VOICES August 2013
KINDNESS CHALLENGE Dare yourself to do good
AT THE FORK
Your vote
Not so sweet
Online series tells story of
Animal Justice Party talks
Read about what honey
two vegetarian teens P3
policy ahead of election P5
means to bees P8
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President’s message Editorial President Mark Doneddu Vice President David Ogilvie Editor Kirsten Leiminger Lifestyles Jason Carstens Health Candace Borg Recipes Rory Johnson Contributors Tracey Volkmer, A. Young and Silva Mirovics Cover picture Kyle Behrend Our cover this month features Polly the pig from Edgar’s Mission.
Voices issue number 18 editor@vegetarianvictoria.org.au
About Vegetarian Victoria Vegetarian Victoria (VegVic) is a non-profit organisation devoted to promoting the many benefits of a plant-based diet and providing quality services, support and up-to-date information to vegetarians, vegans and the general community. It is run by volunteers who are passionate about human health, animal welfare and the environment. VegVic relies on support from memberships, donations and voluntary assistance. Members receive discounts at a range of veg-friendly businesses. Interested in volunteering, writing, photography or getting more involved? Please contact us at volunteers@vegetarianvictoria.org.au. We’d love to hear from you!
Welcome to the new format of VegVic’s Voices magazine. This new look works well in a printable form that can be picked up at our stalls, or at vegetarian restaurants, cafes and shops. I think our editor, Kirsten, did a great job putting this together and thank you to graphic design Taylor Foster for helping with the new look. We have also recently introduced a membership drive program, placing brochures and forms at over 50 vegetarian restaurants and businesses so far. This program, initiated by committee member Jason Carstens, is proving a great way to reach to the wider vegetarian community and communicate the work of VegVic.
search rate in Australia, more than doubling what it was three years ago in 2010. The press are also covering more stories in this area. On 15 June, the newly-formed Animal Justice Party (AJP) received major press coverage for its Ban Live Animal Export rally in the city culminating on the steps of Parliament. At the event philanthropist Phil Wollen said federal MPs who supported the live export trade would be punished at the September federal election. Read more about AJP on page 5. Mark Doneddu
There is a definite increase in leading a compassionate life. Across the globe, a survey this year in the USA found 2.5 percent of people identified as “vegan”, a 1 percent rise from 2009. In Australia we are also seeing this increase in popularity, with more vegan options available at restaurants than ever before and with World Vegan Day Melbourne moving to the Melbourne Showgrounds to accommodate its growing demand. According to Google Trends in July 2013 the word “vegan” achieved its highest ever Membership Form Memberships help our organisation grow and further promote healthy and compassionate lifestyles. Members receive discounts at many veg-friendly businesses. See our website for details. Name ___________________________________________________________________________ Email ___________________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________________
Contact PO Box 12029 A’Beckett St, Melbourne, 8006 President: 0430 201 167 W www.vegetarianvictoria.org.au F www.facebook.com/vegvic E info@vegetarianvictoria.org.au
Phone ___________________________________________________________________________
Concession $15
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Individual $20
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Number _________________________________________________________________________ Expiry_ _______________________________ CCV ______________________________________ Please send your completed form to VegVic PO Box 12029 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne, 8006
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VOICES August 2013
Factory farming of rabbits exposed While the battery cage may be on the way out for hens, tragically it’s only on the rise for rabbits.
are unable to display any forms of natural behaviour and often suffer severe psychological trauma.
Currently across Australia, thousands of domestic rabbits are factory farmed and confined to raised wire cages for the entirety of their lives before being slaughtered for meat.
“Fighting, injuries and disease are rife, with farms reporting up to a 40 percent mortality rate - one of the highest of any industry Governed by nothing more than a voluntary code of practice, farms often go completely unlicensed and unregulated,” said Hayley.
