The Advocate: October 2021 Edition by The Advocate

HEALTH

ENVIRONMENT

Have a cuppa to help those who live with endometriosis

Young people betrayed by climate inaction

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NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA’S NOT-FOR-PROFITS & CHARITIES

OCTOBER 2021

Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife awarded Australian

CHARITY OF THE YEAR

RYAN FRITZ Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife

HE Australian Charity Awards has awarded the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife (FNPW) as the 2021 Australian Charity of the Year for its part in rejuvenating the Australian bush after the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020, which burnt over 18 million hectares. Established in 1970, FNPW is the charity partner of national parks and wildlife services across Australia. Their mission is to safeguard Australia’s wilderness now and for future Australians. It’s program – the ‘Bushfire Recovery Nursery Project’ – with its mission to plant one million trees in bushfireaffected regions across the country by 2025, was recognised by the Australian Business Awards on Thursday, October 28. The ABA recognises charitable organisations every year that have achieved outstanding results through initiatives that have significantly benefited the Australian community. It was awarded ahead of Dignity, Disaster Relief Australia, PetRescue,

EXCLUSIVE Soldier On Australia, Earbus Foundation of Western Australia, Children’s University Australasia, FSHD Global Research, Mindspot, and Volunteering Gold Coast. “We are so honoured to be acknowledged as Australia’s Charity of the Year,” FNPW’s chief executive officer, Ian Darbyshire, said. “Our passionate team works tirelessly to ensure we continue our mission of growing national parks and saving endangered species.” FNPW established its ‘Bushfire Recovery Nursery Project’ after the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020, which burnt over 18 million hectares, destroyed 3500 homes, and killed 479 Australians. Professor Chris Dickman, a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science from the University of Sydney, estimated in early 2020 that more than one billion animals were killed. The program creates “nurseries” to support the natural restoration as well as other community-managed revegetation projects in bushfire-affected areas across New South Wales, Victoria,

Queensland, and South Australia. The program is also supported by One Tree Planted, L’Occitane Foundation, and Global Giving. “We are deeply thankful to our partners, supporters and the many volunteers who have supported us in launching the Bushfire Recovery Nursery project by planting trees towards bushfire regeneration and overall, making a positive contribution to the wider community,” Mr Darbyshire said. Over the next five years, One Tree Planted will donate more than a million dollars to establish seedlings from indigenous trees in each of the nursery locations. Ms Diana Chaplin, canopy director for One Tree Planted, said the world was deeply impacted by the loss and heartache that Australia endured during one of its most horrific bushfire seasons. “This partnership with FNPW in Australia is critical in restoring wildlife habitats, assisting the growth of native vegetation, and generally protecting the world’s biodiversity. “It’s an essential intervention for Australia’s future and we will do everything

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we can to help,” Ms Chaplin said. Matt Hill, chief environmental evangelist at One Tree Planted, said that everyone is hurting in different ways right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are honoured to be able to help through the simple act of planting trees. “These trees will support cleaner air, water, food,” Mr Hill said. “It’s a humble offering that can have a ripple effect of benefit for years to come.” FNPW has also been instrumental in supporting the acquisition of over 63,000 hectares of land for national parks and has supported both wildlife carers and wildlife through its Wildlife Heroes program “The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife has achieved many milestones in our 50 plus years in Australia,” Mr Darbyshire said. “It has and always will be our mission to support the conservation of Australia’s wilderness and wildlife for future generations.” You can donate a tree to supportbushfire recovery via FNPW’s website today.

2 | THE ADVOCATE

Measuring people’s satisfaction with life

Contents Top Reads Health Community Environment Opinion Highlights

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The Advocate, founded in 2014, is here to help promote the causes of not-for-profits and charities—Australia’s changemakers. We’re passionate journalists writing for positive change.

The Advocate Team Editor In Chief: Ryan Fritz Editor: Carol Saffer Journalists: Amelia Costigan Carla Wijaya Elliot Goodyer Jessica Roberts Sara Bolst Tia Haralabakos

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Uncredited images have been provided by the relevant charity or are from royaltyfree stock image sites. Thank you to the photographers who so graciously donated their images. Copyright © The Advocate 2021 Published by Helping Hands Media Published monthly. Edition 4. Melbourne, Australia. October 2021

CAROL SAFFER Huber Social

EXCLUSIVE

USTRALIA could soon become a world leader in calculating social value with the publication of a new guide for Standards Australia, the nation’s peak non-government, not-for-profit standards organisation. Huber Social CEO Georgina Camp, head of the committee writing the new guide, said the other standards that exist at a global level focus on regulating the managing and reporting of social value. In contrast, this model is about collecting the data that goes into the reporting and management decisions. “We go to the next level down; you can standardise reporting and managing all you want, but if you haven’t standardised how the information is collected that goes into [the reports], then we are not making comparable decisions,” Ms Camp said. Standards are documents that set out specifications, procedures and guidelines that aim to ensure products, services, and systems are safe, consistent, and reliable. The new guide advocates the measurement of social value in its own right rather than converting it to a monetary equivalent Social value is the calculation of the relative significance people place on the changes they experience in their lives. It is crucial to consider and measure this social value from the perspective of those affected by an organisation’s decisions. Ms Camp said Huber Social has been working in this space for a long time. “We are seeing more people and businesses enter the space with a proliferation of approaches, yet there is a lack of understanding of the importance of having integrity in social impact measurements,” she said. Together with the fellow committee

members SEAF Impact Investing, Trust Waikato (NZ) and Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government, their approach is about developing and maintaining the integrity of social impact measurements. A scientific methodology in collecting information is the basis of the guide. This means being transparent in the positive findings and the limitation of those findings. “Not just reporting on the good,” Ms Camp said. “The focus of the Standard is that the measurement is fit for purpose. “The rigour of the measurement is commensurate with the impact of the decision being made.” The public sector is under pressure to demonstrate the application of resources to achieve social outcomes, addressing social issues and creating social value. The private sector is under scrutiny on

its environmental, social and governance performance and its financial performance. Nick Pride, Senior Advisor of Ord Minnett’s For-Purpose Team, believes industry standards are well overdue. “There is an urgent need for robust standards for accurately measuring the Social Impact of activity, so business and NFPs can really show the impact they are having and “walk the walk”, not just talk about it,” Mr Pride said. Ms Camp said this Standard would be the benchmark used by organisations that commission a report; by the service providers who create the report, and the decision-makers who use it. The guide takes a principles-based approach but also provides practical guidance on how to apply the principles. One of its eight fundamental principles is measuring the lived experience of people. It aims to give more agency to the people impacted if this is practical and ethical to achieve. Measuring wellbeing is not prescriptive. “You need to ask people directly to make a self-assessment on their own wellbeing,” Ms Camp said. “[The committee] want the guide widely reviewed so it will be fit for the end-user, but secondly the benefit of it will become apparent, and people will pick it up and use it. “Otherwise, we can’t create any change if it just sits on the shelf.” Standards Australia neither create nor pay for Standards; it merely facilitates the process. Once the publishing committee approves the guide, it is then made available for public review for a month. Consideration is given to feedback received before going to peer review and ultimately to publication. Standards Australia owns the IP and generates revenue by selling copies of the guide to users. Standards Australia will be collecting community input on The Guide to Measuring Social Value until midNovember. Ms Camp said the first draft was presented in March and publication is scheduled to take place in early 2022.

