screw Business As Usual” – the title of my latest book and a mantra that should be adopted by people holding positions in company boardrooms and government cabinets the world over.

4. Building for the future.

Virgin businesses have always emphasized the need to challenge the market and do things differently – values we are keen to share with a new generation of entrepreneurs in the developing world. In 2011 we continued to expand our efforts, launching the new Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in Jamaica and moving our center in Johannesburg to new premises, under a new CEO. Both centers are focused on helping young entrepreneurs to expand their businesses by offering practical advice and mentoring.

I brought groups of business people to South Africa and Jamaica to meet our entrepreneurs; as always, the visitors were bowled over by the young entrepreneurs’ enthusiasm and passion for their work. We hope to expand our efforts further and to find financing and maybe obtain government help in scaling up these centers.

Our society’s social, environmental and financial problems remain challenging and it looks like next year will be a tough one on many fronts. We will need to look for bold solutions, because change means opportunity. Whether you can effect small changes at the local level or try to push for sweeping cultural shifts in your industry or sector, 2012 – now – is the time to make a difference.

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Rolling Stone Magazine Australia Announces 3rd Annual Awards

2012-01-03T17:56:00.003+11:00

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To say we’re excited about the 3rd Annual Rolling Stone Awards is a massive understatement. Last year’s event was a huge, sweltering party (highlights – Paul Kelly turning up, Michael "Freaking" Chugg’s sweary tirade, Lupe Fiasco’s bodyguard, Art Vs Science’s DJ set, and a surprise display of beatboxing from Plan B’s cohort Faith SFX). There’s an expectation that this year’s event will be bigger and better, and Rolling Stone Australia and everyone else involved doesn't aim to disappoint.

Due to the success of last year’s event, RS be keeping the 3rd outing of the Rolling Stone Awards just as exclusive and star-studded, albeit at a new more central (and air conditioned) venue. Drawing from a long list of entertainment and pop culture luminaries, the judging panel is as illustrious as it was tuned-in and the resulting winners will be a nicely varied bunch. But that’s what you get when you ask comedians, actors, politicians, writers, tour promoters, artists and professional skateboarders to try and agree on a shortlist.

Judges this year included the likes of Tim Ross, Jon Coghill, Michael Chugg, Brendan Cowell and Morgan Campbell, just to name a few.

The categories include:

The Rolling Stone Award: Our top honour of the year, awarded for an outstanding contribution to popular culture. The winner of this award can come from any area – music, film, TV, literature, art, politics, activism, etc. This award is open to Australian/NZ candidates only.

Best Female: Awarded to a local lady for outstanding contribution to popular culture, whether that is music, film, TV, literature, art, politics or activism. This award is open to Australian/NZ candidates only.

Best Male: Awarded to a local bloke for outstanding contribution to popular culture, whether that is music, film, TV, literature, art, politics or activism. This award is open to Australian/NZ candidates only.

The International Award: Awarded to an international male, female or group who have had a profound positive impact on popular culture in Australia/NZ. The winner of this award can come from any area – music, film, TV, literature, art, politics, activism, etc.

Mover & Shaker: Awarded to someone who has changed the game in their particular field this year – a maverick, trailblazer or revolutionary. The winner of this award can come from any area – music, film, TV, literature, art, politics, activism, etc. This award is open to Australian/NZ candidates only.

The Immortal: A lifetime achievement award for outstanding contribution to popular culture. This award is open to Australian/NZ candidates only.

Album of the Year: The best full-length album released in 2010. Simple as that. This award is open to Australian/NZ candidates only.

Best Live Act: Just as the name says, honouring the best live performance or tour by a band – Australian or international – in Australia/NZ in 2010.

Artist to Watch: This is an acknowledgement of an outstanding emerging artist – regardless of how long they’ve been around – who is set to blow up big. This award is open to Australian/NZ candidates only.

Artist of the Year: Music only, the best all round artist of the year. This award is open to Australian/NZ candidates only.

We also roped in celebrity writers close to the winners to pay tribute to their mates (or in one case, uncle), making this far livelier and more fascinating than some stale old list of winners. But let’s stop patting ourselves on the back, it’s really time to congratulate our winners who will be announced at on Wednesday 25th January. All winners will also be listed in the March issue of Rolling Stone Magazine (out on 1 February 2012).

Be sure to check out the BlackBerry Lounge while you’re there and of course, the fantastic cocktails!

We'll see you there fellow rock n rollers.

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Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack Birthday Extravaganza

2011-12-13T04:05:00.001+11:00

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A three part birthday extravaganza kicked off Sunday, celebrating Frank Sinatra's Birthday and to benefit the Alzheimer's Association's California Southland Chapter.

Old Blue Eyes would have turned 96 on Monday. The three-part gala, starting at Sinatra's old Twin Palms estate, will celebrate the life, artistry and birthday of the Hoboken, N.J.-born crooner who came into the world in 1915.

Named for Sinatra's 10th studio album, "A Swingin' Affair," the fundraiser will start with a cocktail party at Sinatra's Twin Palms estate. Canadian jazz artist Matt Dusk will play at Twin Palms, an estate designed by architect E. Stewart Williams where Sinatra and his first wife, Nancy, then Ava Gardner, lived.

Afterward, the fun will move to the Riviera Palm Springs, where actress Pamela Anderson will be holding court in the Starlite Lounge, helping deep-pocket supporters find their checkbooks.

At the Riviera, where the late singer held many of his famous parties, son Frank Sinatra Jr. and his Big Band Orchestra will handle the entertainment, along with Broadway star Lainie Kazan.

Of course, there's also an after-party, beginning at 11:30 p.m. at the Starlite Lounge in the Riviera.

Pamela Anderson, Frank Sinatra Jr., The X Factor's Phillip Lomax, & America's Got Talent's Daniel Joseph Baker Perform at A Swingin' Affair! Gala

Superstar performances set for Frank Sinatra's Birthday Bash in Palm Springs, Tickets Nearly Sold-Out for Alzheimer's Association Benefit

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PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Dec. 6, 2011 - A Swingin' Affair!, the Frank Sinatra birthday gala to benefit the Alzheimer's Association on Dec. 11 in Palm Springs, is becoming as star-studded as the late Sinatra's life.

Recently added to the lineup of spectacular talent are Phillip Lomax, whose crooner ways led him to the Top 17 on this season of The X Factor, and actor/singer Luca Ellis, who just earned three Ovation nominations for his musical on Frank Sinatra, Hoboken to Hollywood. They join the previously announced Pamela Anderson, Frank Sinatra Jr., America's Got Talent's Daniel Joseph Baker, Matt Dusk, and Lainie Kazan.

The three-stop event kicks off with an exclusive VIP cocktail hour at Sinatra's former Twin Palms estate, which was designed by famed architect E. Stewart Williams and lived in by Sinatra and first wife Nancy and then Ava Gardner. Canadian jazz artist Matt Dusk, who has three No. 1 international hits under his belt, will perform and cocktails and canapes will be served poolside from 2-5 p.m.

Stop two of the night is the Grand Gala at the posh Riviera Palm Springs Resort & Spa where Sinatra held most of his lavish parties. Architect and visionary Irwin Schuman designed the historic location and the event will be fashioned in the grand Hollywood Regency style. Pamela Anderson serves as hostess of the night, with performances by Frank Sinatra Jr. and his Big Band Orchestra, singer/pianist Daniel Joseph Baker from season 6 of America's Got Talent, Phillip Lomax from The X Factor, Matt Dusk, and actress/Broadway star Lainie Kazan. A sumptuous three-course dinner will be served and cocktails will be flowing.

The night closes with an after-party, starting at 11:30 p.m., at the swanky Starlite Lounge in the Riviera. Daniel Joseph Baker will once again perform, as well as the aforementioned Phillip Lomax and Luca Ellis. Cocktails will be flowing into the wee small hours of the morning. A special toast and a cake will be cut in honor of Sinatra's birthday. (He would've been 96 years old this year.)

A limited number of tickets are still available for all three parts of the gala and can be purchased by calling 760-561-5561 or on the website, http://www.aswingingaffair.com

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association works on a global, national and local level to enhance care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias. Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible degeneration of the brain that causes disruptions in memory, cognition, personality, and other functions that eventually leads to death from complete brain failure. Over 5.4 million Americans age 65 and older are thought to have Alzheimer's disease. Learn more at: www.alz.org

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Pamela Anderson, Frank Sinatra Jr., The X Factor's Phillip Lomax, & America's Got Talent's Daniel Joseph Baker Perform at A Swingin' Affair! Gala

2011-12-08T00:40:00.001+11:00

Superstar performances set for Frank Sinatra's Birthday Bash in Palm Springs, Tickets Nearly Sold-Out for Alzheimer's Association Benefit

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Hidden Treasures of Sydney; Photography Award Winners Share With Charity, by Greg Tingle - 7th December 2011

2011-12-07T23:59:00.001+11:00

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Art Photography Eva Rinaldi Sydney Australia

Sydney City Rotaract earlier this evening announced the winners of the 'Hidden Treasures of Sydney’ photography competition with their 'Night With The Artists'.

Over 200 amateur and professional photographers entered the competition and the field was narrowed down to just one, with my close artistic friend Eva Rinaldi making the final with her 'Sailing Opera House', and Greg Rollo's 'George Street' photo being selected for the calendar's front cover.

An intimate audience of art lovers and philanthropic minded people gathered to celebrate art, photography and people power.

Out of all the speeches given my favourite was that of Briar Wards (Youth Insearch) who shared with the captive audience that when she was a troubled youngster she was sceptical about 'Youth Insearch', however they assisted her to the extent that she believes that they in fact "saved her life", and judging by Ms Wards' emotion speech, I believe her. It sure kept things real and relative to the cause, and why we were there - photography and art for a worthy cause.

The full list of winners (which sees their photographs showcased in the 2012 calendar) is:

Belinda Dunn - 'Kiss Me Kite' (January)

Ian Ibrahim - 'The View' (February)

Marie Nekoodast - 'Autumn Songs' (March)

Nkechi Beka - 'Luna Harbour' (April)

Fiona Pine - 'Arches' (May)

Eva Rinaldi - 'Sailing Opera House' (June)

Ondrej Holiencin - 'Elegance is an Attitude' (July)

Greg Rollo - 'Solo' (August)

Ian Ibrahim - 'Washing Machine' (September)

Greg Rollo - 'Town Hall Station' (October)

Mark Tipple - 'Escape' (November)

Michelle Vierboom - 'Hanging Feet' (December)

David Burns, Senior Lecturer in the School of Design at the University of Technology Sydney, selected the twelve photographs which appeared in the 2012 calendar.

Winners received (1) 200 free digital prints card and a Paxtons photography course.

The calendar will be sold across Sydney with proceeds donated to local charity, Youth Insearch.

Youth Insearch is a Sydney-based charity empowering young people to take responsibility for their lives by giving them the opportunity and skills to develop their self esteem and play a positive role in society.

The competition was managed by Sydney City Rotaract, a dynamic group of students and professionals aged 18-30 who want to 'make a difference' in the community and across the world.

Sponsored by Rotary International, Rotaract Clubs are part of a worldwide organisation of 170,000 individuals in 7,000 clubs covering 160 countries and geographic areas.

Details on becoming a member of Sydney City Rotaract are available from the website: www.sydneycityrotaract.org.au

Well done to all involved with the event.

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Richard Branson empathy for "Occupy Wall Street" protesters - 23rd November 2011

2011-11-24T13:47:00.003+11:00

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As the fourth richest man in the United Kingdom, Sir Richard Branson is not part of the "99 percent," a phrase coined by the "Occupy Wall Street" protesters to describe those making less than the richest one percent.

But the Virgin boss and self-made billionaire has empathy for protesters currently making headlines all over the world, FOXNews.com reported Tuesday.

"It is a very positive movement, it's a peaceful movement and it needs to make businesses all over the world sit up and listen," Branson said at the Rock the Kasbah party in support of his non-profit Virgin Unite foundation in Hollywood.

He said his new book, titled "Screw Business as Usual," actually has a message similar to that of the protests.

"Basically its saying that business should come to be a force for good, it should get out there and tackle the problems of the world," he explained. "In that way, it hopefully can regain its reputation and the need to 'Occupy Wall Street' will be less."

Branson also said he is optimistic that the movement will have a positive impact in turning the corporate world around for the better.

"It should happen in packs and I really think its capitalism is going to have a good name rather than a bad name," he said. "It's up to the people who are lucky enough to be in a position of power through businesses to utilize that power responsibly that's so very, very important."

As a teenager, Branson spent time running from police wielding batons as he marched on the American embassy in England in an effort to try to stop the Vietnam War.

"I'm a lad of the 60s and I think we had a social conscience in those days," he recalled. "So from quite a young age I set up an advisory for the young people and through the advisory center I got a great understanding of people who were struggling in life, and I'm in a position where I can make a real difference and I'm determined to make a real difference."

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Sculpture By Sea At Sydney's Bondi Beach; Everyone's A Winner - 20th November 2011

2011-11-21T10:36:00.002+11:00

It wasn't Sculpture By The Sea that motivated Paul Selwood to become a sculpture artist, but rather the architecture of the Sydney Opera House.

On Thursday Selwood snatched the top prize at Bondi's 15th Sculpture By The Sea exhibition.

Selwood won with his abstract steel construction 'Paradiegma Metaphysic'.

"Paradiegma is an ancient Greek word used by architects who were trying to think about and invent beautiful architectural concepts, like temples," he said.

"The word metaphysic means extra-physical, something more than what is there in the physical material."

Today his artwork was viewed by Denmark's Crown Princess Mary and her husband Crown Prince Frederik, who are visited the exhibition on its final day.

The Danish royal couple have been admirers of the exhibition since 2000, when they came across on the sculptures during a visit to Bondi Beach during one of their first outings in the dealing dating period.

Sculpture By The Sea founding director David Handley told news media that Mary and Frederik were so taken by the event, they took it to Denmark.

"There has now been two Sculpture By The Sea exhibitions held in Aarhus, and 40 Australian sculptors have exhibited there as a result," he said.

Selwood's winning sculpture sits with the works by 61 NSW sculptors, 24 from interstate and 25 international artists...spanning the foreshore from Bondi Beach to Tamarama.

Paul Selwood's sculpture will join two previous winners as a permanent installation in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens once the exhibition is over.

Well done to all artists and those who help keep the famous event going.

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Visual Effects Society Lauds Stan Lee - Comic book icon to receive Lifetime Achievement Award. - 19th October 2011

2011-10-19T23:50:00.001+11:00

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Comic book publisher and entrepreneur Stan Lee has been selected by the VES Board of Directors as the recipient of the VES 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the 10th Annual VES Awards, which will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on February 7, 2012.

The VES Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals whose "lifetime body of work has made a significant and lasting contribution to the art and/or science of the visual effects industry by way of artistry, invention and/or groundbreaking work." Stan Lee is known to millions as the man whose Super Heroes propelled Marvel Comics to its preeminent position in the comic book industry. His famous co-creations include Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, The Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Daredevil, The Avengers, Silver Surfer and Dr. Strange, among many others.

Lee first became publisher of Marvel Comics in 1972 and is presently the Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Enterprises, Inc. and a member of the Editorial Board of Marvel Comics. In 1977, he introduced Spider-Man as a syndicated newspaper strip that went on to become the most successful of all syndicated adventure strips. Spider-Man now appears in more than 500 newspapers worldwide -- making it the longest running of all Super Hero strips. Lee founded, and is currently Chief Creative Officer, of POW! Entertainment, where he continues to write and create new characters.

"Stan Lee's imagination has created a completely original and profitable niche in the entertainment world and has allowed visual effects to flex its muscle in service to it!" said VES Chair Jeffrey A. Okun. "Thanks to Mr. Lee's fantastic creations and amazing stories he not only created a future filled with gadgets and inventions that we aspire to create for real – but all while inspiring the minds and imaginations of storytellers, visual effects artists and computer wizards everywhere," added Okun.

"As a writer there is nothing more rewarding than to see your creations brought to life on the screen and I am indebted to all of the incredibly talented artists who have contributed to my projects," said Lee. "Visual effects have played a pivotal role in the ongoing success of Marvel's characters and allowed fans to experience their stories in an entirely new way. It is truly a great honor to receive this award from the Visual Effects Society."

Without question, Stan 'the Man' Lee has exerted more influence over the comic book industry than anyone in history. He created or co-created 90 percent of Marvel's recognized characters, which have been successfully licensed and marketed since 1965. The numbers are staggering -- more than 2 billion of his comic books have been published in 75 countries and in 25 languages.

In 1981 Stan Lee transformed his Spider-Man and Hulk creations into Saturday morning and syndicated television cartoons. When Marvel Comics and Marvel Productions were acquired by New World Entertainment in 1986, Stan's horizons expanded even further, giving him the opportunity to become more deeply involved in the creation and development of filmed projects for both the big and small screen. He supervised such diverse animated series as X-Men, Spider-Man and The Hulk. To date, Stan's characters have populated over 24 separate television series, all of which continue in syndication around the world.

In 2001, Stan founded POW! Entertainment, Inc., a multi-media entertainment company, where he is creating a myriad of new characters, stories and franchises for traditional and emerging media.

Previous recipients of the VES Lifetime Achievement Award are George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis, Dennis Muren, Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall, James Cameron and Ray Harryhausen.

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Australian Pokie Wars: Abbott VS Wilkie, by Greg Tingle - 1st October 2011

2011-10-01T19:21:00.003+10:00

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The Coalition's decision to oppose slot machine reform has made "independent" Andrew Wilkie even more gun ho in pushing the law for change even if it comes to bringing down the unpopular Gillard Government.

"I will not budge on mandatory pre-commitment on high intensity poker machines," he said.

It goes something like this...

Prime Minister Julia Gillard promised to introduce curbs on problem gamblers in return for his support of the minority Labor Government. He has set the budget in May as the deadline for the delivery of the promise, either by voluntary agreement by the states and territories or by overriding federal legislation.

The Federal Government is trying to work out how to implement the mandatory pre-commitment technology, with the states and territories unlikely to agree on firm action by Wilkie's deadline.

The tech would basically force poker machine players to register before playing and to use a card to choose how much they wanted to gamble in one session. It's understood some punters will find loopholes around the mousetrap, such is their desire to play.

Some Labor MPs are disturbed by the aggressive campaign being waged by clubs...a key Labour support area...against mandatory restrictions on problem gambling.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott advised this week the Coalition would vote against the legislation if the Government decided to bring it to Parliament.

Although independent Tony Windsor has concerns about the move, Wilkie believes the legislation would be successful.

"I think the numbers are there in the Parliament for this to pass into law but I have obviously made it the Government's challenge to out and get those numbers," he said.

Wilkie is super determined to act if the legislation hasn't been approved, even though this would result in mayhem, something Labour is used to by now, and would not actually achieve poker-machine reform.

"The next morning I'd call a press conference and tear up my agreement with the Prime Minister," he said. "If I was Opposition Leader, I'd probably move very quickly to bring on a no confidence motion in the Government on its inability to deliver poker machine reform, which, on the fact of it, I'd probably support.

"Mind you, the new Opposition could then turn around and bring on a no confidence motion in Tony Abbott on poker machine reform and I'd have to support that as well, because he is not going to help me out there. But the Government has made things a bit simpler for me, because the Labor Party now has a worse policy than the Coalition on irregular immigration. I assume Tony Abbott would race to an election ... I reckon he'd go out to Government House that day and say the situation is unstable."

Wilkie predicted the Coalition would win an election held next year in those circumstances.

"I don't think the Labor fortunes are going to turn around for some time yet," he said.

What party are you going to gamble on? Make your vote count.

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Clubs back NRL-AFL pokies campaign - 25th September 2011

2011-09-25T17:44:00.001+10:00

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The clubs industry is backing rugby league and the AFL's alliance to campaign against the federal government's poker machine reforms.

The NRL and the AFL are planning to run television advertisements against mandatory pre-commitment during Grand Final week.

Clubs Australia executive director Anthony Ball said he welcomed the decision of the two rival codes to speak out against the technology being demanded by independent MP Andrew Wilkie.

"Millions of Australians are AFL and rugby league fans," he said in a statement.

"By backing Andrew Wilkie's demand for mandatory pre-commitment, the federal government is directly attacking the ability of clubs across the country to support AFL and rugby league teams."

Mr Ball said no sporting club would escape the "massive financial hit" of the mandatory pre-commitment regime, which Mr Wilkie wants implemented by 2014.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and individual club presidents are meeting on Monday to map out campaign strategies.

New Ltd reports Mr Demetriou has held talks with Families Minister Jenny Macklin, who would have carriage of the pokies legislation, along with Sports Minister Mark Arbib and Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten.

It added that 25 Labor MPs had threatened to vote against the plan in Caucus.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has described mandatory pre-commitment as a "footy tax".

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president Ged Kearney said the government should be allowed to implement its pokies reforms.

She said although Clubs Australia was arguing there could be job losses, the harmful effects of problem gambling on peoples' lives should not be downplayed.

"I think let the reforms be implemented, monitor them closely and see what happens," she said.

"I'm sure we can help workers and businesses from an adverse impact as we go along."

Ms Kearney said the policy allowing people to set their own gambling limits was sensible.

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Hilton Hotel Zeta Bar ‘extreme cabaret’ students excel, by Greg Tingle - 9th September 2011

2011-09-10T00:34:00.001+10:00

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Hilton Sydney’s Zeta Bar continued to bring guests back to the extreme cabaret, now a famous fixture of Friday nights in 'Sin City'.

It was on for young and old tonight as celebrated Australian - Italian creative artist Eva Rinaldi and her team delivered an extremely impressive cabaret presentation.

Tonight's artistic creation was more complex to create than usual so Ms Rinaldi took the opportunity to offer school students Kayleb Cantali and her son, Joseph Rinaldi, some valuable work experience.

Ms Rinaldi said "We absolutely love working with our friends at the Hilton Hotel and the Zeta Bar. Tonight was very special for us because I was able to also include my son Joseph and my nephew Kayleb in our creative arts team. It's work experience time for them and what a fun activity for their high school curriculum. Work experience was never quite this fun in my day. I did the most complicated parts of the painting and design, but I am very proud of the students contribution. The performance and end result was just amazing and oozed extreme cabaret."

Cabaret connoisseurs will be over the moon to hear that the the rumours are getting stronger that the 'Extreme Cabaret' theme will continue at Hilton much longer than the originally forecast 12 weeks. A spy also whispered that Hilton Hotels in New Zealand and even as far as the United Statues are keen to incorporate extreme cabaret into their big entertainment nights.

