Animal welfare & compassion in world farming activist Peter Stevenson guest lectures in Australia in August.

Victorian (Melbourne) date promoted here: but you can also view dates around Australia at the Voiceless website.

As a leading European expert on animal welfare, Peter describes Australia’s live export trade as “the world’s worst”. He explains that conditions in Indonesian abattoirs could not have improved in just one month and that the resumption of trade was met with shock in Europe.

In Australia for Voiceless’s Animal Law Lecture Series, Peter discusses European Union (EU) bans on some factory farming practices and how this cruelty continues in Australia. He suggests that better animal welfare can actually be more profitable for farmers and that changing consumer sentiments are driving more ethical products in Europe.

To listen to Peter’s full interview, please visit the website of ABC Radio National Breakfast.

Monday 15 August 2011
Time: 1.00pm – 2.00pm (doors open at 12.50pm)
Venue: Melbourne Law School
University of Melbourne
Ground Floor G08
185 Pelham St, Carlton, VIC 3053

Register Now! To view our flyer for this event, please download this pdf .

Details: This lecture, kindly supported by University of Melbourne Law School, will be chaired by Ruth Hatten, Legal Counsel of Voiceless and will feature guest speaker Peter Stevenson and Dr Siobhan O’Sullivan of the University of Melbourne.

AND

Monday 15 August 2011
Time: 6.00pm – 7.30pm (doors open at 5.45pm)
Venue: Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Level 36, Bourke Place
600 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

Register Now! To view our flyer for this event, please download this pdf .

Details: This lecture, kindly supported by Corrs Chambers Westgarth, will be chaired by Ruth Hatten, Legal Counsel of Voiceless and will feature guest speakers Peter Stevenson and Dr Siobhan O’Sullivan of the University of Melbourne.

Jumps: Victoria – the place to be ashamed #protest #killingfields #rspca #geekgirl

The 2011 season.
After previous commitments to end jumps racing in Victoria after the 2010 season, we are disappointed that Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) are going ahead with a a three year extension to hurdle racing and a one year extension to steeplechase racing.  This has been despite key performance indicators (KPI’s) not being met in the 2010 season.

Clearly the RVL CEO, Rob Hines has not been made accountable for his public comments of ‘Make no mistake, if the KPIs are not met, it will be the last season of jumps racing’, last year.  And with our new government using tax-payer dollars to provide an additional $2 million dollars to the ‘sport’, we are ashamed that our new leaders are focused on incentivising international competitors and boosting prize money.

Our new Minister for Racing, Denis Napthine is clearly a supporter of jumps racing – we need to illustrate to him, a key decision maker, that this cruel sport is not accepted by the community.

RVL is receiving pressure from pro-jumps racing groups and it is important we show that we will not be letting them of the hook either.  RVL must take further action to ensure horses no longer suffer for a sport that is not favoured by the community.We need you to the be the voice for jumps horses.  Especially with a new government and a new season upon us, we need your help writing to the respective decision makers.  Personal letters carry great weight and the more these stakeholders receive, the more they are likely to listen to our concerns.  In your own words, be an advocate for jumps racing horses by detailing the issues.

http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/campaigns_jumps_racing.htm

A demonstration will be held by the Coalition For The Protection of Jumps Racehorses in Bourke St Mall, Melbourne at midday on Friday 6 May, 2011

Pets Haven Benefit Gig: #partyanimals #fundraiser #Melbourne #geekgirl

pets-haven

FEB 25th, 2011
PETS HAVEN BENEFIT GIG
NOISE BAR BRUNSWICK, MELBOURNE
DOORS OPEN 8PM
$10 ENTRY
18+

FEATURING :
CHINATOWN ANGELS
CYCLONE DIABLO
THE COMMITTAL
THE GREY FILE

ROCK N ROLL CAKE STALL AND RAFFLE DRAW ON THE NIGHT!!
RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE NIGHT $2.00 PER TICKET OR
3 FOR $5.00

DRAW #1
1st Prize Beserk Clothing pack
2nd Prize Delice Soap pack
3rd Prize Kittycat Black Rockabilly Jewelery

DRAW #2
1st Prize (male) metal merch pack (Soundworks touring)
1st Prize (female) metal merch pack (soundworks touring)
2nd Prize metal music pack (CDs, cassettes, merch etc)

DRAW #3
1st Prize Tattoo voucher courtesy of Down to Earth Tattoos
2nd Prize voucher for Mr. Nice Guy vegan cupcakes
3rd Prize DVD prize pack (over 25 titles)

For information on pets haven http://www.petshaven.com.au/

Victory for PETA against Lipton tea #animalrights #hooray #geekgirl

More than 40,000 people worldwide took action against the makers of Lipton tea and after representatives from PETA and affiliates in India and Europe flew to London to meet with Unilever–the world’s largest tea maker including the Lipton and PG tips brands–the company has agreed to end all non-required animal testing for their teas and tea-based beverages worldwide.

http://www2.peta.org/site/R?i=vUebjww9v4d26IN3Ad5O2A..