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TOP READS

Women are vital to enrich rural livelihoods and wellbeing CAROL SAFFER International Day of Rural Women

YADUK, population 123, is where Jackie Elliot lives and launched Rural Women’s Day, a registered not-for-profit enterprise that connects rural and regional women through community, collaboration and celebrations. Ms Elliot said she uses the platform to encourage these women to host events to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Rural Women on October 15 each year. “It isn’t as widely covered, and it should be the same celebrations as International Women’s Day in March, which celebrates the achievements of women, whether social, political, economic or cultural,” she said. When COVID-19 intervened in the events Ms Elliot had planned over the past two years, undaunted she instead organised a campaign on social media to encourage stories about inspiring rural women. She collaborated with Kirsten Diprose to produce a podcast ‘Ducks on the Pond’ to connect and share stories and advice for women on the land. Ms Elliot said there are a lot of creative women living on farms who use markets and agricultural shows for marketing purposes. “Rural women are disconnecting from their communities because these events were cancelled due to Covid,” she said. “You need a personal connection.” With a crucial role in agriculture, food security, and nutrition, rural women

already face struggles in their daily lives. Many are less likely to have access to quality health services, essential medicines and vaccines. Furthermore, many rural women suffer from isolation and lack access to critical technologies to improve their work and personal lives. The United Nations considers the role that women and girls play in ensuring the sustainability of rural households and communities, improving rural livelihoods and overall wellbeing is crucial. Julie Mayne, Queensland Rural Regional Remote Women’s Network’s president, recently sent a submission to the state’s Attorney General about its Queensland Women’s Strategy. “Women are the future for farming and have been for a long time; 100 years ago, women were [and still are] involved in agriculture,” Ms Mayne said. “History hasn’t written them up as major participants in agriculture, so I am hoping we gain a bit of traction and get some respect for what we do and what we contribute.” She is a cattle producer located six-hours west from Brisbane. Ms Mayne said there is a need to celebrate female leadership styles and strength and build respect around their contribution. “We have to start championing this work, put a value on our work,” she said. “Governments have to write policy to look after us, so we stay in the industry.” Women are leaders in the family unit

and their community, and they are the ones that raise issues and lead on the ground. Concerns such as no school bus; we have no doctor; depression is taking over the community, and so we have to do something about it. “Our isolated lifestyle hasn’t changed much due to Covid, remotely is our normal,” Ms Mayne said. “But what it has affected is logistics; the ability to get parts, to get food and the internet suffers due to extra loads. “I am finding now there is a huge

disconnection between industry and government to grassroots.” Ms Mayne said many remarkable, talented, resilient women are forging careers and businesses and creating a strong focus on community and family and do it with minimal resources. “I would love to have these women on board, growing the organisation and diversifying QRRRWN into more remote areas through networking, knowledge, creativity and upskilling,” she said.

Hitting the trails for breast cancer awareness month

JESSICA ROBERTS Breast Cancer Awareness Month

ARRYING nothing but the pack on his back, Alan Chung is trekking 1005 kilometres through Western Australia’s Bibbulmun Track to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Joined by his wife Shirley and best friend Brandon, the trio are trekking in memory of Alan’s mum for breast cancer awareness month. Alan was just 10 years old when his mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. “I watched [her] fight breast cancer for the first time and survive,” he said.

“But she was diagnosed again with a malignant brain tumour in 2004. “Again, she fought and she won. “However, fate had other plans, and in 2017, for the third time in her life, she was diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease. “The cancers she had fought so hard against had spread to her brain and spinal cord. “I lost my mum in February 2018, after a nine-month fight with her third cancer battle; she was only 62.” The group will walk through rain and shine, scale mountains and some days cover over 50 kilometres, to complete their

trek by the end of October. “I wanted a challenge... something out of the ordinary that would inspire people to donate,” said Alan. “The views from the top of the mountains were exhilarating… it was well and truly worth the sore knees and effort.” Alan said the support from his family, friends and work colleagues help him to persevere. “I think about my mum a lot too, she keeps me going,” he said. Alan’s fundraising efforts help NBCFfunded researchers continue their lifesaving breast cancer research. Such research includes that conducted by director of research investment at the NBCF, Associate Professor Samantha Oakes, who is investigating reactivating cell death in breast cancer cells. “We looked at a particular drug that was taken from blood cancers and asked whether we could use that drug to reactivate cell death in triple negative breast cancers,” she said. “What we found was really interesting… when we used it in combination with standard chemotherapy, we were able to kill triple negative breast cancer cells. “So these drugs that can reactivate cell death are really effective at treating those really hard to treat therapeutically resistant

breast cancers.” Dr Oakes’ ground-breaking research contributes towards the NBCF’s mission to end deaths from breast cancer. “What’s wonderful about research is every little piece of the puzzle will ultimately end in reducing the number of women and men who might die from breast cancer,” she said. It is expected over 20,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia this year alone. “Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia,” Dr Oakes said. She said investing in breast cancer research is “absolutely crucial” to overcome such numbers. “We thank each and every person who raises funds to contribute to breast cancer research, we could not do this without the generosity of the Australian public,” she said. Such generosity has already seen Alan surpass his goal of $10,000 just two weeks into their trek. “Charity is a team effort and we couldn’t do this without the support of everyone who has donated their time, money, resources and words of encouragement towards our cause,” he said.

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HEALTH

Yarn up and seek help when you’re not feeling deadly JESSICA ROBERTS National Youth Mental Health Foundation

NTERGENERATIONAL trauma from a long history of cultural disconnection, violence and loss of land, has seen a disproportionate burden placed on the mental health of Indigenous young people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 24 and under are three times more likely to die by suicide than nonIndigenous Australians. Culturally appropriate support is sorely needed to recognise the connection between mental health and Indigenous identity. The National Youth Mental Health Foundation headspace, provides early intervention mental health services for 1225 year olds. Its Take a Step campaign aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to take charge of their mental wellbeing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practice and engagement coordinator at headspace, William Oui, said the program understands the importance of holistic wellbeing. “Take a Step understands… the ways our culture, identity, place and spirituality can make us feel strong,” Mr Oui said. The initiative provides a range of resources for Indigenous young people to help recognise when something’s wrong and the steps they can take to feel better. It was developed with the help of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, including a reference

group of Indigenous young people with lived experience of mental ill-health. “This is a campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who understand that it’s important to yarn up and seek help when you’re not feeling too deadly,” said Mr Oui. Ngarrindjeri woman, Nikia Bailey, was part of the headspace youth reference group and said that stigma around mental health can make it difficult to seek help. “But I want people to understand how our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures can empower us to take care of our social and emotional wellbeing,” she said. “When I am having a hard time, my connections with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples help me understand that I am not alone. “We have a shared experience and can support one another. “I know [this campaign] will start some important conversations in my community and will hopefully encourage more young people like me to take the first steps towards better social and emotional wellbeing.” If you are concerned about yourself or someone you care about, please contact Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline - 13 11 14

Haemophilia: expected to live for just 12 years RYAN FRITZ Bleeding Disorders Awareness Week

