New All Abilities Playgrounds

New All Abilities Playground Plans Underway for 2014 Completion 

Planning is already underway for the $2 Million playground to be built in the City Botanical Gardens. It will replace the existing playground and is being designed with the objective to enable children of all ages and all abilities to play together without limitations. 

Since 2007 the Queensland Government has allocated $4.6 million in project grants local councils across the state to develop 16 all abilities play spaces in collaboration with local communities, Disability Services and industry specialists.

This initiative for the CBD Botanical Gardens playground was put forward by the Lord Mayer Graham Quirk and is part of a new Access and Inclusion Plan that the council is working on.
``I want to see Brisbane become a city where children of all ages and abilities can play together at their suburban park in clean and safe environments.’’ Cr Quirk said. 

Developments to this CBD based playground of 25 other playgrounds around Brisbane include new accessible toilets, pathways and additional seating to encourage Parents, Grandparents, Carers and families to join in with other members of the community without concern of exclusion or limitations.

Families and various organizations throughout Brisbane hugely supportive of the developments and the opportunities it opens up for children and families who live with disabilities. The Spinal Injuries Association in particular welcomes the developments that will "open up an area in the city accessible to many families through public transport".

"From the work done in recent years by playground designers, access consultants and local government, all abilities playgrounds have progressed to become vibrant, colourful locations with an array of ingenious, stimulating, yet safe, pieces of playground equipment that can be used by children of varying ages and capacity" the Spinal Association said in a statement. 

To find out if there is an all abilities playground in your area and for other information of community inclusion for children and families living with disabilities visit the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services website.

Schemes and initiatives such as this are vital to the development of all children, their social skills and community awareness. They enable children with disabilities to play outdoors with their friends and siblings,  provide opportunity for parents and carers to relax and talk with other parents and carers and they are a safe and free community asset that will enhance the health, well-being and learning of all children.

Soul Factor Gospel Choir

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."

Victor Hugo 

For the past 6 years I have been a part of Soul Factor Gospel Choir; however upon reflection I truly believe it is more apt to say Soul Factor has become a part of me. Music has always been the joy in my life that never fails to uplift me, reassure me, help to make sense of things and sometimes is all one can manage to say when no words quite succeed. 

Soul Factor Gospel Choir (as the name would suggest) is a colourful and soulful choir that sings anything from Gospel, to Hymns, Broadway to Disney and of course our annual Christmas celebrations and carolling. I have had some of the most amazing opportunities and experiences in my life from being a part of this choir, and I have heard some truly inspirational stories of people who come to hear us sing, who receive the same joy and blessings as each member of the choir does from sharing this music. 

I can only express my experiences of being in Soul Factor with a 'Time Line Collage' of my years of performance with them as the camera has managed to capture the overwhelming joy that we feel performing together as friends and a family and sharing the gift of singing with the power of such a group. 

Soul Factor Gospel Choir is based in Adelaide but has toured all around Australia including, Melbourne, Halls Gap, Mt Gambier, Adelaide and in events such as the annual Carols by Candle light at Elder Part and the Salvation Army Spring Festival. If you would like to get involved or hear them perform, visit the website at www.soulfactorgospelchoir.com.au 

Lecture Reflections: Lecture 11 (Week 12)

Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism is an element of the craft that largely upholds what the public expects of journalists.  Investigation is driven by scrutinising power, authority and persons or organisations in the public interest, and seeking out inconsistencies that are covered up and hidden from the public eye. It is also an area of journalism that has become familiar and idolised by the public through mass media influence, for example through films or documentaries such as ‘All the Presidents Men’ and ‘The Moonlight State’. 

Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal

 

Tony Murphy and the Fitzgerald Inquiry

Investigative journalism is a pillar of legacy media and arguably the template for all good journalism.  However the interest in commands nowadays has changed dramatically with competing interests from other types of media, for example tabloid news or commercial media.  As Lord Northcliffe puts it, in a rather cynical way, investigative journalism “is what somebody somewhere wants to supress… all the rest is just advertising.” 

