Harmony Day is an initiative of the Commonwealth Government to encourage people to say no to racism, reaffirm our shared values as a community and celebrate Australia's advancements as a multicultural society.

The main objectives of Harmony Day are to promote:

• inclusiveness - to ensure that Australians understand that multiculturalism is relevant to all Australians
• productivity diversity - to ensure that Australians act to maximise the social, economic and cultural dividends of our diversity and to promote the benefits
• community harmony - to ensure that Australians acknowledge Australia's success as a harmonious and culturally diverse nation and work to bolster community harmony.

The theme for Harmony Day is You Me AUStralia.

Harmony Day was originally developed in Western Australia in 1998 to promote community harmony and address racism in Western Australia.

Due to the success of Harmony Day in Western Australia, the Commonwealth Government adopted the concept and since 1999 it has been celebrated nationally on 21 March each year. This date coincides with the UN Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an important community awareness-raising day that focuses on the need to eliminate racism in all its forms.

Harmony Day, on the other hand, is the ‘celebration’ of cultural diversity, with events on this day often taking the form of activities related to song, dance and food. These types of activities can undermine the anti-racism message.

Harmony Day events are organised in every State and Territory by the Commonwealth Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

Australia's first National Harmony Day was held on 21 March 1999 to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. National Harmony Day promotes the social, cultural and economic benefits provided by Australia's rich cultural and linguistic diversity. It is a simple and powerful way of expressing that there is no place in our community for racial intolerance or disharmony. It also encourages a sense of citizenship and pride in our nation and local community.

The Living in Harmony Initiative is designed to highlight cultural issues for all Australian citizens, and give all Australian's collective goals to reduce racism within Australia, such as:

· Take a stand against racism, prejudice and intolerance;

· Help build a peaceful and productive future for our children by setting an example of how to live in harmony, making the most of racial, cultural, social and religious diversity;

· Put into practice the best of traditional Australian values - justice, equality, fairness and friendship.

· Celebrate Australia's many successes as a diverse and harmonious multicultural society;

· Re-commit to common values of respect and goodwill towards our fellow Australian's of all backgrounds;

· Say 'NO' to racism.

Australia is one of the world’s most multicultural nations and is made up of many indigenous, immigrant and refugee cultures. For the past 200 years immigrants have helped change and shape Australia’s national identity by sharing their rich cultural experiences, histories and traditions.

Australia recognises that Aboriginal peoples are the First Australians and that the population is drawn from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. People of more than 200 different nationalities Australia, speak over 200 languages (including 45 Indigenous languages) and practise over 100 religious faiths. One in every two Australians has a strong connection with another country and culture.

People from diverse backgrounds have made and continue to make significant contributions both to the economic development of Australia and to shaping the political, social, religious, sporting and cultural life of the nation.

Multiculturalism has helped Australia to develop a dynamic, colourful and vibrant society. Cultural diversity is one of our most valuable assets, enriching the nation’s social fabric and bringing with it a variety of cultural and economic benefits.

Labels: Australia

For over two weeks I was assigned on site assisting the project manager in Telstra’s Jersey project. This is the upgrade of 9,000 base stations Australia wide, for the Telstra 3G mobile network.

The site is in Broadmeadows and I’m from Dingley Village. To those not in the know, Broadmeadows is in the north of Melbourne while Dingley is in the southeast. Given that, it would take at least a good hour’s drive each way without traffic and between 1.5- 2hrs with moderate traffic. Sobrang nakakapagod pag inaraw-araw ang pagpaparoo’t parito.

I just learned two days ago that Massa P’s Fruityoaty and GJ and Raquel’s Palabok are both nominated in the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards in the Personal category. I lurk in their blogs regularly. While I haven’t met Massa P (as she is in Canada), GJ and Raquel are friends here in Melbourne. (Hey Massa, how about taking holidays here in Oz, would gladly take you around. ("_").

Also, The Composed Gentleman added fruityoaty in the weekly poll for The Filipino Blog of the Week. As of this writing, fruity is in the second spot trailing by over 30 votes to gwapasila. I have yet to visit gwapasila but will do soon once I’m done with all other blogs I follow.

In another story, while I am happily blogging my day at work, I can hear noises of the race cars at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. The venue, Albert Park is not too far from the office. Today is Day 2, qualifying session for the Australian Celebrities Challenge will be on and F1 drivers will have practice sessions.