AVIN Finkelstein, president of the Haemophilia Foundation Australia, at just six-weeksold was diagnosed with Haemophilia A. “When I was born, life-expectancy of someone living with Haemophilia A was 12-years-old,” Mr Finkelstein said. “When I was circumcised as a young baby, I continued bleeding. “My grandfather, a GP, was suspicious and he wouldn’t stop until he found an answer to the problem and I was diagnosed with haemophilia.” This week, 10-16 October, is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Week. It presents an opportunity for individuals, families, and blood disorderrelated organisations to raise awareness of the many forms of bleeding disorders throughout the country. Six thousand five hundred Australians are diagnosed with haemophilia, von Willebrand disease or other inheritedrelated bleeding disorders each year. Mr Finkelstein said that living with Haemophilia A, which causes a person to bleed more than normal after an injury, has been both an imposition and a problem at different stages in his life. “For one thing, not being able to play sport, and I love sport,” he said. “Not being included in physical activities when I was growing up was always an issue. “It was hard to take; I tested my boundaries on numerous occasions when I was younger, but I paid the price for it. “Living with a bleeding disorder also gives you an appreciation of all the little things in life.” Mr Finkelstein believes things have gotten better over the years; the life expectancy of people living with haemophilia is now normal. “Compared to what it was when I was younger, we’ve got nothing or very little to complain about,” he said. Mr Finkelstien is currently on a preventative clinical trial to treat his

haemophilia where he injects himself in the stomach every 30 days. “It’s a simple treatment that takes about 30 seconds,” he said. “It’s easy, and it gives me great coverage. “It’s worlds apart from what I was being treated with when I was a kid. “The future is really bright for families with people and kids living with bleeding disorders.” He said research into gene therapy, which is basically a cure for haemophilia, is very exciting and is a totally different paradigm. “The research into bleeding disorders is chalk and cheese to what it was when I was growing up.” He believes the federal government could do more when ‘game-changing’ products to treat bleeding disorders become available on the international market. “There is a significant time-lag; years before we get access to them in Australia,” he said. “That’s the one thing that really does annoy us.” Executive director of Haemophilia Foundation Australia Sharon Caris, said the foundation has played an important role in advocating for treatments for bleeding disorders, which have improved quality of life for many Australians. “We want to make sure that people living with a blood disorder have the care and support they need,” she said. Ms Caris said Blood Disorders Awareness Week is a great time to engage with the bleeding disorders community and the general community. “We certainly engage with the community, but one of the things we’re encouraging our members to do during the week is to cook little red cakes to not only raise awareness but raise much-needed funds for HFA,” she said. Ms Caris also mentioned if anyone wanted to make a donation to support the bleeding disorders community, they could visit HFA’s website, and click on donate.

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Have a cuppa to help those who live with endometriosis JESSICA ROBERTS Endometriosis Australia

NDOMETRIOSIS Australia’s High Time for Tea initiative’s aim is to boost knowledge and resources to support research into this critically misunderstood disorder. Alexis Wolfe, CEO of Endometriosis Australia, said the community fundraiser aims to “increase awareness and conversations about endometriosis” around the country. “Individuals can participate at any time of the year, but these warmer months are always a lovely time to bring people together,” Ms Wolfe said. “The fun comes from inviting your guests, planning what you’re going to serve and enjoying quality time with friends, family or colleagues.” Endometriosis research is sorely needed to combat misinformation and broaden education. The condition affects one in nine women, girls and those who identify as gender diverse. This equates to over 830,000 Australians. Yet it takes an average of six and a half years for those living with endometriosis to be diagnosed. The only way to identify endometriosis is through surgical intervention so a tissue sample can be taken and tested. “There are more questions than answers to it which can only be answered through research,” said Ms Wolfe. Bethany Hunt understands all too well the long and painful process of an endometriosis diagnosis. Twenty-four-year-old Miss Hunt said her “unexplainable and unexpected” pain started when she was 15. “It started with episodes of extreme pain… doctors, my family and myself at this stage assumed it was a food intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome,” she said. As years went on, Miss Hunt’s symptoms only worsened. “I even, wrongly, had my appendix

removed after presenting to the emergency room in intense pain, which isn’t actually uncommon in people with pre-diagnosed endometriosis,” she said. “I spent years finding a doctor who would listen to me. “Most came up with the same answers of IBS, constipation, bad diet, my body’s normal response to being a girl, having a period and more. “I took time off work dealing with a long list of painful, uncomfortable and ongoing symptoms which didn’t only affect me physically, but mentally and financially too. “Finally, I met a doctor who listened, then a gynaecologist that listened and I went in for my second laparoscopy. “They found deposits of endometriosis, adhesions, cysts and that my whole uterus was tilted forward due to being pulled by said adhesions.” Ms Wolfe said endometriosis remains largely misunderstood by the public with misinformation still prevalent. “Whilst people have heard of the disease there are many myths about how it impacts a person’s life,” Ms Wolfe said. Miss Hunt experienced this firsthand during the early stages of her pain. “There was limited information on the internet and the stuff that was there, was partly or mostly incorrect,” she said. “It was so hard to sift through the information and work out whether it was correct, partly correct or not. “Even some things the doctor had told me were wrong and that was really confusing.” She has since created a blog on Instagram to share her experience with others. “I was scared to share too much about endometriosis before I was diagnosed, out of fear that I was crazy and imagining my painful symptoms,” she said. “Once I received my diagnosis I wanted to be someone who could help others in my position, to assure them they aren’t crazy

and these symptoms aren’t normal.” Miss Hunt uses the Instagram page to empower others through knowledge and to advise others on seeking the correct help. “It’s so important the internet and social media is filled with the correct information, symptoms and advice for the endometriosis community so that young girls, like me, can work out if something’s wrong and how to get the correct treatment,” she said. Education and awareness is critical to help create a safe space for those with endometriosis to share their experience, seek support and receive treatment. “If a person needed to wait 6.5 years for a cancer diagnosis we would be outraged,” Ms Wolfe said. “We need to do better by these sufferers – to listen, to validate and to invest in the research needed to understand this complex disease.” Miss Hunt said she hosted a High Tea

with Endometriosis Australia this year to start the discussion and get people talking in a comfortable environment. “I figured if these people were armed with the correct information, they may be able to help someone else, like their future daughter, friend, sister or partner and so on,” she said. “I had all my closest friends and family attend my house and we held a raffle raising over $400.” Such funds are critical for further research to better understand and diagnosis endometriosis. “We need research to help change the lives of Endo Warriors for not just the next generation but for this one,” Ms Wolfe said. “We want all Endo Warriors to not only survive, but to thrive.”

