Sea Shepherd is intervening to defend #Whales

On December 7, 2009 the Sea Shepherd’s – Steve Irwin will depart to defend endangered whales in the Antarctic Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

Starting in December, the Japanese whaling fleet will be targeting 935 piked (Minke) whales and another 50 fin whales, and has threatened to add humpbacks to their quota as well. The Sea Shepherd intends to once again negate their illicit profits.

Because of Sea Shepherd interventions, the Japanese whalers have suffered losses for three years. They are making steady progress towards their objective of sinking the entire Japanese whaling fleet – economically.

You can support the Sea Shepherd in a variety of ways! Go to the Sea Shepherd website.

Volunteer Book Narrators wanted – Melbourne

Are you an articulate, avid reader with superior powers of concentration? Then Vision Australia needs you.

They are seeking volunteers to narrate a range of books for their library service, which turns print into sound for people who are blind or have low vision.

Their national library produces audio books in a wide variety of genres, including novels, biographies and histories.

Having a background in theatre or radio would be an advantage, but such experience is not essential. What is vital, however, is that volunteers are able to record during business hours at Vision Australia Kooyong, Melbourne.

To apply, send a CV and/or short (2-3mins) voice recording in either tape, CD or mp3 format either by email or by post.

As the nation’s largest provider of blindness and low vision services, Vision Australia is committed to delivering exceptional and efficient services that open up exciting possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.

Phone: 1300 84 74 66
Email: info@visionaustralia.org

Food drops for Victorian wildlife

Guidelines and how you can access food to help bushfire affected wildlife has been prepared by Wildlife Victoria.

Many of Victoria’s native wildlife have managed to survive the recent devastating bushfires, but their food source is no longer available. Many are now facing starvation.

With the tireless work of many volunteers conducting food drops in fire affected areas, many lives have been saved; however, there are still large numbers of wildlife which have not been reached and they need our help!!

Wildlife Victoria has been providing the appropriate food free of charge to all wildlife carers, community groups and members of the public interested in doing food drops.

General information about how to evaluate and assess the food drop process has also been developed to help make the decisions accordingly.

To access this information, please click here.

If you would like to help with food drops in your area, please contact

Adriana Simmonds
Food Drop Coordinator
Wildlife Victoria
E: Adriana@wildlifevictoria.org.au

New York Street Advertising Takeover

Jordan Seiler’s incredibly ambitious “New York Street Advertising Takeover” has become a reality, with more than 120 illegal billboards throughout the city white washed by dozens of volunteers. NYSAT was organized as a reaction to the hundreds of billboards that are not registered with the city, and therefore are illegal. While illegal, these violations are not being prosecuted by the City of New York, allowing the billboard companies to garner huge profits by cluttering our outdoor space with intrusive and ugly ads.

After the illegal spots were white washed, late in the day yesterday over eighty artists transformed these spaces into personal pieces of art.

More via the Wooster Collective website.

Vounteers wanted – Change the World.

“This documentary follows the challenges, the struggles, the seemingly impossible dreams of 12 ordinary Australians who are being given the chance (by way of financial and practical support) to go out into the broader community and make a significant and positive impact in the world.

This film is a mass media vehicle that will capture the realities of making real change, and deliver the vision to all Australians in an entertaining and meaningful way.”

For more information please go to our website: http://www.changetheworld.com.au

The producers are looking for emerging talented individuals to assist us in filming and editing short clips of social change and business leaders, personalities and sporting identities that are located in Melbourne.

Clips will be no longer than 5 minutes

Needed:
Camera Persons & Sound Recordists:
•Preference given to established teams – Individuals still can apply
•Must have access to own camera tripod and microphones.
•Ability to flim in High Definition 1080i or JVC 720p format on mini DV
•Camera should have canon (XLR) audio jacks
•Quality shotgun microphone and or lapel mics must be used  – high quality
audio is critical!
•To film in Docklands studio or on location (Melbourne Metro)- Own Transport

Editors:
•Ability to do basic cut
•Own edit suite
•Have access to final cut pro

If interested please contact Brent Masters via email: brent@changetheworld.com.au

Important information regarding food drops for wildlife in Victoria

Some animals have survived the recent devastating bush fires but their food source is no longer there. We can help those animals to stay alive and healthy under very specific guidelines.
 
Wildlife Victoria is supporting carers by providing food and advice.  
 
