Re: The Australian Federal Election 2010 Thread (III)

[skully]

FFS, Penny Wong as Finance Minister?

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. The pinkos have gone to the dogs - literally. I'd say jobs for the girls but.....

[G.Wood]

The pinkos have gone to the dogs - literally. I'd say jobs for the girls but.....

I thought you were talking about Julia's stepdaughter.

[horace]

Penny Wong will be an excellent Finance Minister - bright and thorough.

[Bradman]

Bwahahahahahaha. Yeah, that's gonna work. A p!ss-ant little country like us taking the Bannies and the Maoists down a peg or two.

We have submarines that actually work. Plus we can stop selling them iron ore, coal and uranium.

[embee]

The first thing Rool Joolia does is forget the aborigines ...I guess if she says sorry it will be Ok

[Bradman]

Yeah I think you're right. Sads me to say it that the biggest social changes (guns and Aborigines) came courtesy of Fraser and Howard. Mind you if Howard had been in opposition at the time of Port Arthur he probably would've marched with the SSA or The National Front.

[JGK]

Turnbull gets Communications shodow portfolio.

[horace]

Yeah I think you're right. Sads me to say it that the biggest social changes (guns and Aborigines) came courtesy of Fraser and Howard. Mind you if Howard had been in opposition at the time of Port Arthur he probably would've marched with the SSA or The National Front.

I think Australia is doing better with and for Indigenous Australians. the COAG reforms recognise from the outset that the issues are complex and that closing the gaps in material and socio health and well being will take a generation. Sustained efforts are required from the communities in all States/territories and govts...in vixenville more kids are starting life on healthier platforms...more go to pre school and more are doing better at School...there are terrific initiatives that are helping - eg the Clontarf Academies have started in Victoria (good on that great wozzie gerard neesham) and participant kids are healthier and doing better at school.

The problem for everyone is that progress will continue to be glacial.

[Mick Sawyer]

more go to pre school and more are doing better at School...there are terrific initiatives that are helping

Good news h.

[horace]

agreed...but the benefits of all this is really restricted to kids under 14...we just have to keep our fingers crossed.

wonder if Embee knows anything about Clontarf...just started in Vix this year

[Zat]

agreed...but the benefits of all this is really restricted to kids under 14...we just have to keep our fingers crossed.

I vaguely recall that the Jesuit priests used to spout 'Give me a child until the age of seven, and I'll give you a Jesuit for life.' Or something like that. Targeting the young kids is a great idea for this program, because it should - in theory - set the kids on a good path, with suitable foundations, for the rest of their life.

[horace]

spot on zat

[Mick Sawyer]

I vaguely recall that the Jesuit priests used to spout 'Give me a child until the age of seven, and I'll give you a Jesuit for life.'

Something like that Zat. Lifelong patterns are programmed very early. As horrie has said, tangible change can take a generation.

[embee]

agreed...but the benefits of all this is really restricted to kids under 14...we just have to keep our fingers crossed.

wonder if Embee knows anything about Clontarf...just started in Vix this year

From their website....

he Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, self esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men and by doing so, equip them to participate more meaningfully in society.

These outcomes are achieved through the medium of football. Academies are formed in association with selected schools and colleges and each Academy’s football program attracts young Aboriginal men to school and helps to retain them.



We use the existing passion that Indigenous boys have for football to attract them to attend an Academy. Members are not selected on football ability; though obviously most of them have some aptitude for the game.

To remain in the Academy, members must consistently endeavour to:

• Attend school regularly
• Apply themselves to the study of appropriate courses
• Embrace the Academy’s requirements for behaviour and self-discipline

As well as coordinating the football program, Academy staff mentor and counsel students on a range of behavioural and lifestyle issues while the school caters for their specific educational needs.

Where are we?

Since opening its first Academy for 25 boys on the campus of the Clontarf Aboriginal College in Perth, Western Australia in 2000, the Foundation has grown rapidly and has been consistently successful.

We now cater for over 2,200 boys in 36 schools across Western Australia, Northern Territory and Victoria.



Benefits

There are broad social benefits resulting from the programs, with statistical and anecdotal evidence of improved educational attendance and outcomes.

In particular, students involved in our programs achieve the following outcomes

• Attendance at school greater than 80%
• Re-enter education after prolonged absences
• Year on year retention at school – not less than 90% (well above state averages)
• Enhanced self-esteem and self awareness
• Knowledge and experience gained to make healthy lifestyle decisions
• Set goals and persevere to achieve them
• Reduced cases of criminal re-offending
• Improved academic results (basic literacy and numeracy through to high school graduation)
• A greater understanding of, and access to, the employment opportunities available to them
• More than 75% of Clontarf graduates engaged in employment

[embee]

Looking through their staff members on the website it seems to be a good source of employment for ex Freo footballers

[horace]

ex footy types involved here too...Vic also has 3 dance academies for Indignous girls....set up here at the same time....I know the results are early but they are terrific....

neesham was always going to be a great bloke...

"NEESHAM, GERARD 1982, 9 games, 1 goal"...played for the bloods

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