A picture is worth a thousand words

TIA HARALABAKOS Young Women’s Advisory Group

USTRALIAN youth are starting a conversation about sex education through art as part of a new initiative led by the Young Women’s Advisory Group (YWAG). Titled ‘Platforming Young Artists,’ YWAG called on women and non-binary people under the age of 25 to creatively express the female gaze on sex education and intersectional themes. Eight pieces were recently published to YWAG’s social media accounts, accompanied by detailed commentary from the chosen artists. One of the selected works is a three-part series on microaggressions, touching on the need for sex education to cover more than just the birds and the bees. According to the artist, Ms Hemgjia, microaggressions are discriminatory

comments or actions that subtly and often unconsciously marginalise a group. Ms Hemgjia shares a personal meaning of the term as an Asian-Australian through graphic art. Overlaying the graphics are text-based depictions of microaggressions which Ms Hengjia writes in casual prose, to reflect the commonality of prejudice in the Australian lexicon. “The graphics I have created examine one aspect of mistreatment, microaggressions,” she said. “Each one of these scenes I have depicted is heavily based on genuine microaggressions experienced by my Asian-Australian friends and I. “Even though these behaviors aren’t as damaging as physical violence or outright verbal hostility, it makes you feel hurt and

ashamed all the same.” Another selected artwork in the project suggests sex education should change its tone, from reproduction to pleasure and consent. The artist behind this piece, Ms Sashini, challenges traditional cisgender heteronormative focuses in sex education, by framing sex as unique and ‘what you make it.’ “I know through my experience that the current, traditional definition of sex does not feel inclusive or authentic,” she said. “I hope to make my message clear.” Whilst there is a national curriculum, education remains state and territory responsibility meaning sex education comes in a mixed bag across Australia. Every five years, Latrobe University, in conjunction with the Australian Research

Centre in Sex, Health, and Society, conducts a National Survey on Secondary Students and Sexual Health. The most recent survey, published in 2019, finds sex education programs both in and out of schools in need of improvement. “There continue to be opportunities to improve overall sexual health knowledge among students in Australia,” states the report. Platforming Young Artists project could be the first step to addressing gaps in the curriculum. YWAG’s initiative is part of the larger ‘Let’s Talk: Young Women’s Views on Sex Education,’ an ongoing initiative that aims to strengthen sex education in Australia.

6 | THE ADVOCATE

COMMUNITY

Fishbowl food chain fundraises for mental fitness

CAROL SAFFER World Mental Health Day

ic Pestalozzi has not had a family member or friend take their own life. “I have a friend from interstate who knows three people, all males, who have committed suicide in the last seven years.” Mr Pestalozzi, co-founder and marketing director at Fishbowl, a Japanese-inspired salad fast-food chain, talks about the driver for Fishbowl’s Virtual 5K Run on World Mental Health Day on Sunday, 10 October. He explains the Fishbowl team is fundraising for mental fitness charity Gotcha4Life, which aims to reduce suicide rates by delivering programs that foster genuine connections and making sure everyone has a mate who’ll listen. “We are about people living more positive lifestyles through their diet and activities,” Mr Pestalozzi said. Fishbowl’s ethos is about community engagement and aims to encourage people to make healthier decisions. Marketing manager Lauren Hurst agrees with Mr Pestalozzi, saying they came up with the idea to support Gotcha4Life because Fishbowl’s fitness initiative aligned with their focus on mental fitness. “We want to get our customers, friends and families talking and moving,” Lauren said. Giving away a free bowl to everyone who registers and completes the five kilometres is an added incentive to encourage involvement The chain set up run clubs at each store location as a way to bring locals together in support of home-grown charities and to share a post-workout meal. Creating a surf team is another initiative

kicked off by sponsoring a few local surfers, which grew into hosting a surfing event on Sydney’s Manly Beach. Surfing is part of Fishbowl’s DNA, teaming up with local grommets and pros alike who share a passion for health and outdoor activities. Mr Pestalozzi said the more organisations [like Fishbowl] talk about mental fitness, the more it becomes normalised. “Five years ago, I think it would have been a very uncomfortable topic to bring up with a friend. “It makes it more mainstream to talk about it.” Gus Worland, the founder of Gotcha4Life, said their mission is for everyone to have a Gotcha4Life Mate. “A go-to person you can rely on and talk to about anything when times are tough, so no one has to worry alone,” he said. Mr Worland welcomes Fishbowl’s Run 5K on World Mental Health Day as a perfect collaboration with Gotcha4Life. “We aim to make the conversation about mental fitness an everyday occurrence, not just on a special month or day [of awareness].” Gotcha4Life wants to put action behind the awareness, which takes time and education. The mental fitness charity works to end suicide by delivering programs that create meaningful mateship, build emotional muscle, and strengthen social connections in local communities. It takes a village to raise a human being is its version of ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ Mr Worland said it’s always better to have a village or a tribe around, making

sure relationships are deeper connected and make us feel safe. “[Men in particular] have been trying to live up to a stereotype for too long,” he said. “We’ve been taught to man up and shut up; it’s now man up speak up. “We need to chuck away perfect and just do the best we can.” Mr Worland said Gotcha4Life’s vision is zero suicides; nothing more or less. Gotcha4Life will use the money raised by the Fishbowl 5K Run to continue running workshops to help break down stereotypes

and provide the tools to build emotional muscle and resilience for a mentally fitter life. Training sessions, facilitated by qualified counsellors, are available to individuals in the community to learn how to confidently help their mates safely with mental health support if and when it’s needed. If you are concerned about yourself or someone you care about, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Walking for safe births in Sierra Leone JESSICA ROBERTS Aminata Maternal Foundation

N a small village in Sierra Leone, 15-year-old Zainab was 43 weeks pregnant with no way to give birth naturally. The closest maternity clinic is 125km away, a journey she would have to take by foot. But with the help of the Aminata Maternal Foundation, young Zainab was driven to the Aberdeen Women’s Centre in Freetown and safely delivered her baby via a caesarean section. This November, founder of the Aminata Maternal Foundation, Aminata ContehBiger, is calling all Australians to take part in the AMF Walking Challenge for young girls like Zainab. “We are walking for three weeks and we’re doing 6km every day to accomplish 125km,” said Aminata.

“We are raising money to pay for caesarean for girls like Zainab and so we ask people to walk and share her story.” The funds raised help the Aberdeen Women’s Centre provide critical support for women in Sierra Leone. Last year they raised $63,000 funding 126 caesarean operations. “All the services that we provide are completely free,” said Aminata. “So if we don’t raise these funds, we can’t run the hospital.” Aminata’s own near-death experience giving birth was the catalyst for starting the foundation to support women in her home country. “In 2012 I went to the hospital… all of a sudden it went to a huge complication as they had not checked the weight of my baby,” she said.

“Sarafina [her daughter] was five kilos and by the time they knew that there was a problem it was too late for me to do a caesarean. “We had seven doctors in the room to make sure that we survived, and in Sierra Leone, you have less than ten obstetricians in the whole country. “There is no way I would have survived [in Sierra Leone] and if I survived, she would have died.” This realisation compelled Aminata to investigate maternal health in her home country. “I just started Googling and I saw all these horror stories and I realised that my country has the highest maternal mortality rates in the world,” she said. “No mother or child should die because of poverty, it shouldn’t be acceptable and

we need to fix that.” Women in Sierra Leone have a 1 in 17 chance of dying while having a baby, about 500 times more than in Australia. Head of the Medical Unit at Médecins Sans Frontières, Dr Claire Fotheringham, says many maternal related deaths in Sierra Leone are due to the delays in accessing care. “The first delay is the time it takes in recognising that there’s a problem,” she said. “The second delay is from the time that you recognise that there’s problem to the point where you actually get to a healthcare facility.” This factor is particularly problematic for women in rural areas who are a long way from professional health facilities. “And then we talk about a third delay, which is the delay once you actually reach a

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Period positivity at Monash University