Freedom for Farmed Rabbits, a Melbourne-based organisation, is working to uncover the disturbing conditions which exist behind shed doors and abolish this largely unknown industry. Freedom for Farmed Rabbits founder Hayley Budrius said rabbits raised in these factory environments
While petitioning and protesting against companies that profit from rabbit exploitation, Freedom for Farmed Rabbits also works to educate the public so that the demand for rabbit flesh and fur is removed. The organisation therefore highlights the
The Freedom for Farmed Rabbits team with photojournalist Jo-Anne McArthur (centre) at Kindness House unconscionable practice by targeting consumers and suppliers alike, as well as government.
For more details, visit www.freedomfor farmedrabbits.com or find them on Facebook.
The characters were engaging and appealing. One of the most effective devices for the characters and viewer alike is the question that anchors each episode: “Isn’t it funny what we think of as normal?”
“Becoming vegetarian is not about thinking or feeling something new but about applying what we already believe more consistently.” (Ep 6)
Review for themselves but for the world.
AT THE FORK, a seven part webisode series produced by Australian actor Josef Brown, a long-term vegetarian. Tracey Volkmer reviews. The series takes a lighthearted approach to a serious topic focussing on the efforts of two Gen Y teens trying to get through to their parents the benefits of vegetarianism, not only
AT THE FORK avoids the usual emotional hand grenades and aims to plant seeds of change in the viewer rather than subject them to a fire and brimstone sermon. This approach, focusing on environmental, moral, and health issues yet touching on animal rights and societal concerns was its strength. It was a refreshing stance and achieved its aims in being thought provoking, encouraging you to continue to think about the issues long after you’ve gone on with your day, rather than resulting in something heart rending that you want to look away from.
However, there were no sources available for the information quoted within each episode. And whilst not the focus, a quick link to a website with the “how to” basics of vegetarianism would also have been an ideal addition. There was a lot of balance shown with only the smallest amount of emotive language included which strengthened the arguments put forward. My thought seed?
All seven episodes are available on YouTube. The series features acclaimed Australian actors Tony Cogin and Katrina Retallick and talented new faces Samuel Lucus Allen and Jadzea Allen. For more information about AT THE FORK or Josef Brown, visit www. josefbrown.com.au
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Protected species killed by duck shooters Despite very low numbers of duck shooters during the 2013 season, the damage to native waterbirds was once again staggering. From just a handful of wetlands, rescuers recovered 723 dead and wounded birds, according to the Coalition Against Duck Shooters (CADS). This included 394 dead protected species, 219 dead game species and 110 wounded birds, which were taken to veterinarians and wildlife carers. Shooters claim to take
around 500,000 birds each year, but CADS says the wounding rate is one in four so there are tens of thousands of wounded birds across the state that will never be rescued. On opening weekend CADS was tipped off about a mass shooting which took place at Box Flat Nature Reserve where more than 2,000 birds were shot down, including over 200 protected threatened Freckled Ducks. The Coalition was able to expose this incident through the media and an
investigation is underway. To date, no one has been charged. Because of the courage and commitment of rescuers over the years, recreational duck shooting has been banned in WA, NSW and Queensland and shooter numbers in Victoria have dropped from approximately 100,000 in 1986 down to around 23,000. Today, the dwindling numbers of duck shooters make up only 0.4% of Victoria’s population. However, the Victorian
Government has continued to allocate funds towards duck shooting. A new $8.2 million independent Game Management Agency is being set up in Victoria, based on the NSW Game Council and the New Zealand models. CADS is encouraging people to email their views on this issue to Daniel Andrews, leader of the Victorian Labor Party, at daniel.andrews@ parliament.vic.gov.au. For more details, visit www.duck.org.au
The 269 movement By A.Young
Rally against live export Public anger over the continuation of live export boiled over into the streets at a major rally outside the State Library on 15 June. More than two years after the revelations of “a bloody business” on Four Corners, the Federal Government has not put an end to live export, nor prevented systematic cruelty to millions of animals. Further examples of animal abuse came to light recently, with 21,000 sheep cruelly culled last year in Pakistan, and 20,000 sheep and 1,000
cattle continuing to die each year in the appalling conditions on board ships. Bruce Poon Animal Justice Party candidate for the Victorian Senate (pictured) said live export would be among key election issues for voters in September. “All recent polls on the topic show the overwhelming majority of the public want it banned,” said Bruce. Also speaking at the rally was Adam Bandt, Melbourne MP, and Phil Wollen OA, 2007 Australian of the Year.
