Parents to get online savvy at COGSO Conference

Parents and teachers will learn the ropes of the Internet and how kids can surf safely at the upcoming NT Council of Government School Organisations conference in Darwin from 16 to 17 September.

The Cybersafety workshop, delivered by Australian ICT Innovator of the Year and online expert Greg Gebhart, will address cyberbullying, sexting and social networking among children.   

It is one of four key issues under the spotlight at the two day conference, Keeping Our Kids and Families Safe, to be held at SKYCITY Darwin.

COGSO President Julie Donohue said the conference will address building resilient and stable kids, values-based education and protecting children from abuse.

“Clinical psychologist and acclaimed author Doctor Andrew Fuller is an entertaining presenter who’ll discuss ways to beat life’s pitfalls and prevent drug and alcohol abuse and violence among kids, while Wendy Pelizzo will address child abuse and the tools available to parents and teachers to keep kids safe,” Ms Donohue said.

“We also welcome Founder of the UK Education Trust Doctor Neil Hawkes, who will look at the positive impacts of education led by social values such as responsibility, respect and tolerance.

“This forward-thinking system was adopted by UNICEF through the collaboration of Living Values and underpinned the Australian Government’s introduction of Values Education in schools.”

Media are welcome to attend all events at the conference, which gets underway at 9am on Thursday, 16 September.

For more information on the conference and workshops visit www.ntcogso.org.au

 

Kosta Kalikajaros wins YMCA Top End Father of the Year

Kosta Kalikajaros, father of 10 year old Natalie, will be awarded the YMCA 2010 Top End Father of the Year in a ceremony hosted by Charlie King at the YMCA Palmerston Aquatic & Lifestyle Centre today.

Natalie entered her dad in the awards because he cheers her up when she’s sad.

“I love my daddy because he’s awesome,” said Natalie.

“He does special things with me like fish breeding. Also, he’s cool and he’s jolly and nice.”

“The Top End Father of the Year Award recognises a father or father figure who’s doing their best the be a great dad for a Territorian child,” said YMCA’s Jessica McHardy.

Kosta and Natalie have won an adventure helicopter joyride over Darwin and the Cox Peninsula with a stop-over in Mandorah.

The YMCA founded Father’s Day in 1910 and initiated the local Father of the Year award to give local children the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the role of father’s in the lives of young Territorians.

“It doesn’t have to be a biological father,” said McHardy.

“There are plenty of step-dads, uncles, older brothers, grandfathers and family friends who play the role of a father in many young children’s lives. Father’s Day is about saying thank you and understanding just how important these role models can be.”

Father’s Day is on Sunday, 5 September and YMCA will be offering all dads free entry to the Palmerston Aquatic & Lifestyle Centre on that day to say thanks.

McHardy encourages local kids to wake dad up early and drag him down to the pool to have some fun. 

“Time spent playing with your kids is a treasure that can never be replaced.”

Show a little mercy for soft drink can auction

With just two days left before ‘No Mercy’ goes under the hammer, the Lions Clubs of Darwin have encouraged Beer Can Regatta enthusiasts to place their final bids.

The soft drink can boat, which was built by USS Mercy sailors, is up for auction on eBay to raise additional funds for Sommerville Community Services.

“The money will assist in buying a new car for Sommerville Community Services and help them reach more families and disabled people in need,” Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta President Des Gellert said. 

“So skip the drinking and start bidding for a good cause.”

More than twenty people have bid on the boat over the last seven days, which took out ‘Best Soft Drink Can Boat 2010’, pushing bids above $200.

The boat, which according Gellert suffered only a few hard knocks in the Battle of Mindil, still floats and has ‘plenty of life left in it yet’.

To bid on the ‘No Mercy’ visit http://www.ebay.com.au/ and search: Beer Can Regatta Boat. The eBay auction will close Friday afternoon.

For more information visit http://www.beercanregatta.org.au/.

Caf' Parap introduces Fitzroy flavours

Iconic local café and restaurant Caf’ Parap is extending its opening hours and from next Tuesday will entice guests with high tea in the afternoons and haute cuisine for dinner.

Business owner Alicia Waters and head chef Bob Mann are excited to introduce their new team, chefs Joshua Gudgeon and Marina Esteves, who will be heading up the evening operation.

Joshua and Marina have over 20 years combined experience in the industry. Joshua trained as a chef in Melbourne’s popular Matteo’s on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy and has since gained experience working with well-known chefs around Australia. His experience combined with Marina’s Phillipino and Spanish flair will add tantalising new elements to Caf’ Parap’s modern Australian menu.

 “They’ll be serving a sumptuous high tea in the afternoons and a tempting menu for dinner. The exciting advantage of a print to order menu is that it will change regularly so each time diners return they’ll be seduced by different choices,” says Bob.

Joshua is excited at the opportunity to bring his passion for fresh ingredients to Caf’ Parap.

“I’ll be sourcing the best produce to use in my food and every dish will have a twist,” he says.