EXCLUSIVE

JESSICA ROBERTS Period Positivity at Monash

ONASH University has launched the Period Positivity at Monash initiative to promote menstrual equity across their campuses and remove the stigma associated with periods. The program was driven by Dr Victoria Blair from the Faculty of Science. “I created some don’t worry boxes and… I just self-funded by putting in tampons and pads, then I put up some small laminated posters to say what it was about,” Dr Blair said. “I wrote on it, take what you need and donate when you can.” Dr Blair’s don’t worry boxes grew in popularity, with different members across the Faculty of Science keen to implement the program within their own department. “And from there, our chair of the faculty committee brought it up to a higher level at Monash,” she said. Monash has now partnered with Libra to create an official program, installing dispensers with free pads and tampons in 30 bathrooms across its four campuses as a trial for one year. “I have male and female students and… they’re excited that something that started in the School of Chemistry is widespread across the university,” said Dr Blair. By providing greater accessibility to period care products, the program aims to create an inclusive environment. “We don’t want students to miss education because they don’t have the money to buy sanitary products and feel they have to stay at home when they are allowed back on campus,” said Dr Blair. Senior Research Fellow at Burnet Institute, Dr Julie Hennegan encourages workplaces and institutions to not stop at accessibility, but rather recognise the full scope of menstruation.

health care facility,” Dr Fotheringham said. “In Sierra Leone, there are not sufficient

“Improved access can help everyone who may have a period start unexpectedly and ensures that those struggling to afford products have what they need,” said Dr Hennegan. “Although I would stress that it is not the only way to support menstrual health.” She said support systems for pain and disorders is another critical area of improvement. “Having support for the open use of hot water bottles in workplaces for pain relief and normalizing things like that, as well as supportive healthcare when there are more significant concerns, are really important things we need to think about,” she said. Dr Hennegan has also found that facilities and the environment are other often overlooked areas. “Increasing proportions of people are using reusables and it’s quite hard to rinse out a menstrual cup… in the public area of

the bathroom,” she said. “Putting the sink inside the toilet cubicles would be a way to better support the uptake in use of reusable menstrual products.” Dr Hennegan said it is critical to coordinate these different action areas of menstrual health. “Toilet infrastructure and building is quite separate from health care, but these are both related to having the sort of comprehensive approach to menstrual health,” she said. Dr Blair hopes to expand Monash’s Period Positivity program in the future to take into account these wide range of issues related to menstruation. “I come from a place of research where we’re really pushing forward sustainable chemistry,” she said. Dr Blair hopes these programs will help reduce the stigma around periods and create an inclusive and welcoming

environment at the university. “There shouldn’t be any stigma attached at all to having a period or what you need when you’re on your period,” she said. “By having these things available and physical at Monash… it just becomes an everyday thing that you see.” Dr Hennegan too stresses the importance of reducing stigma, as it contributes to anxiety and even prevents people from seeking support. “Dismantling menstrual stigma is essential for menstrual health and gender equality,” she said. “So I want to educate people on what [environmentally-friendly] alternatives you have to sanitary pads. “Trying to make that a bit less taboo… and the sustainable perspective is something that I’m wanting to educate at Monash as well.”

nurses, midwives, doctors, gynaecologists or obstetricians.”

The World Health Organisation recommends a threshold of 23 skilled healthcare professionals per 10,000 citizens, with Sierra Leone well below at just two per 10,000. Some of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Sierra Leone include excessive bleeding, obstructed labour and complications from infection. Most of these deaths are preventable if treated timely by skilled health care professionals. “That is the tragedy of the lack of access to care, that you would have this whole system of things go wrong,” said Dr Fotheringham. Dr Fotheringham stresses the importance of training local Sierra Leoneans in providing maternal healthcare. “As international staff you might go for three, six, maybe even 12 months, but in the life of a country that is not that long,” she said. “You want to kind of balance it so that you’re not just providing care to people, but you’re also giving back in terms of making sure that there will be more people that have been trained.

“So you’re helping to support a system to get to the point where it won’t need a humanitarian organisation to come in, I think I think that’s the long term goal.” Empowering local Sierra Leonean women with education and skills is something Aminata is very passionate about. “I want to give somebody a tool for them to build their life, because they will take that into village and teach others,” she said. Ninety-six per cent of the staff employed at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre are Sierra Leonean. “I want people to go and train the women, leave their skills with the women and then walk away.” Essentially, Aminata wants pregnancy and motherhood to be a joyful experience for women in her country. “One thing that you look forward to is to hold that baby, you look forward to seeing their face,” she said. “And that’s pure joy and that’s what every mother deserves.” Donations can be made at amfwalkingchallenge2021.raisely.com

8 | THE ADVOCATE

ENVIRONMENT

Concrete has no place in Antarctica

EXCLUSIVE

RYAN FRITZ Bob Brown Foundation

he Bob Brown Foundation, one of Australia’s prominent environmental charities, is in a battle with the Australian Antarctica Division (ADD) over plans to build a 2.7-kilometre concrete runway near Davis Research Station, one of Australia’s three permanent research bases on the frozen continent. The runway, which will be part of an aerodrome in the Vestfold Hills of East Antarctica, will sit next to one of the most significant coastal areas of the continent. It’s home to precious petrel rookeries, and rare penguin and seal colonies. The ADD has managed to successfully send scientists to Davis Station since 1937 without the need for a massive concrete airport. Whilst the airport may make it easier for scientists to carry out their important work, it’s at loggerheads with the ADD’s 20 Year Action Plan. One of its goals is to: “protect the Antarctic environment.”

Dust and wind

According to the ADD in its Davis Aerodrome Project Extended Referral Submission, the summer population at Davis Station will double from 120 to 250 people during the airport’s construction. This will increase the station’s fuel and water consumption will release even more sewage into the ocean. Earthworks will consist of the levelling 60 vertical metres of terrain along the runway’s length, which will inevitably increase the amount of dust. Dust on the windiest continent on Earth will become a serious problem for wildlife. Most of the dust will settle on significant breeding grounds.

Wildlife

Wilson’s storm petrels’ nest at the proposed site and will be at risk of being displaced. Weddell seals breed under one kilometre away and will likely become affected by the dust of construction and low-flying aircraft once the airport is complete. Adelie penguins also call the Vestfold Hills home with up to eight significant breeding sites located in the area.

Access to the frozen continent

The ADD says the airport will provide year-long access to Antarctica for important research. Currently, researchers are only able to fly into Antarctica at the beginning and end of summer near an aerodrome next to Casey Research Station, which doesn’t have a concrete runway. Many scientists have called for improved access to Antarctica to support their work, but without damaging the environment.

The RSV Nuyina

Australia’s newest $1.9 billion icebreaker, which arrived in Hobart in October, will support the ADD’s cutting-edge science and will be able to resupply Australia’s Antarctic research stations for the next 30 years. [Nuyina is a Tasmanian aboriginal

word for Southern Lights, a natural light display in the Earth’s polar sky caused by disturbances in the magnetosphere by solar wind.] The Bob Brown Foundation’s head campaigner for Antarctica, Mr Alistair Allan, who has championed the protection of Antarctica as a captain with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for years, says the ADD needs to prioritise science without the environmental damage of a disastrous airport on the icy continent. “The RSV Nuyina is a state-of-the-art vessel that will positively contribute to Antarctic science,” Mr Allan said. “By comparison, pouring 115,000 tonnes of concrete over a seal and penguin habitat to build a concrete airport in Antarctica is a terrible idea that does nothing to advance science and everything to degrade the magnificent continent,” Mr Allan said. “The science community has warmly welcomed the arrival of the RSV Nuyina and so do we, however, it’s almost impossible to find an Antarctic scientist that supports the plans to build this enormous airport. “If the industrial airport is built it will cause irreversible harm to the unique ecology of Antarctica. It will set a dangerous precedent for future destructive developments in Antarctica,” Mr Allan added.

