Monday, April 6, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Good on ya Bulldogs!
All volunteers involved in fighting the recent Victorian bushfires will receive free entry to the Western Bulldogs versus North Melbourne round two match at the MCG.
Bulldogs president David Smorgon said on Wednesday that 30,000 members of the emergency services would be invited and he was hopeful of getting twice that many through the gate for the match that has been dubbed the Emergency Services Appreciation game.
"Between the Kangaroos and Bulldogs when we played in the late '90s we had over 60,000 people. We would hope this game gets the support of the football public," Smorgon said.
"There is only one other game on in Melbourne that day and together with up to 30,000 volunteers that will get in for free hopefully we will get a crowd in excess of 60,000.
"We think this is a very small but important way that the football public, the AFL and all the clubs involved can say thank you to the unsung heroes, the representatives of these organisations that will be recognised all the day."
Representatives of the 22 emergency services organisations will be officially welcomed out to the centre of the oval before the game, while the Red Cross will be collecting donations.
Smorgon also said that Bulldogs members who lived in the bushfire-affected areas would receive a free membership this year.
"We have about 300 members that lived in the bushfire affected areas and we have sent a letter to those people. If they have already renewed their membership we will be giving them their money back. If they haven’t renewed we will give them a free membership for 2009 because we think that is the least we can do as a footy club."
All Emergency Services personnel will be able to collect up to four tickets by showing their identification at marquees outside the MCG.
Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Bob Cameron, said he encouraged those who were involved in the Black Saturday fires to enjoy a day at the football with their family and friends.
"It’s another way we can show our appreciation to our men and women volunteers who have given so much of themselves.
"Football is a great way to relax and take time out, and I thank the AFL for giving our volunteers this well-earned opportunity," he said.
for westernbulldogs.com.au
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Power of Humanity
This video was shown at Sound Relief last weekend... a dual concert between Melbourne and Sydney that raised over $5mil for Red Cross. We were at the Melbourne concert along with 83,000 others at the MCG! It was unbelievable. What's also unbelievable is how much the stats from this video have changed...
-Emergency First Aid provided over 5,300 treatments
-Nearly $250 million has been raised
-Over 20,000 people registered with Red Cross to ensure they were safe and well
Not bad for this little country down under!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
I am Australian
There are a few defining moments in life. When I met Megan I knew I wanted to spend my life with her. When I went to Hurricane Katrina I realized I wanted to spend my life with the Red Cross. And when I went to the bushfire memorial and heard the mourning crowd sing this song... I wanted to spend my life in Australia. Don't panic, it's not like we've made that drastic of a decision... I'm just really moved by the way in which Australia has come together in the face of this tragedy. I love this country. We may only be "457's" and not Australians... but for now that's close enough.
(Extra verses were added to this classic song, specifically for the memorial. And two Kinglake survivors joined in the singing... and that officially brought the crowd to tears).
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
"Stay Home, Take Cover"
'Worst day in history': Brumby warns of fire danger
Marc Moncrief
February 6, 2009 - 12:02PM
Victorians should cancel whatever plans they may have had for tomorrow and take whatever steps necessary to prepare for what Premier John Brumby is calling the "worst day in the history of the state".
- 'Worst day in state's history'
- Stay at home, people told
- Extreme weather forecast
With temperatures set to soar to the mid-40s throughout Victoria, Mr Brumby said the conditions were worse than those that preceded the devastating bushfires of Ash Wednesday or Black Friday.
"It's just as bad a day as you can imagine and on top of that the state is just tinder-dry. People need to exercise real common sense tomorrow," he said.
"If you don't need to go out, don't go out, it's a seriously bad day.
"If you don't need to travel, don't travel.
"Don't go on the roads. If you don't need to use the public transport system, don't use it.
"If you can stay at home, stay at home.
"If you've got relatives who are elderly, if you've got friends, if you've got neighbours, please call on them.
