Exchange For Change

Host an ‘Exchange for Change’ party – have fun, share with friends and re-vamp your wardrobe for next to nothing. You’ll be helping Oxfam Australia to stamp out global poverty at the same time.

Exchange for Change runs 1-30 September 2009. It is a new fundraising event which asks women to host clothes swap parties to raise money for those less fortunate. Women get together anytime or anywhere across Australia throughout September to swap clothing items that are no longer loved, wanted or worn. Voluntary donations from the events will go directly to Oxfam Australia’s invaluable work both in Australia and overseas.

This is shopping made fun for fashionistas with a conscience. With Exchange for Change, women can experience the thrill of shopping without hurting the hip pocket.

“As the credit crunch hits all of us, frugality is fashion forward and thrift is the new cool. We are simply asking women to simply rid themselves of clothes that they no longer want and get a new look for next to nothing. Supporters can also feel good also know that they’re helping to provide a brighter future for those less fortunate,” says Exchange for Change founder Kris McIntyre.

(press release)

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Nominate yourself or other inspirational business women

Women who own or operate their own business overwhelmingly believe they can successfully weather the tough economic times, according to new research commissioned for the 2009 Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

The Telstra survey of working women revealed that while 90 per cent of women who own or operate their own business are concerned about the state of the economy, 88 per cent are confident of leading their business successfully through the recession. Ms Holly Kramer, Group Managing Director, Telstra Product Management and Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador, said the survey results showed women in business were determined to succeed.

“Nominations for the Telstra Business Women’s Awards are now open and we are looking
forward to recognising and rewarding some of Australia’s leading business women who continue to excel in their respective fields despite the economic downturn,” Ms Kramer said.

“The fact that women across the country are confident of breaking through the worst global
financial conditions in living memory is testament to their courage and tenacity, and we continue to see the resilience and strength of Australian women shining through.” The survey also revealed that 75 per cent of women who own and operate their own business are taking positive action to combat the downturn. The most common actions women are taking in their business are cutting costs and improving efficiency (23%) and working harder (18%).

“During these challenging times, programs like the Telstra Business Women’s Awards
offer successful business women the opportunity to raise their business’ profile and be
recognised for their success.” Ms Kramer said. “From entrepreneurs to innovators, young business women to corporate leaders, and those working in the not-for-profit sector, the Telstra Business Women’s Awards program has recognised more than 400 exceptional business women since its inception in 1995. “We are calling on all Australians to nominate deserving women, whose business journey, hard work and dedication to their chosen field have been an inspiration to others.”

2008 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year Leanne Wesche, said that winning
her Award was an incredibly rewarding experience that would always remain with her.

“Women are often not good at highlighting their achievements and the Awards provide the
much-needed recognition for women in business all over Australia. I would encourage all
women in business to participate in the program. Winning such a prestigious award was a
great honour and has opened many doors and raised my profile,” Ms Wesche said.

In 2009, there are five Award categories open to Australian business women:

• Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award – for owners with a 50 per cent
  share or more in a business with responsibility for key management decision
  making;
• Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award – for employees in the private and
  corporate sectors, or owners with less than a 50 per cent share of a business;
• White Pages Community and Government Award – for employees in government departments, statutory bodies and not-for-profit organisations;
• Nokia Business Innovation Award – for eligible business owners, private sector employees and entrepreneurs who answer the Innovation questions in the Entry form; and
• marie claire Young Business Women’s Award – for entrants who are eligible in
  one of the three qualifying categories who were born on or after July 30, 1974.

Awards are offered in each category in every state and territory with the winners eligible
for the national finals in November.

To nominate yourself or other inspirational business women visit:
www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com or call 1800 817 536 during business hours.
Nominations close 10 July, 2009.

Disclaimer: I didn’t write this. Thought I would share this press release in case someone was interested

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Those poor babies

I’m sure you have all heard about the octo-mom, as she is now being called. If not, I’m referring to Nadya Suleman who has recently given birth to octuplets and already having 6 children.

I have refrained from blogging about her because of mixed emotions about the whole situation but while I was doing an IT job search, I got a bit side tracked and I stumbled across her new website which is asking for donations. I’m not linking to it because I’m not encouraging anyone to donate.

She has said in various interviews that she was not going to beg for hand outs. So what else has she lied about?

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He should have gotten longer

I remember feeling so sad and heartbroken for Brian Corrigan when I first saw him on the evening news. He was in tears, begging the public to help find the person who killed his pregnant wife. I just couldn’t imagine the emotional pain this poor man was going through.

But it didn’t take long for the truth to come out. HE was the one who murdered his wife and tried to deceive everyone with his lies so he wouldn’t be caught. I felt sick! How can someone in their right mind kill their spouse, let alone killing her while she is 7 months pregnant with their baby?!

Corrigan was sentenced to up to 22 years jail but today was released, after only serving 16 years. Personally I don’t think that even 22 years is enough for taking someone’s life but hey, I’m no lawyer or judge or anything.

Just because someone is being a model prisoner should not influence the time they spend in jail. I think it’s just common sense that if someone is trouble, they will be good for a time to show that they CAN be good. My kids do the same thing. If they get into trouble at home and they get grounded for a week by me or Bill, they’ll be really well-behaved for the first few days in the hope that we will reduce their grounding. But I don’t care how well-behaved they are. I gave them a week because of what they had done and it sticks. Call me tough or whatever, but that’s what I do.

At Corrigan’s trial, he first claimed that it was an intruder that had killed his wife. When that wasn’t convincing, he then blamed the voices in his head. He had nothing to say as he walked free this morning.

HIs wife’s family must be shattered to hear that he has been released early. The Parole Authority should have given more attention to the family’s concerns and the murderer’s history of deception.

I am disgusted that this man has be allowed to walk free while his wife and unborn child’s lives were cut short.

Tags: Brian Corrigan,news,wife,lies,spouse,life,lawyer,Parole,murderer,deception

What are you thoughts on this?

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Good for the environment…

…but bad for you. That is what they were saying tonight on a current affairs show about the compact fluorescent light bulbs. We’re being told that we should replace all our bulbs with these “green bulbs” because they are better for the environment but what they aren’t telling you is that they can be dangerous to your health!

Incandescent bulbs are being phased out in November 2009 because they burn about 80% more energy than the newer bulbs. But the newer bulbs give off dangerous amounts of radiation and can cause skin disorders.

Have you read the packaging from the compact fluorescent light bulbs? I haven’t and that’s why I didn’t know about the concentration of mercury contained in the CFL light bulbs. The glass tubing contains about 4.0mg per bulb and when the bulbs are broken or smashed open, a white vapour mist escapes and can cause dangerous levels of mercury in the surrounding environment.

When we first heard that replacing all the light bulbs in the house was great for the environment and would save us money, we didn’t think twice about buying the CFL bulbs. But I can tell you that I’m seriously thinking about stocking up on incandescent bulbs before they are no longer available and we have no choice but to use CFLs.

So, what do you think? Are you going to use bulbs that are better for the environment or are you going to use bulbs that are safer for you?

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R.I.P Rob Guest

Rob Guest died yesterday after suffering a massive stroke. My heart goes out to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Image source: ABC

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