| State Government announces new project to restore our local waterways |
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- Hannah Furness
A new $8 million state government ‘Healthy Country’ project is supporting communities, farmers and scientists to work together to improve water quality in South East Queensland catchments and... |
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| Worldwide condemnation of Iran’s arrest of Baha'i leadership |
- Public Statement by Amnesty International
Six leaders of a group managing the Baha'i community's religious and administrative affairs in Iran were arrested by officers from the Ministry of Intelligence and are now detained in Evin Prison... |
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| 4 WOMEN ARTISTS – 2 CULTURES – SHARED VALUES – “Not so secret “ WOMEN’S BUSINESS |
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- Westender
Local artists Glennys Briggs, Denise Dillon Boland, Philomena Drake and Debbie Taylor explore what it is to be a woman. |
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| Stop wasting plastic! Local recycling centre calls for business support on World Environment Day |
- Rebekah Evans
‘Cut down on plastic waste’ is the message from West End’s Reverse Garbage in the lead-up to World Environment Day on 5 June 2008. |
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| Critically acclaimed series brings wisdom of the Talmud to the general public |
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- Chanoch Sufrin
Innovative Course to Provide Tools for Facing Difficult Choices - Brisbane to Join Worldwide Release of “Talmudic Ethics" |
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| SALVO’S DOORKNOCK WEEKEND 24TH & 25TH MAY - FURTHER CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS |
- Westender
The Salvation Army is calling for volunteers for the National Red Shield Appeal Doorknock on the weekend of 24TH – 25TH May. |
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| Helping women return to the workforce – new Fitted For Work Boutique calls for help |
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- Josephine Brown
Brisbane’s newest aid organisation, Fitted For Work (Queensland) Inc, has opened the freshly painted doors of its Fortitude Valley boutique to start working for Queensland women. |
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| QCOSS and ASU launch wages campaign for community sector workers, employers and organisations |
- Mark Jeffery
"Low wages make it hard to attract people to work in the community sector," says QCOSS President Karyn Walsh. (Pictured above) |
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| SOME THOUGHTS ON ANZAC DAY – A PERSONAL REMINISCENCE BY NOTED PEACE ACTIVIST, JIM DOWLING |
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- Westender
My uncle Bernie died on a beach on Bougainville, shot by the Japanese at nineteen years of age, He was my Father’s baby brother, 13 years younger than him. |
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| Oil heading for $200+ per barrel – but who’s really profiting? |
- Craig Isherwood - CEC
“ …oil producers such as the Saudis, on long-term supply contracts, get around $3 per barrel for their oil at the wellhead. The oil companies … take it from there.” |
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| BRISBANE POWERHOUSE TO GIVE LOCAL ARTISTS A PERMANENT HOME |
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- Olivia Guglielmino
Brisbane Powerhouse and Brisbane City Council celebrated their partnership with the launch of the Artists in Residence Program.
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| $30 MILLION FOR THE EMERGENCY APPEAL BY THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME |
- Courtney Hoogen
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith (pictured) has announced $30 million in emergency assistance to countries affected by steep rises in the prices of essential food supplies. |
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| Indian Muslim Cleric Calls For Shia-Sunni Unity for World Peace |
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- BY TANVEER JAFRI
Dr. Kalbe Sadiq, Vice President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, has made an historical declaration that he will pray the next Eid prayer in a Sunni mosque, with the Sunni preacher |
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| Crowds flock to West End's Historic Thomas Dixon Centre Open Day |
- Vanessa Delaney
Around 700 people flocked into West End’s Thomas Dixon Centre, home of Queensland Ballet, during an Open Day held to celebrate the building’s centenary on April 19 |
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| EXORCISING THE DEMONS OF WAR – CHRISTIAN ACTIVISTS CONDUCT EXORCISM AT RAYTHEON BRISBANE OFFICE |
- Westender
The Raytheon Corporation is the world’s larger producer of guided missiles including the infamous cruise missile, which was used heavily in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the 2006 Israeli invasion of... |
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| Walking the dog better paid than caring for the homeless |
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- ASU-NSW & ACT (Services) Branch
People paid to walk dogs earn more than those who care for homeless people, a new wage analysis by the Australian Services Union (ASU) has found, highlighting a crisis in the community services... |
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| West End Supports QCOSS and St Mary's In Closing The Gap |
- Mark Jeffery
West End locals, including many indigenous people, were out in force to celebrate National Close The Gap Day of Action onTuesday April 22. |
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| ‘Every child deserves to ride a bike’ – Amway and Freedom Wheels are making it happen |
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- Nadia Zeaiter
Amway has partnered with the charity Technical Aid to the Disabled (TADNSW) to launch the FREEDOM WHEELS Modified Bike Service. |
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| St Vinnies take action on youth homelessness |
- Jacqueline Zahradka
St Vincent de Paul Society recently hosted a number of events to raise awareness of youth homelessness and to promote community action for young people who share a passion for social justice. |
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| Should the ban on commodity futures be widened? Is futures trading making food more expensive? |
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- DR KISHAN BIR CHAUDHARY
There is a deliberate manipulation of food prices. There are a few corporate players in the food business that buy produce from farmers cheap, hoard the stock and manipulate the prices. The... |
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| Making the case for community – local actions for citywide solutions |
- Darren Godwell, West End Community Association.