In the last few years, three Israeli activists branded themselves in a demonstration. This involved a hot steel brand iron, which then branded the three men like all their farm animal counterparts around globe. The brand was a number - 269 - which represented a calf with the same brand on one of Israel’s dairy farms, which the three men dearly loved. Their actions became a movement called 269 that aims to liberate animals. Recently in Melbourne other passionate individuals have branded themselves. Scalding hot steel formed from the metal of slaughterhouses was used to brand 269 on them. These activists hoped this action would
captivate the attention of the general population, which would then shine a light on the plight of factory farmed animals. The branding of humans seems harsh, however sometimes it takes extreme action to make a point. This might be what it takes for people to realise the cruelty that is happening to animals everyday. Animals are living creatures with feelings, yet people consume them like they are products. If we don’t do something about the way we treat animals now, when future generations look back on us, they aren’t going to have respect for our culture. What are we, if we are not trying to better our world?
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VOICES August 2013
A voice for all animals at the federal election The Animal Justice Party (AJP) is a new political party that aims to represent the interests of animals from within the parliaments and council chambers of Australia. AJP is running candidates in at least five states in the upcoming federal election. Victorian Senate candidate Bruce Poon shared some of AJP’s key policies with Voices. Ban live export AJP strongly opposes the export of any species of live animals to any other country for whatever purpose, particularly for slaughter. This is a grubby industry, lacking any real accountability, or transparency, supported by all Australian governments, in which a few private individuals and corporations make money from the misery of millions of sentient creatures. Halt factory farming Whether it is one of the 11 million male chicks in the egg production industry killed within a few hours of life each year, one of the 488 million six week old meat chickens killed annually or one of the three million five year old sheep sold in the live export industry; AJP is committed to advocate for the well-being and capability realisation of every individual animal. We believe that all animals must be
treated with equal care and protection, with none of the dispensation provided for in ‘Codes of Practice’ or other loopholes used by farming industries to avoid cruelty charges that they would face if their practices were used on companion animals. End kangaroo culling
Repeal breed-specific legislation
The ACT Government is presently involved in the culling of kangaroos. The AJP is appalled at the disregard exhibited by all governments towards the kangaroo and wallaby. The AJP will oppose the negative culture towards kangaroos and wallabies and inform rural landowners of their considerable ecological benefit, as well as review and change relevant wildlife legislation, increase and enforce penalties for wildlife cruelty and bring a sense of balance to conservation practices that unfairly and unethically target kangaroos and wallabies.
Breed-specific legislation was introduced across Australia in mid 1990s, to the detriment of many dogs and dog owners, without any proven effectiveness in dog bite prevention. It is the responsibility of the dog owner to manage the individual dog; its breed is irrelevant. Breed identification is based on appearance and is not conclusive. Breed-specific legislation needs to be repealed in Australia to avoid unnecessary dog deaths and to free up resources for more effective management of dog aggression.
Other Campaigns At the state level, AJP has terrific support to end jumps racing, duck shooting and puppy farms. At local levels, AJP aims to help dogs, cats, possums and all kinds of other animals with improved policy that recognises their lives as valuable. The federal election is on 7 September 2013. Be sure to check your details on the electoral role are up to date so that you can make your vote count. If you are interested in joining AJP, volunteering or making a contribution, email ajpmemberships@ gmail.com or visit www. animaljusticeparty.org
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Quick reads Every day we hear more things that demonstrate the health, animal welfare and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet and lifestyle. Voices contributors present some of their top recent reads.
is more than 50 million people. And that figure is growing as China’s inner city population lives with choking pollution and has recognised they can reduce their environmental impact by making compassionate choices about what they eat.