Tonight it was Human Statue model Anastasiya Bakss made up in a bodypainting based black and red number featuring all manner of risque words like "sexy", "tease", "burlesque" and you get the idea. She read like a book (of the teasing variety). Insiders were overheard comparing it to a famous photo of model Bar Refaeli, who graced the cover of Esquire Magazine a few years back.

The extreme cabaret performances have really added new life into the Hilton's Zeta bar, and we understand it's been great for business as well as far the larger Sydney social scene.

The unlikely joining of extreme cabaret, live music, education and photography really hit the "X" spot tonight and nightlife lovers can't wait for next flirty Friday night to do it all over again at the Zeta.

Special thanks as always to Grant, Manual, Dave and Karina at the Hilton for keeping things running so great for us. Oh, we heard some some guests got tempted to do an overnighter at the Hilton and add themselves to the Hilton Hotel Honours Club. Trust me, its highly recommended.

Up to be tantalised in an acceptable, cool and risque fashion? Snatch the opportunity to do 'Sin City' Sydney like it should be done. It's quite an education, and they do say that there should be fun in learning. Join us in the classroom next week guys and dolls.

*photography by Eva Rinaldi Photography

*artistic creations by Human Statue Bodyart

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2011-09-05T12:16:00.003+10:00

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Uronimo Announces the World’s First Mobile Social Network with its Charity Partner, The North American Andy Transplant Foundation

2011-09-05T12:16:00.001+10:00

URONIMO, the first mobile social network & The North American Andy Transplant Foundation, Inc. (a 501(c)3) non profit organization) will have an official press conference in Hollywood, Ca. with it’s hosting partner, 3D Film Festival during Sept. 22 – 25, 2011. The 3D Film Festival is the World’s first and largest film and music festival over 4 days with 40 events in the city blocks district of Sunset and Vine. (www.3dff.org)

Hollywood has used its strength to promote philanthropy in its communities and around the world. The NAATF aspires to maximize and recognize the changes needed in today’s world and has partnered with the 3D Film Festival. Its new flagship to be, Mother Teresa’s website, www.andytransplantfoundation.org MT EXCLUSIVELY BRANDED for URONIMO.org in celebration of her 100th Birthday will participate in a “love sees no diversity & embraces all” screening and concert benefit. The NAATF will also raise funds with Save the Music, a fundraiser to buy music equipment to benefit the Hollywood High School Students.

Uronimo.org is the next social mobile platform (The first mobile social network that will stream all 40 events) Charities can start to log on for FREE and start to make money for their non-profits by sending out SMS and MMS messages with no applications anymore. The best part is that they can build their own database of phone numbers and keep in touch with all of their customers via any mobile phone throughout the world. Companies can donate to the charity and non-profits can use these green credits to get started to make money for their causes.

This event will be televised by Uronimo’s network and other media including “The Susan Thompson Show” as seen on CNN’s queue Jan. 2011 with CNN’S Hero’s and other media. Details of this spectacular venue will announce a message, key players, guest artists and dignitaries, upcoming events and other humanitarian efforts and activities. Producers, media and initiatives are in place regarding charity fundraising and empowerment including a VIP contest with Uronimo.org.

Celebrities, Models, Sport Athletes, Musicians, Distinguished Authors, Renowned Master Chefs, Famous Writers, Politicians & more are now invited to participate in this popularity venue to become “Starlight Ambassadors”.

Go to www.uronimo.com or to www.andytransplantfoundation.org for more information. Additional information about The Susan Thompson Show is available on its website, www.thesusanthompsonshow.com

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The Sunland Foundation Challenges You To Trivia

2011-08-01T12:25:00.001+10:00

THE SUNLAND FOUNDATION CHALLENGES YOU TO A

– TRIVIA NIGHT –

Saturday 30th July, 2011
La Medusa Ballroom, Palazzo Versace
6.30pm for 7pm start

$100 per person or $900 for tables of 10
(Arrival cocktail, light dinner and soft drinks)

RSVP:
rsvp@palazzoversace.com
or telephone (07) 5509 8021

ALL PROCEEDS RAISED ON THE EVENING WILL BE DONATED TO THE SALVATION ARMY RED SHIELD APPEAL.

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Garrett faces pokie restrictions fire - 26th July 2011

2011-07-27T15:08:00.001+10:00

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Club owners and punters gathered in the Sydney electorate of Education Minister Peter Garrett last night to voice their anger over proposed restrictions on poker machines.

More than 200 people turned up to the South Sydney Juniors Rugby League Club at Kingsford last night to protest against mandatory pre-set betting limits for pokies.

Mr Garrett was given a cool reception as he spoke to the crowd in his electorate of Kingsford Smith, but he was not deterred from defending the changes.

"There's nothing un-Australian about thinking about the problems that people face who are problem gamblers, and trying to do something to address that problem," Mr Garrett said.

"I don't think anyone can take away from the legitimacy of the goal, which is to make sure that something which does fall upon your and my fellow Australians and cause them great grief, and their families great grief and suffering, is dealt with."

Peter Newell from Clubs Australia hit back, saying there are already many restrictions on poker machines.

"Clubs Australia does not want one dollar from problem gamblers, and we are completely open to continuing reform that actually helps problem gamblers. But this current proposal is totally misguided in this regard," Mr Newell said.

"Voluntary pre-commitment has already been put in place by quite a number of clubs without having a noose put around their neck."

National Rugby League chief executive David Gallop told the crowd problem gambling is a terrible issue, but the Government is not offering a solution.

"We do however challenge a policy that will not stop problem gamblers, but will simply make it too complicated for the average person to have an occasional punt," Mr Gallop said.

"If Clubs Australia is even half right, this policy will have a devastating affect on many communities, many grassroots rugby league clubs."

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Media, Technology And Community Entrepreneur To Speak At Bondi Beach Church on July 10th

2011-07-10T18:22:00.002+10:00

Media, Technology And Community Entrepreneur To Speak At Bondi Beach Church on July 10th...

JULY 10: Dr. Geoffrey Sykes

Virtual Selves, Avatars and Life in the Spirit - Towards a Theology of Media

Geoffrey has taught media studies at the Universities of Western Sydney and Wollongong, and published and lectured widely in this country and in prominent overseas institutions in the areas of media, communication and semiotics. He has produced and directed several videos, which have been broadcast on SBC, ABC and Foxtel, and has wide educational distribution and sales. Currently, he has several works in progress, He is an established playwright, with over 20 professional productions. In recent years he has curated a successful program of arts and theatre at the Bushchapel Helensburgh, and is currently expanding this to include video classes and activities.

Paul Virilio, a French Catholic theologian, coined the term 'virtuality' as part of negative criticism of the illusion and false values of mass media. His work belongs in a late twentieth century tradition of critical theory about media - including Baudrillard and the Frankfurt School - that stresses the false consciousness or simulacrum of media effects. The word virtuality has found more positive, though vague, meanings in popular discussion about media - especially new media like games. The talk will seek to re-claim a richer, yet thoroughly positive and theological sense of the term 'virtuality'. While maintaining it as a media term, the paper will also begin to reclaim the rich religious sense of the term "avatar", a sense that has been lost in its bowdlerized, common use as computer jargon. The paper will distinctly link both terms to New Testament forms of spiritual identity, as well as using them to provide an explanation of some of the continuing and transformative effects of media in our society. Is the church equipped to meet the opportunities of new media? What are the implications of fast broadband and the NBN? Can we argue for a new society and spirituality, based on a theology of self and community? Can we re-evaluate Christian thinking while embracing the full potential of contemporary media? The presentation will have two parts - a talk or paper, followed by an open discussion about the paper and also about any issues to do with media, theology and the spirituality or the church. Geoffrey will also briefly mention plans for community media.

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2011-06-26T12:43:00.000+10:00

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Local teacher breaking down barriers for disadvantaged, by Greg Tingle - 31st March 2011

2011-03-31T16:29:00.001+11:00

We've all heard the stories of the "too hard basked", "will never get a job", and "in your dreams".

Local teacher, celebrated media businesswoman and artist, Eva Rinaldi, is once again proving the naysayers wrong with her new life skills and wellbeing course tailored for disadvantaged people.

Ms Rinaldi is used to achieving the possible, so when the opportunity presented to teach life skills at The Parramatta College to a dozen people categorized as "disadvantaged" as far as job and business prospects go, she jumped at it.

The class comprises of adult aged students who have to put it mildly, had a really rough go of it in life. We go around the room and learn of the stories of family breakdown, job retrenchment, depression, weight and diet issues, sexual abuse, homelessness and we need not elaborate any further.

Ms Rinaldi said "I feel so blessed to be able to give these people new hope. My life has not been sheltered either and I've had my own share of ups and downs on the rollercoaster of life so I feel that I was hand picked for this most challenging role. I think that everyone one of us has a calling. We are four weeks into the eight week course now and the students are starting to open up to me more about their goals, dreams, aspirations, fears and life journey now. Many of them were quite hesitant at first. We've identified a few diamonds in the rough and we have already got some work experience opportunities confirmed for a number of them and their overall positive mental attitude has increased remarkable".

The charismatic teacher, well known for her media and arts appearances, has been contacting her impressive network of business contacts and has also secured the strong interest of Channel Seven, Andrew McManus Presents, Michael Jacobsen, Media Man and beyondblue. She's already signed up a number of the students as models and artists assistants for her Human Statue BodyArt, organised interviews with Media Man to raise more awareness and to give the students an outlet to share the story, and book into some of them to be St John's Ambulance volunteers at a number of upcoming music and sports events.

Ms Rinaldi said "Every little thing counts and gets them a step closer to where they want to be. You have to keep their spirit alive and heading in the right direction. Even this modest news article helps them see that society cares and has an interest. A very good friend of mine who works in media showed me the documentary of 'The Choir Of Hard Knocks' which showed many disadvantaged people come together and build up a formidable choir. There's were some absolutely golden people with amazing talent. I'm certain we have a similar kind of scenario with the students in my class. They just need to find their niche, and step by step they are. We're all really excited".

Many of the students were hesitant to be interviewed as they want to achieve more first before getting too much attention in the media, but we secured permission to publish some overview details.

Andrew: 55 years, booked into St Johns Ambulance volunteer service, into motorbikes and music and is looking forward to getting back into the workforce.

June: 50 years, long term depression issues, enjoys dancing, is into nutrition and helping others. Eva has identified June as been extremely intelligent.

Sarah: 20 years, long term unemployed and weight loss issues, but has lost 20kg in the last 2 months. Loves her dog and is looking forward to getting out and about more, and easing herself back into the workforce.

In the coming weeks we will be tracking the progress of these never say die students, and Ms Rinaldi promises us that she will have some very special guests coming along to share their own stories, and further reinforce to her class that nothing is impossible, by providing real life examples and genuine work experience opportunities, some of which will likely lead to sustainable employment prospects.

An enthusiastic Ms Rinaldi closed in saying "We have some amazing talented people here with lots to offer and who can't wait to get back to work. The more the naysayers say it can't be done, the more I know it can be. I've made some big comebacks in my own career, and I've been sharing some of the secrets with my class. Together I know we will all cross the finish line. This assignment has been one of my careers biggest challenges, but already its turning into one of the most rewarding".

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Festival for every woman - The Southern Courier - 31st March 2011

2011-03-08T17:47:00.002+11:00

The Every Woman Festival will bring together some of Sydney’s best independent artists to celebrate 100 years of International Women’s Day next Tuesday.

Kensington’s Sophie Serafino is the inaugural event’s organiser and she wants to “revamp the face of International Women’s Day”.

“We want to celebrate women from all walks of life. At the moment there is nothing that celebrates all age groups of women,” she said.

The Every Woman Festival will be held on Tuesday, March 8 at The Basement, Circular Quay.

The event will raise funds for Lou’s Place, a women’s refuge in Sydney’s Kings Cross and The Claude Ho Foundation, Malawi, which supports grandmother’s of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. (Credit: The Southern Courier)

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BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi

2011-02-16T20:06:00.001+11:00

BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi

ABOUT
The best skaters in the world, competing on one of the finest bowls in the world, set against the most iconic beach in the world. This is Vans BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi.
We’re throwing everything at it for Vans BOWL-A-RAMA 2011 - legendary riders competing for the biggest prize money in the history of the event, plus a week-long festival including art shows, video premiers, live music performances, giveaways and more.

WHEN
Competition: Saturday 19 Feb
Additional events: Wednesday 16 – Sunday 20 Feb
It all kicks off Wednesday 16th with the WCSK8 Official Rider Registration Party, and runs all week with a heap of events. The competition is on from 9am - 7pm at Bondi Beach Skatepark.

EVENTS

LAUNCH PARTY
The official launch party slash rider sign in party, courtesy of Vans in conjunction with WCSK8 and The Beach Road Hotel - expect loads of music, giveaways and more. And leave the coin at home – it’s free. (This is an Over 18’s event so please bring ID)

LOVE & GUTS ART SHOW

We’ve rounded up some of the world’s most creative skaters past and present for the annual international travelling exhibition.

Participants in previous year's shows include Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero, Christian Hosoi, Pat Ngoho and a stack more. Stay tuned for details on this year’s theme and incredible roster of artists.

VANS WRAP PARTY
Beach Road Hotel
7.00pm
There are some big announcements coming soon for this year’s Awards Party so sit tight. (It is an Over 18s event so please bring your ID)

GROMMET SKATE AREA

RESULTS

PRO RESULTS 2010
1. Pedro Barros $12,000
2. Bucky Lasek $7,000
3. Bob Burnquist $4,000
4. Omar Hassan $2,500
5. Rune Glifberg $1,500
6. RJ Barbaro $1,100
7. Juergen Horrwarth$900
8. Josh Borden $800
9. Rion Linderman $700
10. Renton Millar $600
11. Daniel Cardone $200
12. Nathan Beck $200
13. Sam Beckett $200
14. Otavio Neto $150
15. Grant Taylor $150

MASTERS RESULTS 10
1. Steve Caballero $3,000
2. Pat Ngoho $1,800
3. Mik Mulhall $1,100
4. Glen Charnoski $700
5. Lester Kasai $500
6. Jeff Grosso $200
7. John Grey $200
8. Lance Mountain $200
9. Adrian Jones $150
10. Scott Spring $150

STAY SAFE

TRANSPORT TO EVENT: Buses - 380, 382, 389 and Waverley Council Beach Runner Train - Eastern Suburbs / Cronulla - Southerland Line Car - Parking available at Queen Elizabeth Drive car park and Bondi Junction. Enjoy the day and come by Public Transport.

EVENT SAFETY:
Summer sun - wear 30+ sun block, a hat and adequate sun protection
Alcohol free event - There will be bag searches and you will be asked to take your alcohol home or dump it. Local ordinances apply.
For more information please CLICK HERE to download the “STAY SAFE at the beach” brochure.

BOWL-A-RAMA™ 2011 Conditions of Entry

For the comfort, safety and enjoyment of all persons attending this event please be advised of the following conditions:

Organisers reserve the right to search all bags at the time of entry to the venue.
Failure to comply will mean you will be prevented from entering the event.
Persons causing a disturbance or refusing to comply with requests from Security will be ejected from the event;

The Event Producer reserves the right to refuse entry or reject patrons from the event at its sole discretion;
The Event Producer or venue shall not be held liable for any loss, injury or damages sustained entering or at the event;
By entering this event site you agree to being filmed or photographed, the product of which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes;
The following restricted or prohibited items are not permitted by patrons into the event:

Glass bottles
Unsealed containers
Alcoholic beverages
Illicit drugs
Knives or other dangerous weapons including potential missiles
Flares, fireworks or sparklers
Animals or pets
Flags with poles, large flags or banners that might obstruct the view of other patrons
Any item that you intend (or such quantities of the item from which Management can reasonably infer that you intend) to distribute, hawk, sell, offer, expose for sale or display for marketing display or promotional purposes
Any dangerous goods
Any other items as determined by Security or Management that may cause injury or public nuisance

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Sparrow Cafe, North Bondi, Sydney, Australia Re Opens This Monday 8am, by Greg Tingle

2011-01-23T18:53:00.000+11:00

The world famous (we think) Sparrow Cafe at North Bondi, Sydney, Australia, re opens to business this Monday (that's tomorrow for readers in Australia).

Pat and the team return after a well deserved break.

Pat's commentary on local and world events was sorely missed. Locals can't wait to get his take on topics such as fun and games at Waverley Council, the Labor Party, the NRL and WikiLeaks.

Coffee, tea and beer lovers will be able to return to their favorite haunt, after checking out some of the competition over the past 3 weeks. Cheers.

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2011-01-16T11:08:00.001+11:00

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Bondi Rescue: Art imitates life with bodypaint, by Greg Tingle - 14th January 2011

2011-01-15T00:51:00.001+11:00

World renowned Australian bodyartist and up and coming photo journalist, Eva Rinaldi, returned to her old news media stomping ground, Bondi Beach today, and we think was responsible for once again raising the temperatures of guys and gals.

On previous occasions whenever Ms Rinaldi visited Bondi Beach either a bodypainted look-a-like or Oprah Winfrey or 'Rebel Avatar's' would appear.

Well, today was a bit of mystery. There were a number of reported sightings of an artist matching Ms Rinadi's ID, friend - TV presenter Joy Hhuby and photographer Marek Jezierski.

Before you could say "Let's Paint Oprah" a couple of bodypaited Aussie stunners appeared out of the middle of nowhere, between the flags on the north end. The brunette lying on her back, appearing to be exhausted, but showing an inkling of a smile, and just a touch of pink, with much of her eco friendly bodypaint having been washed away. The blonde bombshell frantically pumping (her heart) and pounding on her chest, attempting to give the kiss of life, right between the lips. A concerned onlooker shouted "we better get help" and rushed over to the scene pulling out his mobile and looking to dial 000. A few more minutes and the victim had fully recovered. Then a light applause, and many a tourist, mainly red blooded males, asked if they would be ok to get a photo, and the rescuer and rescue-ee both obliged, seamlessly making a miraculous recovery.

One beach goer couldn't resist and asked the models their names and we understand them to now be identified as Kalais Rauchle and Tess Evans.

So, an emergency, elaborate stunt or life imitating art? For the record no Bondi Rescue lifeguards or Network Ten press types were present, so we suspect it may have been another 'Human Statue' creation.

It was 28% at Bondi Beach, Sydney today, but the buzz is Ms Rinaldi's antics raised the bar o meter at least another 10%. Bondi Beach continues to play a game of "can you top that", and the bodypainting queen of down under looks to be giving all and sundry a bit of a run for their money. We rate the performance (if that is what it was) as a Perfect 10. Yeah, Brooke Shields and Andy Warhol would have been proud.

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2010-12-26T09:54:00.000+11:00

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Kerry Packer Aussie Legend Lives On Via Art And TV, by Greg Tingle - 5th November 2010

2010-12-06T09:50:00.001+11:00

G'day punters, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, media magnates, journalists, historians and art lovers. Art lovers?! Yes, today we bring you a special Kerry Packer special. The legend lives on, not only here, but now at an Australian artists exhibition, and of course 'Our James' (James Packer) continues to fly the flag and do the family legacy proud with his Crown Limited empire. Not only that, we also cover the pending return of KP to Australian television in an ABC mini series tipped to hit the jackpot, and Network Nine is bringing back 'Underbelly', complete with gambling themes. Media Man and Gambling911 present The Kerry Packer Special...

Kerry Packer & Friends...

Kerry Packer & Friends - NG Art Gallery - 7th Dec - 24th Dec 2010
3 Little Queen Street
Chippendale, NSW Sydney AUSTRALIA
Tuesday - Saturday 11.00am - 5.30pm

Ok punters, here's the rundown. The artist - storyteller is Gina Sinozich. She's an 80 year old, Croat, Sydney based artist who paints in order to help recycle memory. Sinozich's latest exhibition, Kerry Packer and Friends, is her first solo commercial effort in Sydney and is tells the story of the legendary Kerry Packer. She covers the unique personality and complexities of a legend who was known for his astronomical wealth, super whale gambling exploits, running his business with an iron fist, and colourful run ins with the Australian government, amongst other things.

Sinozich migrated down under to Australia is 1956 and began to paint at the age of 75, now having work in Australian and New Zealand corporate and public collections. Her show showcases Packer as 'one of us' rather than the untouchable media tycoon. Sinozich was inspired to tell the story on the premise that we often hear bad before good. This tribute to KP is generous and reveals alot of the most powerful men in the world, who in 2004, was estimated to have a net worth of AUD 6.5 billion. The work of Sinozich will be showcased at NG Art Gallery from the 7th-24th of December and is certain to excite audiences, punters, art lovers or both. A fews Aussie commentator think this blows away much of the art that American gambling tycoon Steve Wynn shows off. Maybe Wynn might like to make a purchase of some classic Packer creations.

Sinozich says Packer gave back to society in a meaningful way and the series was intended to stand as a testament for this man's intrinsic goodwill after his death in December 2005. She recites a story that fuelled her initial interest in Packer, "...one lady said that she was on George Street with two little kids behind her and she was running...running to go on the train, and he (Packer) stopped her and said, 'don't you have a car?' and he wrote a cheque for her and said here, 'buy yourself a car'." Sinozich also fondly recalls, "...when he was playing in casino in Perth he won so much money and the girl who was serving wine...he asked her, 'do you have a mortgage on the house?' she said 'yes', then he wrote a cheque for AUD 600,000."

The talented, even cunning, artist worked like a Trojan horse for a fortnight and managed to produce 26 paintings that deeply explore her subject's nature, removing much of the mystic of Packer as an uncompromising media mogul. All the characters in Sinozich's work have a yarn to tell, and most aspects of his life are covered... birth, death, and much of the in between. Make no mistake, the works are smart, and unique, and are tipped to become collectors items.

The work is relatively simple, but full of life, and has been described as "traditional representational painting", which one may argue is a dying art. We think KP would have liked the tribute, and we await word to see what living members of the Packer clan think of the works.

Kerry Packer Legend To Return To Australian TV In Cleo Mini Series...

Packer is to return to life on Aussie TV via new ABC drama Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo (not to be confused with the Cleopatra slot game).

Australian readers may recall the public backlash to the introduction of the super sexy womens’ title in 1972. There were Cleo lovers and haters, but we're still talking about it today, so it made an impact, which is better than many of today's rags.

Rob Carlton will play a young Packer opposite Asher Keddie as publishing pioneer, the sexy and smart Ita Buttrose.

Rumours of a sexual relationship between Packer and Ita around the time of Cleo magazine's start off, but this won't be a focus on the mini-series, due to air next year.

Buttrose, who first made her mark as the magazine's editor, was a consultant on the production.

"If there was a supposed affair it didn't happen in this timeframe. I have no idea if there was, we didn't raise it with her," Edwards said.

There ABC publicity brief has whet our appetite for lots of Packer classic stuff and enough scandal to keep us coming back for more.

