“Outraged scientists stormed out of a government-sponsored climate change conference dinner in Canberra last night, after the strippers booked as entertainment left them all hot and bothered.”
- Climate conference strip show storm, smh.com.au, 7.9.06

The main entertainment at the official dinner of the 17th Australia New Zealand Climate Forum (run by the Australian National University, and whose event page has expired) was a female burlesque act.

Symbolism for a vanishing ecosystem? Or living proof that science is still a boy’s club?

It may be a bit extreme, but let this be a deterrent to others…

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Osaka groper dies after being caught by commuters

Yes it originated in a Murdoch fishwrapper, but this story is just too silly to ignore, as reported by The Register:

Coming Soon: The MP3 Breast Implant

Geldof condemns sale of Live 8 tickets on eBay

Yes, people touting their free Live8 tickets on eBay is a low act. But also perfectly legal. A mass boycott of eBay for a week in retaliation, eh Bob? Yeah right…

In other Live 8 news, that totally innocent collector of gay erotica, Michael Jackson, is rumoured to be keen to take part in the Musical Parade of the Dinosaurs next month. Being a white musician these days, his chances of being invited are greatly improved.

He’s probably hoping, however, for the G8 to arrange the retirement of all his debts…

It’s probably the dream match-up. India have qualified for their first-ever Women’s Cricket World Cup Final, and they’ll be playing Australia on Sunday. A chance for revenge for the men’s World Cup Final of 2003 perhaps? I’ll be busy following the final on Cricketwoman this Sunday, please drop in and join us there.

“The players broke the club’s disciplinary code and have also been found guilty of unauthorised use of a fire extinguisher and a bicycle.”
- Newcastle Knights chairman Mick Hill, 21.2.05

(Please refer to the source and background to this deathless prose.)

Peace Prize goes green
http://www.greenpeace.org/international_en/news/details?item_id=610897
Wangari Maathai has planted tens of millions of trees, opposed genetically modified organisms and titanium mining in her native Kenya, and won numerous awards for her environmental activism. She has also been beaten, harassed, and imprisoned for her work. For the first time in history, the Nobel Committee has recognised the war on planet Earth by conferring upon her the Nobel Peace prize.

Sierra Leone: Lesbian Rights Activist Brutally Murdered
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/10/04/sierra9440.htm
The government of Sierra Leone should bring to justice those responsible for the brutal murder of FannyAnn Eddy, founder of the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association and a lesbian rights activist known across Africa, Human Rights Watch said today.

Afghanistan: Women Under Attack for Asserting Rights
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/10/04/afghan9436.htm
On Eve of Elections, Women in Public Life Face Attacks and Intimidation Warlords and the Taliban are undermining Afghan women?s participation in the political process through ongoing threats and attacks. Widespread intimidation of women and general insecurity threaten women?s right to vote freely in the October 9 presidential elections, stand for political office and fully participate in public life.

Footy Fans Against Sexual Assault (FFASA) is a highly commendable cause. Founded earlier this year after a serious of scandals surrounding allegations of sexual assaults by NRL and AFL footballers, and the evidence of a culture that has been around for years. The FFASA is advocating, among many other things, that sporting teams hold a “purple armband” day, where they wear purple armbands demonstrating a committment to a united stance against sexual violence. Several NRL clubs have already taken part as have sporting teams from other codes. Some Australian Rules teams have done so, but none in the Australian Football League, who consider it “just another cause we are asked to support”.

Purple armband days will be conducted by the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League and the AFL Northern Territory this weekend. A press release from the FFASA gives details and I reproduce it in full:

Hi Footy Fans and Friends

The FFASA purple armband campaign is taking on a life of it’s own.

This weekend sees purple armbands on the arms of:

* over 1700 rugby league players from across NSW during games at the NSW Aboriginal Knockout at Henson Park and Redfern Oval in Sydney; and
* over 400 AFL players from throughout the Northern Territory during games at the 2004 Perkins Shipping Umpires Carnival at Marrara Stadium in Darwin.

Both these stands follow directly from the original action by the Australian Women’s Rugby League, Brisbane Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium earlier this year.

The NSW Aboriginal Knockout has extended the meaning of the purple armbands to include other forms of violence. They are also taking the campaign to a new level.

Besides the purple armbands, they have organised:

* educational material to be distributed over the weekend;
* Koori community support workers at the games and on a Hotline number; and
* a giant banner where players and supporters can make handprints signifying their opposition to family violence and sexual assault.

FFASA congratulates the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League community for making the campaign their own, as part of their “Blackout Violence” campaign, and taking the lead shown at the elite level of their sport so much further.

We also commend the AFL NT for continuing the stance of other Territory sporting teams from the AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Netball earlier this year.

With GF fever ebbing to a close this weekend, we encourage Sydney-siders and Darwinites to get along to these events and take in some footy with a conscience.

