In 2005, suspicions arose that the Tweed Shire Council were doing under-the-table dealings with developers.

As a result, the entire Council was sacked by the Government and administrators were appointed. The accusations were never proven.

Three years later, Mr Polglase says he has not been affected by the controversy and ran for mayor once again in the local elections in September 2008.

While Mr Polglase doesn’t believe his reputation has been scarred, he did suggest that the event had some effect on voters in the last election.

Current councillor, Kevin Skinner, went further to say that “[Mr Polglase’s] preference votes dropped alarmingly and he was lucky to get in”.

Both Mr Polglase and Mr Skinner agree that the sacking was a “motivated political process”.

Mr Polglase suggests that the State Government saw the Council as a threat.

He says: “I was promoted to be a candidate at the next state election so the way to eliminate that process is to sack the council”.

Local voter and investor, Adam Thomson, states: “It’s an outrage that somebody can be elected by the people then removed by the Government with nothing to prove the allegations made”.

The Tweed Shire sacking is not the only case in recent times.

Also in 2005, the suburban Glen Eira Council was sacked due to “personality clashes, politics and egos”.

More recently, in March 2008 the Wollongong Council was sacked on request of the State Government after suspicions of corruption.

Mr Polglase implies that “the Local Government are servant to the State Government”, hence the ease of his dismissal in 2005.

Despite the dismissal and inadequate support for mayor, Mr Polglase says that he has a passion for Local Government and will continue to “develop confidence back into the Tweed” as mayor or not.

‘ShineGIRL’, is based on three core values – worth, strength and purpose.

Facilitator, Christine Thomson, says “in every lesson we’ll be enforcing the core values using object lessons and practical activities using skin care, makeup, hair, etiquette, deportment and grooming”.

“We’ll touch on things like eating disorders and teen suicide, depending on the dynamic of the group and what issues are important to their world.”

Fourteen girls in years eight and nine were handpicked by Bronwyn MacKney, Head Teacher of Welfare. She says she chose “students I know don’t have a lot of confidence or have problems socialising”.

Mrs MacKney is positive about the program and says “it will do a lot of good for the kids”.
She says that while some of them see it as a chance to get out of class, studious girls can see the benefits of the program and are “really excited”.

Jenny Maroney, Director of City Care at Generation South, says she is looking forward to “seeing the beauty of the girls realised and seeing confidence that will help them walk into their future”.

Criticism in the past was that the course focussed too much on beauty. Jenny Maroney says that “the substance of the course hasn’t changed but it’s been improved to place more emphasis on the beauty within”.

Kim Felton, a previous participant of ‘ShineGIRL’, says: “The practical stuff was good but I got the most out of the inner stuff. It gave me more confidence.”

Pastors of Generation, Chris and Audrey Carmona, have seen positive results from ‘ShineGIRL’. As a past facilitator, Mrs Carmona says that the main difference in the girls by the end was that “most of them were a lot more confident”.

Mr Carmona says: “It’s an amazing course and I’d love my daughter to do it”.

Having started out “down the bottom”, ‘Galey’ says that showing initiative and passion is what will get you far. “Get your foot in the door and show a little bit of passion. You never know what might grow from there,” he says.

As the voice of local radio station ‘Sea FM’ and mascot for the Gold Coast Titans, these achievements can be accredited to his passion for people.

With 20 years of experience up his sleeve, ‘Galey’ knows well the importance of personality and people skills.

Galey’s personality surely does shine through in his casual Gold Coast attire, quirky comments and overall relaxed presence.

He says that the key to constantly staying lively and energetic is a love for people. “I’m just lucky and enjoy people so I think that if you show a little bit of interest in people at the end of the day that’s what the business is”.

He says some radio presenters enjoy the recognition but don’t like people. In a competitive industry “their career won’t be a long one.”

As many other FM radio stations have similar formats and content, it comes down to the show with the “bigger and brighter personality,” he says.

We have all heard of Galey’s infamous ‘crazy calls’, which involve setting up a victim for a prank call.

While the atmosphere at Sea FM is about fun and entertainment, Paul understands that he must be mindful of the audience and where to draw the line. He says: “I have kids of my own and I have to think about some things I say and whether I, as a parent, would want my kids to hear it.”

theradio.com.au

The report found that there are approximately 100,000 people homeless in Australia, with 26 percent being families with children.