"It's 1972. Skirts are up, pants are down. Girls can have anything: Fabulous careers, fashionable clothes and oral sex," spruiks the promo.

The drama cleverly follows the death of Sir Frank Packer and the rise of his second son, who defies even family expectation to succeed, in a way no one could have expected.

"It was a real turning point in Kerry's career. It was a period when he made his first big move and it was an astonishing success and one against the odds in some respects," Edwards said.

Cleo magazine itself was a fine, yet controversial work, and introduced the nude male centrefold and sexual hits, tips, tricks and more for women. Media Man friend, actor Jack Thompson, is tipped to have his racy centrefold recreated. Something about a 6th finger, down there.

ABC TV by all accounts have taken a calculated risk on the series. Most quarters of society, both insiders and outsiders we've chatted with believe the gamble will pay off with a tidy jackpot, and whispers already circulate as to how many awards the show and actors will pick up.

Nine's David Gyngell Respects Packer History; PBL Becomes Nine Entertainment Co...

KP put Publishing & Broadcasting Media on the map and grew it to become arguably the biggest media brands in Australia.

PBL - the name, is now history, since Bondi Beach based chief executive, David Gyngell, rebranded it with Nine Entertainment Co.

Gyngell, who announced the rebranding at Nine's 2011 program launch in Sydney on Friday, advised the new name would be more recognisable to the public and large and went on to emphasise Nine's broad range of businesses, which sport Nine, ACP Magazines, Ticketek and NineMSN.

The recognition factor is important since the firm is likely to be floated on the Australian Stock Exchange by its private equity owners, CVC Asia Pacific, in the first half of next year.

It's understood that a strong level of support from a host of retail investors will be key to the $5 billion-plus float's chances of a jackpot.

Gyngell wisely acknowledged it was not an easy decision given he is the late Kerry Packer's godson and great mate of James Packer. History buffs, just in case you wondered, PBL was formed way back in 1994 when KP merged Nine with ACP (Australian Consolidated Press).

"PBL has a long association with the Packers so personally I don't take that lightly. But it's modernising a business that needs to be publicly known. We don't have the luxury of having James Packer or another mogul giving the company real gravitas."

Other media updates down under include Network Seven being backed by Kerry Stokes and Network Ten's board now has James Packer, News Corporation director Lachlan Murdoch, mining magnate Gina Rinehart and WIN TV owner Bruce Gordon.

"Nine is the biggest thing that we have and it is also the thing that supports all the other companies in the best possible way," Gyngell said. "It will be a new year. We are starting again."

Nine confirmed its crime drama Underbelly would come back with a series set in the roaring 20s in Sydney as well as 3 Underbelly movies! And, get this, a good spot of gambling will also be featured.

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Wrap Up...

Readers... er, punters, how did you like The Kerry Packer Special? Tell us in the forum.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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2010-11-29T18:26:00.001+11:00

Australian Media and Photographer Legend Dies, by Greg Tingle - 22nd November 2010

2010-11-22T23:45:00.000+11:00

RIP Peter Carrette. Peter, you were an angel among us. I feel blessed to have known you. Glad we caught up at the Bondi Beach Sea Shepherd on Friday. It was strange how we first met at Kerry Packer's funeral in 2005, at the Sydney Opera House, on a day which was more a celebration of life, rather than a focus on his death. When I moved to Bondi Beach in 2008 our friendship blossomed, and you were always an attentive ear, and a wonderful source of information and humor. Your Packer and nightlife stories were fantastic and music to my years. Being able to make modest donations to your orphanage in Cambodia was and always will occupy a special place in my heart and memory, as it will for our dear friend, Eva, who also just loved your presence, generosity of heart and spirit, and your photos of course. Eva and I just loved the gifts we got from you at the beach on the weekend, having been sent over from your orphanage in Cambodia. Your Tony Abbott costume you wore to the Sea Shepherd No Compromise! event on Friday night was a classic, just as you were. Knowing you enriched my life, and that of so many of my friends and acquaintances. You were one of the Australian media's great guys, and I think you knew that I saw you as a bit of a father figure or uncle also, even though I never said those words. You were smart enough to know. The visits to the "best office in the world' at the pad at Bondi Beach were also a fun and memorable experience. Your beautify energy, passion and warmth will always be remembered. You made me, and others, probably look so much better than we actually were, thanks to your artistic and creative gifts. Your colorful shoes will be hard to fill. Always in my mind, and whenever I walk down the hill to the beach I will continue to think of you fondly. You were way too good, in too many ways, to only be remembered as a great photographer. You were a wonderful human being. Another legend has been lost, but will never be forgotten
Greg Tingle, Founder and Director, Media Man

Australian Media and Photographer Legend Dies, by Greg Tingle

One of Australia's most colorful and successful photographers Peter Carrette has died of a heart attack this past weekend.

Regarded as one of the good guys in the pap and photography biz, London born Carrette first came to prominence when he photographed a sick Marianne Faithful in a drug coma in her hospital bed circa 1969.

Faithful had tripped to Australia with musician Mick Jagger who was to star in a film about Ned Kelly. She had over-dosed after, it was claimed in the British press, she had discovered Jagger in bed as it were, with another woman.

Carrette donned a white doctor's coat and stethoscope and sneaked into Faithful's room, snapped the photo that was flashed around the world as one of the first examples of intrusive photography. Earlier this year when Faithful was in town for the Sydney Festival, she advised new media outlet 'The Shuttle' she'd still like to give the snapper a "quick boot in the backside". However she later revealed she had forgiven him.

After a stint of studying photography in London, Carrette traveled to Sydney and picked up gig as Sir Frank Packer's copy boy when the media baron owned Daily Mirror newspaper.

Once established he worked for various publications photographing news. He ambushed the US invasion of Grenada by hiring a smuggler's boat while the world's news media waited for official transport in downtown Barbados. He also did well in New York for 6 years and photographed for leading fashion title Vogue in Paris for 2 years.

A few years back here in Sydney he and another pap squirted the actor Heath Ledger with water pistols at a Sydney film premiere. The images of a startled and wet Ledger was flashed around the world. He was ever so briefly banned by film companies from movie premieres and the like, but later made peace with Ledger shortly before he died in New York.

Carrette also supported an orphanage in Cambodia by donating the fees received from his exclusive candid photos of celebrities often taken around Bondi Beach.

He ran his own studio and photo biz from a Bondi Beach flat, "The greatest office in the world" he said, where he had lived for the past 20 years. The flat is owned by his good mate, Jack Thompson.

Carrette was well liked in the industry, a keen philanthropist, and gave a lot back to the industry.

He attended the Sea Shepherd Bondi No Compromise! event at the beach on Friday night at the invitation of Media Man, who has collaborated closely with Peter over the past 3 years, usually at Bondi Beach and often on community based projects.

It's understood he passed away on Sunday evening from heart failure while working at his computer.

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Bondi Beach Lifeguards And Amanda Hinchcliffe Help Build Giant Mo Sandcastle!

2010-11-22T11:05:00.004+11:00

Bondi Rescue Lifeguards And Amanda Hinchcliffe Help Build Giant Mo Sandcastle!

Bondi Beach grows a giant Mo!

This Tuesday morning, 23rd Movember, the Bondi Rescue Life Guards - famous icons of health and vitality in Sydney - will show their support for the betterment of men’s health by helping to build a giant sandcastle Mo, or Mo-Castle, at iconic Bondi Beach.

This will be the creation of award winning sand sculptor Jino van Bruinessen (one of only 5 sand sculptors operating in Australia), who will be joined by Bondi Rescue Lifeguards Hoppo and Kerbox, Movember Mo Sista ambassadors Amanda Hinchcliffe and Kate Hurst, and Movember spokesperson Rob Treharne.

The massive Mo-Castle will be a celebration of, and nod to, the vast numbers of Mo's being worn proudly on the lips of men around the country, and globe. And what better place to do it than Bondi - internationally famous for healthy living, sand, and the outdoors.

This week Movember hit their millionth registration and remain on course to beat all previous donations and registration records. With NSW numbers at over 37,000 registrations and over a third of all money raised so far (over 3 million dollars) we hope this will be all the encouragement Sydney-siders need to keep up the good fight for the remainder of the month.

Where:

Bondi Beach, Sydney from 07:00am on Tuesday 23rd Movember!

Visual opportunities:

7.30am - 1.00pm - Sandcastle in progress
12.30 - 1.00pm - Sandcastle to be completed

Interview opportunities:

7.00am - 1.00pm - Movember spokesperson Rob Treharne, Mo Sista ambassador Kate Hurst
8.00am - 1.30pm - Bondi Rescue stars and surf lifesavers Hoppo and Kerbox, Mo Sista ambassador Miss Hawaiian Tropic 2010 Amanda Hinchcliffe

Press enquiries please contact Josh Gardiner 0403 921 097

To speak to our official spokesperson please contact Robbie Treharne 0419 273 263

For assistance on the day, please contact event manager Anestis Mantzouranis 0438 250 565

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Human Statue Bodyart Sponsors Sea Shepherd; Amazing Human Statue To Make Special Appearance This Friday Night 7pm At Bondi Beach Pavilion; Sydney

2010-11-17T17:00:00.002+11:00

Human Statue Bodyart director, Eva Rinaldi, is delighted to announce that she has sponsored the world famous Sea Shepherd Conversation Society event coming up this Friday night at Bondi Beach.

Ms Rinaldi, a long time social and community entrepreneur and environmentalist, didn't need too much convincing to support the cause when she found out via the grapevine that Captain Paul Watson and his fearless Sea Shepherd crew and team would be hosting a special event 'No Comprimise' at the High Tide Room, Bondi Pavilion.

In recent months Ms Rinaldi has organised, promoted and executed a number of her home grown events and happenings at Bondi Beach included 'Let's Paint Oprah', 'Dear Oprah', 'Breaking Down The Walls', with more soon to follow.

Ms Rinaldi has promised to unleash a nature - Sea Shepherd themed human statue creation, the likes of which has never been seen before. Whether you're a passionate environmentalist, art lover, both, or just curious, come long and be part of what will be one of Bondi Beach's most memorable happenings this year. The big night will offer a host of entertainment, inspiration, memorabilia, presentations, surprises and of course, great food and drinks.

Operation No Compromise is the Sea Shepherd's 7th annual Antarctic based campaign and the focus is protecting the whales in the Southern Ocean.

When quizzed about her main motivation to become pro actively involved with Sea Shepherd Ms Rinaldi said "I have been passionate about nature and animals for as long as I can remember. I grew up on a farm. Over the years I have heard a lot of wonderful things about Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd team. My media agent Greg Tingle had been telling me a lot of great things about them and when I found out they would be appearing again at Bondi Beach I thought count me in. We are all so excited, and what a fantastic venue for this wonderful cause. I can't wait to unveil my latest artistic creation there."

About Human Statue Bodyart:

Human Statue Bodyart is widely recognised as Australia's leading bodyart, bodypainting and human statue agency. They have been in business since 1997 and have worked on such diverse campaigns and personalities including Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Raymond Usher, Sydney Opera Bar, Let's Paint Oprah, Roberto Duran - Mexican Day Of The Dead, Virgin, Eclipse and Tourism Australia. They offer everything from basic makeup and styling, props and design, education and training, film set and TV support, all the way up to national and international campaigns.

Website

Human Statue Bodyart

About Sea Shepherd Conservation Society:

The Sea Shepherd Convervational Society (SSCS) is a non-profit, marine conservation organization based in Friday Harbor, Washington, in the United States. The group uses direct action tactics to protect sealife. Sea Shepherd currently operates te vessels MY Steve Irwin, Ocean Adventurer and the Bob Barker, as the most of the group's activities take place in international waters. The group has a strong focus on public relations to spread their message via the media.

Websites

Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd: Bondi Beach

About Media Man:

Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Media Man was established in 2001 by Greg Tingle, and has created and operated some of Australia's largest and more successful media campaigns. Media Man is the media agent for Human Statue Bodyart and a long time fan and supporter of Sea Shepherd and host of other social and community causes. Founder, Greg Tingle, is a Bondi Beach based journalist, media commentator, environmentalist and social entrepreneur.

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Event Details:

Bondi No Compromise!

When: Friday, 19th November 2010
Where: Bondi Pavillion, High Tide Room, Bondi Beach, NSW
Contact: sydney@seashepherd.org
Tickets: AU$25

James Packer Casino King Tribute To Alan Jones Media King, by Greg Tingle - 5th November 2010

2010-11-06T10:55:00.001+11:00

In a very special getting together in Sydney, Australia's gambling king, and up and coming media tycoon, James Packer, has paid tribute to Australian radio broadcasting legend Alan Jones, in a powerful and emotional speech. Media Man and Gambling911 cross now to the action...

Australian media and gambling business champion, James Packer, gave a powerful, emotional and heartfelt address overnight in tribute to talkback radio king and racing identity Alan Jones.

For the uninitiated, Jones is every part the living legend of media, racing and people power circles. Jones and the guest were celebrating his 25 years as a broadcaster in a glitz event at Sydney's Darling Harbour. Media Man favorite gambling tycoon, Packer headlined the impressive event.

Let's go through some of the highlights...

Packer's voice got croaky after describing how Jones had assisted thousands of people, many totally anonymously, showing just how giving of heart and spirit the great man was.

"Alan, no one will ever take your place. You are without peer my friend," Packer said, looking to get touch teary eyed.

Earlier in the evening he told the story of how his late father, Kerry Packer, has encouraged and then persuaded Jones to give up politics for life as a media commentator on Network Nine and then onto Radio 2UE, and before then representing competitor 2GB Radio.

"What do you want to be son...the Prime Minister or a millionaire," KP (Kerry Packer) said to Jones.

"Alan took the money, not the box."

The magical night, which was hosted by advertising and media legend John Singleton and attended by the whose who of politics, media, and arts, also featured tributes from people as diverse as Liberal Party powerbroker Michael Kroger and pop icons Human Nature.

Jones's long-time colleague at 2UE and a veteran of more than 6 decades in radio, John Brennan said Jones was the best broadcaster he had ever heard because of his ability to connect with listeners and his efficiency of description.

"I think that Alan Jones is the Roger Federer of radio," he wasn't afraid to share with the audience.

Even former Aussie prime minister John Howard touched on a remark from Packer that Jones would "pick and stick" by his mates and friends, describing the legend as "an Australian who never let his cobbers down".

He said Jones, more than anyone else, understood the power of talkback radio to influence politics.

"Alan has understood the temperament and the nature of the Australian people They don't like being told by self-appointed cultural dietitians that we should be ashamed of our past - Alan understood that", Howard shared.

He said he had appreciated Jones's support while in office and paid tribute to the broadcaster's record of winning a massive 155 radio ratings surveys.

Jones, who went on to speak last, said Howard was in his mind "the best prime minister Australia has had".

He thanked the people who attended - friends, family and other guests, including some of his listeners, as well as generously paying tribute to his support team at Radio 2GB.

Jones advised his main campaign would be against opencut mining which he thinks turns too much rich pastoral land into wastelands for profit. He elaborated and said he was hopeful he would be able to continue to make people feel better as a result of his work, both broadcasting, community and more.

"The aim of power in this world is to lift people, not crush them," he shared.

Jones has also greatly contributed to the Australia gaming and horse racing industry, with speaking on what's best for Australian racing being one of his passions. It was Jones who basically told Australian racing to lift its game or see more competition knocking on the door of Australia. Jones and his team are aware of the PartyGaming - PMU deal inked earlier this year, and Jones has also offered commentary in the past on Packer's Betfair and the like. Jones is understood to be a supported of regulated gaming and racing, and a believer in responsible gaming, as is Gambling911 and Media Man.

Well done to everyone involved, and Alan, thank you for assisting some of my mates over the years also, which in turn assisted me, and James, thank you also for the opportunity to offer commentary on you, your company, initiatives like GenerationOne, and to offer some b2b to some of your companies showcase events like Crown Casino Aussie Millions Poker Championship. It is truly appreciated and never taken for granted. Long live the Jones, Packer and 'Singo' (Singleton) legends. All Aussie champions of business, community and people power.

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Wrap Up...

It was wonderful to hear about the good deeds of media tycoons wasn't it We salute both Packer, Jones, and the good folks who helped put together such a fantastic happening. It was also a nice change to read about big time Australian media players without all the agro and such. Stay tuned for more of the best on gambling, media, entertainment and sports right here at Gambling911.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis. Media Man also publish Media Man News http://www.mediamannews.com

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Avatar mystery building up in Sydney suburbs; News media companies start probe, by Greg Tingle - 29th October 2010

2010-10-29T14:06:00.001+11:00

A new mystery has struck Sydney's suburbs, stretching from Bondi Beach out to Marrickville and beyond, which has people from all walks of life wondering where the lovable creatures will strike next.

It was film producer / director James Cameron who introduced the world to 'Avatar' in 2009, however sources close to Cameron and News Limited owned 20th Century Fox deny any responsibly for the "rebel" avatar phenom to hit Sydney streets.

Marketing and media insiders have noted however that the "knock off" Avatar's have a habit of showing up whenever bodypainter and artist Eva Rinaldi and one or two of her photographic team are around.

In this month alone the rebel 'Avatar' creatures have been seen and photographed at Bondi Beach (alongside the graffiti art wall), the Sydney Opera House, Abbotsford and most recently, Marrickville (Skid Row Radio).

Judging upon appearance the mysterious Avatar's are neither the work of amateurs, however they are not quite ready to insert right into a Cameron production either.

A source who claims to be close to the rebel Avatar's leaked that they are quite likely creations of Sydney based artist Eva Rinaldi, who perhaps not by coincidence has also embarked on a national - international campaign to bodypaint and / or create a human statue of Oprah Winfrey, who is set to hit Australian soil this December.

The leak said "I'm pretty sure its Eva Rinaldi behind this publicity stunt - ambush marketing effort of sorts. She's very clever. You will note that there's no branding on her bodypainted creations, unlike the Barvaria beer happening at the World Cup. She seems to have her heart in the right place and its not a blatant brand knock off or anything else that is likely to get her in hot water on the legal front. It's actually very clever and talented work and marketing, and she looks to have created an international marketing and media campaign on a shoestring budget. I'm pretty sure had something to do with the Sydney Opera House 'John Travolta' shenanigans last weekend on the open day also. By plugging into major events she's generating national and worldwide publicity, and I think it may even be assisting the official Tourism Australia and Oprah Winfrey media campaigns also. Her campaign, if its hers of course, is likely to spark a number of copy cat artists, and I think that may have already happened. If one further researches Eva Rinaldi you come across Human Statue Bodyart on the internet, and there's a number of photos, articles and even blog entries that further suggest she is the mastermind behind these Avatar phenoms".

Thus far both the official Avatar franchise and the mystery Avatar's have received largely balanced and positive news media coverage.

James Cameron's Avatar recently announced that they will be doing a trilogy, and something tells us that Rinaldi and co conspirators are also well aware of that fact.

Readers, if you happen to spot any of the rebel Avatar's in your neighborhood please make contact with both local authorities and us immediately. No one has offered any reward money to date, however an anonymous legal eagle did suggest that if the outbreak of the new breed of Avatar's become too much of a problem that reward money may be offered.

Rinaldi or her Human Statue Bodyart enterprise is understood to have not entered any marketing or media awards this year, but judging upon her recent efforts we think most certainly that she should throw her colourful hat in the ring.

At the time of publication a media leak suggested that Rinaldi and / or the rebel Avatars, will also be covered in suburban Sydney newspaper, Northern District Times, published by the Cumberland Newspaper Group.

In the meantime entertainment and media commentators have suggested to enjoy the ride, as its unlikely to last forever, however with that said, Rinaldi and friends are understood to always remain one or two steps ahead of the thought police, adding media tycoon Richard Branson, John Travolta, Nicole Kidman and rock gods KISS to her 'To Do - To Paint' list. Rinaldi if you're out there, and I think you are, I See You!

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Sydney Opera House Open Day Gets Visual And Musical Surprise, by Greg Tingle - 24th October 2010

2010-10-24T17:52:00.000+11:00

Sydney Opera House Open Day Gets Visual And Musical Surprise, by Greg Tingle - 24th October 2010

Today was the special one off open day for the famed Sydney icon - the Sydney Opera ("Oprah") House.

Approximately 50,000 lined up to get an insiders look at "The House", and the wet weather was no deterrent.

Attendees were treated to an unexpected (but largely very welcome) unscheduled happening and performance by Eva Rinaldi and her Human Statue Bodyart troupe, passionately campaigning to bodypaint and create a human statue of Oprah Winfrey and friends, rain, hail or shine.

Rinaldi, who has let it been known the world over of her wish to to paint Oprah and friends, pulled out all the stops today, even securing singer - songwriter sensation, Kat Ferguson, who co wrote 'If I Could Have One Wish' with Kay Fallico.

The seemingly impromptu and unscheduled performance drew considerable attention by visitors, news media and security, who hung on every word. In a curious twist, famed Bondi Beach photographer Peter Carrette appeared out of the middle of nowhere, just as he did last weekend at Bondi, and appeared to get the cream of the photographic opportunities, flanked by up and coming "pap" Marek Jezierski. Both paps seemed to have better information on the surprise and were more up to speed than the official Sydney Opera House security team, who were largely warm and inviting to Rinaldi's creative surprises.

Numerous passes by picked up on some of the lyrics that included "I feel a masterpiece unfolding, beneath this paintbrush that I'm holding...Dear Oprah please be brave, cause every coin I raise, will make this world a better place." Even some of Rinaldi's bodypainted models and human statues started singing and dancing, including her very own 'John Travolta Qantas Pilot' (Martin Vandam) and Taaleah Jezierski ('Statue Of Liberty'), Benjamin Cao (Australia reptile) and Jillian Bachara ('BBW Beach Babe'). 'John Travolta' caught the eyes and heart of a bush swag of Japanese tourists who were overheard to say "John's hot stuff", and "Trovolta" responded in kind with a few dance moves, flex or his pecs and a tip of his captain's hat. Others were also heard to shout out "Where's Tom" (Cruise), and chatting about Gail, Russell, Hugh and Jack Thompson was also picked up by news media technical equipment.

The open day proved to be a big hit with both Aussies, tourists, news media, celebrities et al, and no doubt the day further warmed up Australians for both official and paid performances at "The House" as well as the pending arrival of Winfrey and friends in December.

Yes folks, Australia still has "Oprah Fever", regardless of whatever spelling or connotation you choose, and media leaks advise that Rinaldi and some of her inner circle will be campaigning again tomorrow at "people power" news media mainstay, 'Joy's World' as seen on TVS.