"Ring them ... it's going to be a terrible day for anyone who is ill or who is old.
Mr Brumby said he expected Melbourne to reach 43 or 44 degrees with similar temperatures throughout the state, reaching as high as 46 in Mildura.
He said if anything, the expectation was for the day to be even hotter rather than cooler.
He recalled scenes last week of wooden power poles self-igniting.
"I can't stress this enough, I know that the chief fire officer has been out and he said it will be as bad as you can get and he's not exaggerating," Mr Brumby said.
Marc Moncrief
February 6, 2009 - 12:02PM
Victorians should cancel whatever plans they may have had for tomorrow and take whatever steps necessary to prepare for what Premier John Brumby is calling the "worst day in the history of the state".
- 'Worst day in state's history'
- Stay at home, people told
- Extreme weather forecast
With temperatures set to soar to the mid-40s throughout Victoria, Mr Brumby said the conditions were worse than those that preceded the devastating bushfires of Ash Wednesday or Black Friday.
"It's just as bad a day as you can imagine and on top of that the state is just tinder-dry. People need to exercise real common sense tomorrow," he said.
"If you don't need to go out, don't go out, it's a seriously bad day.
"If you don't need to travel, don't travel.
"Don't go on the roads. If you don't need to use the public transport system, don't use it.
"If you can stay at home, stay at home.
"If you've got relatives who are elderly, if you've got friends, if you've got neighbours, please call on them.
"Ring them ... it's going to be a terrible day for anyone who is ill or who is old.
Mr Brumby said he expected Melbourne to reach 43 or 44 degrees with similar temperatures throughout the state, reaching as high as 46 in Mildura.
He said if anything, the expectation was for the day to be even hotter rather than cooler.
He recalled scenes last week of wooden power poles self-igniting.
"I can't stress this enough, I know that the chief fire officer has been out and he said it will be as bad as you can get and he's not exaggerating," Mr Brumby said.
Adelaide Heatwave
I have been in Adelaide, South Australia for the past few days as a result of the heatwave. Adelaide has been crippled by over 10 days of heat. Red Cross here is working with the government to identify "vulnerable" populations (i.e.- elderly people and people with disabilities). Our teams of volunteers are calling over 4,500 people each day. It's been a great thing to be a part of. The Adelaide staff have welcomed me (and the other 3 "inter-staters") with open arms. I miss my Megan, but it's been a really good opportunity to manage a team of staff and volunteers.
Tomorrow... I head home!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
HOT HOT HOT!
We are currently in the middle of the "Heatwave of the Century" in Melbourne with 4 days over 40 degrees C. Today is our second day at 43 degrees (approx 110 degrees F for those of you playing at home). Melbourne can't cope with such heat. The train tracks are buckling (literally... they are buckling. There are guys with hoses trying to cool them down), most people don't have air con at home (including us) and it's time to just pack up the boogie boards and live at the beach! It's HOOOOOT!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
camel anyone?
this was listed today as our "aussie recipe of the day"...
Camel meatballs with a lovely mint dipping sauce
Put aside your mental image of a horrid, spitting beast--camel makes for a wonderful meal. The meat tastes a bit like strong-flavoured lamb, only with a unique, sweet aftertaste that makes pairing camel with sauce a challenge. This mint/yoghurt dipping sauce is the perfect partner for these meatball
Camel meatballs with a lovely mint dipping sauce
Put aside your mental image of a horrid, spitting beast--camel makes for a wonderful meal. The meat tastes a bit like strong-flavoured lamb, only with a unique, sweet aftertaste that makes pairing camel with sauce a challenge. This mint/yoghurt dipping sauce is the perfect partner for these meatball
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Our 2nd Annual trip to the Boxing Day Test
December 26, 2008
South Africa v. Australia
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Boxing Day- Day 1 (of 5)
Christmas lunch menu
(we had wedges on the patio in our sandy post-boogie boarding outfits, then made Christmas dinner at home)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