The ideals of investigative journalism often times correlate with news values and ethics involving the public interest, however it also often requires the journalist to walk a blurred line between ethics and sourcing when it comes to cover-ups and conspiracies.  It is required of the journalist to be curious in nature and to be sceptical (but not cynical) of what they are led to believe is the truth. Guidelines for good investigative skills can be broken down to the ‘in’s’ of investigation: 

Investigative journalism must be: 

•  Intelligent – A journalist must think about their moves carefully or risk overstepping and missing the mark when going in ‘guns blazing’. 
• Informed – It is imperative that a journalist is on their toes and analyses all the information sourced as facts must be corroborated in case strings are being pulled.
• Intuitive – It is said that this type of journalism requires a natural talent for scrutinizing and seeking out the truth. It is a skill that can be developed but a good nose for cover-ups and scandals has led to some of the best journalism in history. 
• Inside – The people skills of an investigative journalist must enable them to be able to ‘worm’ their way into the story, to get on the inside and infiltrate the network of conspirators. 
• Invest – The cost of investigation is often a heavy weight on the journalist's shoulders. They must be prepared to invest time into sourcing and analysing, money as they may be working as a freelancer throughout the investigation process, they risk relationships with people close to them who may have an ‘in’ to the story and sometimes their own sanity as it is a long, drawn out and confronting process.  It is important to remember that for the people who risk losing their lives, fortunes, reputation etc. from exposure, the investigator is often in their line of fire for trying to expose them.

For this last point, whistle blowers often incur the same cost as investigators to their personal lives. It is said that a whistle blower should go bankrupt, insane, get divorced and risk their health before blowing the whistle, as all of the above are sometimes inevitable. 

Other principles of investigative journalism and its deeper meanings include the following: 

• Critical and thorough journalism – This requires the journalist to be actively involved and to invest a substantial amount of time and energy in verifying their sources and information.
• Custodians of conscience – This involves the upholding of societies norms and laws and challenging any breaches of them. It is the journalists job to expose these breaches and inform the public.
• To provide a voice to those who do not have one – To give power to those who do not have it and to uphold ideals of social justice.
• To act as the Fourth Estate –Journalist help to manage the balance between those who do have power and those who don’t. By holding the powerful accountable they can represent the interest of the public. 

The above can be understood more concisely as the Primary concepts of investigative journalism which are: 

• Active Intervention
• Exposure
• Public interest
• Fourth estate or Watchdog 

The secondary concepts of investigative journalism are: 

• Shoe leather journalism – to be on the ground and involved with the story
• Standing back or to see the big picture – understand the intricacies of the story but see the big picture in the public interest. 
• Take nothing for granted. 

It is also hugely important particularly in investigative journalism, to separate the reporting and sourcing from any obvious or hidden agendas. Investigative journalists must work as a separate entity in order to hold authority accountable. 

There have been huge turning points in history where journalism has been the mouth piece for public interest via investigative journalism. In Queensland history there was the Fitzgerald Inquiry, in America there was the Watergate scandal. These investigations have become household names in relation to the media, truth and accountability. 

Good journalism and thorough investigation is not always in the public eye until a huge scandal hits the press. However it has always played an invaluable role in media, and in my opinion, will always be a noble cause and an incredibly powerful tool to make a difference. 

"I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." 

Tom Stoppard 

Where has the year gone?

Where Has The Year Gone? 

  
Today it has been an entire year since my visit to the beautiful Nepal and India. I have found myself thinking a lot about my time there and what I have carried with me the most in reflection. There are many people that come to mind, the made my travels so vibrant and enriching, there are experiences not to be missed when learning the culture of this part of the world. And there are places, majestic, mind blowing sites that for me opened my eyes to all the wonder of the world and how lucky we are to be able to experience it. So as I reflect on the year past, I shall try to impart some knowledge and information of my experiences that have been the groundwork for a transformational year for me, in the hope that others shall seek out the adventure. 

Boudhanath Stupa (also known as Boudha)  

For centuries, Boudhanath has been an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists & local Nepalis. It is also an incredibly worthwhile place to visit for tourists for its beauty and the opportunity to gain and intimate look at the Buddhist culture in Nepal.  Many maroon clad Tibetan Buddhist monks & nuns can be seen walking around the Stupa as they offer their daily prayer. This ritual entails walking three or more times around the stupa while repeating the mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum'. 

Patrons and worshipers spin the prayer wheels inset in the Stupa wall and clutch their prayer beads are they meditatively follow the circular wall of the Stupa. Overlooking the prayer and pilgrimage at Boudhanath, are the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha that watch from atop the Stupa.