Vegetarians to be offered cheaper life insurance
Public Radio International, Minneapolis
Non-meat eaters will be offered lower premiums under a new Vegetarian Term Life policy devised by the UK-based Animal Friends Insurance agency. AFI is offering this policy because it says there is plenty of clear factual evidence to demonstrate that vegetarians are healthier and less likely to suffer from the sort of serious or chronic illnesses that shorten lives.
Vegan recipe wins 9 year old a trip to the White House Noah Koch - whose surname means ‘cook’ in German won a national nutritious food contest with his vegan Powerhouse Pesto Page dish. Chosen from 1,300 entires, Noah’s dish won him a meet and greet with first lady Michelle Obama. Morning Sentinel, Maine
Daily Mail, UK
Fake chicken is the new chicken
Bill Gates invests in chicken-less eggs
American company Beyond Meat claims it is 80% of the way toward making realtasting fake chicken. Fake meat isn’t new, but good fake meat could go a long way to helping the planet. Beyond Meat is using a system that heats, cools and pressurises protein from plants to mimic the fibrous structure of meat based on the work of two researchers at the University of Missouri.
In a high-tech food lab in San Francisco, a company named Hampton Creek Foods has hatched a chicken-less egg substitute made from bits of ground-up peas, sorghum and other ingredients. Bill Gates, who is backing the initiative, says raising meat has a huge environmental impact with no way to produce enough for 9 billion people. National Public Radio, Washington China’s growing vegetarian community larger than US Around 4-5% of China’s population are thought to be vegetarian, which
Yahoo News, US Fish-oil supplements raise cancer risk: study US scientists say they have confirmed a surprising 2011 study that found a higher risk of prostate cancer among men who ate
fatty fish or took a fish-oil supplement. The findings suggested fatty fish is somehow involved in the formation of tumours. The same team of researchers published similar findings in 2011, linking high blood concentrations of DHA to a more than double risk of high-grade prostate cancer, which is more likely to be fatal than other types. ABC Science, Australia Farm animals as smart and sociable as dogs Pigs, chickens, cows and other farm animals are more intelligent and emotionally complex than people think. A new campaign called The Someone Project, lead by a scientist at Emory University, aims to build support for humane treatment of farm animals through scientific literature showing their intelligence. News.com.au, Australia Veggie diet could help you live longer A vegetarian diet may help people, particularly men, live longer than those who regularly eat meat, according to a study of more than 70,000 Seventh-day Adventists. Researchers followed the participants for an average of six years, during which the vegetarians had a 12 per cent lower chance, on average, of early death from any cause than meat-eaters. Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Greens ask Germans to give meat a break The Green party in Germany has called for a weekly “Veggie Day” in work canteens ahead of the country’s September elections. The Greens argue that reducing meat consumption - 60 kilos on average in Germany a year - would have health benefits, as well as an upside for animal protection and climate change. Around 80 million, or about 10% of the population in Germany, are already meatfree. AAP, Australia China island centenarians claim secret of long life A string of villages in the tropical island province of Hainan is home to more than 200 residents aged over 100, including at least three “supercentenarians” - the name given to those aged over 110 - out of fewer than 400 thought to exist worldwide. A study commissioned by Chengmai’s Communist Party committee put its residents’ lifespans down to their being “diligent, simple-minded and magnanimous, mainly taking a vegetarian diet, eating sensibly, early to bed early to rise.” News.com.au, Australia Links to the full stories are available at www. vegetarianvictoria.org.au/ voices-18-newslinks.htm
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VOICES August 2013
The Kindness Challenge Photos: Kyle Behrend
The demands on Edgar’s Mission - a non profit sanctuary for rescued farmed animals - are ever growing, with nearly 2,500 animals given a second chance at life in 2012. Its current home is fast running out of space, but you can help by talking up the challenge.