We have to hand it to Tourism Australia, Sydney Opera House, Eva Rinaldi and all news media and performers involved... they have really got it right this time, and the surge of campaigning has appeared to put a shot in the arm of Australia's recently struggling tourism sector, and the buzz around Sydney's cafes and water coolers has to be heard to be believed. Well done Australia, you are once again showing 'The World' how its done. One last thing... "Let's Paint Oprah!"

*Greg Tingle is a friend and associate of Eva Rinaldi

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Australian bodyartist breaking down walls at Bondi Beach to bodypaint Oprah, by Greg Tingle - 17th October 2010

2010-10-18T15:59:00.001+11:00

It was another glorious day at Bondi Beach as summer continues to sneak up on us.

The beach was abuzz today with clear blue skies, 22 degree temperatures, awesome surf, surf comps for pros and the nippers and much more.

As the day moved forward a special vibe swept through the iconic beach. Before long, beach walkers and cafes were chatting about the fact that today was the Bali day of remembrance and that this would also be included in surfing and artistic endeavors.

At roughly 10am a now familiar site, the 'Let's Paint Oprah' artists and models, were seen getting creative with bodypaint up against the famous graffiti art wall which runs between the Bondi life guard towers and the skatepark. One hour later six eclectic models had been bodypainted, and Bondi's resident photographer and noted philanthropist, Peter Carrette, was quick to snap up the action, so Team Human Statue can wire and Facebook the images around the world.

Eva Rinaldi and her human rainbow clan has taken to Bondi Beach like a ducks to water, and Eva has clearly established herself as Bondi's newest and most creative local force.

Today Eva organised 6 models (Jillian Biscara, Benjamin Cao, Dominique Nasr, Alesandra Nasr, Victoria Mauromatis and Victoria Gorette) to be painted by her collaborative of artists.

The themes were partly inspired by the Bondi Beach graffiti art wall and were entitled 'Breaking Down The Wall To Painting Oprah'.

To date Eva's campaign to paint or do a human statue of Oprah Winfrey have included 'Let's Paint Oprah', 'Dear Oprah', and 'My Want Today Is To Paint Oprah Winfrey' (via Sydney radio), and next up will be 'Walk To Oprah', which will involve a gathering of bodypainted models and iconic Australians walking for a good cause from Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House in the coming weeks.

As a number of beachgoers said earlier, the mere fact that Human Statue Bodyart did get a return phone call from Oprah's Harpro Productions is evidence that they're on the right track. A large number of people walking past Eva's creations were overheard to say words to the effect of "I know what that is. That's the lady who wants to bodypaint Oprah".

All we can say is keep doing what you're doing, may the world be your human rainbow, and be blessed in your quest to collaborate with Oprah and friends.

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Richard Branson: People Power -- the Engine of Any Business, by Richard Branson - 29th September 2010

2010-10-11T22:38:00.000+11:00

Good people are crucial to business success. Finding them, managing them, inspiring them and then holding onto them are among the most important challenges a good business leader faces. How you deal with these matters often determines the long- term success and growth of your business.

What is a company but a collection of people? Take an airline -- the 747 it flies is the same as a rival’s 747. The interiors are usually pretty similar, and there is often only a slight difference in the entertainment and food. What sets one airline apart from its peers are its crew and their attitude toward passengers. Our Virgin airline crews are smiling, cheerful and pleased to help, which leaves our passengers wanting to fly with us again.

It is no surprise that Virgin America, which flies within the United States, constantly sweeps the travel awards for service and quality. Its planes are new, with great interiors and entertainment; but above all, the great service of its crews is what wins so many plaudits.

People are your key assets. On the front lines of business, they can make or break a company. A true sense of pride in the business makes all the difference, as I constantly remind our managers and other budding entrepreneurs.

Your people need to be led well. A good leader must know the team, its strengths and weaknesses; socializing and listening to the team is key. One main reason people leave a job is that they are not listened to. They feel frustrated. It is rarely just about money.

Be aware that a bad leader can destroy a business very quickly. In small businesses this is easily apparent. On my island of Necker in the Caribbean, we had a general manager who tried to change the way things were done. He discouraged the staff from drinking with our guests. This soured the atmosphere fast. We had to step in to replace the manager and restore staff morale and the sense of management’s trust in them, which had been broken.

We’ve also started some of our most successful businesses after a pitch from one of our people. Virgin Blue, for instance, our Australian airline, was the brainchild of Brett Godfrey, who had been working for Virgin in Brussels.

He came to me with his business plan on a beer mat -- outlining the start-up of a low-cost carrier in Australia to take on Qantas and Ansett in their domestic market. In the last 10 years Brett has expanded Blue and its sister airlines to the United States, New Zealand, Thailand and, soon, South Africa.

In other cases, we backed an outside team when we were sufficiently impressed by them to give them brand support and the space to go build the new business themselves. Virgin Active, our health club chain, is a good example. Matthew Bucknall and Frank Reed came to me with the idea of a family-friendly health and fitness club in 1999. They had set up and sold a chain in the United Kingdom in the 1990s and wanted to do it again with the Virgin brand on the door.

We liked the idea and the management team. We backed the rollout in the U.K., and within two years were offered the opportunity to rescue a chain in South Africa. The Active team jumped at the chance, and we have not looked back since. We have more than 90 clubs in South Africa and another 100 in the U.K., Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Trust is a key facet of any business, but how you deal with being let down once can also contribute to success. Are you willing to give people a second chance?

When I was running Virgin Records, a member of the talent-scouting team was stealing and selling boxes of records to local secondhand shops. Tipped off, I called him out on it. He admitted everything. Rather than fire him, I gave him a severe warning and a second chance. Everyone messes up sometimes, I told him, and I said I expected him to learn from his mistake and get back to doing what he did best -- finding artists. He went on to discover Culture Club, one of our biggest selling artists of the 1980s.

We all slip up at some stage in our careers. I did. When I was just a teenager, I fell foul of the customs and excise people as I was trying to bring records into the U.K. I was given a fine, a second chance and have tried to make the most of it ever since. I think this has made me much more accepting and forgiving of people’s mistakes.

So many companies compare themselves to family units that the word is sorely overused in modern business. However, I really believe that Virgin’s sense of family spirit and belonging has kept it going over 40 years.

When the business was smaller, we had legendary parties at my house near Oxford, England. We set up a fairground with tents full of entertainment for the staff. As we grew, the party turned into two parties and, pretty soon, there were weekend parties just to make sure everyone was invited. By the end they were weeklong parties, and at that point the neighbors stepped in and we had to stop.

But we had established the culture -- one built around people. People are the lifeblood of any company; they need to be looked after and celebrated every now and then. (Credit: Richard Branson)

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Bondi Beach, Sydney tipped for dynamic publicity stunt this Saturday morning: 9 - 10.30 approx; More details pending

2010-09-24T18:08:00.003+10:00

BodyPainting Happening At Bondi Beach, 9am, Saturday (tomorrow morning); Oprah Winfrey Look-A-Like; Boost To Tourism, Arts And News Media; Be Part Of History

Bondi Beach, Sydney tipped for dynamic publicity stunt this Saturday morning: 10am - 10.15am approx; More details pending

2010-09-20T18:44:00.003+10:00

Bondi Beach, Sydney tipped for dynamic publicity stunt this Saturday morning: 10am - 10.15am approx; More details pending

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Media Man interviewed on 'The Today Show' Channel 7 this morning re celebrities attacking paparazzi

2010-09-20T18:28:00.000+10:00

Media Man interviewed on 'The Today Show' Channel 7 this morning re celebrities attacking paparazzi

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Go-in a goanna…

2010-09-16T16:30:00.002+10:00

Goanna Pulling must be one of the weirdest sports around. Two people get down on all fours, strike a pose like a goanna and put a leather belt around their necks. They use all their upper body strength to pull their opponent over the line.

Prize money for the day totals $5300 and the biggest win is $500 for the heavyweight goanna pulling champion. All divisions of goanna pulling, brick carrying and foot races attract big cash prizes on 3rd October, the Sunday of the long weekend at the Wooli Sports Ground, Wooli (seaside town, 40k east of Grafton on the north coast of NSW).

It’s our 25th anniversary this year and all the prize belts will be in silver. We hope this year will be our biggest and most fun event ever.

The unspoilt fishing village of Wooli will swell with visitors to join the fun of the National Goanna Pulling championships. Wayne “Tank” Phillips, the retiring champion will judge the winner of the various categories (heavyweight, middle weight and lightweight men’s and women’s) of Goanna Pulling.

From 9am on Sunday 3rd October, visitors can see the fierce battle of the goanna pullers, watch the wood chopping, Tug-of-War, foot races for all ages, brick carrying and climb a rock wall. There will be lots of market stalls and a variety of food and drink available.

It’s a fun day for all.

At 10.30am on Saturday 18th September in Grafton Shopping World, Luke Hartsuyker, Nationals Federal Member for Cowper will Goanna Pull against Steve Cansdell, Nationals State Member for Clarence. Sue Hughes, Clarence Valley Councilor will pull against Cathy McCaughey from Wooli. Wayne “Tank” Phillips, long time heavy weight champion, will adjudicate.

Brad Milne from Tucabia won the heavyweight championship last year, after Wayne ‘Tank’ Phillips retired. Brad had previously won the light weight and was runner-up in the middle weight division.

Everyone will be watching John Reynolds of Coffs Harbour who won the middleweight division last year – will he challenge Brad this year, Wooli wants to know!

Clarence Valley Council is the major sponsor and our website is now live and active with many thanks for development assistance from the Clarence Valley Council and Yoohoo webdesign www.goannapulling.com.au

Stallholders are welcome – please contact Claire on 66498255

For further information contact Margy Hewetson on 66 49 7750 or Wayne “Tank” Phillips on 0404 380 801

Please feel free to use any photo from our website www.goannapulling.com.au

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Australia's Queen Of BodyPaint, MakeUp and Human Statues Invites Oprah And Other Dynamic Brave Business Leaders To Get Painted For Worthy Cause

2010-09-15T18:30:00.002+10:00

Press Release: Australia's Queen Of BodyPaint, MakeUp and Human Statues Invites Oprah And Other Dynamic Brave Business Leaders To Get Painted For Worthy Cause (And Kicks)

In a clever, sexy and creative plan, Eva Rinaldi, considered by many to be Australia's queen of bodypaint, makeup and human statues, has kindly offered to bodypaint news media and entertainment queen bee of the world, Oprah Winfrey, now that she is to come "down under".

Not one to have her spirit and dreams deterred easily, the bodypainting goddess has also comprised a 'Wish List', which she sees more of a 'To Do' list, combining together her decade plus years in the industry and that of her in-house (and very good friend) Media Man, Greg Tingle.

The names on the list include rock gods KISS (starting with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley), maturing and gorgeous, Cher (also linked to Gene), the queen of sass, Bessie Bardot, Alice Cooper, Blondie (Deborah Harry), Tony Abbott, Austin Tayshus, king of publicity stunts and big business Richard "Virgin" Branson, and even the Media Man himself - Greg Tingle (also known for his frolicking with goddesses of Australia's burlesque and after dark scene), and loud website network.

The lucky and brave celebrated business icons will also be able to nominate their favorite worthy cause to Eva, so if your Richard Branson that likely means Virgin Unite, which is also the top pick of Eva's media man.

Before dismissing Eva's 'Wish List' and 'To Do' list, consider this:

Eva created her Human Statue BodyArt empire in the late 1990's, before there was a ready market and the bodypaint become in vogue, now tied into world famous events like the Sydney Body Art Bike Ride and World Naked Bike Ride.

Has worked with and collaborated with such as amazing talents such as Lady Gaga, Robeto Duran and Katy Perry.

Has created works for such strong brands such as Coca-Cola, Eclipse, Australasian Gaming Expo, World Vision and Sydney Opera Bar!

Eva's prior media appearances include Channel Seven 'Today', ABC News, Inner West Courier, The Glebe, The Southern Courier, The Wentworth Courier, LA Confidential, Where I Live, Radio, 2SER, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Cleo and Media Man.

Created and operates one of the world's most popular body painting websites and Facebook groups

Testimonials from the whose who, including former Australian Prime Minster John Howard.

So, Oprah, we think that your team would have noticed the dozens upon dozens of 'Eva Wants To Body Paint Oprah' Facebook fan comments by now, so the ball is in 'O's court.

Regardless of what gods and goddesses on Eva's list take up her complimentary offer, one can't dispute her enormous talent, generosity of heart and spirit, and ability to create positive buzz and stand out from the pack, be it at a children's charity event, high profile happening with a Prime Minister, or collaborating with Australia's leading photographers and entertainment icons.

For those who have yet to be amazed, tantalised and titillated by Eva's creations be sure to examine her website and colourful Facebooks @

http://www.humanstatuebodyart.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/eva.rinaldi2

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Australia/Makeup-and-bodypainting/106735366024483

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For more information contact:

Eva Rinaldi
m: 0413 797 993
e: bodyartist@bigpond.com

Greg Tingle
m: 0434 115 348
e: greg@mediamanint.com

Media Man Bondi Beach Arts, Media And Entertainment Face To Face Brainstorming

2010-08-18T09:03:00.001+10:00

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GenerationOne ideas forum, by Greg Tingle - The Bondi View - 12th August 2010

2010-08-13T13:34:00.000+10:00

It wasn’t the first forum addressing Aboriginal disadvantage, nor will it be the last but this “talkfest” up the road at Moore Park, Fox Studios was effective.
For me it was personal.

Like GenerationOne founder and visionary, Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest (mining magnate billionaire) and his Bondi Beach-based mate, James “Casino King” Packer (currently sailing the high seas off Europe), I spent my formative youth around indigenous Australians.

I strongly agree with Twiggy’s comments that “the more you get to know Aboriginal people the more you love them”.

I believe GenerationOne will be successful. Why? Key people in GenerationOne are already employing thousands of Aboriginal people and plan to employ more. There’s no handouts here. Forrest, Packer and others help because it’s the right thing to do and its good business.

Twiggy has challenged politicians of all parties to help Indigenous people get into the Australian workforce. The mining king said he “wasn’t a bleeding heart”.

“Skilling up Indigenous people makes good business sense,” he told the Fox Studios audience last Thursday.

“Employment is the key to ending Indigenous disparity if the government encourages industries that can really make a difference – mining, tourism, construction, hospitality.

“If they encourage those industries to deliver training then other companies will have the faith to continue the employment.”

He said the government would need to provide funding or subsidise the costs of training.

Deputy chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, Melinda Cliento, also on the GenerationOne panel, said standards needed to be raised so indigenous children didn’t leave school and end up unemployed.

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Media Man Team Cheers On City 2 Surf At Bondi Beach; Friendly Ambush Marketing - 8th August 2010

2010-08-08T12:16:00.000+10:00

Media Man Team Cheers On City 2 Surf At Bondi Beach; Friendly Ambush Marketing

The annual City 2 Surf fun run took place today.

Celebrating its 40th year, over 80,000 runners participated in perfect Sydney weather.

The race was won by Ben St Lawrence upsetting race favourite Micheal Shelley at the post to snatch Sydney's 14km City 2 Surf run in an official time of 41:05mins.

The first woman to cross was the line was Lara Tamsett, the favourite for the race, who completed the course in just under 47 minutes.

Olympic swimming champion Grant Hackett fired the starting gun at 8.30am AEST. Hackett then joined the race after climbing down from his cherry picker perch.

Seems news media was all over the event, from ABC, SBS, 7, 9, Ten, OneHD, Fox Sports, and Bondi's own Media Man.

A bit of an ambush marketing effort dominated Bondi Beach, reminiscent of the World Cup "Buxom Barvaria Beer Babes", but a sea of giant hand-like fingers waved in their air.

Team Media Man cheers on from the finish line at Bondi Beach, represented by Greg Tingle, Su Fenn and an "undercover operative" with attention grabbing giant hands / fingers in their hands sporting a Media Man mates' company logo - Messages On Hold. The commentator on the mix roared "Wave Your Hands In The Air", and the crowd followed to cue. A number of Malcolm Turnbull and Nova96.5 flyer's and promos were also spotted.

The finish has already been broadcast on a state, national and international scale, and yes, you can see the giant hands in some of the replays. Keep an eye out for Dave "Hughsy" Hughes, regular 7PM project personality and comedian, who slaps the giant hands. Superman and Jesus were also in the mix of celebrity runners.

A Media Man spokesperson advised "Any exposure generated from us and our Messages On Hold Mate, Kym Illman, will help fuel awareness of worthy causes and campaigns we assist including GenerationOne, The Salvation Army, beyondblue, The Rough Edges, The Exodus Foundation, and Sea Shepherd. Our business model often has the effect where the more exposure, online or offline, we muster, the more business and revenue comes in, thus allowing us to keep supporting worthy social causes."

Bondi Beach based mega entrepreneur, James Packer, may be out sailing the high seas abroad, but team Media Man was out in force celebrating and participating in Bondi's most famous annual happening.

Well done to everyone involved, be it racers, medical, media, volunteers, charity, police and so it goes on.

To participate or even to attend was to win. Certainly the Sydney and Bondi Beach economy won today, and of course its all good fodder for newspapers, magazines and newspapers.

See you all there again next year champions.

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Malcolm Turnbull offers "no bull" hosting anti-filter forum; Media advise filter costs jobs for white & black Australia, inc GenerationOne

2010-08-07T21:59:00.002+10:00

Malcolm Turnbull offers "no bull" hosting anti-filter forum; Media advise filter costs jobs for white & black Australia, inc GenerationOne

Media Man Positive News And Quotes

2010-08-05T09:34:00.001+10:00

Richard Branson and 99% of world leaders agree: Business entrepreneurs should be encouraged and embraced

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win (Mahatma Gandhi)

Internet is like electricity (James Packer)

Big will not beat small any more. It will be the fast beating the slow (Rupert Murdoch)

In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed (Charles Darwin)

You never achieve success unless you like what you are doing (Dale Carnegie)

Eighty percent of success is showing up (Woody Allen)

I make a positive difference because I can (Greg Tingle)

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Australian Politics: 'No Bull' Turnbull To Host Anti-Filter Forum, by Greg Tingle - 4th August 2010

2010-08-04T23:50:00.001+10:00

Australian master politician and accomplished businessman, Malcolm "No Bull" Turnbull has listened to concerned citizens: mums and dads and the business world and will host an anti-filter forum in Sydney, Australia this Saturday. Media Man and Gambling911 bring you this no bull report covering an Australian politician who listens... amazing...

Former Opposition leader and Federal member of Wentworth, Malcolm Turnbull, is hosting an Internet filtering forum in Sydney this Saturday.

The panel members will include former Telstra BigPond group manager, Justin Milne, Getup! national director, Simon Sheikh, and Mr Turnbull himself!

Internet projects of Mr Turnbull helped make him a millionaire including the famed OzEmail.

"The proposed filter is a hot issue in Wentworth, with many voters expressing concerns over the Government’s plans," the Facebook events page said. "… Informed discussion among forum participants will ensure community views on the filter are heard.

The internet forum will consider adopting community resolutions to capture the views.

The event will be held on August 7 at Paddington RSL Club. Go the diggers!

"If adopted, these resolutions will be presented to Senator Steven Conroy and Prime Minister Gillard as a reminder of the community’s determination to fight the proposal," the events page outlaid.

Mr Turnbull is widely regarded as Australia's most internet savvy member of Parliament.

He was dumped by as Liberal Leader in December 2009, with his views on climate change seen to be a key factor. Mr Turnbull was replaced by Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott, however Media Man street surveys indicated many Australian's think the "No Bull" man will be a future Australian Prime Minister if he wants to be. He remains one of Australia's most respected and financially wealthy politicians and is seen as quite the 'Peoples Champion'.

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on the Australian casino and political wars.

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http://www.gambling911.com/politics.html

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Some online poker and online casino brands are understand to have made secret Australian internet blacklist. The Gillard Government is staying on messages that its mainly about protecting children, however the vast majority of media companies and the population at large now firmly believes its more about attempting to censor the news, filter out negative political commentary (as done in China) and banning things that don't fit their political agenda. The government is trying to get Australian ISP's to agree to enforcing its laws. Overall the current government trying to control the population and this is documented on various Australian newspaper reports. The reader could be forgiven for having flashbacks to movies such as 'They Live', '1984', 'Clockwork Orange' and 'The Net'.

Malcolm "No Bull" Turnbull is the representative for Wentworth, a Liberal Party member, and many people believe is a future Australian Prime Minister. Liberal's Tony Abbott is the current leader of the Liberal party and Lib's are now favored to become the new government of Australia is a few short weeks, with political betting trends at Centrebet and elsewhere backing this up.

Mr Turnbull enjoys a colourful history with Australia's original casino and gambling tycoon, Kerry Packer, and has spoken highly of James Packer friend and associate, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, who spearheads GenerationOne which is focused on creating sustainable employment opportunities for thousands of Indigenous Australians. Packer has already employed hundreds and Turnbull has been encouraged, some say even inspired, by the Forrest - Packer collaboration. Packer is a resident in Turnbull's political electorate which includes Bondi Beach. Turnbull, being a team player, fully supports Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott in his quest to become the new Aussie Prime Minister. The smart money says Liberal will win the election and that this weekends Anti-Filter forum will be a rip snorter.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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GenerationOne Ideas Forum Comes To Fox Studios; Business, social and community entrepreneurs unite, by Greg Tingle

2010-08-04T17:57:00.001+10:00

It wasn’t the first forum addressing Aboriginal disadvantage, nor will it be the last, but one gets the distinct feeling this “talk fest” was effective, and believe me, the positive flow on effects are already taking place, many out of the public or media spotlight. “Fame” is not the objective hear, however awareness is no doubt of prime importance, thus mainstream and alternative media does play a role.

For me this was personal (not business, not politics or spin)…it is of life significance.

GenerationOne had finally come to our backyard, just up the road at Moore Park, Fox Studios. I hadn’t met up with the team previously as the Circular Quay happening months back, as the happening had snuck up on me. I wasn’t going to miss out on the Fox appearance for the world.

Like GenerationOne founder and visionary, Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest (his other cap being mining magnate billionaire) and his Bondi Beach based mate and associate, James “Casino King” Packer (currently sailing the high seas off Europe), I spent much of my formative youth around indigenous Australians, my late farther being a miner – truck driver, who transformed himself into property developer. Some of dad’s best mates and associates were “Abbo” (affectionate). I couldn’t agree more with Twiggy’s comments that “The more you get to know Aboriginal people the more you love them”.

I believe that GenerationOne will continue to be successful. Why? Dreamers plus Big Resources, the super powers of Australian business and media, tremendous People Power, and the genuine desire to win. A number of key people in GenerationOne are already employing thousands of (suitable) Aboriginal people and plan to employ more.