With people losing jobs and being unable to keep up with financial commitments, many are looking to the economic crisis as the cause.

The Homeless Persons Information Centre in Sydney are receiving more calls from people facing homelessness due to not being able to pay rent and mortgages than substance abuse or family breakdown.

The economic crisis that first hit the United States has now become blatant in Australia and families are feeling urged to seek help.

Reporter Angela Saurine from The Daily Telegraph found that those at risk of homelessness are turning to “financial counselling and brokerage services” to avoid ending up on the street.

The ABS report also found that on census night 84 percent of homeless actually had temporary accommodation either with friends or relatives, in boarding houses or hostels.

Many argue that more affordable housing will minimise the number of homeless.

Simon Smith, Executive Officer of Homelessness Australia states that “because we are moving into a deteriorating economic environment… an increase in public and community housing will be very important to help us to address the social effects that will come from that”.

The Government has committed to building 50,000 affordable rental homes for low and moderate income earners and around 3,000 homes for people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, according to an ABC reporter.

PM, Kevin Rudd says that the target is to halve the number of homeless by 2020.

In addition, tax payers will be awarded stimulus packages within the next few weeks in an attempt to rejuvenate the economic climate and ultimately reduce the number at risk of becoming homeless.

Historian Henry Reynolds says that while Aboriginal history is in the current curriculum, he is not defending it being used to its full extent.

He says: “There is now good curriculum material available but I am by no means sure if it is being well used.”

Avalon Kiely, teacher at Mullumbimby High School, says enough Aboriginal history is taught.

She says the history is important but “we need to move on and make the most of what we’ve got now”.

Although history is taught in part, Aboriginal culture is another issue, according to Tweed Heads Public School teacher, Paula French.

Mrs French says: “In the schools that I’ve worked in there’s not a lot of indigenous culture taught and in some schools it’s because there’s only a small percentage of Aboriginal children.”

She says that the system is flawed when culture is only taught to Indigenous children.

“It’s very important that both sides learn the culture and history as well as staff… They’re teaching Aboriginal kids but they don’t know anything about their culture.”

Mrs French says teaching should also be done outside the classroom.

“It should be taught by an Aboriginal person and they should be taken out of the classroom setting because you learn more… experiencing Aboriginal communities and sites.”

Avalon Kiely says: “We have an Aboriginal group on campus… who go to surfing competitions and participate in Aboriginal dancing. They’re involved in a lot of cultural stuff.”

Past student, Kim Felton, says at Tweed River High School, there is segregation between white groups and Aboriginal groups.

“There are groups who get along well with white people but it’s not common. They usually group to themselves”

Paula French suggests that segregation is often caused by a lack of understanding. She says: “If you get to know someone’s culture you become aware of the differences and you’re more comfortable with it.”

A group of keen Easterfesters at the entrance to Queens Park, Toowoomba

Easterfest 2009, held in Queens Park, Toowoomba was host to over 150 contemporary Christian artists from around the globe; however, the focus of the festival was beyond the music.

Each artist seemed to be united by one common cause – spreading love and compassion to a world in need.

One of the key organisations supported by Easterfest is Compassion, a non-profit organisation sponsoring children in third world countries. Over the course of the weekend, 500 children were sponsored through the support of artists and Compassion ambassadors.

African gospel band ‘The Sowers Group’ are testimonies of the impact of Compassion. Each band member was born into extreme poverty situations but through Compassion, they are now touring the world sharing the love of Christ. One band member says: “It is a miracle for me to be where I am now.” Another says: “Even if God brought me to this Earth to do only this, I would be happy”.

Beyond their passion for music, many other artists are using their success as a means of doing something greater.

US band, Audio Adrenaline are funding an orphanage in Haiti and now in Nicaragua as part of their ‘Hands and Feet’ project. The band says they felt compelled by God to do something more than just sing. Band member, Mark says: “Hands and Feet will be our legacy, not our music.”

Australian pop singer, Rebecca St James hosts ‘She Girl’ events for girls around the world. She says: “We talk about beauty, purity and purpose as well as play music”. Making known these messages to the world is what Rebecca calls “the whole reason for our existence”.