After rescuing a landrace large white cross named Edgar Alan Pig, Pam Ahern founded a sanctuary to provide care to animals and named it in Edgar’s honour. Pam would take Edgar for walks in the park and people would come from everywhere to marvel at his unique brand of ‘piginess’. Watching the profound effect Edgar had on people, Pam came to thinking that the best ambassadors for changing the way people think about farmed animals were the animals themselves.
Founder Pam Ahern
Edgar’s Mission would then become a sanctuary for rescued animals and a much needed voice for those that could not be rescued.
Today many thousands of animals’ lives have been saved, thanks to Edgar - the pig who started it all. In 2013, Edgar’s Mission is planning to secure a larger property to provide sanctuary to even more animals, with a pledge to give them “not simply with a life, but a life worth living”. The new property boasts over 200 picturesque acres and is close to not only the township of the beautiful and historic Kyneton, but public transport as well. Pam said if all goes to plan, the ink will soon be dry on the contract for a new ‘forever home’ for Edgar’s. “[This] is essential to secure the future of Edgar’s Mission, not only to provide a
beautiful and safe place for our rescued residents like Miss Marple and Penny to live, but so we can enhance our educational outcomes and allow as many people as possible to experience a life changing visit to the farm.” To help make this dream a reality, Edgar’s Mission has launched the 2013 Kindness Challenge, which involves making a pledge to raise $500, $1,000 or $5,000 to assist them reach their target of $500,000 by 30 September 2013. Your kindness will make the world of difference to animals in need. You can sign up as an individual, group or family. To make your pledge, visit www.edgarsmission.org.au
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Honey - How sweet it ain’t
Silva: Bees have been producing honey for millions of years. Each hive is run by the queen. The male drones’ only purpose is to mate with the queen. The female workers are the ones who go out and collect the pollen.
through the winter. They replace the honey with a cheap sugar substitute. Some bee farms find it expensive to keep the bees alive through the winter, so they kill off the bees by setting the hive on fire.
Bees instinctively collect as much pollen as they can during the warmer months. The pollen is converted into honey and this provides the bees with their food supply during winter when flowers are not blooming and pollen is not readily available. The honey is also a nutritious, protein rich food supply for new born baby bees.
Silva: So, while the mainstream honey industry is exploiting bees, what about small boutique apiaries and those who keep a hive on their property?
Bees typically produce far more honey than the colony needs for survival. So, does this mean that it is ok for humans to help themselves to the leftover honey? Mark: While humans have been eating honey for thousands of years, it has only been in the last 100 years that people have turned bees into factoryfarmed animals. Part of this factory farming includes practices such as cutting off the queen bee’s wings or moving a queen bee to a new colony, where she is carried with “bodyguard” bees, all of which will be killed by bees in the new colony. Some bee operations take all the honey instead of leaving the minimum 25kg that the bees need to get
Mark: Even backyard beekeepers regularly kill their queen bees, reducing their lifespan from 5 to 2 years. In order to be able to make it through the winter, bees travel over 12 million miles in order to collect enough nectar and pollen, in over 4 million individual trips. This is the equivalent of 482 flights around the world. It takes 12 bees their entire lives to make a teaspoon of honey. This type of exploitation of bees occurs irrespective of the size of the bee farm operation. Silva: Honey has always been touted as a health food, known for its healing qualities. Natural Health Magazine Australia states honey is energy boosting, immune system enhancing, soothing for colds and sore throats, scar healing and the list goes on. Surely something with such amazing health qualities is good for us?
Photo: samurai, from FreeDigitalPhotos.net
There are many misconceptions about honey. Wanting to know the facts and what it actually means for bees, Silva Mirovics speaks to Vegetarian Victoria President Mark Doneddu.