There’s no handouts here, hand ups… yes, and everyone is motivated. Forrest, Packer, myself and others don’t need to help – we want to, because we can, and it’s the right thing to do, and its good business. Aussies helping Aussies in the spirit of mates ship and a fair go for all.

Twiggy has challenged politicians of all parties to help indigenous people get in (and stay in) the Australian workforce. It’s not a quick fix, but it is based on sustainable solutions.

The Fortescue Metals Chief Executive advised last Thursday that he “wasn't a bleeding heart” and “skilling-up indigenous people made good business sense”.

Forrest said indigenous people didn't need more welfare money but need real leadership.

"The government really needs to move itself along and say 'OK, welfare really hasn't worked'," he told the Fox Studios crowd last Thursday.

“Employment is the key to ending indigenous disparity. If the government encourages industries which can really make a difference, and yes it is mining, but it's also construction, it's also hospitality, it's also tourism.

"If they encourage those industries to deliver the training themselves (then) other companies ... will have the faith to continue the employment."

He stressed that the government would need to step up and provide funding and / or subsidise the costs of training.

Deputy Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, Melinda Cliento, also on the GenerationOne panel, said standards needed to be raised so indigenous children didn't leave school and stray into unemployment.

Forrest said it was also in the interest of Australian businesses to employ indigenous people.

"I'm not doing this because I'm a philanthropist or because I've got a bleeding heart. I'm doing this essentially because it's great for business," he said.

"The more business grows, the morale of your people, the culture deepens of your workforce - you become a more valuable company."

*Disclaimer: The writer is a pro active supporter of GenerationOne, Virgin Unite, The Salvation Army and owns shares in Crown Limited

*The writer has previously assisted and campaigned for a number of Indigenous Australian communities and associated initiatives including but not limited to Yuggera Tribe, Githabul People, Whaledreamers and Friends Of Malabar Headland

Bondi (Boondi) is an Aboriginal word which means ‘Water breaking over rocks’

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GenerationOne Ideas Forum - Fox Studios, Sydney, Australia - 29th July 2010

2010-07-30T09:09:00.001+10:00

GenerationOne had its first Ideas Forum today on Indigenous employment that lasts. The key outcomes of the forum focused on job specific training fostered by industry and backed by governments. Jenny Brockie, from SBS TV’s Insight hosted a thought provoking forum with panelists Andrew Forrest (Founder of GenerationOne), Melinda Cilento (Business Council of Australia) Danny Lester (Aboriginal Employment Strategy), Leah Armstrong (Incoming CEO Reconciliation Australia) and Bruce McQualter (ANZ).

*Media Man founder and director, Greg Tingle, is a pro active campaigner and supporter of GenerationOne. Greg Tingle attended, pitched questions and conducted 1:1's after the forum

*Public thank you and well done to everyone involved in GenerationOne

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Aborigines need hand into work: Twiggy - AAP - Fairfax Media - 29th July 2010

2010-07-29T17:40:00.000+10:00

Mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has called on politicians of all persuasions to help indigenous people get a start in the workforce.

The Fortescue Metals CEO on Thursday said he wasn't a bleeding heart, and skilling-up indigenous people made good business sense.

One of Australia's richest men, Mr Forrest said indigenous people didn't need more welfare money - but they do need real leadership.

"The government really needs to move itself along and say 'OK, welfare really hasn't worked'," he said in Sydney on Thursday.

Mr Forrest was speaking on the panel of an indigenous employment forum, organised by action group GenerationOne, of which he is the founder.

Employment is the key to ending indigenous disparity, he said.

"If the government encourages industries which can really make a difference, and yes it is mining, but it's also construction, it's also hospitality, it's also tourism.

"If they encourage those industries to deliver the training themselves (then) other companies ... will have the faith to continue the employment."

He added that the government would need to step up and provide funding or subsidise the costs of training indigenous employees.

Deputy Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, Melinda Cliento, also on the GenerationOne panel, said standards needed to be lifted so indigenous children didn't leave school and go into unemployment.

"My really strong view is that we have to make sure that we don't have future lost generations," Mr Cliento said.

"We've got a huge pool of people who are unemployed at the moment. (We need) to stop the flow into that unemployment."

Mr Forrest said it was also in the interest of Australian businesses to employ indigenous people.

"I'm not doing this because I'm a philanthropist or because I've got a bleeding heart. I'm doing this essentially because it's great for business," he said.

"The more business grows, the morale of your people, the culture deepens of your workforce - you become a more valuable company." (Credit: Fairfax Media - AAP)

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2010-07-27T17:29:00.001+10:00

Find out about GenerationOne and how you can help end indigenous disadvantage! GenerationOne.org.au

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PartyGaming News: PartyGaming’s Corporate Responsibility Credentials Receive Four Endorsements

2010-06-19T20:23:00.000+10:00

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PartyGaming, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, is proud to announce that its corporate and social responsibility (CSR) credentials have been endorsed by four leading corporate, charitable and gaming industry bodies.

FTSE4Good Index:

PartyGaming has retained its membership of the FTSE4Good Index series which measures the performance of companies against globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. Membership is based on transparent criteria including environmental sustainability, upholding and supporting universal human rights, ensuring good supply chain labour standards and countering bribery. All of these criteria are independently assessed by the Experts in Responsible Investment Solutions.

GREaT Foundation:

PartyGaming has won a ‘Gold Award’ from the Gambling Research, Education and Treatment Foundation in recognition of its financial and professional contributions towards tackling problem gambling. Formerly known as the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, the GREaT Foundation was established as a charity in 2002 and is Britain’s largest funding body responsible for tackling problem gambling through financing research, education and treatment from voluntary donations.

Geoffrey Godbold, Director of GREaT, said:

“We are extremely grateful to PartyGaming as one of the industry’s leading companies that has made an extra effort in supporting our fundraising campaign.”

eCOGRA:

PartyPartners, which is PartyGaming’s affiliate marketing programme, has been awarded the eCOGRA Affiliate Trust Seal. The award certifies that PartyPartners observes best practice for fairness and efficiency in dealing with affiliate marketers. eGOGRA is the independent standards authority for the online gaming industry, overseeing fair gaming, player protection and responsible operator conduct.

Commenting on the award, eCOGRA chief executive Andrew Beveridge said:

“We were impressed by the competency of both PartyPartners’ staff and their systems, which we thoroughly tested at full capacity to determine efficiency and consistency levels. In our opinion it is among the most professionally managed businesses we have encountered in hundreds of eCOGRA reviews and audits at major Internet companies.”

GamCare:

For the sixth year in succession, PartyGaming has been certificated as a responsible operator by GamCare, a registered charity which is a leading authority on the provision of counselling, advice and practical help in addressing the social impact of gambling in the UK.

Andy McLellan, Chief Executive of GamCare, said:

“I am delighted to be able to renew PartyGaming’s GamCare Certification in public recognition of their longstanding commitment to player protection. Players who choose PartyGaming have the assurance from GamCare Certification that there are appropriate measures in place to help them gamble responsibly and that the right advice is there for anyone who wants to know more about staying in control.”

Martin Weigold, Group Finance Director who has executive responsibility for PartyGaming’s CSR matters, said:

“These corporate responsibility endorsements are welcome recognition of our commitment to act responsibly, which remains one of the four pillars of our business strategy. Being recognised in this way is a source of genuine pride for all of PartyGaming’s 1,300 employees whose commitment to undertaking pro bono community projects in 2009 was also recognised as ‘placing the Company well ahead of its peers’ by the GoodCorporation that undertakes CSR reviews for a number of public companies around the world.”

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Virgin boss Richard Branson one Elle of a hero - 14th June 2010

2010-06-15T01:32:00.000+10:00

Aussie beauty Elle MacPherson has named wily British entrepreneur Richard Branson as her business role model.

MacPherson, who has created a multi-million-dollar empire out of her name thanks to lingerie, cosmetics and TV deals, said the billionaire Virgin boss was an inspiration.

"I'm reading one of his books at the moment and I admire him," she said.

"It's really interesting to look at the way he has built his brand and how he combines what he loves with his business - he's broadminded and diverse and so definitely passionate."

MacPherson, who has taken over the hosting role on Britain's Next Top Model this year, said despite making her name as a swimwear model she never considered launching a bikini line.

"People did ask me why I wasn't doing bathing suits as they associated me with beachwear, especially after appearing in one in Sports Illustrated," she said in the UK interview.

"But I was wary of the fact it's a seasonal product and not economically viable all year round. Besides, lingerie is my passion."

MacPherson, 47, has also made an odd admission - that she only ever looks in the mirror when she's working. "I honestly don't look in the mirror, except for when I am working and then I see an image that supports my brand," she said. Credit: News Limited

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Media Man Awards - May 2010

2010-06-02T10:23:00.002+10:00

The Salvation Army Wins Media Man Charity Of The Month Award - May 2010; Please give generously when they knock

Social and Community Entrepreneur: Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, James Packer runner up

Corporate Responsibility: Virgin Enterprises Limited (including Virgin Unite)

Cafe Of The Month: Sparrow Cafe, Bondi Beach

Burlesque Promoter: Jac Bowie Promotions

Positive Attitude: Max Markson, director, Markson Sparks!

Affiliate Program: PartyPartners

Online Casino: PartyCasino.com

Casino: Crown Casino, Melbourne Australia; Runner up: Star City

Online Poker Room: PartyPoker.com, 2nd World Poker Tour, 3rd PKR Poker

Sports Betting Website: Betfair; Runner Up: Centrebet

Entertainment Website: TMZ

Campaigner: Poker Players Alliance

Promoter: Eric Bischoff

Innovator: Ric Drasin

Game: Sinatra Slot, Runner Up; Monopoly Multiplier, 3rd Cleopatra

Sports Programme (Australia): State Of Origin (Network Nine Australia)

Athlete: Brock Lesnar

Pro Wrestler MVP: Chris Jerico, 2nd Hulk Hogan, 3rd Ric Flair

Actor (Australian): Firass Dirani

Movie: Iron-Man 2

News Website: Google News

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2010-06-01T14:27:00.001+10:00

Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, Australian Mining Mogul, Wins Media Man Social And Community Entrepreneur Of The Month; Runner Up, James Packer

Virgin Enterprises Limited Wins Responsible Corporate Of The Month Award

Max Markson, Director Of Markson Sparks! Wins Media Man Positive Attitude Of The Month Award

Australian Sports Form Anti-Corruption Alliance, by Greg Tingle - 24th May 2010

2010-05-24T10:48:00.000+10:00

The reputation of Aussie sports, thus sports business, and to a broader degree, entertainment industry, has a take a bashing of late. Desperate to fix up ala "fix the fix" et al, a broad range of Australian sports are teaming up for the greater good. A sports betting fix and salary cap rorting re Melbourne Storm was the recent trigger, but most insiders agree there's been issues with the integrity of Australia sports for decades, and we're not just talking about Aussie Olympic team and management stuff ups. Media Man and Gambling911 go crash tackling, body slamming and Hills Hoist clotheslining with this report...

Australian sports have formed an alliance to share information that could help guard against corruption arising from the burgeoning sports gaming industry.

Sports heads from Aussie Rules, rugby, soccer, tennis and netball (no NRL or MMA) formed the Coalition of Major Professional & Participation Sports (COMPPS) this week.

The group said in a media statement last Friday its formation reflected "the importance of continuing public confidence in the integrity of major sports' results".

"There have been concerns about corrupt gaming's influence in some sports in some parts of the world and the newly constituted COMPPS group sees the importance of guarding against corruption in Australian sports gaming as one of our priorities," Executive Director Malcolm Speed said.

"Australia has an excellent sports gaming integrity reputation, which we want to maintain and as a first step, we will start sharing information within the COMPPS membership." ...well, that's what they said, but we detected a bit of spin. It's not the word on the street or in balanced news media reports. Mind you, the Storm, snooker championship and Aussie - Indian cricket got everyone very suspicious and tainted Australian sports across the board.

This new collaborating would share information about codes of conduct, education and disciplinary processes in a bid to strengthen sports integrity, the statement said.

The group's establishment comes off the back of the probe by the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit into Pakistan's under-performing tour of Australia this year.

The unit's outgoing chairman Paul Condon, who confirmed the probe on Thursday, warned that match-fixing could be ruinous to cricket if the sport was not vigilant about rooting it out.

Significant, ok, huge, match-fixing scandals have also broken in snooker, and European and Chinese soccer in recent months. These attracted international headlines.

Former world snooker champion John Higgins was suspended by the sport's governing body earlier this month after a newspaper reported he had agreed to take a bribe to lose frames, and published damaging photographs of a handshake deal.

German police dismantled a gang of more than 200 suspects operating in nine European leagues in November, while Chinese authorities have arrested in excess of 20 league and club officials for match-fixing offences as part of a probe sparked last year.

Team Media Man, Gambling911 and the loyal readership are hoping things return to normal, and the way they should be, for Australian and international sport in the near future.

Good hunting and happy punting, and may the best and fairest team win.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They also publish Australian Sports Entertainment
http://www.australiansportsentertainment.com

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Richard Branson guest edits The Big Issue

2010-05-21T06:35:00.001+10:00

Richard Branson and Virgin Unite take the editor's seat for a special issue of The Big Issue, the UK's leading social business, and argues 'We need a revolution to change the world'.

Be sure to check out the 19th April edition of The Big Issue, a weekly entertainment and current affairs magazine which offers homeless and vulnerably housed people in the UK the opportunity to earn an income.

As guest editor, Richard explains why we need a revolution, covering topics from climate change to entrepreneurship to running his first marathon to support vulnerable young people in the UK. The edition also features the Heaven’s Angels programme and an inspiring Q&A with Desmond Tutu.

Richard's guest edited edition of The Big Issue is available from the 19th April 2010. (Credit: Virgin Unite)

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Australian Aboriginals And Casinos Generate Bob Geldof Heat, by Greg Tingle - 20th May 2010

2010-05-20T14:12:00.001+10:00

Gaming and community entrepreneurs, what do Aussie indigenous peoples, casinos and pop icon Bob Geldof share in common? No, its not a game of what's red, white and black all over... ok, bad joke... the answer is "a nun in a blender". Getting serious, wonderful Australian initiative GenerationOne, has once again brought together an eclectic mix of society, business, rock stars, humanitarians... the whole box and dice. Media Man, passionate community campaigner and media entrepreneur, and Gambling911, new media powerhouse, hit the Aussie Outback in search of answers...

Live Aid humanitarian and rock star "rat" tells us Australia has "exiled" indigenous Australians from the nation.

Australian and Asia Pacific casino and lifestyle king, James Packer of Crown, copped an earful, as did others... more on that later, but here's an overview... the calm before the storm friends...

"They were forced to be exiled from themselves and that must stop," he preached.

"You need to pull them back into themselves because you’ve acknowledged them as being. The spiritual core of yourselves will only be filled when this is done.".

Mr Boobtown Rat was speaking to a breakfast for Perth, WA mining baron Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest’s nation-touring GenerationOne movement. "Twiggy" and the team aims to halt indigenous disparity within this generation. Geldof likened indigenous affairs in Australia to situations he’d witnessed in 3rd-world Africa, and you get the idea.

"I said on the radio back in 1984 that to die of want in a world of surplus is not only intellectually absurd, it is morally repulsive. Well let’s add economically illiterate to that.

It already started to sound that he was talking to the casino, development and mining industry... he has a captive audience, that much is for certain, and news media caught every word!

"You’ve removed from your society of 'having a go' 500,000 of your own. That is absurd. It’s economically stupid.

"Just like those 44 million African children (given access to education from the Live Aid campaign) will be a massive driving force in the world economy, so your own Aboriginal people require to be allowed in. The access point is education."

Geldof urged the "rich bastards" (Mr Packer et al) in attendance at the breaky to contribute wholeheartedly and dig deep re Mr Forrest’s fight to end indigenous disparity. It's a shame 'Our Richard' (Branson), Steve Wynn (still winning big), and billionaire 'Google Guys' weren't in attendance.

Taking shots at a guest representative of Mr Frank Lowy’s Westfield empire and GenerationOne benefactor and key supporter, casino king James Packer, Geldof said "You can build a small shop and then you can build very, very big shop. You can build a casino and then you can build five casinos, you’re still building fu...king casinos."

But Geldof was more than happy to take a pot shot at himself, thereby covering his ass for later heat...

"Or you could be singularly responsible for two of the worst pop records ever made (We Are the World and Do They Know It’s Christmas?).

"You can do all that, but it’s just not enough. It’s all sort of empty. It doesn’t mean very much. Of course, what it is is being able to take what you’re doing, which is less than some and more than others, and extend it out. Well that’s what Twiggy (Andrew Forrest) is doing."

8 minutes of Geldoff speak, poetic tongue, relating to all, Dreamtime included, it was appropriate that Geldof (Mr Rat) signed off with a quote from German writer Johann von Goethe "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.".

Media Man and Gambling911 wish the loyal readership magic of Enchanted Unicorn proportions and genius, be it poker, casino classics, sports betting, or friends and relationships. Geldof is not interested to have a 'Boomtown Rats' themed slot machine, despite fellow rocker, Aussie Angry Anderson doing well with his 'Rose Tattoo' casino club themes. Packer has not publicity commented on a Kerry Packer or 'Underbelly' casino slot game to date, which means its still a possibility. Rock on my brothers, white, black or other! We are one.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen industry sectors they cover

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Ante Up For Africa at PKR - 6th May 2010

2010-05-07T11:54:00.000+10:00

We've teamed up with poker's leading charity to aid African development

Ante Up For Africa is PKR's nominated charity for the coming year

Since Don Cheadle, Annie Duke and Norman Epstein launched Ante Up for Africa in 2006 they've raised more than $3million for front line aid agencies like Refugees International, Enough Project and Darfur Peace and Development Organization. These are groups that are doing an incredible job helping people on the ground in some of the most troubled and impoverished places in the world.

And now we're going to help them raise even more. You can help by donating PKR Points to Ante Up For Africa in our shop with donations ranging from 20,000 to 1,000,000 Points that we'll turn into cash for AUFA to help end conflicts, deliver aid to refugees and re-build lives.

We'll also be releasing details about special charity tournaments and other ways you can get involved with Ante Up For Africa soon.

In the meantime, watch out for Team PKR Pros wearing Ante Up for Africa gear at major poker events and PKR sponsored celebrity participants in the Ante Up for Africa tournament at this year's World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

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Aussie Truckers Work Hard And Smart With TED

2010-05-04T15:00:00.002+10:00

Truck drivers are known to be amongst the world's hardest working people, and now thanks to an innovation designed and developed by talent used to working on Ferrari F1's, their now some of the smartest.

Press Release

Aussie Truck Drivers And Transport Managers Do A Tyre Check In Less Than 5 Minutes; More Time For A Real Smoko Thanks To F1 Technology Transport Tech

Meet our mate, and soon we think yours, "T.E.D" (Transport Efficiency Device).

He's not quite Iron-Man, but T.E.D know how to reduce your transport bottom line, reduce driver margin of error, and can save your semi or fleet multiple thousands of dollars a year.

TED R&D has brought true efficiency front of mind, while also scientifically proving that a TED type fit out adds tangible safety benefits to truck and trailer. Light tracks to B Train Double's can benefit from the device that fits in the palm of your hand.

Drivers, like the idea of walking around your truck and semi with a coffee and checking tyre pressures of up to 32 tyres in less than 5 minutes? You can now!

Reduce wear and tear, driver fatigue, increase safety and have peace of mind knowing TED is also an eco friendly solution.

Built in the U.S.A, tested and adapted to rugged Australian conditions.

Meet your offsider mate T.E.D... you will be glad you did.

Call Australian T.E.D manager Colin Meyer for more information.

m: 0431 303 303
w: www.tedaus.com.au

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Wrestling Legend Ric Flair Expands Gambling Deals, by Greg Tingle - 1st May 2010

2010-05-01T09:43:00.001+10:00

Professional wrestling living legend, 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair, has expanded on his gambling and gaming deals. Enter South Carolina Education Lottery.

As Media Man and Gambling911 have long suspected, there is a cross over audience in wrestling fans and punters, be it lottery, poker, casino, online and offline. We've also noticed an increase in PKR (3D) poker advertising on a number of Wrestling News Media and sports car - lifestyle websites, but that's another story. Flair didn't miss long time nemesis Hulk Hogan doing business with a Native American tribe via The Hulk-a-Mania Experience slot machine, but Flair's opted for "softer" gambling (thus far) via being a face of lottery tickets in the Carolina's.

Flair took a life gamble some 30 years ago when when his bleached his hair blond an transformed his image into a somewhat modern 'Gorgeous George' inspired character, known for his jet flying, limousine riding, wheelin', dealing, son of a gun antics. Flair became the thinking man's wrestler, and quite the entrepreneur in the process.

His biggest wrestling related pay days came around the time of his signing with World Wrestling Entertainment and 1991, soon after having his first match with Hulk Hogan. Today Flair still wrestles the occasional match against Hogan and his mates in WWE rival, TNA Wrestling, but Flair remains on the lookout for worthwhile business deals to help maintain his lifestyle and fuel his considerable expense account which experienced an increase with family matters and the like.

'The Man' is one of Charlotte’s best-known celebs, and one of the world's most famous wrestlers, will be showcased on 'Woooooo!' South Carolina Education Lottery tickets, kicking off next week.

Flair will be in the think of the action with the $5 scratch-off ticket, starting Monday, according to Flair management and of the South Carolina Lottery.

Some six months ago Flair fronted that $5 scratch-off lottery ticket in North Carolina. The Flair tickets were among the state’s best-selling lottery items. The ticket sale was pushed along by television commercials featuring Flair, which later became a bit of a viral hit on the YouTube website portal via Media Man creation American Gaming News.

Paula Harper Bethea, executive director of the South Carolina Education Lottery, said Flair will also help promote the ticket sales in the Palmetto State.

"We look forward to hosting Ric Flair in South Carolina at various events and anticipate an increase in ticket sales to generate more funds for education," Bethea said.

She also advised he is scheduled to appear on behalf of the lottery on 8th May at NASCAR’s Southern 500 racing mega event in Darlington; and again June 5 at the Sun Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach.

The South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) began in 2002. South Carolina is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), best known for Powerball. Like most US lotteries, on January 31, 2010, it participated in the cross-sell lottery expansion, adding Mega Millions.

Pro Wrestlers Connection

Other pro wrestlers who have an interest to get involved in gaming of the gambling variety include Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Snuka and Piper also already in a number of traditional video games. Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash from TNA and NWO fame has some gambling links on his official website. Rumors persist of PartyGaming and / or Australia's NextGen Gaming developing an Andre The Giant online slot game, which would be certain to be a hit with punters down under in Australia, and around the world. Andre toured Australia a number of times including in the 70s and later in the mid 80's with the then World Wrestling Federation.