With this victory, the suffering of animals for Lipton and PG tips teas ends. The company behind Lipton tea cut holes into rats’ intestines and fed them tea ingredients through a tube in their throats; infected piglets with E. coli toxin and cut their intestines apart while they were still alive; killed mice by suffocating them and breaking their necks; cut off rabbits’ heads; and conducted other cruel tests that involved tormenting and killing animals simply to study the health effects of its tea products and ingredients. Not one of the experiments that the company conducted was legally required for beverage makers, and regulators have stated that animal tests are not required to prove a health claim about a food or beverage product.

Thanks to all who called, e-mailed, and boycotted Lipton tea products!

Please take a moment to thank Lipton for its prompt and compassionate decision by e-mailing the company using its contact form.

http://www2.peta.org/site/R?i=0Q8eZ7FIqvXTmlZ0Y3zJBw..

Want to be in the Queer Animal Liberation NSW float in Mardi Gras Parade?

Mardi Gras – March 5.

THIS EVENT IS FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE IN THE FLOAT, NOT JUST WATCHING IT!

Queer Animal Liberation NSW’s application into the Mardi Gras Parade 2011 has been accepted. Theme is ‘We as queers agree, set the chickens free’. The aim is to highlight the plight of battery hens. Float entry will be upbeat and fun, but with a serious message.

Queer Animal Liberation NSW (QALNSW) was formed last year by queer journalist Katrina Fox as… a loose coalition of queer animal rights advocates. Queer is used in this context as a very broad umbrella term to cover all sexuality, sex and/or gender diverse identities, including but not limited to gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans, intersex, transsexual, transgendered, androgynous, and without sex and/or gender identity.

Animal Liberation NSW has kindly agreed to be our financial supporter and sponsor, providing assistance, venue and admin/organising support to co-ordinate costume-making, float building etc.

Queer animal libbers and their straight allies are invited to take part in QALNSW’s float. Please note there is a $12 participation fee to be paid in advance to cover costs.

If you want to take part, please EMAIL LYNDA STONER at lynda@animal-lib.org.au as she is co-ordinating the list for us. You can state you are attending here on FB but please ALSO email Lynda to make sure you are on the list and to receive important info and updates. Places are limited so get in quick.

Saturday, March 5 · 5:00pm – 11:00pm

Lesley Dewar #geekgirl mugshot. I love @nanastories #oldgurlsrock

Lesely Dewar is one of my fav people online. She totally confronts any sterotype of an older gurl out of touch with technology. I wish I could hang out with her so she can teach me all her social media tips and tricks. She’s a campaigner for animals and the ocean and I love her @nanastories and @lesleydewar1 tweets. She sent me a message to Save More Whales in 2011;. and thart we will! xx Lesley just keeps on rockn’!!

lesley-dewar-geekgirl-mugshot

STOPCRUSH.ORG – Ban animal torture videos – stop the sickos!! #fb #HR5566 #geekgirl

Animal “Crush” Video Awareness Week – STOPCrush.org

Monday, November 15 at 12:00am – November 22 at 12:00am
Facebook / The Internet / Your Bed / Your Couch
You DO NOT need to physically show up anywhere

THIS IS A WORLDWIDE EVENT ON FACEBOOK/THE INTERNET. You DO NOT need to physically show up anywhere!

Change your profile picture to an image in support of making ANIMAL CRUSH VIDEOS illegal again. This photo does NOT have to be graphic or even one of ours. With HR 5566 being part of lame duck voting sessions which would make these videos BANNED in the US, this is a very important time and event.

GET PICTURES HERE, OR MAKE YOUR OW…N:
http://www.stopcrush.org/?page_id=9
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41551&id=123901460968753

What are Crush Videos?
Crush videos feature small live animals, such as kittens, puppies, reptiles, mice and rabbits being slowly tortured in the most horrific ways imaginable; including being burnt alive, cut with pruning sheers, nailed to the floor, skinned alive, beaten, stabbed, and having their limbs broken.

All of these videos share a common theme: the animals are incrementally crushed by a woman with high heels/other body parts. Most people view these materials for sexual gratification, but these videos are becoming increasingly popular just for their shock value alone on “gore sites”.

Help save orang-utans and help save ourselves #donate #geekgirl

orangutans

Please give generously to help these awesome orang-utans.

DONATE GREENPEACE US

Stay in touch and informed and  how you can help locally; via Australian Zoos. And contribute to the Zoos Victoria Foundation Orang-utan Conservation Fund.