In a weekend of reaching out to others, crowds left with piles of new CD’s and a head full of inspiring messages to contemplate.

Easterfest Website

Audio Adrenaline promote their 'Hands and Feet' project at Easterfest 2009

Easterfest 2009 was host to over 150 contemporary Christian artists; however, the focus of the festival was beyond the music.

Each artist seemed to be united by one common cause – spreading love and compassion to a world in need.

Held in Toowoomba, from 10 – 12 March 2009, Easterfest attracted crowds of thousands to the muddy Queens Park, featuring artists from Australia and around the globe. Beyond their passion for music, many artists are using their success as a means of doing something greater.

Renowned US band, Audio Adrenaline are making a difference through their ‘Hands and Feet’ project. As part of the project, the band have funded an orphanage on the South Coast of Haiti and now also Nicaragua in addition to writing songs shedding light on the poverty taking place. The band says they felt compelled by God to do something more than just sing. Band member, Mark says: “Hands and Feet will be our legacy, not our music.”

One of the key organisations supported by Easterfest is Compassion. Compassion is a non-profit organisation sponsoring children in third world countries. Over the course of the weekend, 500 children were sponsored through the support of featured artists and Compassion ambassadors.

African gospel band ‘The Sowers Group’ are testimonies of the impact of Compassion. Each band member was born into extreme poverty situations but through sponsorship and the support of Compassion, they are now touring the world sharing the love of Christ. One band member says: “It is a miracle for me to be where I am now.” Another says: “Even if God brought me to this Earth to do only this, I would be happy”. They press that music is inseparable from their story and their life and realise that sharing this story is now their calling.

Headlining artist Newworldson also sponsor children through Compassion and always aim to leave more than a catchy tune with people. Band member, Joel, says: “I like knowing what I do has an impact on people”.

For the girls, Christian pop princess Rebecca St James is known for her purity and pro-life messages. She hosts what are known as ‘She Girl’ events for girls only around the world. She says: “We talk about beauty, purity and purpose [along with other girl issues] as well as play music”. Making known these messages to the world is what Rebecca calls “the whole reason for our existence”.

Home grown trio, Paul Colman Trio don’t limit their audiences to paying crowds. They visit places such as jails, hospitals, clubs and high schools to name a few. Lead singer, Paul admits he struggled with insecurity issues and only overcame them by realising God loves him. The band now aims to share this love to all kinds of audiences.

In a weekend of reaching out to others, crowds left with piles of new CD’s and a head full of inspiring messages to contemplate.

Easterfest continues to be about more than music each year as several artists mentioned will be returning with more to share and Compassion remaining to be promoted at the festival.

Easterfest Website

Mr Thomson says that children are treated like it’s a good thing to be sick.

“These days kids are awarded for being sick. They’re given a day off from school and they have mum wait on them while they watch DVD’s all day”.

“My kids are very rarely sick so when do they get a chance to have a day off?”

 Mr Thomson says he would rather award his kids for being well, a decision that isn’t easily understood by teachers.

“My son’s teacher couldn’t understand why I had given my son a day off for being well.”

Cars parked along Parklands Drive while construction has minimised parking at Griffith

 The lack of parking at Griffith University is still a major issue.

Although two new car parks are being constructed, the only students to benefit are those holding a parking permit.

For others, some walk up to 20 minutes to get to class. One student says: “I have to leave home half an hour earlier to allow time to find a park and walk to class.”

John Skinner of Griffith Corporate Services encourages the use of public transport or bikes as an alternative.

The construction of the Gold Coast University Hospital has drastically decreased the amount of parking spaces available.

Parking at Parklands Show Ground has also seen a $0.50 increase adding to the financial struggle of uni students.

Students share a round of drinks at Griffith Uni Bar

With the convenience of a uni bar at most universities across Australia, it is easier for students to become involved in a drinking culture.

Griffith University student, Alex Eaves says that drinking “helps [her] relax between different classes.” Another student says that it “helps [him] get away from the stress of uni.”

While some students find drinking helpful to relax, others are seen to abuse the substance. At the recent Toga Party, students were seen drinking excessively to find themselves hung over the next day.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing found that “four Australians under 25 die and 70 will be hospitalised due to alcohol related injuries in an average week”.

“One in two Australians will [also] do something they regret” under the influence of alcohol.

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