“Judging by the excitement and buzz around the arrival of the RSV Nuyina, it’s clear that Tasmanians care about Antarctica. “It’s now up to the Australian Antarctic Division to stand by their words and meet the expectations of all Australians to protect Antarctica, not to destroy the homes of penguins and seals for an airport that we don’t need.”

A treaty to protect the continent

Support is growing for three marine protected areas (MPAs) in Antarctica. This support was confirmed by federal environment minister, Ms Susan Ley, in September. Mr Allan said that growing support for MPAs is too little, too late for the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic coastline. “Whilst an MPA system is laudable, the world’s oceans are in crisis. “Now is not the time to make small, incremental changes. “Now is the time to take decisive action for our oceans. We need to protect the Antarctic coastline and the sub-Antarctic islands. “That’s why we’re calling for an end to all fishing in the Southern Ocean,” Mr Allan said.

In September, the longline fishing vessel, Antarctic Aurora, arrived in Hobart and offloaded its catch of Antarctic toothfish. To many, the vessel’s presence in Hobart represented a stark juxtaposition to the growing support of the MPAs, which restrict human activity, such as fishing, in Antarctica. “With krill hatch rates expected to drop by as much as 50 percent due to global warming, and with huge factory trawlers hoovering them up in the Antarctic despite krill being the foundation of the Antarctic ecosystem – a series of MPAs is not going to cut it,” Mr Allan said. In October, Mr Allan also called for an end to krill fishing when the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), an alliance of 26 countries including Australia, met in Hobart for its fortieth annual meeting. “We should not be pillaging a keystone species,” Mr Allan said. “We need to give Antarctica a fighting chance.” Dr Bob Brown, the foundation’s founder, commented on the runway’s proposal in June: “Antarctica is no place for a giant concrete airport.” Email the Australian Government and tell them you don’t want an airport built via The Bob Brown Foundation’s website.

Tasmanian Devil’s teeth give valuable insights into their evolution and captive management ELLIOT GOODYEAR Aussie Ark

N October 2020 Tasmania Devils were reintroduced to mainland Australia after 3000 years. Understanding the Tassie Devils’ canine tooth shape and wear can give researchers valuable insights into their evolution and management in captivity. Monash University researcher Tahlia Pollock says that canine teeth are what make carnivores such effective killers and help us better understand the correlation between an animal’s anatomy and its ecology. “Tasmanian devils have pretty robust canines, they’re strong and fat and are similar in shape to animals like the honey badger and the wolverine,” she said. “Real rough and tumble species that are scavenging carcasses and have really broad, varied diets that can include a lot of hard materials.” The study discovered that canine tooth shape varies among predators and is related to how they kill and the types of food they regularly bite into. For example, robust blunt canines are found in species with tougher more varied diets, just like the devil. This is because their stout shapes have evolved to withstand the stresses

produced by crunching on bone and other hard foods. Aussie Ark president Tim Faulkner said the reintroduction of Tasmanian Devils to the mainland marks a point in history where the ecological restoration of the entire country has been set in motion. “Not only is this the reintroduction of one of Australia’s beloved animals, but of an animal that will engineer the entire environment around it, restoring and rebalancing our forest ecology after centuries of devastation from introduced foxes and cats and other invasive predators,” he said. Tasmanian devils vanished entirely from mainland Australia in large part because they were outcompeted by introduced dingoes, which hunt in packs. Dingoes never made it to Tasmania, but across the island state, a transmissible, painful and fatal disease called Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)—one of the only known contagious cancer—decimated up to 90 per cent of the wild population of Tasmanian devils. Just 25,000 devils are left in the wild of Tasmania today. Don Church, president of Global Wildlife Conservation says this is an incredible example of how to rewild the

planet, bringing back the natural systems to the benefit of all life on Earth. In the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, an initiative of the federal and Tasmanian governments, captive devils are given a variety of small and large foods at different times, replicating what they’d find in the wild. The Tasmanian devil is one of seven cornerstone species critical to Australia’s ecosystem that Aussie Ark plans to reintroduce to the wild sanctuary in the coming years, all chosen to help restore the natural balance. Because they like to scavenge the carcasses of dead animals, roadkill is especially tempting for devils. But being so close to the road is dangerous and road mortality is the second-biggest killer of wild devils. Rewilding efforts mean humans and animals will slowly but surely need to renegotiate how we use space, and this means being attentive to the habits of scavengers like wild devils. So, when you are driving on remote roads, especially at night, in Tasmania or across the mainland, keep a lookout for wildlife.

THE ADVOCATE | 9

Young people betrayed by Australian climate inaction

AMELIA COSTIGAN Australian Youth Climate Coalition

OUNG Australians are owed an environmental duty of care by the Federal government, a Melbourne court found in July. Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has an obligation to all Australians under eighteen to “Avoid causing personal injury or death arising from emissions of carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere” Justice Mordecia Bromberg found. The decision followed a case brought by eight teenagers that sought an injunction to block the expansion of the Vickery coalmining project. The bid to block the Vickery project was rejected, but the Judge affirmed the children’s concerns for their future. “As Australian adults know their country, Australia will be lost and the world as we know it gone as well,” he wrote. “Trauma will be far more common and good health harder to hold and maintain.” Edie McAsey, volunteer at the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) says the Federal government’s obligation to protect young people’s future goes without saying. “It seems so obvious, of course, there’s a duty of care,” she said. “But to see a court say it was great.” The Australian government quickly announced that they would appeal the decision. This week, Minister Ley announced the third new coal project to be approved in just one month. With global climate talks in Glasgow less than four weeks away, the NSW Mangoola mine expansion project has been given the green light.

This follows the approval of the Vickery mine extension near Gunnedah and the expansion of underground mining near Woolongong. According to NSW Independent Planning, additional coal from the Vickery mine extension will create roughly 100 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gasses, equal to the amount created by Australian domestic transport each year. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has refused to confirm whether he will attend the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow next month, citing his extended periods in 14day quarantine due to international travel this year. More than 100 world leaders will attend the summit in person, as international pressure mounts on Australia to commit to a 2050 net zero target. “If you can go to Hawaii during ravaging bush fires, if you can go and trace your ancestry in the UK in middle of a global pandemic when people are stranded, when students haven’t been able to return to study in Australia, you can show up to COP26,” Ms. McAsey said. “If anyone had any doubt about how little this government cares about young people and climate, that should resolve those doubts. “To not show up is criminal.” AYCC is a youth-run organisation with a mission to build a movement of young people fighting for climate justice. Through investment in skill building and training for students, AYCC mobilises young people to win campaigns to build a