Labels: Australia, Life et al, Sports/Outdoor Activities

Within three years, the incandescent lamps or the globes, as they are popularly known among Aussies, would be phased out. Flourescent lamps would soon rule every Aussie home. The warm light would b replaced by cold light. Isn’t that cool.

I have always been for fluorescent lamps (this is also called daylight lamps in the Philippines). I like the sunlight-like glow of these lamps compared to the warm yellow glow of the globes. Globes emit more heat too.

The flouro lamp may cost more than the globe but this is its only disadvantage. The initial cost will be offset by the long-term savings benefited from less energy consumption and longer life of the lamp. Normally, flouros last ten times longer than the bulb. A flouro will only use 5% of the electricity that a globe will consume to give the same illumination.

This is a wise move to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse emissions.

Labels: All, Australia, Environment

Labels: Australia, Life et al, Pensiveness/Rants, The Geek Wannabe in Me

Labels: Australia, Life et al

The operation of a bikini car wash called Kittens at the corner of North and Warrigal Roads here in Melbourne has irked a lot of residents and church groups. The local council has received numerous complaints about the business and the bikini-clad women who are very visible from the street.

Recently, the car wash attracted media attention (again). The owner, who also operates a strip club, plans to expand his business and has lodged applications with two other municipalities.

The business may be legal, but is it morally correct?

Shane and I have opposing opinions on this. He thinks there is nothing wrong with it, it's just women in swimwear trying to earn a living. For me, its demeaning to women. It's exploitation.

When people on the street were asked what they think of the business, almost all men who were asked say they like it, nothing wrong with it. Whereas women gave negative answers.

I think these men are just thinking with their dick. (pardon the language)

Labels: Australia, Life et al

Yes! Bananas are back in the Australian supermarket shelves.

For almost a year now, bananas became scarce when the Northern Queensland where over 90% of Australian bananas came from, was hit by tropical cyclone Larry. Prices went as high as $13.00 a kilo.

Labels: Australia, Glorious Food

Labels: Australia, Environment, Life et al

The last few weeks saw Australia reigned superior over England in the 2007 Cricket Ashes Test. The 5-series tests started at the Gabba in Queensland and culminated at the Sydney Cricket Ground with tests in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne in between.
Australia "whitewashed" England winning 5-Nil and regained the Ashes which had been lost to England last year. This is only the second time for Australia. The first whitewash happened in 1920. Shane Warne, Justin Langer and Glenn McGrath retired at the end of the series while Damien Martyn suddenly ended his career after the Perth test.

The series also saw a milestone for Shane Warne when he got his 700th Test wicket and 1000th International Test wicket. The feat is a first in the history of cricket worldwide. Shown in the right is Shane Warne being given a victory ride by teammates Andrew Symonds and Matthew hayden after the Melbourne test at the MCG.

Labels: Australia, Sports/Outdoor Activities

Labels: Australia, Life et al

At the end of August last year, we moved houses form Cheltenham to Dingley Village. Then, in the first week of November, our office moved to Prahran. My 15-minute travel time to work has become an hour. I drive to Brighton Beach station everyday and take the train from there. This is the most practical route for me to take as Prahran is in the Sandringham Train Line. During these times, I have been busy organising and setting up the lab while at the same time doing work for customers. Once I'm home, we would be busy organising the house. It took us almost three months to get things in order in the house.

After this, comes Christmas. For the first time in as many years, Melbourne had a white Christmas. Cold, that is. At about 3:00 Am on Christmas day, a hailstorm came. Our lawn and backyard were all white with ice/snow the size of mung (mongo) grains. There were still a bit left when we got up in the morning. Usually, Christmas is hot here as it is the summer season.

This year, we were the hosts for the family Christmas lunch. Although there were only a few of us plus Janine and Ramille, it was still a bit of work preparing food and organising Christmas decors for the house. But I had fun putting up the Christmas tree and some decors. I even made my own mistletoes. I wanted to really feel the season so I made it a point to decorate the house this year. I suppose everyone enjoyed the meal of roast turkey, fresh salad, roast vegies, prawns in cashew-nuts crumbs and macaroni salad which Ramille made. I cheated a bit though in preparing the turkey. I bought a cooked one so I only have to re-heat it and serve. Mum brought a yummy plum pudding which she served with custard and whipped cream.

I got an Ipod Nano 2nd Gen from Shane this year. I gave him a Polar heart rate monitor. Also, Mum gave us $200 Bunnings Warehouse voucher so we combined that with the $100 cash gift from Papa and we were able to buy the outdoor 7-piece setting we wanted. Very nice Christmas presents.