“Some of the dishes that will make a regular appearance on the dinner menu will include prosciutto-wrapped scallops, and Victorian Salt Bush Lamb. We want to offer diners a true modern Australian dining experience in Parap.”

The afternoon tea menu will offer diners a chance to indulge, with dishes including a traditional French Crepe Suzette drizzled in orange and cognac or a berry parfait washed down with homemade lemonade.

The extended hours are in addition to Caf’ Parap’s already popular breakfast and lunch trade.

Caf’ Parap will be open for afternoon tea and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday night starting Tuesday 24 August.

For further information or to make a reservation call 8981 1070. 

Trial of Darwin digital radio starts today

Northern Territory Broadcasters has begun a trial of digital radio in Darwin today.  Hot 100 and Mix 1049 and a digital only service called Top Country NT will begin broadcasting in DAB+ from the start of the trial and an additional new digital only station will follow shortly.

Northern Territory Broadcasters General Manager Mark Johnson said: “Digital radio is a new, exciting and involving way for you to tune into your favourite radio stations plus a few new ones…Best of all – digital radio is free.

“You will first notice the exceptionally high sound quality Digital radio has some great new feature. The ability to pause and rewind, more choice of stations, digital sound quality, incredibly clear reception and information on screen.

“Digital radio, is radio as you know it… plus a lot more.

“Many receivers have a scrolling text feature where you can receive additional information on screen like a news “ticker bar”

“Some new digital radio receivers even have a full colour screen which means you’ll be able to get a whole heap of new information on your radio… including details of song titles and artists, and even album covers, to traffic maps and even weather information.

“You just need a new radio to receive digital radio and they are available now from leading retail stores here in Darwin

“There are a whole range of well known manufacturers making digital radios. You can even get digital radios for your car.

“They are easy to set up and tune and simply are added to your car like a sat nav device.

“To work in Australia, your digital radio needs to be DAB+, just look for the logo on the box, in store or even on the receiver.

“There are many types of new digital radios and they come in all shapes and sizes with varying features while many MP3 devices, hi fi systems, portable players and clock radios can also pick up digital radio signals.”

'No Mercy' can now be yours

Whether you want a head start in the next Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta, a unique collectors’ item or piece of US sailor handiwork, ‘No Mercy’ is now up for grabs on Ebay.

 

After taking out ‘Best Softdrink Can Boat’ in the 2010 Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta, held on Sunday 8 August, the boat is up for auction to raise additional funds for Sommerville Community Services. 

 

“We want to purchase a new car for Sommerville, our beneficiary this year, and are asking the community to dig deep,” Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta President Des Gellert said.

 

“The USS Mercy team and fellow sailors had a great time and are keen to see their boat put to a good cause and generate more funds for Sommerville.

 

“Anyone who’s ever wanted to participate in the Regatta, but not up for the thirsty work, is encouraged to place a bid.”

 

The boat, which was made from Coke and Sprite cans while the USS Mercy docked at the Philippines, suffered a few hard knocks but still floats.

 

“It survived the eggs, flour bombs and water fights in the Battle of Mindil, with only a few cans lost,” Mr Gellert said.

 

“It might need a bit of TLC before next year’s event, but like all things in the Navy, it’s got a few more battles in it yet.”

 

To bid on the ‘No Mercy’ visit www.ebay.com.au and search: Beer Can Regatta Boat.

 

The boat will be up for auction for 9 days and go to the highest bidder.

 

For more information visit www.beercanregatta.org.au.

 

New solar heating system on trial at Alice Springs house

A new solar heating system has been installed at the Alice Solar City Sustainable Living House to take the edge off winter temperatures for its occupant.

One of the first of its kind in Alice Springs, residents can see the heating system in action and find out more when the house opens to the public this Saturday.

The system uses a roof mounted solar panel to heat fresh air, and then pumps that heated air into the house.

“The technology works best on sunny days, and as the typical winter’s day in Alice is cool but sunny, this type of technology should suit Alice Springs well. It also works in reverse in summer by bringing in cool, fresh air.”, says Brian Elmer, General Manager of Alice Solar City.

“Solar air heating is not common, but we wanted to trial it at the Sustainable Living House to ascertain the environmental and economic benefits to typical Alice Springs dwellings.”
“We are monitoring the before and after temperatures at the house to assess how effective it is.”

Kristelle Sherwood, owner of the Sustainable Living House says that her house has been noticeably cooler since having several energy efficient measures installed at the house.

“Having my roof painted white was really effective in summer to reduce the internal temperature, but during this years winter, which has been colder than normal, the house is feeling noticeably cooler.”

“I am looking forward to seeing how the solar air heating complements and reduces the use of my wood fired heater during the last few weeks of winter.”

This Saturday will see the Sustainable Living House open to the public for the fifth time, and visitors are welcome to view the dozens of energy and water efficiency measures that have been installed.

The team from DesertSmart CoolMob will be on hand with their brand new ‘Water Wise’ booklet which shows simple and effective ways to lower your water use including information on greywater systems and native gardens.

The Sustainable Living House is open from 12 noon to 3pm this Saturday at 68 Kurrajong Drive.