clean future. In the lead up to COP26, AYCC is running climate justice centred training workshops for young people, including videography and content creation and guidance for engaging your MP. “Australia is already being called the villain of COP26,” said Ms. McAsey. “It’s embarrassing. 2050 is a long time away. “And there’s a lot that’s going to happen in terms of changes of government in the meantime. “The infighting with the Nationals and Liberals about making a 2050 commitment is an illusion of progress, a distraction, because 2030 is what counts right now.” The 2021 IPCC Climate report warned that emissions must be reduced by 45 per cent by 2030 to prevent global warming above two degrees Celsius, signalling an urgent code red for humanity. Eliza Booth is a volunteer and organiser for Citizen’s Climate Lobby in the Melbourne bayside electorate of Goldstein. This electorate is witnessing a strong push for an independent MP to better represent its constituents on climate action. “Environmental issues are becoming more or less non-partisan and even your conservative voters want to see change in that space,” Ms. Booth said. “An overpowering government leads to corruption so it’s important to have independents to ensure our democracy is functioning, to have people who aren’t forced to tow a party line and can hold issues like this in the balance.” Liberal MP for Goldstein Tim Wilson

has endorsed the idea of Scott Morrison snubbing the COP26 talks. The Goldstein Citizen’s Climate Lobby is composed of under 25s committed to lobbying Tim Wilson, the new assistant minister for emissions reduction, to combat regressive climate policy within the Liberal party. “Young people have expressed their opinion and their fear for the future, the government just doesn’t see young people as powerful enough to vote them out,” Ms. Booth said. “I have confidence we will see some change.” Despite a formal legal obligation to Australia’s young people, Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley and the Australian government are yet to commit to a net zero target and continue to endanger the environment further with coal and gas projects. Whether the climate will be a central issue at the upcoming election remains to be seen, as a new cohort of young Australians reach legal voting age. A recent Lowy poll showed 78 per cent of Australians support the 2050 net zero target. “What gives me hope is that a lot of young people who care about climate issues have turned eighteen between now and the last election,” Ms. McAsey said. “For people who are turning eighteen now the climate has never not been the fundamental issue in their political upbringing.”

10 | THE ADVOCATE

OPINION

Bridging the climate financial gap on the road to Glasgow

ROD GOODBURN Oxfam Australia new analysis by Oxfam International has found that wealthy nations are expected to fall up to $75 billion (USD) short of fulfilling their long-standing pledge to mobilise $100 billion (USD) each year from 2020 to 2025 to help the most vulnerable countries adapt to the dangerous effects of climate change and reduce their emissions.

What is climate finance?

Called climate financing, these financial contributions for climate aid and development ideally go towards supporting the rights, needs and interests of communities in low-income countries. Projects are focussed on reducing emissions, adapting to the changing climate and building resilience. For example, light rail in Costa Rica to reduce transport emissions, landscape management in East Timor, addressing water sector vulnerability in the Marshall Islands and building resilience for small scale farmers in many countries. The need for financing to enable communities in low-income countries to respond to the climate crisis is becoming increasingly urgent. Achieving enhanced commitments to climate finance from wealthy countries will be critical to the success of the United Nations (UN) COP26 meeting in Glasgow scheduled for

November this year. In preparation for COP26, President Biden has announced the US will quadruple its climate finance contributions in a move that is hoped to lead other nations to contribute more. Meanwhile, Pacific Island Ministers are continuing to advocate for urgent and decisive action to reduce emissions. In a recent meeting with COP26 Presidentdesignate Alok Sharma, the Ministers emphasised the need for emissions to peak by 2025 to ensure that Pacific Island countries are protected from the most severe effects of climate change. Right now, our neighbours in the Pacific face one of the greatest injustices of all time. While the climate crisis is indeed a global problem that affects all of us, it hurts some communities more than others – and  Pacific island  countries carry more than their fair share of the burden.  From Fiji to Solomon Islands to Papua New Guinea, Pacific island nations have some of the smallest carbon footprints on the planet. And yet, despite gently treading the earth for generations, the people from these countries are among the first to feel the destructive, devastating and irreversible impacts of climate change. In short, our Pacific neighbours are mopping up a mess they didn’t make. Wealthier countries that are responsible for most of the pollution

need to do more. An urgent need to phase out coal, oil, and gas production Ahead of COP26, a new synthesis by the UN of countries’ climate action plans concludes that the planet is on track to warm by more than 2.7 °C by the end of the century, massively missing the goal set in the Paris Agreement of remaining below 1.5°C. This comes hot on the heels of findings by UK researchers that nearly 60 per cent of oil and fossil methane gas, and 90 per cent of coal must remain in the ground or under the ocean to allow a 50 per cent chance of remaining within a 1.5 °C carbon budget. For Australia, it means leaving 95% of our coal in the ground. We know that burning fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – is the main source of emissions that are heating the planet. While it is encouraging that many large institutional investors are moving money out of fossil fuels and working together to align their investment activities with the Paris Agreement, so far there has been a reluctance from governments to collaborate on ending fossil fuel production. One bright spot on the horizon comes from an alliance being forged by Denmark and Costa Rica of countries willing to fix a date to phase out oil and gas production and

to stop giving permits for new exploration. The group is called the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) and they are acting to restrict domestic oil and gas production in line with what is required to live up to the Paris Agreement goals. The alliance is to be launched at COP26 in Glasgow, but Reuters has reported that a core task for the BOGA would be to establish a deadline for developing and developed countries to phase out existing oil and gas production. Moves to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels are backed up the International Energy Agency (IEA) which recently produced a roadmap of 400 actions that can be taken to decarbonise our economies. The IEA roadmap made it clear that from today there should be no investment in new fossil fuel supply projects. This is a critical year for climate action. It is essential that countries make meaningful commitments at COP26 that will limit global warming to 1.5°C and avoid devastating impacts to lives and livelihoods.  It’s clear that all nations, including Australia, must urgently redouble their climate efforts if they are to prevent global temperature increases beyond the Paris Agreement’s goal, play their role in helping low-income nations address the challenges of a changing climate and achieve a meaningful outcome in Glasgow.

Canva founders pledge to distribute their wealth

JESSICA ROBERTS

F more of the world’s wealthiest people thought like Australian tech icon Melanie Perkins, we could very well live in a more equitable and just society. Ms Perkins is the CEO of Canva, the global graphic design platform she cofounded with her now husband, Cliff Obrecht. They started the company in 2013 to make design easy and accessible for all. Within five years, Ms Perkins made headlines as one of the youngest female CEOs in tech and in 2020 featured in Forbes’ ‘top under 30 of the decade’ tech founders list. Now, Canva has been valued at US$40 billion, becoming one of the world’s most valuable private software companies. This is a massive achievement since their humble beginnings as a Sydney-based start-up. However, it is what the founders intend to do with their billions of dollars that truly speaks to their character. Of their 36 per cent equity in Canva, they plan to commit 30 per cent of that to charity organisations and philanthropic causes through the Canva Foundation. In a post titled “A note to the Canva community,” Ms Perkins detailed how this latest commitment is part of Canva’s twostep plan. Step one is to become one of the most valuable companies globally, which they

can undoubtedly tick, and step two is to do the best they can. Ms Perkins said that it has always been their intention to use the majority of their wealth to help make the world a better place, expressing discomfort with the word billionaire. “It has felt strange when people refer to us as “billionaires” as it has never felt like our money; we’ve always felt that we’re purely custodians of it,” she said. “It’s long been our intention to give the wealth away, and we’ve been thinking long and hard about the best way to start that journey. “We are very pleased to share the news that Cliff and I will be committing the vast majority of our equity (30 per cent of Canva) to do good in the world.” The Canva Foundation will contribute to inequality after wanting to help those in poverty for many years but unsure where to start. “There are 711 million people who live in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 a day, which means they have to make unfathomable decisions between basic human needs, for themselves and their families.” “Many studies have shown that an effective way of helping someone who has no money is to give them money. It enables recipients to buy what they need, and have a consistent and predictable source of income, which enables them to invest in

themselves and their children.” They are launching their first pilot program, Give Directly, helping those living in extreme poverty in South Africa. “We will begin by distributing $10 million to some of the world’s poorest people in Southern Africa, using mobile payments to reach those in need,” said Ms Perkins. “Following the learnings from this pilot, we hope to scale this more broadly rapidly and to contribute to the lives of as many people across the globe as we can.” The couple is dedicated to ensuring

Canva remains at its core “a force for good”. “We have this wildly optimistic belief that there is enough money, goodwill and good intentions in the world to solve most of the world’s problems, and we want to spend our lifetime working towards that,” she said. There is certainly enough money, and if more of the world’s billionaires follow in Ms Perkins’ footsteps and distribute their wealth, we might have enough goodwill and good intentions to change the world.