…If we really care about our wildlife, we need to care just as much about the environment that supports it…
 
-         Only feed on private land with the land owner’s consent. Leaving food for wildlife in public land is prohibited by DSE due to the environmental and health risks involved.
-         Using food with seeds and grains in it could spread environmental weeds into the forest, unbalancing the fragile ecosystem and therefore, affecting wildlife in the long term.
-         We recommend kangaroo and wallaby pellets in combination with pasture replacement pellets, since processed food does not pose a risk of weeds spreading.
-         Some animals will take a while to recognise this type of food, but eventually they will start eating it.
-         For birds, use small seeds such as cockatiel mixed with fresh green and/or orange vegetables. Do not use sunflower seeds.
-         Clean up feeding stations regularly to avoid health hazards.
-         Feed away from roads and dangerous places for the wildlife.
-         When natural food is available, start reducing supplementary food to avoid dependency.
-         When using hay, be aware that Meadow and grass hay have seeds in them. Lucerne hay does not have seeds, but it may predispose macropods to lumpy jaw.
 
For further information please contact Adriana Simmonds. mb: 0423242037

Email:adriana@wildlifevictoria.org.au
Website: http://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au

Volunteers needed for Sustainable Living Festival

The annual Sustainable Living Festival is an exciting and action packed three day weekend at Melbourne’s Federation Square. There will be stalls, talks, art shows and performances on how to reduce your footprint on our planet in peril. The festival will include a number of presentations on vegan cooking and ALV’s popular Freeda Cow will be on hand to let people know her milk is for her baby – thank you very much!

ALV will be running a stall at the festival and volunteers are needed for the Saturday and Sunday. It will be a wonderful opportunity to spread the vegan/animal rights message to the huge crowds that will attend. If you would like to join our team of volunteers at the festival please phone Kasia on 0438386185 or email your mobile number to kasia.kinsky@gmail.com and let her know which days and times you are available to help. Animal Liberation Victoria desperately need people for Saturday, Feb 21 and Sunday Feb 22 for the following shifts: 9.30am-12noon, 11.30am-2pm, 1.30pm-4pm, 3.30pm-6pm. Thank You!

website: Sustainable Living Festival

Bushfire Trauma – and how Animal Liberation Victoria is helping

“Animal Liberation Victoria (ALV) are in spirit and solidarity with all the victims of this horrendous tragedy. Rescue teams have been out in the badly affected areas working. It is hard to get access being a crime scene, but we were allowed access with the rescue van which was filled with hay/feed/water and an experienced crew.

Patty Mark’s blog describes ALV’s most recent search and rescue: Trauma amidst the ashes. ALV are planning food drops in the Gippsland area this weekend if we are allowed access. Please Contact ALV if you are able to help in any way.”

Editor’s note: I was totally moved by Patty’s blog (it made me cry) she really captures the spirit of her passion – saving and protecting animals. Her recent blog on the trauma suffered by the magnificent livestock is the quintessential read on the quiet dignity of animals.

Btw, I am not just staying home crying and doing nothing. Let;s leave that for the contestants of the Biggest Loser and So you think you can Dance. I have volunteered for the Salvos — it was very rewarding and satisfying — so the best way I believe for you to help if you don’t know how (besides money); is to volunteer your time and get down to one of your Salvation Army Centres and help pack donations of food, toiletries and clothes.

Bless: GG

Help the Animals of the Victorian Bushfires

For Melbourne people who can donate animal food and accessories, the Richmond Veterinary Clinic at 259 Church St, Richmond (http://www.richmondvetclinic.com.au/) – Melbourne has become a hub for food distribution to the effected areas. As many people are aware the animal population has been devastated by the wildfires. Phone Richmond Vet Clinic on 03 9428 2220

Sick and injured animals are being cared for by organizations like Wildlife Victoria (http://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/cms/index.php), Animal Aid (http://www.animalaid.com.au/) and the Victorian branch of the RSPCA (http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/news_bushfires.htm).

However animals and birds in bushfire areas desperately need food and water. The Richmond clinic is accepting all types of pet and animal food, including: dog food, cat food, bird seed and even livestock food supplies. They are also in desperate need of medicine for animals, like antibiotics and other first aid, bandages, guaze etc, sheets, blankets etc

Please help and generously donate by contributing to this vital cause. Any vets or vet nurses who haven’t yet registered to assist with triage can find information through relevant organisations.

Anyone with spare land that can take animals – livestock especially – are also encouraged to contact organisations for offers of help. Alhtough money is essential to help the victims of the bushfire; and Victorians have reacted with immediate generosity, the help of directly delivering food to a distribution centre is essential.

Bless, GG.

Guerilla Gardening – EngageMedia style

As part of the Climate Camp distributed direct action day, Brett organised a Guerrilla-style working bee to kick-start plans to revitalise the space at Webb Park. Bronwyn swung-by to check out the action.