Alena Duykers



Thousands call on Parliament to ban live animal exports

Thousands of people joined protests in capital cities over the weekend to urge the Australian Parliament to ban live export in Australia. The rallies follow a lift on a temporary ban put in place after footage of the mistreatment of cattle in Indonesian abattoirs was aired on ABC’s Four Corners program. Animals Australia advocate and […]


Hundreds rally for same-sex marriage

Hundreds of people calling for legalisation of same-sex marriage protested outside Sydney’s Town Hall on Saturday. Co-convenor of the Community Action Against Homophobia, Cat Rose, told the crowd protests would put pressure on the Labor Party before its national conference in December when changes to the law would be debated. The group seeks repeal of […]


Review: Oranges and Sunshine

Based on real events, Oranges and Sunshine gives a deeply moving account of the deportation of thousands of British children to Australia. Between 1947 and 1979 up to 130,000 British children were deported to different institutions around Australia, unbeknown to their families. The film centres on Margaret Humphreys (Emily Watson) a British social worker who […]


Dalai Lama brings tears and laughter to Brisbane crowd

On the final leg of his Queensland visit, the Dalai Lama spoke to a crowd of thousands about happiness, compassion and overcoming adversity. More than 5000 people gathered at Brisbane’s Riverstage, waiting eagerly in the hot sun to hear the thoughts of the Tibetan spiritual leader. Greeted with a standing ovation, the Dalai Lama had […]


Haunted by an image of atrocity

When you walk into a gallery you never expect to leave haunted by an image that you saw. South African photographer Jodi Bieber captured the very confronting image of a disfigured Afghan girl who had both her ears and nose cut off as retribution for fleeing her husband’s home. This photograph is so powerful in […]


City whitens up for winter festival

Thousands braved the cold for Brisbane’s first “winter wonderland” to help celebrate the 2011 Australian Winter Festival. Following displays in Melbourne and Sydney, Brisbane’s King George Square is playing host to a myriad of different winter activities to give sub-tropical locals a taste of winter in colder climes. Brisbanites have the opportunity to hire a […]


Thousands rally in Brisbane to call for carbon tax

Thousands of people today rallied in Brisbane to support the federal government’s proposed carbon tax ‘Say YES’ organisers believe that up to 5000 people attended the rally at the Brisbane Riverstage. Waving placards, people called for action on climate change and supported a price on carbon. Among the audience was federal treasurer Wayne Swan and […]


Changing perceptions of the Pacific through art

An exhibition that challenges our perceptions and questions our understanding of Australia’s closest neighbours is on display at Logan Art Gallery. “Pacific Storms” aims to overcome stereotypes of Pacific Island art by focusing on captivating the viewer and drawing attention to the Pacific culture seen through the eyes of Pacific artists. The painting “Frigate Bird” […]


‘Sluts’ march in Brisbane to protest sexual assault

Hundreds of women marched through the streets of Brisbane yesterday to protest against victim-blaming and sexual assault at Australia’s first “Slutwalk”. The march followed Candian protests when a policeman told university students not to “dress like sluts” if they wanted to avoid sexual assault. The students created Slutwalk, which has quickly became a global phenomenon. […]


Residents fight unit development

Cannon Hill residents are concerned about a proposed unit development in a quaint residential pocket to the south of Wynnum Road. Resident Brett Bennett told this week’s Brisbane City Council meeting he had a petition of 200 signatures from the wider community opposing the development. The Cannon Hill Action Group’s survey found 89 percent of […]


Fiesta brings the world to Ipswich

In the city’s 151st year, Ipswich showcased its rich multiculturalism in the Global Fiesta at Queens Park on Sunday. The fiesta featured live entertainment from local bands, Australian Idol contestant Ngaiire, youths from an Indigenous Hip hop and RnB crew, other cultural performances, line dancing, food stalls, workshops, displays and amusement rides. Between the two […]


Council accused of waste over city cycle scheme

The Brisbane City Council is facing criticism over the CityCycle Scheme, an initiative that encourages people to hire bikes to help with city congestion, environment and personal health. More than 1000 bicycles have been placed all around the city of Brisbane since the scheme’s launch nearly eight months ago and about 180 are hired out […]


Fun run attracts thousands to support breast cancer research

Thousands gathered in Brisbane on Sunday to run in support of breast cancer research. They were part of the 120,000 people Australia-wide taking part in the nation’s largest community fundraising event, the Mothers Day Classic. The annual event gives people of any age or athletic ability the chance to take part in a 4.5km or […]


Johnston kicked out of council again, fined $5500

Police were called to escort independent Nicole Johnston from today’s Brisbane City Council meeting after she refused to obey a suspension order. She was also threatened with a fine of $5,500 for disobeying the ruling. Cr Johnston was last ejected from the council in March in a blaze of publicity on the day former lord […]


Street poll: Death of Osama bin Laden

US president Barack Obama announced yesterday that the most wanted man in the world, Osama Bin Laden, had been killed by US forces in Pakistan. Osama Bin Laden, head of Al Qaeda was responsible for the deaths of nearly 3000 people during the September 11th terrorist attack in New York. He has been in hiding […]


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