THE ADVOCATE | 11

FOOD FOCUS

Fight famine by feeding a family of four for $14 or less CAROL SAFFER World Vision Australia

ORLD Vision Australia has partnered with local and global culinary royalty to produce Hunger Bites, a free e-book of main meal recipes designed to cost no more than $14 while highlighting the 41 million people driven to starvation by the pandemic. From Maggie Beer’s fish and crispy potatoes to Marco-Pierre White’s spaghetti carbonara, Hunger Bites aims to help Australian’s dish up affordable meals while sparing a thought about putting food on the tables of others less fortunate. A mortal mix of conflict, climate change and COVID-19 are driving communities towards the most significant hunger emergency in decades, with Afghanistan and East Africa bearing the brunt. Maggie Beer AM, a committed World Vision child sponsor, said she felt moved to join the campaign and help raise awareness of the child hunger crisis. “We are indeed the lucky country and are blessed with so many fresh, wonderful ingredients in Australia,” Ms Beer said. “It saddens me to know that in some countries, families can’t afford even basic food items such as corn or rice. “No child should ever go hungry.” World Vision CEO Daniel Wordsworth said he was overwhelmed by the wave of support from such a stellar line-up of chefs and cooks, including Nagi Maehashi and Stephanie Alexander, amongst others. “My heartfelt thanks go to these generous contributors for sharing our vision for a cookbook to support fellow human beings in a time of great need,” Mr Wordsworth said. “When you put Hunger Bites to use, you not only put food on your own table, you help World Vision… make the world a

better place.” The cookbook contains facts about the global hunger crisis, which he hopes could trigger the home cooks and families to talk about and take action on the issue. Multi-award-winning chef Neil Perry AM, also a World Vision child sponsor, contributed to Hungry Bites as another way to support the charity. “We are in an incredibly privileged position to work with the best produce in the country, but there are so many people who struggle day to day just to put food on the table,” Mr Perry said. “I’ve always felt a responsibility to give back; that’s one of the reasons I first sponsored a child many years ago.” He said it was tough to draw Australians’ attention to global issues during a pandemic while dealing with personal concerns, such as lockdowns and job losses. “We’ve got our own problems in Australia, so it’s more difficult to generate the awareness that there are places in the world that really need a helping hand from countries like ours,” he said. “I always call for us to be more politically active around the world and set an example, whether it’s on sustainability or climate change or famine. “We have an opportunity to be shining lights… and I think we need to shout out to Australians to do what they can.” Suzy Crittenden, Melbourne food, wine and cooking aficionado, is a big fan of Neil Perry owning all his recipe books. “Hunger Bites sounds fantastic, Neil Perry’s recipes always work, plus I like the fact that it is supporting a great cause,” she said. Ms Crittenden and her husband often dined at Adam D’Sylva’s restaurants before lockdown.

“I love his food; I am very excited to see what recipes he and Neil and the rest of the gang have come up with for this new and innovative cookbook.” Sydney siders Luke Mangan and Luke Nguyen plus Melbournites Darren Purchese, Ed Halmagi, television presenter Alice Zaslavsky and MasterChef 2021 champ Justin Narayan are just some of the foodie contributors to Hunger Bites. Childhood bears the most significant impact of the hunger crisis as parents marry their daughters off early or send their children out to work. World Vision workers state some people are surviving on little more than herbs, roots and rodents they have foraged and hunted. Mr Wordsworth added that most

Australians would agree that no parent should suffer the anguish of having their child go to bed hungry or become too weak to play. “Right now, too many parents and caregivers are trying to provide food while suffering extreme hunger themselves,” he said. “We want this book to provide some food for thought about how everyday Australians can help to avert this crisis. “If we only act once famine is declared, it is too late; people are already dying.” To download a copy of Hunger Bites and find out how you can support World Vision’s Child Hunger Appeal logon to www.worldvision.com.au/hungerbites

Cooking with kindness: culinary masters feed hungry Aussies during pandemic RYAN FRITZ

WENTY world-renowned chefs, including former MasterChef contestant Courtney Roulston, prepared healthy gourmet meals for one thousand hungry Australians. The three-course extravaganza meals, donated by French culinary master Le Cordon Bleu Australia, were distributed to five charities in Sydney on International Chefs Day, October 20. The cook-up coincided with the release of Foodbank Australia’s annual Hunger Report which highlighted around 1.2 million children, and one in six adults, have gone hungry since the start of the pandemic. Despite Australia producing enough food in this country to “feed ourselves three times over”, Foodbank distributed more food in the past 12 months than in any time

in its history, to more than a million people a month. “We have to look at all aspects of mental health and wellbeing for Australian children and we know that having enough access to enough food and the right food is critical to a child’s ability to thrive,” Foodbank Australia chief Brianna Casey said. “The fallout of the pandemic has driven home to all of us how easy it is for people to become vulnerable,” Ms Casey added. “We have seen first-hand people who have lost their jobs and income or have been caught in a hard lockdown unable to access the food they need for their families. “Every day brings a new set of challenges, but Foodbank is determined to continue doing what we do best, not just during the crisis phase, but well into recovery, on top

of our better-known role of providing food relief to those struggling with poverty and inequality during normal times,” Our Big Kitchen, a community-run, non-denomination industry kitchen in Sydney, who distributed over 200,000 meals to disadvantaged Australians last year, has partnered up with Le Cordon Bleu to tackle hunger. Rabbi Dr David Slavin, founding director of Our Big Kitchen, said they were thrilled when Le Cordon Bleu Australia approached us about partnering with them for International Chefs Day. “We are extremely humbled to have such a fantastic team of chefs, along with Courtney’s experience to prepare one thousand meals for Aussies in need”, Rabbi Slavin said. Danny Salsbury, community outreach

coordinator with The Salvation Army, was grateful to be able to collect 200 meals which were distributed across Sydney’s CBD. “We’re very thankful to Our Big Kitchen who has been supplying The Salvation Army with meals for five years,” Danny said. “To provide a little Le Cordon Bleu culinary flair in the meals we give to those in need will certainly help brighten their day.” Bear Cottage, Wagec Women’s Refuge, Tribal Warriors and Newtown Greek Community Centre were the other food charities that received much-needed meals. You can read Foodbank’s latest Hunger Report on their website, located under Research and Reports.

12 | THE ADVOCATE

Episode 6: Plastic polution vs. our ocean The Advocate

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