Mark: Honey is mostly made up of fructose and glucose. Honey is an acidic substance and as a result it is unfavourable to the growth of certain bacteria, which has made it popular for treating the symptoms of certain conditions. However, there are plenty of other natural alternatives that can be used instead. Silva: And now for the big question… is honey vegan? Mark: The term vegan was created by Donald Watson in 1944, the same year that the Vegan Society was formed. Their definition of “veganism,” which is accepted as the decisive standard worldwide, is as follows: “Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, the animal kingdom, and includes a reverence for life. It applies to the practice of living on
the products of the plant kingdom to the exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey, animal milk and its derivatives, and encourages the use of alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from animals.” By that definition honey is definitely not vegan. Silva: Mark, thank you for providing our readers with an insight into the honey industry and what eating honey means for bees. It seems honey is not that sweet after all. Silva Mirovics is the founder of Nutritional Empire, a business devoted to showcasing that a plant-based diet is ethical, nutritious and always delicious. For more details, visit www. nutritionalempire.com.au
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VOICES August 2013
Ask Candace
To supplement or not to supplement, that is the question. The answer is the same whether your diet is plant based or otherwise. Firstly, you need have blood tests to determine your nutritional levels. Go to your local doctor and ask, in addition to the routine tests (such as full blood count, electrolyte balance, thyroid, kidney and liver function), to test for Vitamin D, Zinc, Iron Studies, Magnesium, Calcium, Active B12, Folate, Fasting Cholesterol and Blood Sugar.
When you receive the results, look at how they correspond with the “normal” reference range. If your levels lie close to the middle, there is no need to supplement that nutrient. If your levels lie outside the range or at an extreme end (high or low end) further investigation is advised. Such results may indicate a current or potential illness which may require vitamin supplementation. However, the usefulness of supplements is also dependent on how deficient you are, what your diet is like and how well your body absorbs particular nutrients. These issues should be discussed with your health care professional, who can monitor you during period(s) of supplementation. Without a medical illness, your diet should be able to provide the vitamins and minerals you require.
However, sometimes you may need a little boost from a supplement until your diet can maintain these optimal levels. The exception to this rule is B12 as this nutrient can be hard to come by. Generally speaking, different coloured foods provide different nutrients. Eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, lentils, beans etc from each colour of the rainbow daily will provide the broadest range of vitamins and minerals. The most nutritious food is organic and fresh, not frozen or canned. It holds more nutritional value if it is consumed raw, or cooked by lightly steaming, stir frying, stewing, or souping. If you are eating a sufficient amount of nutrient rich foods and still find it hard to maintain optimal nutritional levels, it may be due to an absorption issue which
should be investigated by a health care professional.
In happiness and health, Candace Borg Candace Borg BHSc (Nat) BSc (Biomed) is a Naturopath, Natural Fertility Educator, and HypnoBirthing Practitioner with practises in Northcote and Newport. She also offers Skype appointments. Candace is the owner of Northcote Natural Therapies which stocks environmental , ethical, vegan, and palm oil free health, beauty and home products For more information, visit www.northcotenatural therapies.com Do you have any questions about nutrition or health? Ask Candace at candace@vegetarian victoria.org.au
New guide for cruelty free living down under Handbook for the Aussie Vegan is heaven sent for those wanting more local information about cruelty free living.
Edgar’s Mission, Bed & Broccoli, Uproar, Vegan Perfection, Ethikool, Cruelty Free Super, Vegan Australia and Sea Shepherd.
Written by Silva Mirovics - a Voices contributor - who runs her own business called Nutritional Empire, it is refreshing to have a guide that is specific to the Australian market.
There is also a great collection of articles submitted by well known Aussie vegans and a comprehensive directory.
To help you on your vegan journey, the handbook has plenty of recipes by some of Australia’s wonderful cruelty free businesses, such as
Whether you are already living a fully-fledged cruelty free life, or just dabbling a toe in the plant-based waters, this book will assist you in making conscious, mindful consumer choices
when considering what to buy, what to eat and what to wear. With a foreword written by philanthropist and 2007 Australian of the Year Philip Wollen OA, of the Winsome Constance Kindness Trust and Kindness House, and supported by Vegan Australia, Handbook for the Aussie Vegan is a must-have for those seeking, or living, a compassionate lifestyle.