Punters, into wrestling? Check out the Media Man website network... interviews, articles, profiles et al of many of the world's greatest and most colourful wrestling stars. No pro wrestling slot games... the closest is The Incredible Hulk online slot. Hogan came to terms with Marvel Entertainment a couple of decades ago to the turn of a few million dollars. Captain Cooks Casino is understood to have a 'My Slot' game which can be customized, so if you want to incorporate pro wrestling stars, you can. All we have to say is have fun and Woooooo!

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The charm of Sir Richard rubs off on Perth kids - Fairfax Media - 19th March 2010

2010-03-20T22:06:00.000+11:00

There are not many people in the world who can say they have Sir Richard Branson wrapped around their little finger.

But that's exactly what six-year-old Perth boy Jarvis Brett did this morning when he met the billionaire entrepreneur.

Sitting in Sir Richard's lap as the visiting special guest of Perth charity Strike A Chord for Cancer met with some of the sick children he was there to help, Jarvis looked shy as cameras flashed in his face.

But as soon as the formalities were over, the little boy with neuro blastoma showed Sir Richard just how flexible his fingers were, and then delighted in trying to pull Sir Richard's fingers out of their sockets.

Today, Sir Richard will attend a variety of events held around the city in aid of the Perth charity.

Fans of the entrepreneur have forked out up to $3300 each to socialise with him. Those paying the premium price will enjoy a cruise on the Swan River this afternoon on board a 94-foot yacht as they eat dishes created by Knee Deep winery chef Bradley Hornby and drink Billecart champagne.

He will also attend a cocktail function at Indiana restaurant overlooking Cottesloe beach with 200 guests, and a party dubbed Branson by the Pool at Burswood later tonight with another 700. More than 1000 people will attend breakfast and lunch functions at which he will appear today.

Strike A Chord for Cancer offers emergency funds to families who have children suffering from cancer, while also providing them with musical instruments and lessons to help take their mind of their illness. Tonight, a band made up of children who benefited from the charity will play at the pool party.

Sir Richard said he came to Perth for the kids.

"They're fantastic kids, except for the one that's been trying to break my finger!" he said.

"No, he's absolutely adorable. It's a tremendous charity and great to be able to spend the day trying to raise money for it. You can see the joy in the kids' faces, how excited they are to be playing in their band tonight, having been given the equipment by the charity and taught how to use it."

Sir Richard said he travelled the world to attend charity events, and worked on his foundation that raises money for children in Africa.

"I do about 20 events a year," he said.

"I do some speaking and put 100 per cent to the charity, or towards the foundation we have in Africa.

"That's about helping African kids who have different sorts of problems." (Credit: Fairfax Media)

Australian Casino And Poker News: Overseas Passenger Terminal And Burswood Casino Packs Em In, by Greg Tingle - 19th March 2010

2010-03-20T11:31:00.000+11:00

It's been a huge 24 hours in the Australian casino, employment, poker, media and social and community entrepreneur sectors.

Billionaire Inc Connection...

James Packer's Burswood Casino aka Burswood Entertainment Complex, based in Perth, Western Australia, is on a roll. Poker and online poker continue to do massive numbers, and Crown Limited (Crown Casino and Burswood Casino etc al), PartyGaming's PartyPoker, Media Man and Gambling911 are in the thick of the action.

Must be magic that Packer and Perth mining magnate, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest are weaving. "Twiggy" have brought his infectious can-do attitude, work ethic and Aussie humour in spades to Sydney. Yep, the Billionaire, understood to now be Australia's Richest Man, still has the common touch.

Packer and Forrest were in Sydney last night, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, joined by 500 power players in the Australian business, political and entertainment arena to officially welcome in GenerationOne. For the record, Media Man had to report from the sidelines as the event was jam packed, but did have the pleasure to speaking to some execs very close to the powers that be...and they were pleased to hear of our assistance to groups such as Githabul people, Yuggera tribe, Deadly Awards, Friends of Malabar Headland and Virgin Unite, and mentioning that we owned shares in Crown Casino didn't seem to hurt the cause!

Movie stars Cate Blanchett and Russell Crowe attended last night, where movers and shakers exchanged ideas (plus gossip) and saw their palms projected onto the sails of the Opera House in a show of support. Us Aussies are likely giving the Las Vegas Strip and Atlantic City a few free ideas!

The story that Media Man and Gambling911 collaborated on and broke worldwide, has dominated Google and Google News for the past 24 hours or so, and shows no sign on slowing down for the weekend... a favorite time for punters, both in Australia and around the globe.

The GenerationOne movement has also triggered us to open up negotiations with the state and federal government to see how we here at Media Man may qualify to take on a couple of suitable indigenous peoples as contract staff to assist our business endeavors... could be for photography, video, graphic arts or internet portal development.

Australia New Zealand Poker Tour

The event is the toast of the town in Perth, ok, that may be talking it up a notch, but you get the idea.

Burswood Casino, PokerStars and the online poker community, not to mention bars,
restaurants, taxis and limousines are sure doing well out of it. All the action also means that Burswood will need to keep staff numbers high, which is good news for GenerationOne, but fortunately those infamous plastic handcuffs have yet been witnessed on site.

Insiders advise over 60 players got through day 1b at the PokerStars ANZPT Perth Main Event. Mr Yu-chang Cheng leads as the only player from the flight with over 100,000 in chips.

Many of Australia’s best poker players attended with PokerStars pros Tony Hachem, Eric Assadourian and Grant Levy all surviving with pretty average chips.

Joel "Strong Play" Dodds who continues his roll with ANZPT to sit in third chip position with 97,600 and APPT Sydney champion Aaron Benton returned strongly from a short stack to concluded with 74,900 chips. ANZPT Adelaide champ Rennie Carnevale gets to Day 2 with 47,550.

The ANZPT Perth Main Event attracted 222 players, beating the previous record for a Perth event - 142 players. The top prize is $132,750.

Here's the numbers as of time to publication

Top ten chip counts:
Nik Lackovic – 104,625
Yu-chang Cheng – 101,425
Joel Dodds – 97,600
Dominic Sinagra – 93,350
Aaron Wilson – 90,950
Kelvin Beattie – 90,125
Christopher Evans - 87,600
Tu Le – 84,425
Jimmy Wong – 77,925
Aaron Benton - 74,900

So punters, be casino, poker or community assistance being your passion or poison, as you can see its been a massive period for casino, poker and entertainment news down under.

Wait, there's more!

GenerationOne - The Numbers Build

In the next report we expect to be able to give more updates on the amount of jobs GenerationOne is generating. New South Wales premier Kristina Keneally, already has 2229 jobs earmarked for indigenous people, Packer has approx 100, "Twiggy" with multiple thousands, and Media Man has put aside 2 contract jobs for locals. It's more paperwork, but the end result is worth the effort.

Mr Packer has employed 60 indigenous workers and is looking for 50 more. Like many, he had always wanted to do more in the area and Mr Forrest had shown him how.

"It's not about rich people can do more, or poor people should get off their backsides, or government should get out there … It's about all Australians", Mr Forrest said.

"People tell me, 'This is just another campaign.' I say show me the 20,000 (promised jobs so far) in any other campaign."

Readers, have fun playing your games of preference, and be assured that we will continue to support the readership and community who support us.

Let's hear it again for the Australian - American connection... Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie USA USA Aussie Oi Aussie Oi USA Oi Oi Oi!

* Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

* The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, operating in over a bakers dozen vertical markets

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Big names lend hand to campaign - 19th March 2010

2010-03-19T19:17:00.002+11:00

Hand prints of some of Australia's biggest movers and shakers will be projected onto Sydney Opera House to kick start a campaign to end indigenous inequality.

Interactive artwork will build up over two hours covering the Opera House sails from 8pm (AEDT) on Friday.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, mining magnate Andrew Forrest, media baron James Packer, and actors Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett will be among the 500 participants at the GenerationOne launch.

The campaign aims to boost aboriginal employment, literacy rates, year 12 completion rates, and help curb alcohol abuse and welfare dependency in indigenous communities.

As part of the launch, artworks will also be projected onto five iconic buildings in other cities - Flinders St Station in Melbourne, the Adelaide Festival Centre, Brisbane City Hall, Canberra Australian National Gallery and the Perth Bell Tower.

Cape York Kokoberra woman Tania Major, the 2007 Young Australian of the Year, is one of faces of the campaign.

"As I get around this country, I find Australians really are unified around a desire to ensure that this is the last generation to suffer indigenous disparity," she said prior to the launch.

Joint spokesman Jack Manning Bancroft said cooperation was needed nationwide.

"GenerationOne is different from previous attempts to fix this problem because it isn't just calling on governments to act. It's calling on business, government and all Australians," he said.

GenerationOne will have a national roadshow from March 23 to May 20 to encourage people to get involved.

Australian Casino King, Business Tycoons And Social And Community Entrepreneurs Unite For Indigenous, by Greg Tingle - 19th March 2010

2010-03-19T12:49:00.001+11:00

Tonight's the night!

Australian casino king, James Packer, friends, associates and even a few Hollywooders will gather at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney in aid of indigenous Australians - GenerationOne!

Mr Packer and mate, Andrew Forrest, having been working the phones and rumor has it even Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett will be there. Billionaires and celebs a plenty.

They will all get together to project their hands via a colourful laser display on the Opera House to launch GenerationOne - an ambitious project to secure appropriate training and employment for indigenous Australians.

A positive and determine billionaires' swag - one that Packer, Forrest, Kerry Stokes, Lowy clan and Lindsay Fox make the running on a cause they have taken into their own hands.

Media Man is hopeful of getting up close to the action tonight, and rest assured follow up stores will follow, many of which positive outcomes are forecast.

Prime Minster Kevin Rudd has publicly said Sorry to indigenous Australians, but saying sorry is not enough... actions speak louder than words, and who better to action than influential whales and dolphins in the casino, media and entertainment industry.

Numerous Australian government agencies and charity groups have previously given money and attention towards Aboriginal Australians, but sustainable solutions - jobs and the like are what's needed. Just throwing money at problems doesn't work, and the Packer - Forrest clan has runs on the board and has experienced indigenous Australia close up... both the good and the bad.

These leaders of business have their work cut out for themselves, but they are used to beating the odds... and winning. Look at Packer's recent "comeback of the decade". Big business, backed by positive (and cashed up) folks, coupled with people power, has a good chance to win this struggle.

Corporate social responsibility has become a focus for many companies over the past years. Sustainable employment seems to have overshadowed the environmental - greeny barrow. A Media Man insider was overheard, "All this talk about the environment... well and good, but if someone is sleeping in a cardboard box and hungry, that's their environment. Millionaires, billionaires and the right mix of social and community entrepreneurs can sort out many of Australia's problems".

Billionaire Inc is willing to use some of its its money and clout garner community interest and balanced news media attention to push a unified cause. Egos will be pushed to the side, results being paramount.

Forrest is the individual who has driven this to date. He's got jobs for the right folks, so has Packer. All members of the brains trust understand that correct training, willingness to learn, adapt, hard work and positive mental attitude is key.

The initial jobs target is 50,000 indigenous placings. Packer's Crown and Forrest's mining operation can't fill all of the positions, so they are looking to other suitable Australian companies to assist. It's seen as a win - win - win.

Part of the task for Team Forrest - Packer is about convincing big business that indigenous employees, properly trained and equally valued, are economically valuable and inspirational to the other employees and can become mentors. This isn't about fulfilling a charitable quota.

For Forrest and Packer this quest is most personal.

Forrest was raised in a remote West Australian station where until the age of nine all his friends were Aborigines. He says that the Aboriginal elders mentored him and taught him many life skills, including how to track and how to fight.

"I grew up believing the more you know Aboriginal people the more you love them", he told Fairfax Media.

At the age of nine Forrest was sent to a boarding hostel where Aborigines lived.

The majority of the billionaires he has mustered have either experienced their own struggle or have learnt hardship from their parents.

The Packer and Forrest collective empires are in a strong position at present, and perhaps this has been instrumental in the timing of this bold project.

Media Man and Gambling911 applaud this champion effort. It's mate helping mate, breaking down the divide between the haves and the have nots. Media Man and Gambling911 hope your gaming experience is a positive and enjoyable one, and if you get lucky, please consider assisting a worthy cause or two. In the coming days and weeks more details will be provided on GenerationOne. Crew, let's hear it... Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company.

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Australian Casino Attacks: Perth's Burswood Bouncer In Hospital Following Headbutt, by Greg Tingle - 14th March 2010

2010-03-14T10:26:00.001+11:00

A man has been questioned by police after a bouncer was allegedly head-butted at Burswood Casino in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Police said a 26-year-old man from Southern Cross would be summonsed to appear
in court on an assault charge after he allegedly head-butted the male security officer (aka "Bouncer") about 3.30am.

The victim was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose.

The alleged offender was apprehended at the scene by security officers before police arrived to take him away for questioning. Ya bloody mongrel.

Media Man and Gambling911 have been following the history of violent attacks at Australian hotels, pubs and casinos for a number of years. Mugs like the above mentioned have been tarnishing the good name of Australian casinos for too long now.

Burswood Entertainment Complex, owned by James Packer's Crown Limited group, is one of numerous Crown venues that will be implementing a plastic handcuff policy, expected to be rolled out later this year.

Negatives Into Positives...

As reported last month, Mr Packer has vouched to help find employment for masses of Indigenous Australian youth, and by the sound of it there's still room to boost the numbers of security offers at the Crown group of facilities. Insiders tip Crown to initially open up close to 100 vacancies for suitably qualified staff, but the overall plan from the Packer - Andrew Forrest - Kerry Stokes - Rupert Murdoch connection is looking to cater to 50,000! Readers, you will be hearing lots more about The Covenant and Generation One.

Burswood and Crown Casino remain iconic Australian tourism landmarks, despite detractors staying otherwise. Last year golfing great Tiger Woods brought in $10 million to Crown coffers alone, largely due in part to a large contingent of casino and golfing whales and dolphins who followed him down under. Tiger's Aussie tour brought more excitement and headlines than expected and witnesses say a certain Miss was seen in Crown Towers... you know, the one who grasped international headlines et Rachel Uchitel. What a bingle that was, of the Aussie Lara Bingle magnitude.

We're hoping things settle down for Tiger and Australian casinos, and the next wave of news will be more positive in nature. We applaud media giants News Limited and Fairfax, both of which have been filing numerous balanced and positive reports on Australian casino king, James Packer, and his substantial empire. Insiders are calling Packer's return to the uppers of the BRW Rich List "the comeback of the decade", likely the only thing he shares in common with Hollywood toughman Mickey Rourke.

No plastic handcuffs required for online casinos, online poker or sports betting, but always bet with your head, not over it.

Big Business Opportunities...

Last call... Media Man thinks Crown might do well to get a b2b deal in place for online casino games with the likes of PartyGaming. Party's PartyPoker secured a large number of online poker players for Crown's Aussie Millions Poker Championship via satellites last January. Party subsequently signed Crown winner Tyron Krost to a lucrative contact. Krost claims he learned to play online poker via PartyPoker.com Party's themed and branded slots such as The Godfather, Mission: Impossible and Top Gun (both featuring Packer's mate Tom Cruise).

Let's face it, some of the attacks at Australian land based casinos are likely going to keep some punters away, but most will have access to an internet connection, thus the online casino. History shows us via the Las Vegas experience that casinos who embrace the internet appropriately are likely to stay ahead of competitors. Packer said himself, "Internet is like electricity".

U.S casino and gaming Giant, Harrah's Entertainment, is the latest U.S casino to make a big splash in online b2b, and we think Packer's Crown should be Australia's first. We understand that Crown competitors TAB and Centrebet are currently making moves to be able to offer Australian's a wide range of online casino games and we think that the Packer People's Army would do well to beat the comp to the punch, pardon the pun, and offer some games featuring some unique Aussie culture. How about a Kerry Packer, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, Underbelly, The Man From Snowy River and Ned Kelly slot? Now I'd be prepared to pay for that, as one would expect from masses of passionate Aussies. Crown shares on 8.170 (share price, not blood alcohol reading). Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi, Oi.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor to Gambling911

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, gaming being just one of a bakers dozen of sectors covered

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2010-02-26T09:14:00.001+11:00

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Aussie casino king James Packer to help ease plight of jobless, by Greg Tingle - 21st February 2010

2010-02-21T15:29:00.000+11:00

Australian casino king and major media player, James Packer, has vowed to help ease plight of Australia's jobless.

Entitled the Australian Employment Covenant, the Rudd government-backed initiative aims to find 50,000 jobs for indigenous Australians. As the project rolls out Australia will get to know it as Generation One.

In an extremely rare interview, Linda Silmalis of News Limited's The Sunday Telegraph was able to secure a telephone interview with Mr Packer.

The casino comeback king wouldn't be pushed on politics (recently enjoying a spot of golf with Sen. Stephen Conroy might do that to a man), but he opened right up when it came to social and community matters, with a focus on getting Indigenous Australians sustainable employment.

The Packer empire includes Australia's Crown Casino, Burswood Entertainment Centre, City Of Dreams, Macau and Altira Macau. Mr Packer also has a share in pay TV operator, Foxtel.

Crown Casino is strongly indicating it will employ a significant number of indigenous Australians and Team Packer is also communicating with corporate Australia on how they can be part of this historic project.

Packer is collaborating with Aussie mining king Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest. A bush tucker bag of other great Aussie's are also assisting including but not limited to News Limited chairman Rupert Murdoch, Seven Network boss Kerry Stokes, and of course wife, Erica Baxter. Murdoch did some historic campaigning for Indigenous Australia whilst editor of Adelaide's The News circa 1959, later being showcased in modern classic, 'Black and White'.

There's considerable resources at hand, and by Packer speak, this is a hand up, not a hand out. However, to kick-start things Kerry Stokes and Packer are both putting in $2 million for a start.

In the telephone interview with Linda Silmalis of The Sunday Telegraph, "Kerry and I are each putting in $2 million to the project and we're doing it because we believe in Andrew's vision,.

"It is not another welfare program. Both the Covenant and Generation One are about getting actual outcomes. We have actually got some bona fides in this area - Crown is already up to 75 jobs. We want to get it up into the hundreds.

"The goal is to work with people in businesses to try to get training and job placements.

"When someone gets training within a specific business, it makes it far more likely they will get a home in that business."

"I think with anyone, when they have a child, it opens up a new dimension to your life".

"I got to spend a year in the Northern Territory as a jackeroo and that gave me exposure to the way some Aboriginal communities are that others never get.

"I got to see good things and some not so good things. I always had a desire to do something, but I needed the right opportunity, and Andrew's vision and infectious enthusiasm made it easy for me to become involved.

"Andrew and I went to see Kerry Stokes, and we said, 'We'd love you to do this with us', and he agreed.

"At the casino, we are training people in hospitality, in security, areas where it will lead to jobs. I think corporate Australia wants to do more and it will become easier as more people become involved.

"It is a good concept and I think it will become easier as time goes on."

Media Man applauds the Packer - Forrest and friends collaboration that clearly demonstrates a far reaching way of demonstrating one's real wealth. We are also hopeful that both the Labor and Liberal party pick up on some of Mr Packer's wisdom when it comes to matters such as the internet and censorship. Mr Packer famously said "Internet is like electricity", something Media Man and Gambling911 management and readers are well aware of, as is Senator Conroy. As of this writing Sen Conroy has remained silent on mentions of himself in comparisons with award winning documentary, 'Casino Jack and the United States of Money'.

On a lighter note Sen. Conroy has turned out to be quite the sportsman, not only a keen golfer, but a passionate snowboarder, even getting a trip away to enjoy the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Let's just hope that Conroy's recent collaborations with Team Packer and friends help produce some gold for many parties, starting with both indigenous Australia and internet gaming fans and entrepreneurs. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company.

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Man sets hugs record in Vegas - 14th February 2010

2010-02-15T10:34:00.001+11:00

LAS VEGAS — A 51-year-old Ohio man has embraced the Valentine's Day spirit faster than anyone before, giving 7,777 hugs in 24 hours for a new world record.

Jeff Ondash, who sought the squeezes under the costumed alter ego Teddy McHuggin, broke the record Saturday night outside the Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

"When you hug somebody, they all walk away from each other smiling," Ondash said.

"They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away; a hug a day — it's just fun."

Ondash said he wanted to become the world's hugging champion to raise money for the American Heart Association during American Heart month.

The cause is important to him because his brother and father both died relatively young because of heart problems, he said.

His daughter Carlie, who tallied her father's hugs with a manual counter at the start of his attempt on Friday, came up with his pseudonym to make his spectacle a bit more fun. As Teddy McHuggin, Ondash sports a red NASCAR-style driver's suit with hugging logos and a wrestling-style championship belt.

"Jeff Ondash breaking a record really doesn't mean a lot," he said. "Teddy McHuggin on the other hand, he's the reigning world speed hugging champion, now going after the world marathon hugging champion.

"No one on earth has ever attempted something like that before," he said.

Ondash, of Canfield, Ohio, already held the record for most hugs in one hour with 1,205, according to Guinness World Records.

The previous record of 5,000 hugs in one day was set last year by Siobhan O'Connor in Dublin, Ireland, Guinness spokesman Philip Robertson said.

To break O'Connor's mark, Ondash needed more than 208 hugs per hour — or about 3 1/2 hugs per minute. Ondash logged just over 700 hugs during his first hour of embraces on Friday night.

He said he embraced all kinds of people throughout Friday night and Saturday and was tired from being on his feet and not eating. But Ondash said he wasn't planning to go to sleep right away.

"I'm going to go and enjoy the town tonight," he said Saturday.

Ondash said he did not expect Guinness World Records to certify his record for several weeks. The organization did not have a judge present at his attempt. Instead, independent judges who tracked Ondash in shifts were to submit affidavits to the organization.

Ondash says he, as McHuggin, is now eyeing both the world's longest single hug — currently 24 hours and 1 second — and breaking his current two records consecutively, which he said was "unheard of."

"I don't even know if I can do that but I'm going to attempt it," Ondash said. "It's like climbing Mount Everest twice — same thing."

Branson by the pool - 13th February 2010 - Fairfax Media

2010-02-13T20:56:00.000+11:00

Sir Richard Branson will be in Perth for a day of fundraising for Strike A Chord in a poolside party at the Burswood Entertainment Complex.

Strike A Chord is a foundation supporting those with cancer.

The poolside area at Burswood will be transformed, taking on a Carribean feel with Samba music, exotic dancing, flame throwers, percussionists and other entertainers.

Hosted by Mr Branson and the team from Mix 94.5 are planning a huge night to remember.

Tickets are $195 from ticketek.