Editor’s note: Animals in all shapes and sizes humble us. Even the little mouse that has inhabited our home makes me smile. Not because she poos everywhere and eats our cheese and chocolate. It’s because she is small, vulnerable and like us all, scurries around just trying to survive. Each time you help an animal cause you help humanity understand the great chain of connections we have to each other, and the richness we all share while alive. Loving animals is a sign of loving ourselves. *HUGS* GG

Feature artist Nicole Tattersall #surfboards #melbourne #arts #geekgirl

Based in Melbourne, Australia Nicole Tattersall is a self taught artist whose works vary in mediums such as stencil art, watercolour, ink and installation. Her main source of inspiration is mother nature coupled with the city lights of Melbourne. Throughout her school life she excelled in art and graphics, though it wasn’t until late 2004, 3 years after completing secondary college did Nicole start to create works for placement in galleries and pursue her creative career. 

Nicole’s style has change several times throughout the years from the simple outlines to the urban inspired stencil works and now starting to explore more experimental techniques. Using a selection of mediums, she favours acrylics, pens, markers and spray cans.

Being passionate about animal rights has lead Nicole to create works for WSPA Australia and to aid in their campaigns, with her own works or by being an advocate by speaking about issues.

Using her Events Management skills Nicole has curated and organised a selection of group exhibitions and art events; Random Collective, Art On Your Sleeve, Street Art For Ashes, Melbourne Curvy 6 book launch at Magnation and Split Personalities, a duo show she did with fellow artist Megan Dell.

Artist Statement
“I create works in various mediums that lend themselves to convey the context of the piece and the overall feel of the work, this can be from the innocence and creative minds of two children dressing up as ghosts to the dirty look created to interrupt streets of a busy city. 


Using stenciling as a technique came about when I wanted to start to customise my own surfboards and was exposed to a large variety of applications for stenciling when I visited the Melbourne Stencil Festival in 2006 at Rose St.

In contrast watecolours, ink and charcoal are another preferred medium which allow for a level of naive-ness to be expressed. 

Animal rights, the protection of the environment and the thought of using ones imagination are reoccurring themes in my works and are heavily influenced by my time spent at various beaches, surfing, my family, trips away, the urban jungle of the city and world news”.

Works by Nicole currently reside in private collections throughout Australia as well as Internationally.

jump-surfboard

About the Surfboards
My first major exhibition was “Artsticks 2″ held at the Surfing World Museum in Torquay in 2006. The theme for the exhibition was the surfboard as the canvsa and I had painted various stencils onto a board given to me by friend, which had been snapped at the nose. The board has since been repainted over.

I first got into stenciling as a technique to customise my own surfboards and was exposed to a large variety of applications for stenciling when I visited the Melbourne Stencil Festival in 2006 at Rose St. I’ve since developed and gone beyound the humble surfboard and get friends to paint mine for me now.

When Megan Dell and I were thinking about “Split Personalitoes”, a duo exhibition we had at No Vacancy Gallery in February 2010. I felt it was time to go back to my roots. After doing some asking around I was able to get my hands on some broken boards and started to work out what I wanted to paint on them. “Face & Fringe” is a classic stencil of mine so had to be included. I love my animals and what better than a sea turtle! “Jump” features a girl in bathers jumping off a pier, which is a very beachy thing to do. “Surfing Aisling” is named after a very good friend of mine who I use to go surfing with until she moved north to warmer waters. It features a girl just hanging out on her board, which is what me and her use to do alot together. Chatting about all the things one does over coffee, just in this case in between sets.

I felt that to display the boards properly they needed to be suspended by leg ropes so that their movement would reflect that of a surfers lifestyle.

Patchworked – Solo Show
At Large Gallery
208 High St, Northcote, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Exhibition Opening: Friday 17 September 2010, 6pm – 9pm
Exhibition: Friday 17 September – Thursday 30 September 2010

Website: www.atlargegallery.com or www.nicoletattersall.blogspot.com

Patchworked first solo #Melbourne show for Nicole Tattersall #animalrights #WSPA #geekgirl

At Large Gallery are proud to present “Patchworked”,  the first ever Melbourne solo exhibition by Nicole Tattersall. Opens Friday 17th  run until Thursday 30th September, 2010.

“Patchworked” is heavily influenced by the art and craft techniques of times gone by, Australia and a recent trip to Germany. Incorporating these factors with her passion for animal rights and the encouragement of using ones imagination. Working with more illustrative styles both in 2D and 3D formats, has allowed Nicole to get a little darker.

In the exhibition there are 3 illustrations, reflecting upon WSPA’s (World Society for the Protection of Animals) campaign against the live export of sheep.  These illustrations have been designed to be a conversation starter about the topic. Much like most of works planned for “Patchworked”.

Patchworked – Solo Show
At Large Gallery
208 High St, Northcote, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Exhibition Opening: Friday 17 September 2010, 6pm – 9pm
Exhibition: Friday 17 September – Thursday 30 September 2010

Website: www.atlargegallery.com or www.nicoletattersall.blogspot.com