Handbook for the Aussie Vegan is available at www. nutritionalempire.com.au
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Rory’s recipes Hailing from Melbourne, Rory Johnson eats a plantbased diet and loves to cook. When he tells people he is vegan, many ask him “What do you eat, then...?” This is one of Rory’s many favourite recipes.
EQUIPMENT 2 sizes of cookie cutters knife bowl mixing spoon frypan, spatula
Photo: Maria Garcia
Creamy Mushroom Vol-au-vents
INGREDIENTS 1 punnet mushrooms, diced 4 sheets puff pastry 1 veggie henchen roll, julienne 1 tub tofutti cream cheese small handful of fresh basil 2 tsp potato flour (or other thickener) 2 Tbsp nut milk turmeric black pepper mixed spice smoked paprika sumac margarine
DIRECTIONS • Preheat oven to 170-180C • Par-thaw pastry. Use cookie cutters to create vol-au-vents. Place on oiled tray and bake until puffed and golden. Place on wire rack to cool
lightly browned • Add henchen, cooled mushrooms, cream cheese, potato flour, nut milk and spices (to taste) in a bowl, stir thoroughly. Stir in basil • Scoop into vol-au-vent shells • Enjoy!
• Fry mushrooms in margarine until
VegVic social dinner report Jason Carstens taste tests Sampoorna Vegetarian Surprise for a VegVic social dinner. These guys have won awards and are amongst the favourites of many of the VegVic crew. Was it their reputation, the amazing $25 12 course set menu, or Mark’s (VegVic President) birthday that saw
us fill the place? Yes we sold the event out in advance and some even missed a place unfortunately, as they have limited capacity. As the place was ours alone for the evening, we decided to go around and get everyone to introduce themselves, so it was a cosy night with many playing musical chairs to mingle with others... PERFECT!!!
To see such numbers and feel such a vibe , Mark felt proud and honoured so a big thanks to all, especially our hosts Parveen and family. Restaurant details: Sampoorna Vegetarian Surprise 11 Essex Road, Mount Waverley 9807 0607
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Lifestyles profanity as it may appear too untechno savvy. Now back to the above reference to “attempt”, I really need some contributions here to prevent this segment becoming my outlet for some random rambling. I have heard that there is a vegan B&B near Shepparton. If anyone has been there, please submit a review.
Hi again, and welcome to Lifestyles, an attempt to promote some “out and about” veg*n stuff. I don’t get out and about on the net much but I learned tonight that the above “veg*n” reference is tech truncation for vegetarian / vegan and not some euphemism for an impending
Well, well, well, vegetarian has come to “Wezza.” Yep, a vegetarian restaurant in Werribee. Gujju from East Malvern have spread their wings into a bigger brighter restaurant and in so doing have shunted out an old chicken shop. They have an $18 all you can eat thali and from what I know of some us, they may live to regret this. Patrick and the crew are lovely and they spell out each dish as they serve it from bottomless tin buckets. Vegans, fear not, as these guys cater for Jains. Go Patrick, Go Werribee, Go Gujju.
With all this bad weather, VegVic decided to simulate life in an Icelandic mall by holding an ice skating event at the Docklands rink, though had you stepped outside - the conditions may not have been much different. A dozen or so turned up for an evening that was fun and ambulance-free. Obviously there were the inevitable spills and thrills, involuntary stunts and splits and unco balancing acts, but for the sadists, I’m sorry, no breakages or blood. Coming up is the bi-annual singles mingle (see overleaf). Please RSVP for these events to social.events@ vegetarianvictoria.org.au to ensure you don’t miss out. Til next issue, be social, be happy and be zestful for life Jason Carstens – Committee Member and Social and Dinner Events Coordinators
Vegetarian Victoria celebrates 15 years VegVic’s recent 15th birthday party was a great success raising more than $1,200 toward the next reprint of the Eating Up The World booklet. Founded in 1998 to promote the many benefits of a plant-based diet and bring likeminded people together, Vegetarian Victoria continues to grow and take part in major projects such as developing and distributing Eating Up The World. The booklet raises issues of land exhaustion, air pollution, and ocean depletion among others such as species extinction, water, energy and materials expenditure, and the social impacts - all stemming from human dietary choices. VegVic president Mark Doneddu said the simplest way for us to address those issues is to switch to a plantbased diet.