Send us your events to features@watoday.com.au

Book Review: Universal Shift, by Grant Hilton

2010-02-08T15:51:00.000+11:00

Grant Hilton has authored Univeral Shift.

Book review coming soon.

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Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief

2010-01-23T19:17:00.002+11:00

Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief

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Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief is a charity telethon that was held on 22 January 2010 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 23 January 2010 from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. UTC. The telethon is set to be the most widely distributed telethon in history. The event was broadcast from Studio 36 at the CBS Television City, Los Angeles, from the Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, New York and from the private club The Hospital in London.[citation needed] There were also live reports from Haiti.

Creation of the telethon was announced by MTV Networks in the United States on January 15, 2010, three days after the 2010 Haiti earthquake struck on January 12 and claimed the lives of at least 70,000 people. The event is one of a number of humanitarian responses to the earthquake. The telethon is patterned after the form begun with the 2001 America: A Tribute to Heroes program and continued with the 2005 Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast.

The telethon and its album and video, currently available for pre-order on iTunes, will raise funds for Haiti relief, to be given the following organizations with humanitarian operations in Haiti: the World Food Programme, UNICEF, the Red Cross, Oxfam, the Yéle Haiti Foundation, Partners In Health and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

Participants

Wyclef Jean hosted the concert in New York City, with George Clooney in Los Angeles and Anderson Cooper in Haiti.

Rihanna revealed on 21 January, during the Norwegian-Swedish talkshow Skavlan, that she would perform a new song titled "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)", together with Jay-Z and U2's The Edge and Bono for the telethon in London.

In San Francisco, Clint Eastwood and Matt Damon appealed for donations. (Credit: Wikipedia).

FOXTEL SCREENS HOPE FOR HAITI NOW

2010-01-22T12:08:00.000+11:00

Media Release: 22nd January 2010

FOXTEL subscribers will be able to tune into George Clooney's telethon for Haiti this weekend as the two hour commercial-free telecast is simulcast around the world.

MTV, VH1 and CNN will air the benefit live tomorrow, Saturday, January 23, from 12noon AEDT.

National Geographic will screen the star-studded event at 8.30pm tomorrow, with E! broadcasting from 9.00pm and The Style Network from 10.00pm AEDT.

Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief will help raise funds for the hundreds of thousands affected by Haiti’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12 and is expected to reach 640 million viewers globally – the most widely distributed telethon in history.

The global fundraiser will feature a huge line-up of must-see musical performances including Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Shakira, and Sting in New York City; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Australian Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Coldplay, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Bono, and The Edge in collaboration from London.

In addition to the musical performances, Wyclef Jean will host in New York City with George Clooney in Los Angeles and CNN’s Anderson Cooper from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Australian Nicole Kidman, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Robert Pattinson, Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Halle Berry, and former President Bill Clinton will be amongst more than one hundred of the biggest names in film, television, and music supporting the cause with testimonials and by answering phones during the telethon.

Proceeds from Hope for Haiti Now will be split evenly among relief organisations on the ground in Haiti – The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, United Nations World Food Programme, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Yele Haiti Foundation.

The special will also be streamed live online globally across sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, MTV.com, and Rhapsody. Facebook and Twitter have signed on as official social media partners to help drive donations and tune-in to the telethon.

Australians can contribute to the telethon via:
• Online: www.hopeforhaitinow.org (via Paypal or credit card)
• Phone: 0011 1 773 360 0205 (standard international rates apply)
• Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation

About FOXTEL
FOXTEL is Australia's leading subscription television provider and is connected to 1.63 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL strives to ensure subscribers find TV they want to watch every time they switch on through delivery of more than 150 channels covering news, sport, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (25%).

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Crown Casino Aussie Millions Poker Championship kicks off, by Greg Tingle - 16th January 2010

2010-01-17T12:34:00.000+11:00

Melbourne, if not the whole of Australia, has poker fever, thanks to casino king James Packer's brainchild, "Aussie Millions".

Media Man long time friend, associate and eyes and ears of the industry, Keith "Bendigo" Sloan, tipped us off that it would be huge and he was right on the money.

Let's start with some big picture stuff.... poker has been widely acknowledged in a court of law as primarily a game of skill. Sure, there's some luck involved, but over time on measured tests, the skill factor comes through. This is a key point in some of the arguments put forward by the Poker Players Alliance. Folks, professional poker is big business and is also a form of sports tourism, something that's been picked up on by the Victorian government, but something Australia's Labor government is still trying to grasp. Maybe it will be covered in the Aussie version of "Casino Jack"!

Let it be said from the get-go that Crown's Aussie Millions gives some much needed balance into the news media coverage of Australia's casino sector, which has been copping a bit of a battering of late. Crown's connection with tourism, sports tourism and high rollers is undisputed, and the powers that be at Crown do give back to society in a number of capacities, some of which is reported and other elements that are done on the quite. It was impossible to miss Warnie and Joe Hachem on Network Ten's 7PM project last month.

It's a given that when so many whales, high rollers and the like are in town, there's vast financial resources not far from felt.

The Salvation Army and Unicef are just a couple of worthy causes that Crown and the powers that be have assisted over the years.

This year sees a reported 1,143 entrants have a punt at Aussie Millions...a record for major poker tournaments in Australia.

A $1,143,000 prize pool will be split amongst the top 108 players, with first place set to collect the first Aussie Millions Gold Championship Ring over $200,000 in cash.

Numerous big names were in attendance for day one including Tony G, Clonie Gowen, Sorel Mizzi, David Saab, Jason Gray, Paul Khoury, Kenneth Damm and 2005 WSOP Champ Joe Hachem. Players who returned to the felt for a second chance included Tony Dunst , Emad Tahtouh, Billy Argyros, Lee Nelson, Josh Field, Ben Delaney, Andrew Jeffreys, Leo Boxell, Amanda De Cesare, Tino Lechich, James Akenhead and 2009 Aussie Millions Champion (and PartyPoker sponsored) Stewart Scott.

Nick Haidaris has emerged with the chip lead of 165,300. Eighty-three players remained from Day 1's starting field. Those back for Day 2 include David Saab, JP Kelly, Antonis Kambouroglou, Brendan Edmonds, Con Tsapkounis, and Jim Sachinidis.

Players not back for day 2 include Tony Dunst, 2009 Aussie Millions Main Event Champ Stewart Scott, Emad Tahtouh, Barny Boatman, Matthew Pearson, Rayan Nathan, Joe Hachem, Tony G, Lee Nelson, Billy Argyros, Jonathan Karamalikis, Michael Guzzardi, James Akenhead, Ben Delaney, and Sorel Mizzi.

Day 2 at Crown Casino kicks off at 12:30 p.m where approximately 200 players will be giving it all they have in their quest for the championship.

Media Man encourages players (and management) on a winning streak to continue to give back to society, and of course the world is aware of those less fortunate including in Haiti which was recently rocked by an earthquake. Casinos and big gaming companies have much bigger resources than most, so let's see if they can even come close to helping to the extent that they did when the Aussie Victorian bushfires hit last March.

*The writer holds shares in Crown Limited
*The writer is the founder and director of Media Man
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911

Online Poker Sites Rally for Haiti Earthquake Victims, by Dan Cypra - 14th January 2010

2010-01-17T09:24:00.000+11:00

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked the tiny nation of Haiti left the country in shambles and perhaps as many as 50,000 people may have perished. In response, the online poker world has come together to raise money for the natural disaster’s victims.

Full Tilt Poker has launched “Aid for Haiti” tournaments in which the site will match the rake paid and then donate it to several charities on the ground in the island nation. For Full Tilt Poker members who don’t want to hit the virtual felts in order to donate, the world’s second largest online poker site has set up “Aid for Haiti No Play” tournaments. Ten of these events are scheduled for Sunday, January 17th and Full Tilt is matching the buy-ins. No poker will actually be had in “No-Play” tournaments.

The site has also created a special user account dubbed “Aid for Haiti.” In a similar fashion as transferring funds from one player to another, those who wish to help can send money directly to the account in $5 increments or larger. Full Tilt will then match the funds raised.

PokerStars has taken a streamlined approach to fundraising. The site has selected the Red Cross as its beneficiary and, like Full Tilt Poker and others involved, is matching donations dollar for dollar. The opportunity to donate will be open through January 31st and all players need to do is open up the PokerStars client, go to “Tourney” and “Special,” and enter one of the Haiti Earthquake Relief events. None of these tournaments will actually play out. Instead, the $1 to $1,000 buy-in allows players to donate directly to the Red Cross. PokerStars members can also ship money to “Haiti Fund,” a player account set up specifically to accept donations. Go to “Requests” and “Transfer Funds” in the top menu to take advantage of this method.

Meanwhile, the Calvin Ayre Foundation, named for the founder of Bodog, has pledged £10,000 to the U.K.-based foundation Oxfam to support the cause. The internet mogul added, “I also want to challenge the rest of this industry to also contribute to Oxfam to help out in Haiti and my private foundation will match any proven payment to Oxfam by an online gaming person up to $1,000,000.” Bodog, PokerStars, and Full Tilt Poker all accept players and donations from the United States. The latter two are the largest and second largest sites in the world, respectively.

Also accepting U.S. action and promoting relief to the residents of Haiti is Cake Poker. The room has set up three special “holding tanks” totaling $5, $25, and $100. Players can register for each of them and the site, which features Lee Jones as its Card Room Manager, will match all funds raised. No cards will be dealt in these tournaments; instead, they are purely for donation purposes. The trio of “holding tanks” will be available until Midnight ET on January 31st.

Facebook poker application Zynga is donating $1 to Fonkoze, “an organization that supports families in Haiti,” for every chip package sold. Other added benefits, including a “Hearts for Haiti” gift, will be thrown into the mix.

On PocketFives.com, top-ranked online poker player David “Doc Sands” Sands announced that he was donating 10% of his Sunday profits up to $10,000 to a “disaster relief fund.” Sands called on other all-star players to do the same, with Ryan “gutshtallin” Welch, who sits at #39 in the world, agreeing to similar terms. Sunday features some of the largest online poker tournaments in the industry, including the Sunday Million on PokerStars and $750,000 Guaranteed on Full Tilt Poker.

The United States pledged $100 million in aid for Haiti. Hopefully, the online poker community can band together for this worthwhile cause.

Maria del Mar Gomez contributed to this article. (Credit: Poker News Daily)

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2010-01-05T15:47:00.001+11:00

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Packer's wife finds him a giving gift - Fairfax - AAP - 18th December 2009

2010-01-05T15:45:00.001+11:00

James Packer's wife Erica has found the perfect gift for a man who has everything.

Ms Packer, who is a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, has bought her media mogul husband a water pump for an impoverished community, which is part of the organisation's Gifts That Give range.

"I am a strong supporter of Unicef and at Christmas it just makes sense to seek to support their work to help vulnerable children around the world," Ms Packer said in a statement from Unicef. (Credit: Fairfax - AAP)

*read the full story here

Star City Casino strike New Year's Day - 31st December 2009

2010-01-01T06:55:00.000+11:00

Staff at Sydney's Star City casino will walk off the job for one hour on New Year's Day as part of a continuing row over pay.

The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) says workers will strike from 8pm until 9pm (AEDT) in a bid to secure a higher pay offer, but a Star City spokesman says the casino will operate as usual.

"Staff have been negotiating with Star City for a new enterprise agreement for more than eight months," LHMU NSW branch secretary Mark Boyd said in a statement on Thursday.

"Star City staff have decided to take one-hour strike action from New Year's Day because they are frustrated by the casino's unfair wage offer and management's refusal to listen to them."

But Star City spokesman Peter Grimshaw says only a small group of employees is expected to carry out the industrial action and the casino would operate as usual.

"Only 17 per cent of employees voted to strike so it will be business as usual at Star City," he said in a statement.

A LHMU spokeswoman told AAP on Thursday that further strikes could follow through January.

Star City staff have twice voted against previous pay offers made in September and December, the LHMU union said.

The union has previously said members have been offered a two per cent pay rise.

But Mr Grimshaw said the casino had "put a very fair offer on the table including a nine per cent increase in wages over three years and increased allowances".

"However, the union is trying to retain outdated work practices including loadings on sick leave," he said.

Mr Boyd said $575 million was being spent to renovate the venue, its top executives were paid $2.6 million and the casino's last quarter revenue was up 11.6 per cent. (Credit: Wires, Fairfax Media, Google News, LHMU, Media Man)

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TASER Foundation for Fallen Officers Raises More Than $550,000 From the 2009 "Hold'em for Heroes" Celebrity Weekend - 21st December 2009

2009-12-28T15:24:00.001+11:00

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 21, 2009 - The TASER Foundation for Fallen Officers generated more than $550,000 in gross donations during its fifth annual "Hold'em for Heroes" celebrity tournament weekend held November 19-21, 2009.

The weekend's events featured three days of poker tournaments at the Fort McDowell Casino, including a "high roller" event filled with more than 35 celebrities from: the World Series of Poker(R) (WSOP), professional sports teams, television, movies, and artists from the country and hip hop genres. Many of these same players also participated in the charity's first celebrity golf tournament played at the beautiful WeKoPa Golf Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

The returning hosts for the events were the 11-time WSOP Champion, Phil Hellmuth and Country Music Recording Artist, Mark Wills.

During the weekend's activities, local players had the opportunity to golf with celebrities like Richard Karn of "Home Improvement" and play their best poker hands against champions like Phil Hellmuth, Antonio Esfandiari, Layne Flack, and local poker hero Tom Schneider for the chance to win a $10,000 seat in the 2010 World Series of Poker tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mark Rubin, a local player, won the event, with Jeff Madsen, one of the WSOP celebrity players, taking second.

Kathy Hanrahan, the CEO for the TASER Foundation, commented, "The results achieved for the 2009 'Hold'em for Heroes' event was a great way to end the year. We were encouraged by the level of support achieved in such a tough economy."

"We would like to thank the local community for their continued support of this very worthwhile cause, and our premium corporate sponsors: Fort McDowell Casino, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona, Hillard Heintze, TASER International, the Poker Players' Alliance, and Hogue Printing Solutions for underwriting the key expenses and making the event possible," added Hanrahan. "A special thank you is also necessary for the men and women of law enforcement who attended the event, and to the very special family members of our fallen Arizona officers. This weekend was to honor these heroes, and to remind them that the TASER Foundation will be here to help law enforcement and its families in their time of need."

For more information on the event, or to see or purchase photographs from the tournament weekend, please email SupportingtheFamily@TASERFoundation.org.

To learn more about how you can assist the TASER Foundation in its mission to help these families during their time of need, please visit www.TASERFoundation.org, or call 1-800-978-2737, extension 2012. Every dollar raised makes a difference in their lives, and lets the families know how grateful we are for their sacrifice.

About the TASER Foundation

The TASER Foundation distributes financial memorial grants to the families of fallen officers in the United States and Canada through donations and an initial endowment of $1,000,000. More than half of the initial endowment came in direct contribution from TASER International employees with the balance contributed by the company. Onetime grants are available only upon request by chiefs of police and sheriffs as well as federal law enforcement executives in the name of sworn officers killed in the line of duty since August 1, 2004. The TASER Foundation's mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of local and federal law enforcement officers in the United States and Canada lost in the line of duty by providing financial support to their families. TASER International bears all of the administrative costs of the TASER Foundation in order to ensure 100 percent of all donations are distributed to the families of fallen officers. For further information contact Kathy Hanrahan, President and CEO of the TASER Foundation, at Kathy@TASER.com or call 800-978-2737, extension 2012. Visit the TASER Foundation website at www.TASERFoundation.org for facts and video.

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Poker priest misses out on a million - 23rd December 2009

2009-12-24T09:23:00.002+11:00

Poker playing Florida priest, Fr Andrew Trapp, didn't win the $1 million prize on the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge but says he is "happy with the way things turned out."

Fr Trapp said the finale has been called "one of the most amazing, exciting hours of game show TV ever filmed, and that's why I'm looking forward to watching it with my parish family," the Sun News reports.

Word first leaked to the New York Post that Mike Kosowski, a 21 year NYPD veteran, won the $1 million prize by defeating Trapp and poker star Daniel Negreanu, Trapp confirmed Monday afternoon.

"He ended up beating me and the other two finalists for the shot to play for the million," Trapp said. "I'm disappointed. It's been really tough the past few weeks with everybody asking how I did. I'm happy with the way things turned out. I just think it was meant for Mike to win this."

The church will hold a viewing party Sunday. The episode is worth watching because of Kosowski's inspiring story, Trapp said. It will also include a feature on St Michael's fundraising efforts and show why the church needs a new building.

Kosowski was one of the first responders to arrive at the World Trade Centre during the September 11, 2001, attacks. His story is chronicled in the book "Never Forget: The Oral History of September 11."

"It's a really compelling show," Trapp said. "It's going to be a very emotional show because even after people see Mike knock me out, they are going to start rooting for Mike. He's a September 11 hero. I think we all are going to be cheering him on, everybody across the country."

Though Trapp didn't win the ultimate prize, he did win $100,000, which has already been donated to the St Michael church building fund. The church received the full amount because it is a nonprofit.

"I hate to disappoint all the good people here at St Michael, but I think they'll still be proud of me and it will be a really exciting show to watch."

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Sydney Star City Casino workers vote to strike - 22nd December 2009

2009-12-23T08:23:00.002+11:00

Staff at Sydney's Star City casino have voted to take industrial action over pay, frustrated over a two per cent rise offered by management.

The LHMU hospitality union says staff in the next few days are likely to decide exactly what action to take and when.

"Star City staff have decided on strike action because they are frustrated by the casino's unfair wage offer and management's refusal to listen to them," LHMU NSW branch secretary Mark Boyd said in a statement on Tuesday night.

"The casino put its offer to a vote of all staff in September and earlier this month. Star City staff voted overwhelmingly `no' twice to the casino's unfair pay offer.

"Star City is refusing to listen to its staff who just want a decent pay rise and don't want to lose any of their conditions.

"The decision to consider action is not taken lightly but staff feel it is their last resort."

Mr Boyd said $575 million was being spent renovating the venue, its top executives were paid $2.6 million and the casino's last quarter revenue was up 11.6 per cent.

No one was available for comment at Star City on Tuesday night. (Credit: Wires, Google News, AP)

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Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Unite Named 25 Best Givers' list

2009-12-18T09:52:00.002+11:00

Richard Branson and his Virgin Unite have been named in 'The 25 Best Givers' list published by Barron's and consulting firm Global Philanthropy Group.

The list recognises top philanthropists who insist on 'more bang for the buck' in tight economic times.

Richard and Virgin Unite were recognised alongside the likes of the Skoll Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the William J. Clinton Foundation, among others.

Richard received special mention for his environmental efforts such as the Carbon War Room, the Clinton Global Initiative pledge to invest all profits from Virgin's transportation businesses over the next 10 years in renewable energy, and the $25 million Earth Prize for a plan to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Click here for the full article published at Barrons

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Pink pigeon race date set - Fairfax - 9th December 2009

2009-12-10T15:02:00.002+11:00

The Great Betfair Pink Pigeon Race Day is to be held again next year on January 5 to coincide with Jane McGrath Day.

Starting at Dundas Oval in Narromine it will finish 30 kilometres away, as the crow flies, in Trangie.

Following the success it enjoyed in January of this year the force behind the race, Trangie publican Shane Dolton, is in talks with Channel Nine about the possibility of the race becoming an annual event for the region.

Channel Nine first approached Mr Dolton last year with the idea of a fundraising pigeon race to raise money for breast cancer.

He then put the inaugural event together within two weeks and saw a figure of more than $10,000 raised for the McGrath Foundation.

Mr Dolton was flown to Sydney prior to the first Pink Pigeon Race Day to promote the event on The Cricket Show...

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Hulk Hogan Make-A-Wish Foundation - News Limited - 23rd November 2009

2009-12-10T07:37:00.000+11:00

Wrestling sensation Hulk Hogan brought smiles to the faces of sick children at Burswood today ahead of his Perth show.

Hogan also presented the Make-A-Wish Foundation with a $5000 donation on behalf of Burswood.

Wrestling fanatics Jamie McDermott, 9, and Jesse Harp, 6, were overcome with emotion when the 200cm-tall wrestling icon fulfilled their wishes.

Jamie has a rare neurological disorder and Jesse is battling cancer. Both will attend “Hulkamania” at Burswood Dome tomorrow night as special guests.

Leslie Yungabun, another Make-A-Wish member and “Hulkamaniac”, flew in from Fitzroy Crossing in the state’s north just for the event.

Hogan described the Make-A-Wish children as “awesome”.

“Sometimes I will be tired from the road or tired from all the travelling, but whenever I get around those kids they give me the energy,” he said.

“These kids want to see me get in the ring. It doesn’t matter if I’m 100-years-old, the kids want to come and see me tear the shirt and wrestle around and have a good time.

“It’s just amazing to see these kids and realise this is the priority.”

Hogan will go head-to-head with old nemesis Ric Flair in tomorrow’s showdown, which will also feature wrestling favourites The Nasty Boys and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake.

Hogan’s Australian tour started in extraordinary fashion last week when he was caught up in a brawl with Flair at a Sydney media conference, which left the 56-year-old dazed and bloodied.

Hogan said tomorrow night’s clash with Flair in Perth would be payback.

“I need Ric to realise you can’t go around cheap-shotting people like that,” he said.

“I’d love to get him in a compromising position.”

Hogan and Flair have verbally agreed to throw the rule book out the window for the event.

“Ric Flair’s always about the lowest common denominator and always taking the cheap shots,” Hogan said.

“I told him on radio today, as far as Perth goes, let’s go by your rules.

“I know we’re going to be fighting in the building, but we (might) role out into the street and crash through your living room at home.”

It is first time Hogan has brought his show to Australia.

Burswood’s water fountain in the InterContinental lobby is named the “Make-A-Wish Fountain” and has collected over $85,000 in loose change since 1998. (Credit: News Limited / Perth Now)

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Mission Australia to buy ABC centres - The Sydney Morning Herald - 9th December 2009

2009-12-10T07:29:00.000+11:00

UPDATE The bank-appointed receivers of ABC Learning have confirmed that the not-for-profit syndicate led by Mission Australia has been selected as the preferred buyer for most of the 705 childcare centres remaining under ABC’s control. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

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2009-11-22T11:23:00.000+11:00

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Survivor Series Food Drive & Autograph Signing THIS Sunday - 20th November 2009

2009-11-21T17:21:00.002+11:00

Donate To The WWE Survivor Series Food Drive

World Wrestling Entertainment, Verizon Center and the Capitol Food Bank are providing the opportunity for you, your family and friends to donate non-perishable food items for distribution to those less fortunate in the Washington, D.C. area during the Thanksgiving holiday

Bring your non-perishable food item(s) to Survivor Series on Sunday, November 22nd, drop them off at the Verizon Center lobby as you enter and get a free WWE bookmark while supplies last.