During the day, Boudhanath is bustling with the busy life and work in Nepal, street sellers, Momo makers and Monks alike walk through the square. At night however, an entirely different atmosphere envelops the Stupa as the air is filled with the rich sent of butter lamps that glow in the hundreds in and around the temple. The square is filled with incense and prayer and the spirituality of Nepal swells with the number of people who make their way to pay their daily homage.

 

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath, the Hindu Cremation site, is one of the most holy and revered places for Hindu's and Buddhists alike. It also draws the masses from neighbouring regions who make their pilgrimage here or come to commit their dead to the next life. 

 

The holy Bagmati River, which runs next to Pashaputinath Temple, is believed to have highly sacred properties. The banks are lined with many Ghats (bathing spots) for use by pilgrims who come here to be blessed and cleansed by the holy water. 

The temple itself displays some of the most intricate and beautiful Hindu temple architecture. The pagoda style buildings are adorned in gold and silver on the doors and the surrounding grounds have some of the most holy and extravagant statues. Some of the highlights to fit into a walk around Pashupatinath are Gold-painted images of guardian deities, Chaturmukha (the four-faced statue) and Gauri Ghat (holy bath).

One of the most valuable insights I gained from visiting this holy place, was the amalgamation of two religions existing and functioning peacefully together. The holy site, in my experience there, represented the truth and values upheld in Hinduism and Buddhism; to practice peace, tolerance and love for ones neighbours, culture and beliefs. 

 

Pokhara and Sarangkot  

"Imagine a perfect triangular mountain, capped by snow and buffeted by the icy winds of the Himalaya. Imagine a millpond calm lake, perfectly reflecting the snowy peaks. Now imagine a village on the lakeshore, thronged by travellers and reverberating to the sound of 'om mani padme hum' from a hundred shops selling prayer flags, carpets, masks, singing bowls and CDs of Buddhist mantras. That's Pokhara"   

That is the Lonely Planet advertisement for Pokhara and the enticement they present is not over exaggerated. Pokhara could be seen to be the focal point of a clash between western 'needs' and comforts and the frugal and self-sufficient way of mountain living. 

Pokhara and the main high street and tourist area of lakeside offer every comfort to travellers from Kathmandu, or trekkers who are in need of a good massage and relaxing drinks and dinner after days or weeks in the mountains.

Pokhara is the end point for the famous Annapurna Circuit trek and the starting point for a dozen more treks through the mountains of the Annapurna Rang.  It's unashamedly touristy but the setting is spectacular, Pokhara also has numerous museums and there are some fascinating caves, waterfalls and Tibetan villages in the surrounding hills to keep passing tourists busy.

One of my favourite things to do around Lakeside was to take a boat out on to Lake Phewa Tal and get a tour of the mountains as reflected on the still surface of the water. Away from the lake, a day trip to the World Peace Pagoda is only a short walk and offers stunning views of Pokhara and the mountains looming over the city. 

If you do have a whole day to use Pokhara as a base for a trek, a day trip to climb up to the village and point of Sarankot should definitely be on your list. It is not a walk that requires any training and can be taken at a steady pace. It is breathtaking at both dusk and dawn and has plenty of accommodation and tour guides on the way to take you to the highest peak for the most stunning views. You can also make a short journey back down to the flat by paragliding from this 1,592 meter high point.  

 

Jaipur and the Red Fort  

Jaipur an exhausting but beautiful place, the kind of city that is mazed with bustling streets and markets and presents the kind of chaos expected of an overpopulated Indian city. It offers the chance however, to experience the sheer volume of people in this colourful country, without the suffocation that I experienced in other cities such as Varanasi and India. 

Jaipur is one of the first planned cities in the world is surrounded by architectural grandeur within its four city gates. One of the best examples of this and a highlight of this city visit is The Red Fort. As the fort opens it gates, the rich history of this region escapes and offers the chance to understand a history that has experienced conflict and invasion that has been etched into the walls of this great monument. 

Jaipur highlighted just how much I had underestimated India for its full and diverse history and how well the history has been preserved for generations to experience. The mixture of Mughal, Muslim, and Hindu architecture is particularly beautiful and intricate and one of the many outstanding qualities of this region.