AROUND THE SCHOOLS Young Australians Confused About Consent and Control in the Age of Tinder and Snapchat SEAN DENT IN the middle of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, ANROWS and VicHealth have released data from the latest National Community Attitudes Survey into Violence Against Women (NCAS) looking specifically at the attitudes of young people (16-24). The results are stunning. Below are just a few examples. • Nearly a third of young men believe many women who say they’ve been raped had instead led the man on and then had regrets. • Over a quarter of young people blame women for sending nude images instead of her partner for sharing it without her consent. • One in five young men don’t understand that using technology to track their partner’s movements, such as logging into her social media accounts or installing spyware on her phone, is abusive behaviour. • Around 1 in 7 young Australians believe a man would be justified to force sex if the woman initiated it, but then changed her mind and pushed him away. The study surveyed 964 boys and 794 girls aged 16-24 in all areas of Australia. According to one of the principals of the study, Dr Kristin Diemer, a sociologist with twenty years of research experience, there were some positives to be taken from the survey, some moves in the right direction. “For example, 73% of young Australians aren’t comfortable with sexist jokes, which is good. However, only 37% would take action and speak up. That next step that needs to happen.” Diemer’s research suggests that the people who need to speak up are peers and role models of the offenders. “They can be the most influential voices to bring about change,” she said. “We want to help young people to take action and be the generation to end violence against women. Violence can be prevented, and it is up to all of us to play our part. “Young people’s attitudes don’t exist in a bubble, the world around them impacts their views and behaviour – from sexist advertising to the lack of women in leadership roles in business and politics. We need to continue to push for gender equality to change harmful attitudes and behaviours that are hurting our young people.” At the local level, there is some optimistic news. Tully State High School hosts weekly sessions where they promote respectful relationships, according to Principal, Tanya Martin. “We’re also hosting a talk specifically for boys with renowned speaker, Glen Gerreyn.” At one point, a champion athlete, Gerreyn was struck with a debilitating illness that not only ended his Olympic dream, but doctors told him he would never be able to work again. Gerreyn overcame his challenges, shifted his focus to community development, and to date has spoken to over 500,000 people around the world on subjects such as positivity and hope. He will be speaking to the boys at Tully State High School on June 11 on the subject of Men and Honour, the title of one of his most successful books. The full report on the study can be downloaded at https://ncas.anrows.org.au/findings/. It is recommended reading for parents and educators, and young men and women even more so.
Tully Library Hosts 19th Annual Simultaneous Reading Event
Chris McLean showed the pages as she read to the children SEAN DENT ON Wednesday, May 2, at precisely 11:00am, Tully Library joined 11,553 other libraries around Australia and New Zealand in a simultaneous reading of “Alpacas with Maracas” by Matt Cosgrove, an Australian writer of children’s stories. More than 150 local kids and parents turned up for what has become a hugely popular annual event. In libraries around Australia and New Zealand, well over a million people participated in total. Just before 11:00am, Chris McLean announced to the excited children that they were about to count down from ten. The children, whose attention had been a little scattered while waiting for the reading to start, swung into action, finally all having a single focus. McLean then opened the brightly coloured orange book cover to reveal the opening page to her attentive onlookers, and every child became silent as the story was about to begin. McLean was an animated reader, the kind that kids always love, and she was ably support-
ed by her colleagues from the library, Maxine Marsh and Julie Elliott. Marsh and Elliott wore costumes relevant to the story and took the time to prance in character among the eager and enthusiastic children. Curiously, they became the most excited when watching a rock’n’roll scene being pantomimed. McLean, Marsh, and Elliott also took the opportunity to intersperse teaching moments into the story. For example, showing a crocodile sign and pointing out that, “We have a sign for that – no swimming!” At all stages, Elliott and her partners took the opportunity to engage the children and get their feedback, for instance, when Marsh asked them to name the colour of the alpaca wool she held up. One adorable little girl raised her hand to ask if the alpaca itself was actually that colour (mauve), and Marsh explained, “No, the wool is dyed.” The 15-minute reading flew by and then Mission Beach percussionist, Ray Agius, showed the children some techniques they could use when playing maracas, such as by
using two maracas, each hand with a different cadence to create a more varied sound. An informal poll followed and there was a general consensus among the children that the saxophone is a better instrument to listen to, but maracas are more fun. Toward the end, McLean demonstrated how rhyming words can created fun sounds and word play. She started with maraca and alpaca. “Alpacas can play maracas. What can other animals play?” The kids showed remarkable creativity in coming up with new ideas: crocs can play blocks, a newt can play a flute, a carp can play a harp, etc. They struggled with some, like elephant, horse, and snake, but one child got creative when asked what a fish could play: “A dish,” she shouted with delight. This is the 19th year for the ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime, and according to the Australian Library and Information Association, the numbers grow bigger and bigger every year. The 20th anniversary is expected to have a record turnout.
Silkwood State School Celebrates Red and White Day and to Raise Funds for Local Red Cross Branch MARIA GIRGENTI STAFF and students of Silkwood State School recently celebrated Red and White Day in support of the Red Cross. The local Red Cross committee attended the school where students dressed in as much red and white as they could and donated a gold coin, with all funds raised going directly to the Silkwood/ Kurrimine Beach Red Cross branch. A total of $83.90 was raised and Mrs Gail Bromell
from the local Red Cross branch spoke to the whole school about where those funds raised are used and how the organisation assists people in need. Silkwood State School especially wished to thank the local Red Cross committee who took time out of their busy day to come along to the school, handing out tattoos and stickers, as well as selecting and presenting the best dressed boy and girl in Silkwood State School teacher aide Belinda Santarossa, students each class with a trophy. Tanna, Amity, Miley with Rosa Diery from Red Cross.
Page 16 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 30, 2019
Lyn Sordelli from Silkwood/Kurrimine Beach Red Cross branch, with students Paige, Sahara and Kean.