Watch the development of some very special baby koalas that needed a helping hand...

Registrations now open for Great Northern Clean Up 2010

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, Clean Up Australia has announced the 2010 Great Northern Clean Up will be held on the weekend of 11 and 12 September.

Created after feedback that March weather made it difficult for North Australian communities to participate, the Great Northern Clean Up is a great opportunity to get things ship-shape at the end of the tourist season and before the big wet kicks in.

Ian Kiernan AO, founder and Chairman of Clean Up Australia said, “Last year’s community spirit, passion and support was fantastic, with over 90 tons of rubbish removed by nearly 1800 volunteers across Northern Australia.

“We know as the tourist season draws to an end we’re likely to find new pockets of rubbish around, with bottles, cans, plastic bags and cigarette butts the main offenders. Once the wind picks up and the rain comes in, much of that rubbish will make its way into our waterways where it can harm or kill local wildlife. “I urge people to think about areas in their community that need cleaning up, then register your site before the cut off date – August 29” Mr Kiernan concluded. Anyone can register a Clean Up site or volunteer for the great Northern Clean Up on 11 and 12 September just by visiting www.cleanup.org.au or by calling 1800 CUA DAY (1800 282 329).

For further information please contact:

Robert Marson, Killer Whale
M: 0404 464 902 or robert@killerwhale.com.au

Telstra encourages local musicians to showcase their talent

19 July 2010 – Local music performers from Gunnedah and the surrounding region have until Sunday 1 August to submit their material in the Telstra Road to Tamworth national talent development program for a chance to showcase their talent and get connected in the music industry.

Six local musicians will be chosen to perform at the Gunnedah heat of the Telstra Road to Tamworth where they will be in contention for an ultimate prize package including recording opportunities and a return trip to Nashville USA.

The Gunnedah heat of the Telstra Road to Tamworth will be held as part of Agquip from 11am on Thursday 19 August featuring performances by multi-award winning singer-songwriter James Blundell, 2009 TRTT songwriter winner Luke Webb and country music sensation Amber Lawrence.

Enter via www.telstra.com/trtt - entries close at midnight on Sunday 1 August.

The winning heat performer will receive a return trip to Sydney to take part in the next stage of the program – Boot Camp, a two day music mentoring workshop in December where they will have one-on-one time with leading industry professionals and work with a full band.

Telstra Road to Tamworth Ambassadors, The McClymonts, said every musician who took part in Boot Camp last year matured and developed as a performer and also gained new industry contacts, including other musicians to collaborate with.

“It was also a perfect forum for emerging artists to get professional advice and ask all those questions they always wondered about the music industry – how do I protect my copyright, what do I need to look for in a manager?” said Sam McClymont.

Local songwriters have until 31 October this year before entries close nationally in the songwriting category.

The overall winners in both the performance and songwriting categories will receive a 12-month bespoke music mentorship and will be announced in January 2011 during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The winning songwriter will be given the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s best writers both in Australia and the US, while the winning performer will perform at a leading US country music event and receive a professional photographic session and music video clip.

In addition, both the performer and songwriter winners will become a Telstra Road to Tamworth ambassador in 2011, receiving Telstra products and services to blog online and increase their national exposure and artist profile.

For more details on heat locations and how to enter visit www.telstra.com/trtt  

Telstra Media Contact:
Name:  Kathryn McFarlane

Mob: 0419 850 201

A giant farm dog and a tiny piglet cuddle up as if they were family after the baby runt was dismissed by its own mother. Surrogate mum Katjinga, an eight-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback, took on motherly duties for a tiny pot-bellied pig - and seems to be taking the adoption in her stride. 

The odd couple are in Germany living on a 20 acre farm.

Photos copyright Animal Press / Barcroft Media

Come to Australia where our spiders eat our snakes!

A receptionist found this 70cm long snake entangled in a spiders web next to her desk.  The snake with had died from the redbacks bite, was off the ground & caught in the web. A red mark on the snakes belly is evidence of where the spider had started eating it. Throughout the day the spider checked her prey before rolling it up & spinning a web around it.  She kept lifting it higher off the ground while snacking on it.