Labels: Australia, Life et al

On Saturday morning, a pair of ducks came to our front door.
We fed them bread.

Labels: Australia, Life et al

Labels: Australia, So You May Know

I stepped back and think of what to do. I can't call any of the guys.

There are two doors leading to the office, one from the reception and the other from the service store. The latter is always locked as we use it only for courier deliveries and pick-up. Above it there is a small opening which I thought my body would fit in if I crawl. But it's high, I would need a ladder or a high chair to reach it and even if I get through it I wouldn't be able to pull myself down carefully on the other side. I have to jump. Nope, that's not an option.

I tried my house keys hoping for a miracle. Not today. Then I used an old trick. Using a card (like an ATM or credit card) to pry open the door by forcing the lock of the door knob to retract. But the reception door is designed to counter this trick. The door itself and the wall overlaps so it is impossible to insert the card between the gaps. Well the service door is not. There is a 5mm gap and if only I can slide the card in. But no, the flat side of the lock was facing me so I won't be able to slide the card in.

I'm not giving up, I have to get inside. And soon. It's either I have to climb and get through the small opening or find another way.

I inspected the service door again and an idea came into my mind. Yes, that's it. I know what to do now. I would need something like a screw driver or a wire that is small enough to fit in the gaps. I will insert it in the gap and pull it towards me to force the lock to retract. But first I need the tool. I got nothing in my bag or even in my car. Or so I thought. After rummaging through my bag and found nothing, I went to my car not expecting anything but I found the perfect tool. In the boot of the car lies an S-hook. I must have put it there when we were moving. Lucky.

So armed with my tool, I tried again and viola! open sesame, I'm in.

Whew! Pwede na ako maging si McGiba.

Labels: Australia, Life et al

Our first stop was the Esplanade in Cowes where we had barbeque/lunch. Everyone contributed food, there was so much. The sisig was particularly good and I gorge a bit on bangus (milkfish). I haven't had bangus for a long time now. I don't cook this at home unless it is deboned (boneless) because Shane wouldn't eat it with bones.

We then went to Amaze'N Things a little later. Amaze'N Things is a theme park which features a maze, illusion rooms and mini-golf among others. Shane and I weren't keen on going inside to the maze and illusion rooms so we decided to stay outside and play mini-golf instead. The course was a bit hard. We played some holes quite well while others disastrously that I didn't keep track of our scores. But it was good fun. I love mini-golf as opposed to the real game.

Next stop was the Koala Conservation Centre which is just across the Amaze'N Things. A few Koalas and a lot of photos later we were out and heading for the Nobbies for the sunset. From Nobbies one can see the biggest fur seals colony in the Southern Hemisphere. It was freezing cold. Another round of eating and then a trek down the boardwalk to see the sunset which was a bit too late already. Later on, the guard even asked us to move out. :-)

It was starting to get dark when we headed back. On the road, we saw a lot of Wallabies. Unlucky for me, I almost hit one. It was sitting on the edge of the road to my left. I slowed down and as I get closer to it, it didn't move so I swerved to the right to avoid it but it must have been mesmerized by the headlights that it jerked to the car's direction. I wasn't really sure if I hurt the poor animal but my back passengers said it looked ok as it jumped back into the woods.

It was a long but enjoyable day. Good to see friends again.

Labels: Australia, Travel

Labels: Australia, Films/Theatre

Labels: Australia, Life et al

Labels: Australia, Sports/Outdoor Activities

It's only been a few days since the death of Steve Irwin. Australia and the world is still mourning his death. But now, another famous Aussie is dead. Peter Brock was killed in a car accident while participating in the Targa West rally in Western Australia. His car ran into a tree.

Peter Brock was a champion race car driver.

Labels: Australia, Sports/Outdoor Activities

As I was watching Channnel 9's tribute to Steve Irwin last night, I can't help but feel sad for his loss. He was Australia's greatest ambassador.

His show, The Crocodile Hunter reached billions of people around the world. America embraced him.

He was very passionate with what he does. The energy he exudes on screen is contagiuos. I have seen him a few times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno though as per his producer he has appeared in the show 17 times. All the time donning his usual khaki shirts and shorts :).

Later in the night, the Animal Planet showed a documentary called "Steve's Story", as a tribute to the memory and legacy of Steve Irwin. There will be special airings of The Crocodile Hunter throughout the week to help us remember Steve Irwin's passion and mission.

So long, Crikey! We will remember you and your work for the environment. You beauty!

Labels: Australia