Knockout teams will also include footy greats, past and present, such as David Peachy, Nathan Blacklock, Cliff Lyons, Nathan Merritt and Ronald Price. See program details for both competitions below.

For a listing of FFASA Purple Armbands Teams see Purple Armband Teams.
(NB: Knockout and Umpires teams will be listed next week)

AFL Up-date

FFASA received a response from the AFL re: their strategy for dealing with sexual assault and harassment.

Unfortunately, their response raises more questions than answers.

For example, although the AFL is talking to representatives from the State-wide Committee for the Reduction of Sexual Assault, it remains unclear whether they are talking directly to representatives from the Committee with expertise in working with victim/survivors.

They also advised FFASA to take its concerns re: the Saints Get Real program directly to the Saint Kilda Football Club.

FFASA will follow-up both matters and bring you an up-date soon.

FFASA Petition
50 signatures to go …

Yours in football
Kath Haines
www.ffasa.org

2004 NSW ABORIGINAL RUGBY LEAGUE KNOCKOUT

Friday 1st October 2004 Redfern Oval

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: “TJ Hickey Memorial Junior Rugby League Competition

U6’s, U10’s, U12’s, U13’s, U15’s NSW Selection Trials

1:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Women’s Knockout Competition

ADULTS ENTRY FEE $6:00
SCHOOL STUDENTS OVER 12 $2:00
CHILDREN UNDER 12 AND AGED PENSIONERS FREE

Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October 2004 Redfern Oval & Henson Park

Saturday 8:30am: Official Opening and Welcome (Redfern Oval)

Games commence at 9:30 am on both days at both venues.

ADULTS ENTRY FEE $8:00
SCHOOL STUDENTS OVER 12 $2:00
CHILDREN UNDER 12 AND AGED PENSIONERS FREE

Monday 4th October 2004 Redfern Oval

Games commence at 9:00am: 2 Semi Finals, Under 16’s Final, Women’s Final, Grand Final

ADULTS ENTRY FEE $7:00
SCHOOL STUDENTS OVER 12 $2:00
CHILDREN UNDER 12 AND AGED PENSIONERS FREE

2004 PERKINS SHIPPING NTFL UMPIRES PRE-SEASON CARNIVAL

Marrara Oval, Darwin NT
Saturday 2nd October – Sunday 3rd October

Saturday 2nd October 2004

11.30am GATES OPEN
12.30pm Sthn Districts vs Western Aranda
1.10pm Palmerston vs Mutujulu (Docker River)
1.50pm Nightcliff vs Wanderers
Darwin vs Belyuen
2.30pm Waratahs vs Maningrida
Tiwi Islands vs Loser Game 2
3.10pm St Marys vs Loser Game 1
3.50pm Winner Game 2 vs Winner Game 1
Loser Game 4 vs Loser Game 6
4.30pm Winner Game 4 vs Loser Game 5
Winner Game 8 vs Loser Game 7
5.10pm Winner Game 5 vs Loser Game 8
5.50pm Winner Game 7 vs Winner Game 6

Sunday 3rd October 2004

9.30am GATES OPEN
10.30am Winners – Winner Game 10 vs Loser Game 12
11.10am Winners - Winner Game 11 vs Loser Game 13
Winners - Winner Game 12 vs Loser Game 10
11.50am Winners - Winner Game 15 vs Winner Game 13
12.30pm Winners - Winner Game 14 vs Loser Game 11
Winners – Loser Game 14 vs Loser Game 15
1.10pm Winners ¼ Final – Winner Game 17 vs Loser Game 18
Consolation Semi-Final - Loser Game 16 vs Loser Game 17
11.50pm Winners ¼ Final - Winner Game 16 vs Winner Game 19
Consolation Semi-Final – Loser Game 20 vs Loser Game 21
2.30pm Winners ¼ Final - Loser Game 19 vs Winner Game 20
Winners ¼ Final - Winner Game 18 vs Winner Game 21
3.10pm Winners Semi-Final - Winner Game 22 vs Winner Game 24
3.50pm Winners Semi-Final - Winner Game 26 vs Winner Game 27
4.30pm Annual Footballers 100 metre Gift
4.45pm Consolation Grand Final - Winner G23 vs Winner G25
5.30pm Winners Grand Final - Winner G28 vs Winner G29
6.20pm Announcement of Percy Ellis Medal Winner & Presentations

NB: AFL NT teams will purple armbands on Sunday 3rd October

Rwanda: Rape Survivors Find No Justice
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/09/30/rwanda9391.htm
The 58-page report investigates the persistent weaknesses in the Rwandan legal system that hamper the investigation and prosecution of sexual violence. The report also documents the desperate health and economic situation of rape survivors. Many of the women who were raped became infected with HIV.