For those who come early, WWE Superstar Kofi Kingston and WWE Diva Eve will be at the Verizon Center between 12 noon and 2PM to sign autographs for those fans who make food donations.*

Go to wwe.com for more information.

*Limited to the first 300 attendees in line who donate a non-perishable food item.
One autograph per person. Talent subject to change. (Credit: WWE)

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Bondi kicks off Skin Cancer Action Week - 15th November 2009

2009-11-15T12:39:00.000+11:00

A mock crime scene was set up at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday to warn of the dangers of tanning.

Sunbathers at the iconic beach were greeted by 1,700 beach towels arranged on the sand, each emblazoned with a chalk outline.

The Cancer Council says every towel represents one of the 1,700 Australians who die of skin cancer every year.

A survey from the council suggests that 43 per cent of teenagers believe a tan looks healthy while one in four get burnt on a typical weekend in summer.

Seventy-one per cent of survey respondents said their friends thought "a suntan was a good thing".

More than a third of young people don't wear sunscreen in the hottest part of the day, the survey found.

A television advertising campaign will begin this week, aimed at changing the attitudes of young people.

Cancer Council CEO Ian Olver said radical measures were needed to warn of the risks of melanoma.

"More needs to be done to educate younger Australians about the dangers of getting sunburnt," Professor Olver said.

"We hope this campaign will help get the message to sink in that a tan just isn't worth the risk."

Melanoma is the second most common cancer in 15-19 year olds, and the most common cancer in people aged 20-29, the council's figures show.

Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70.

Skin Cancer Action Week runs from November 15 to 21. (Credit: Fairfax, Wires, Google News, AAP)

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ACTA welcomes allocation of digital spectrum for Community TV

2009-11-12T12:07:00.000+11:00

4th November 2009

The Australian Community Television Alliance (ACTA) today welcomed the Federal Government's decision to allocate digital spectrum for Community Television.

ACTA was formed primarily to coordinate the sector's representations to Government and in particular to secure digital spectrum and funding support during the digital/analogue simulcast period that concludes at the end of 2013. Since the introduction of digital broadcasting to Australia in 2001 Community Television channels have been the only ones not available via digital set-top boxes.

The lack of digital spectrum has severely hampered audience growth for Community Television and in recent times has seen audience numbers in most cities begin to fall significantly. "As Community TV relies on sponsorship revenue to fund station operations, and sponsors want to know that people are watching, urgent action was required," ACTA Secretary Laurie Patton said.

"Today's announcement from Senator Conroy proves that ACTA's campaign has worked," Mr Patton added. "The Government clearly understood that without a digital pathway Community Television was destined for broadcasting oblivion".

ACTA is pleased that the Government has accepted its arguments in favour of Community Television and its potential to play an important role in a developing digital multichannel world.

"Community TV stations provide a unique platform for the expression of the views and interests of a wide range of community groups and individuals that would otherwise go unheard. In addition to providing an outlet for local viewpoints and diverse opinions Community Television acts as a training ground for new entrants to the broadcast industry," Mr Patton concluded.

For information about the Community TV station in your capital city go to:

Adelaide www.c31.com.au

Brisbane www.qctv.com.au

Melbourne www.c31.org.au

Perth www.ctvperth.com.au

Sydney www.tvs.tv

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Hulk Hogan a 'Mo' Mentor - 7th November 2009

2009-11-08T20:33:00.000+11:00

Hulk Hogan, one of the biggest names in professional wrestling, has been appointed an official "Mo" Mentor for this year's Movember.

The moustache-growing charity event is held each November to raise funds for and awareness of men's health.

"To all my Hulkamaniacs, say your prayers, take your vitamins and grow a moustache for Movember this year," Hogan said.

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Virgin's Branson may bid for Camelot lottery - 7th November 2009

2009-11-07T12:02:00.002+11:00

Sir Richard Branson hopes as deadline nears for Camelot lottery sale

The owners of Camelot, the National Lottery operator, have given potential bidders for the business about two weeks to table their opening offers.

The auction could result in Sir Richard Branson, who lost out in his bid to operate the National Lottery several times, taking over the company. Other potential bidders include private equity houses and overseas lottery operators.

In April, four of Camelot’s five shareholders — Thales, Fujitsu, Cadbury and De La Rue — appointed Greenhill and NM Rothschild, the investment banks, to sell their stakes in the business.

A fifth shareholder, Royal Mail, is not part of the sale process, at present, but it could decide at the end of the auction to sell its stake to a winning bidder.

All five shareholders own equal 20 per cent stakes in Camelot.

It is believed that Sir Richard, head of the Virgin Group, has sounded out leading charities since the summer to discuss whether they would team up with him to make a bid.

Camelot makes an annual profit of about £30 million. The sale of 80 per cent of the business could fetch as much as £250 million.

It is thought that the valuation reflects the long-term value of the profits available, with insiders having dismissed as unrealistic talk that the lottery franchise could be worth as much as £350 million.

Apart from Sir Richard, other bidders linked with the auction include Sugal & Damani, the Indian lottery giant that bid for the UK lottery licence two years ago.

Cadbury, the confectionery group, and Thales, the French defence and electronics company, are thought to be most aggressively seeking a sale. Cadbury is the subject of a £10.2 billion takeover bid by Kraft, the American food group.

Camelot has long stuck to the once-controversial principle that it is a profit-seeking operator. It has fought off two challenges in the past from non-profit bids fronted by Sir Richard’s People’s Lottery.

Tensions around whether the operator makes money have eased in recent years, with Sir Richard refusing to participate in the third licence round.

Eighty per cent of Camelot’s income over ten years is believed to be worth about £280 million. Buyers are likely to offer less than that amount to ensure that they leave a profit for themselves.

The possibility of operators receiving extra cash derives from any value placed on the possibility that the lottery franchise could be extended for another five years.

As part of their bid for the licence, the shareholders agreed with the National Lottery Commission to cut costs from 5 per cent of turnover to 4 per cent and reduce profits from 0.5 per cent to between 0.3 and 0.4 per cent. This agreement was introduced the last time that the operator’s licence was renewed in August 2007.

Lottery ticket and scratchcard sales have risen, despite the recession. Any buyer would have to be approved by the commission.

The Government is thought to be monitoring the situation particularly closely because of Camelot’s promise that it will provide £2.2 billion for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

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Countdown To Mike Sexton Hall Of Fame Induction - Celebration Freeroll Is Already A Sell Out

2009-11-06T10:54:00.000+11:00

Gibraltar – November 5th 2009 – The countdown is on to PartyPoker.com ambassador Mike Sexton’s induction into Poker’s Hall of Fame on Saturday evening during the dinner break at the 2009 WSOP Main Event Final table. PartyPoker.com is holding a special celebratory $10,000 freeroll to mark the occasion at 21.00 CET (15.00 EST) that day and 8000 have reserved seats for the special tournament which was at capacity one hour after appearing in the lobby!

A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “Everybody loves a freeroll and we received so many questions about when the one for Mike would take place and all spaces were filled within an hour! It was a case of first come, first served for this celebration.”

Mike will be introduced at a dinner held in his honour on Saturday night by his brother Tom Sexton.

Sexton needs little introduction and is unarguably one of the most respected figures in the game. As the face and voice of the World Poker Tour and holder of a WSOP bracelet, Mike is truly one of the games pioneers. Sexton is in the top ten for the most cashes at the World Series of Poker and is instantly recognizable to all poker enthusiasts. Regarded as ‘The Ambassador of Poker,’ for years Mike advocated corporate involvement with poker to take the game he loves into the mainstream. Notably, Sexton also won the first $10k buy-in NL hold'em championship event at Foxwoods World Poker Finals in 1992 and in 2000 was the first American to win the championship event at the Euro Finals of Poker in Paris, which at the time was the biggest event in Europe. Through his role with the World Poker Tour Mike brought the game to millions around the world. In 2006 Sexton won the Tournament of Champions at the World Series of Poker, a concept he had originally created. He donated $500,000 of his winnings to charity and has since become a co-founder of PokerGives.org, which encourages players to make charitable donations.

The Poker Hall of Fame was established in 1979. Its membership includes poker's most influential players and other important contributors to the game. There are 16 living members, and to date 37 members have been bestowed the honour of entry. The WSOP Hall of Fame traditionally elects one or two new members annually. The enshrinement ceremony is now held during the final table of the Main Event of the WSOP. The criteria for selection was as follows:

A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
Played for high stakes
Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
Stood the test of time
Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results

World Series of Poker”® and “WSOP”®, WSOPE”® are registered trade marks of Harrah’s License Company LLC. No license, affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement is claimed, or should be inferred from the use of these trademarks here. PartyGaming is not licensed by or otherwise affiliated with Harrah’s License Company LLC or the World Series of Poker®, in any way.

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Dave Rastovich and crew, Surfers for Cetaceans, Sea Shepherd, eco warriors and community unite - 5th November 2009

2009-11-05T12:53:00.000+11:00

David Rastovich and crew, Surfers for Cetaceans, Sea Shepherd, eco warriors and community unite - 5th November 2009

Media Man was on hand this morning to witness the exciting and historic arrival of team Transparent Sea Voyage: Dave Rastovich and Surfers for Cetaceans, who have paddled down the NSW coast on a 700km journey.

Rastovich, world class surfer and famed environmentalist, was joined on the epic adventure by JJ (photographer), Hilton Doar and Chris Del Moro (surfer and artist).

A swag of fans, supporters and media was present to welcome the team, despite the overcast weather.

Doar encouraged concerned citizens to write to local members of Parliament, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and environmental minister, Peter Carrett.

Doar said "It was amazing to share the journey with like minded people. We're all inter connected. Australian people love the whales and dolphins. The Australian Government needs to send ships and help. Sea Shepherd is keeping the pressure one as whaling and fishing vessels are frequently Australian waters illegally. People need to help".

Further news reports on Channel Nine, Network Ten and others tonight.

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Rastovich touched in at Bondi Beach shore 11.15am

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*Media Man Australia is a supporter of Sea Shepherd and numerous environmental causes

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Herald staff win UN awards - 24th October 2009

2009-10-25T11:24:00.000+11:00

Journalists on the Herald have dominated all major print categories for the United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Awards. Nick O'Malley, Heath Gilmore, Erik Jensen and Josephine Tovey's ''Foreign students exploited as slaves'' was judged the best news print report.

Glenda Kwek's feature ''Grim life of outcast children'' won its category, while Kate Geraghty's series of work, ''Sexual warfare in the Democratic Republic of Congo'', was judged the best photojournalism. (Credit: Fairfax)

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Virgin Money expands into online charity fundraising

2009-10-16T12:33:00.002+11:00

15th October 2009

Virgin Money has launched its not-for-profit online charity fund-raising service as part of a drive to significantly increase the money going directly to good causes.

Its new service virginmoneygiving.com, which is already backed by hundreds of major charities, has officially opened to all fundraisers for all charity events across the country.

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Chief Executive of Virgin Money said: "At a time when trust in financial services is at an all time low it is time to embed social responsibility at the heart of what we do. I believe a well run business is one that treats its staff, customers, partners and suppliers well and uses some of its profits to make a valuable contribution to society. The launch of Virgin Money Giving is part of that developing picture at Virgin Money."

"Virgin Money is using its infrastructure and expertise as a financial services business to ensure that the new service is efficient, secure and offers a high quality service to all fundraisers, charities and donors. With over £¼ billion forecast to be raised for charity by London Marathon runners in the 5 years that Virgin sponsors the race this is clearly critically important."

Gadhia added: "As a not-for-profit business, charities and donors can be confident Virgin Money Giving has the right balance between charging the lowest fees possible while investing in the high-tech systems that will ensure the service's security and stability when processing donations".

Virgin Money has invested over £3million in the launch and used its experience as a financial services business to ensure the hi-tech system is fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security (PCI-DS) standards - ensuring card payments are processed as securely as possible is fully compliant with the Payment Services Regulations that will be introduced by the Financial Services Authority on 1 November offers charities a state-of-the-art reporting tool to help charities maximise the efficiency of their online fundraising efforts.

Research by Virgin Money among charities and fundraisers shows online giving is potentially more efficient than traditional sponsorship forms and collection tins and can increase the use of Gift Aid. However charities, who already receive around £100 million through online giving a year, wanted to see increased reliability and functionality from online giving services - and crucially, lower costs.

virginmoneygiving.com, which is free for fundraisers, charges a flat £100 + VAT registration fee for charities and a 2% fee on all donations before Gift Aid which means for every £10 donation charities will receive £12.46.

Commenting on the launch, Scott Jacobson, Director of Marketing & Fundraising at St John Ambulance said: "Online giving websites have revolutionised the way people fundraise. They make it much easier for fundraisers, like marathon runners, to collect donations from friends, family and colleagues. Virgin Money Giving has gone the extra mile by being not-for-profit, meaning that charities take home more of the funds raised, helping us move closer to our charitable aims."

Toni Fry, National Running and Challenge Events Manager at CLIC Sargent said: "The new Virgin Money Giving site is a fast, easy and clever way to raise money. CLIC Sargent depends almost entirely on voluntary donations from the public and with the help of virginmoneygiving.com more money will be going directly to help the children and families who need us."

Virgin Money Giving charges charities the minimum fees needed to cover the running costs of the site. Any money left over after covering operating costs will go towards reducing fees further or improving services for fundraisers and charities.

Charities have been able to register on the site since August 25th.

Fundraisers can personalise their pages, send out email alerts and manage the different events they might be taking part in. Users will be able to include their own content, photos and links to their page and will be able to customise messages for their supporters. Fundraisers will also be able to link their page to social networking sites.

virginmoneygiving.com is the official sponsorship website of the Virgin London Marathon, Royal Parks Half Marathon and Sony ‘Run to the Beat'.

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Variety - The Childrens Charity Garden Party Event

2009-10-14T15:39:00.002+11:00

Join us in the garden for the 2009 Brisbane BMW and Westside BMW

Variety Garden party

Join us in the beautiful garden at Old Government House for an afternoon of fine wines, extraordinary food and cool entertainment to raise funds for Variety – the children’s charity.

Date: Saturday 14th November 2009

Time: 2pm – 6pm

Entertainment: MC Bill McDonald - Channel 10 & Music by the new pop-princess Sally Singleton and dance band Savvy, and Food from renowned restaurants Jellyfish and Cha Cha Char, accompanied by great wines, sparkling and designer beer

Venue: Old Government House Gardens Point Campus QUT (river end of George St)

Dress: Garden Party Fashion

Tickets: $130 (GST Inclusive)

RSVP: Phone 3367 6999 or email events@varietyqld.org.au

Auction, raffle tickets for sale - fabulous prizes on offer!

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2009-09-30T10:23:00.001+10:00

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Bright-On Target-Virgin Games Set to Raise 10k for Charity

2009-09-17T08:34:00.000+10:00

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, Sep 07 - On Saturday 18th September, the team at Virgin Games will be putting on their best red cycling shorts and embarking on a charity bike ride from London to Brighton. Setting off from the company's HQ in Hammersmith, the team of 40 employees will be braving the 84 kilometres with the aim of raising a target of Pounds Sterling 10,000 for their chosen Virgin Unite charity, Kids Company. Founded by Camilla Batmanghelidjh in 1996 in order to provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people, Kids Company are supported by Virgin Unite who pledged to raise 2.5 million by April 2010. As part of the Virgin Group, the London to Brighton charity bike ride is part of Virgin Games contribution to this goal.

Regularly offering their time and support to Kids Company, previous activities have included the Virgin Games team pulling together to redecorate an East London School and most recently arranging a sports day for children in Hackney. This year, the team of mixed cycling abilities will set off together at 8am and hope to reach their final destination of Brighton beach by 4 pm having raised Pounds Sterling 10,000 with all
stragglers accounted for! Keen cyclist Warren Eloff, Product Manager, who regularly cycles into work is tipped to lead the pack and CEO, Simon Burridge who is sitting on the saddle for the first time in 20 years, is set to surprise his team with his 'dusted down' cycling skills!

Simon Burridge, CEO at Virgin Games and Virgin Unite trustee comments: "At Virgin Games we are passionate about Virgin Unite and the work that Kids Company carry out in the communities they work with. We believe Kids Company are a great charity and realise our support is all the more important now, with the current economic climate making it harder for them to achieve the funding they need to keep up the great work they are doing with young people all over the capital. I can't think of more deserving charity to be brushing the cobwebs off my cycling shorts for!"

Visit http://www.virginunite.com/fundraiser/Virgin-Games-go-to-Brighton to make a donation and support the Virgin Games team.

About Virgin Games

Virgin Games was launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:

- Virgin Casino, part of the Wagerworks network, brings consumers casino games like blackjack and roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Cluedo, Dungeons and Dragons Fortress of Fortunes(TM) and the highly popular Mega Jackpots progressive games, with a seeding value of Pounds Sterling 1,500,000

- Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros - as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry

- Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo games and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.

(Credit: Wires, Virgin Unite, Google News, Virgin Games)

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Runners limber up for City2Surf event - 9th August 2009

2009-08-09T05:14:00.001+10:00

Up to 75,000 runners will be limbering up for Sydney's 39th City2Surf race this morning.

Heather Turland, who won the event in 1994 and 1996, is putting in a star appearance almost a decade after retiring from competitive running.

She will be joined by her 21-year-old son Cade.

Other high-calibre runners include Andrew Lloyd, winner of the City2Surf in 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1993.

Queenslander Michael Shelly, who finished just 13 seconds behind Martin Dent last year, is determined to crack the 2008 winner's 41:07 this time round.

While former world champion marathon man Robert de Castella will not be joining in, his humble brother-in-law Anthony Walsh, 49, will.

Describing himself as "not a particularly competitive runner", Mr Walsh, who lives in Melbourne, has no intention of emulating de Castella's 1981 City2Surf-winning time of 45.47.

"I'm expecting to do about 65 minutes," he said.

The Ambulance Service of NSW says runners should wear sensible clothing and footwear for the race, including a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Dehydration can be avoided by drinking plenty of water.

Symptoms such as chest pain or severe shortness of breath should not be ignored – if they occur, entrants should stop and seek medical attention.

Anyone with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, chills, a sore throat or cough, should not enter the race.

The RTA advises runners to leave their cars at home. Roads will be closed in the Sydney CBD, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross, Edgecliff, Bellevue Hill, Rose Bay, Double Bay, Vaucluse and Bondi.

The Eastern Distributor northbound off-ramp to William Street and southbound off-ramp to Palmer Street will also be closed.

The Cross City Tunnel will be closed to eastbound traffic between Harbour Street and Bayswater Road, but will remain open to westbound motorists during the event.

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UWS and TVS give a new 'Angle' on the news - Blacktown Sun - 23rd June 2009

2009-07-21T12:32:00.002+10:00

Talented students from the University of Western Sydney have combined their creative energies to produce an innovative new television current affairs program to be aired on Sydney's own free-to-air community channel, TVS.

'Angle', is a weekly news magazine program which premiered earlier this month.

It has been produced primarily by fourth-year students from the UWS School of Communication Arts who have specialised in journalism, media production, public relations and advertising. They also collaborated with student volunteers from across the University.

Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns, Head of the UWS School of Communication Arts, says 'Angle' offers a fresh approach to news and current affairs.

"Angle gives the people of Greater Western Sydney an opportunity to tell their own stories and provide insights into the culture, environment, sports and health of their region," says Professor Sheridan Burns.

"'The program is an example of how the University of Western Sydney is 'Bringing Knowledge to Life'. It provides students with a unique opportunity to put their skills into practice and create a body of high-quality television work that is informative and will resonate with the diverse communities of Sydney."

"And because Angle has been created by young people, it brings an important youth perspective on today's most pertinent issues."

TVS Chief Executive Laurie Patton says 'Angle' adds another dimension to the Community Television channel.

"'Angle' provides a fresh insight into life in Greater Western Sydney courtesy of the UWS students who have made the program for us," says Mr Patton.

"Angle is a great example of how Community Television provides an outlet for ideas and information that might otherwise never be seen on TV."

A wide range of experts feature in each episode of 'Angle'. Highlights include interviews with Jack Thompson on the topic of arts in western Sydney; Professor Ien Ang on multicultural societies; Betty Green on domestic violence; and Professor Bill Bellotti on the future of food and farming.

The entire nine episode series, which features a total of 53 individual segments, was filmed at the state-of-the-art media studios located at the UWS Werrington South campus.

All studio positions, including presenter, director, camera operator, sound technician and floor manager, were staffed by UWS students. Recent graduates and community organisations such as ICE (Information and Cultural Exchange in Parramatta) were also involved during the filming of the program.

Students from the UWS School of Communication Arts are enrolled in a wide range of disciplines, including graphic design, journalism, photography, media production, performance, music recording and performance, animation, advertising and web design.

This wide range of disciplines enabled UWS students to fill all technical roles, including researching, filming, and editing the stories. UWS students created all of the program's intros, graphics, music, and promotional advertisements.

'Angle' screens each Tuesday at 8:30pm, and is repeated on Wednesday at 2:00pm, and Monday at 11:30 pm.

For more information about TVS, supported by UWS, see link below. (Credit: Blacktown Sun)

Source: http://www.tvs.tv

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Dear Prime Minister - Community Plea on Digital TV

2009-07-20T16:58:00.002+10:00

19th July 2009

TVS viewers have appealed to the Prime Minister via video asking for support for the inclusion of Community TV on digital television.

The on-screen appeal was masterminded by Joy Hruby OAM, the host and producer of Joy's World - one of TVS's longest running programs. Twenty-two loyal viewers recorded their pleas in a series of 'vox pops' that were sent to the Prime Minister on DVD.

"All the other channels have been given digital spectrum except ours", said Joy Hruby. "We just want TVS to be given the same opportunity as the others".

The Federal Government recently embarked on a campaign to encourage Australian households to switch to digital television. "Yet, while all the other free-to-air stations are broadcasting in both analogue and digital Community Television remains marooned on analogue," said TVS Chief Executive Laurie Patton.

With its predominantly local content Community TV offers a vital source of programs that encourage and support Australian culture, ideas and interests. After just over three years on air forty percent of the programs screened on TVS are produced by community groups and individuals based in Sydney.

Each year Community TV provides a valuable training ground for hundreds of young Australians wanting careers in television and a platform for innovative new programs and emerging talent. People like Rove McManus, Corrine Grant and Hamish and Andy proudly acknowledge their start came on Community TV.

Despite Government assurances that Community Television will not be left behind as Australians are urged to switch to digital the Community stations are still waiting for the allocation of desperately needed digital spectrum.

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