So far there has been three print runs of the booklets, with about 135,000 of them distributed across Australia.
the night and donated all of the prizes, and Vegan Smythe who put on another excellent headline performance.
VegVic would like to thank everyone who made donations and helped make the night a success including OMV Bakery for donating the cake pictured above, Jason Carstens who organised
Everyone is welcome at Vegetarian Victoria events. Upcoming events are listed overleaf and online at www. vegetarianvictoria.org.au
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Events VegVic August Social Dinner 7pm Wednesday 14 August Shakahari Too Vegetarian Restaurant 255 Clarendon St, South Melbourne This year Shakahari finally opened its much anticipated second restaurant, aptly titled Shakahari Too. The name Shakahari, incidentally, is the Hindi word for “vegetarian”. Menus are changed quarterly to take full advantage of seasonally available fruits and vegetables. Please RSVP to social.events@ vegetarianvictoria.org.au
investigations reveal a cruel and callous industry that puts money ahead of animals and hides the real truth from Australians. This rally has been organised by Animal Amnesty Australia. Details: www. facebook.com/AnimalAmnestyAustralia Fundraiser to help Edgar’s Mission 6pm Wednesday 21 August Las Vegan Cafe 22 Smith St, Collingwood
10.30am Saturday 17 August Federation Square Flinders St, Melbourne
Las Vegan has been kind enough to lend their venue for a tasty pizza fundraiser for Edgar’s Mission. Funds raised will go toward helping Edgar’s move to a new larger property where they can help even more animals (see page 7). Details: http://on.fb. me/13qx3wN
Meet at the giant live export art Installation for a protest rally to show your support for the animals.
The Vegan Catch Up
Ban live export rally
The live export industry claims to set the benchmark for animal welfare and say that they uphold world’s best practice, but time and again, private
6pm onwards Friday 23 August Cider House 386 Brunswick St, Fitzroy Cider House has over 60 ciders and
beers available, including non-alcoholic craft ciders. The Vegan Catch Up is a monthly social event. New faces, friends and family are welcome, as long as they don’t mind eating vegan food on the night. This month’s catch up will be raising funds for the Visakha Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, which does amazing work in India. Details: www.facebook.com/TheVeganCatchup ALV Winter Garage Sale 10am-4pm Saturday 31 August Port Phillip EcoCentre 55a Blessington St, St Kilda Come along to Animal Liberation Victoria’s Winter Garage Sale and grab yourself a bargain! There will be vintage clothing, knick knacks, books... all kinds of treasures going for a song. You can even enjoy a vegan sausage while you’re at it! If you can donate items, please contact ALV before the event. Details: www. facebook.com/animalliberationvictoria
Vegetarian Victoria Singles Night It will be a night of fun, laughter and maybe even romance for some... There will be activities to help people get to know each other, as well as music and a dance floor later in the night. The singles nights are always a popular event and they even have a success story. A couple, Ryan and Emily, have been together for 10 months after meeting at a VegVic Singles Night last year. Feel free to invite your single friends. All are welcome at Kindness House Come along and mingle with other singles at the bi-annual Vegetarian Victoria Singles Night!
Bring a plate of food along to share with everyone. Please ensure all food and drink brought into Kindness House is vegan. This is at the request of the
building owner. Everyone can enjoy vegan food, whereas not everyone can eat non-vegan. If you have any questions about this or unsure if something you wish to bring is vegan or not, please ask. Entry is $5 for VegVic members, $10 for non-members. Profits will go toward the next print run of the Eating Up The World booklets. Vegetarian Victoria Singles Night 7pm onwards Saturday 31 August Kindness House 288 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy RSVP on the event page at www.facebook.com/vegvic