“I want to make a case for communities that thrive within vibrant neighbourhoods, a vibrant Brisbane, a diverse West End.” |
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| Don’t let your guard against skin cancer down during the cooler months |
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- LEITH KNIGHT
Queensland Health’s Senior Director of Population Health Dr Linda Selvey said the colder temperatures during winter months made absolutely no difference to the harmful effects of UV rays. |
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| CALL FOR NATIONAL APPROACH IN SECURING CARE FOR PATIENTS IN PRISON |
- Jason Berek-Lewis
“Many doctors across Australia are committed to working with disenfranchised patient groups. In moving to develop these standards, we are supporting our patients and those doctors who provide their... |
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| Support for families more productive than costly punishment – QCOSS |
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- Mark Jeffrey
The Queensland Council of Social Service says support is needed for families instead of expensive punitive measures. QCOSS says it is premature to amend the criminal code, quarantine income or... |
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| BENEVOLENT SOCIETY AIMS TO COMBAT THE “AGE DRAIN” |
- Yvonne Stewart
The Benevolent Society, Australia’s oldest charity, believes it is imperative for the ageing services industry to assist older people to remain in their neighbourhood for as long as possible. |
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| LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION: PHOTOGRAPHY DEVELOPS A NEW CREATIVE STREAK IN CHILDREN |
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- Graham Cassidy
Digital and traditional cameras are igniting an unprecedented creative streak among primary school students, with many pupils considered under-performers showing a surprising talent. |
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| BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE BEST AT THE ANNUAL BRISBANE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL! |
- Westender
The 9th Annual Brisbane Queer Film Festival will land at Brisbane Powerhouse, taking over the entire venue from 23 – 29 May. |
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| World’s biggest Birth Day Celebration just one month away |
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- Ralph Smith
Over 200,000 people are expected to join in the world’s largest celebration for a “Birth Day” this year at the 12th annual Buddha Birth Day Festival in Brisbane |
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| A Look Inside a Baghdad Hospital |
- by Jo Hartley
Instead of being a safe refuge, city hospitals are some of the most dangerous places in Baghdad. Iraqi filmmaker and former physician, Omer Salih Mahdi recently spent six weeks filming daily life... |
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| East Timor - United States should support justice, not endorse impunity, says ETAN |
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- John M. Miller
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill (pictured) has reportedly stated that whatever the joint Indonesia-Timor-Leste Commission on Truth and... |
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| Reducing Electromagnetic Frequency Exposure May Improve Your Health |
- by Julie Genser
“… the invisible electro-storm of today’s Blackberrys, cell phones, Game Boys, cordless phones, and WiFis and appliances found in almost every home).” |
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| SALVO’S DOORKNOCK WEEKEND 24TH – 25TH MAY - EARLY CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS |
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- Westender
The Salvation Army is calling for volunteers for the National Red Shield Appeal Doorknock on the weekend of 24TH – 25TH May. |
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| Local Oral History Project Benefits From Community Benefit Grant |
- Westender
More voices will be added to Queensland’s oral history collection using “state of the art” digital equipment purchased with a $4,273.00 grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. |
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| Bio-fuels causing food price rises: United Nations ESCAP |
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- ASHOK B SHARMA
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has cautioned that the global food prices would remain high and held bio-fuel programme responsible. |
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| Small Farmer Wins Moral Victory Over Monsanto |
- by Barbara L. Minton
"This is a great victory for farmers all over the world. Now they have at least an opportunity to have some recourse on a corporation when they are contaminated." |
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| Premier announces $130M expansion for Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre |
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- Westender
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre’s $130 million expansion will enable the Centre to meet increasing international and national demand, according to Premier Anna Bligh. |
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| Local identity, Father Gregory Sakellariou, is awarded the Key to the City of Brisbane |
- Yin Khvat
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has announced the city’s highest honour has gone to West End’s The Very Reverend Father Gregory Sakellariou MBE. |
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| Southbank Institute of Technology Redevelopment project removes the final tower crane |
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- Lauren Diamond
Moving one step closer to final completion, the Southbank Institute of Technology Redevelopment has removed the project’s final tower crane. |
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| NGO’s outline their plans for the future development of East Timor |
- John Miller - www.etan.org
Timorese and international NGOs working in Timor-Leste were allocated three places in the Development Partners Meeting which is taking place in Dili this week. They chose representatives from... |
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| Tasers to be handed out to all frontline officers at Dutton Park |
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- Westender
Police Minister Judy Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson today announced a new development in the roll out of tasers. |
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| From St Mary’s, South Brisbane to Lhasa, Tibet – local well-wishers send message of support |
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- Westender
“Our faith is about life and liberation. The great Exodus story echoes in our own day, as the cry of "let my people go" is heard on the lips of the people of Tibet.” - Tony Robertson |
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| “The Challenge of the 21st Century: Setting the Real Bottom Line”, the 2008 Commonwealth Lecture in London, England |
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- Dr David Suzuki
“We have to set a new bottom line, dictated by the reality that we are biological creatures, completely dependent for our survival and well being on clean air, clean water, clean soil, clean energy... |
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| Reclaim ANZAC Day from the war glorifiers – gather at Pine Gap April 19 to May 3 for a Peace Gathering |
- Brian Law
This is an invitation to all Christian and Gandhian nonviolence activists who want to advance their knowledge and practice of nonviolent direct action in Australia together. Other faiths welcome! |
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| Queensland - From A Sunshine State To A Solar Powered State |
- Chandran Vigneswaran
BP Solar said today that it expected the number of Queensland homes installing solar power to jump to more than 150,000 over the next 20 years with the announcement by the Queensland Government of... |
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| Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council presses for Community health focus |
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- Samantha Gregory-Kelly
The peak body for Queensland’s community-based and controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island health services — including one at West End in inner-Brisbane — will visit Canberra this week to... |
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| For regular Westender columnist Dave Reneke, a trip to the US was a Real ‘Buzz’ |
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- Westender
What’s it like to be blasted into space at 5 kilometres a second? One man who knows the answer is mid-north coast NSW science lecturer and writer, Dave Reneke |
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| State government One Childhood One Chance program is not a preventive measure |
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- QCOSS
It is misleading to call new staff that will be part of the One Childhood One Chance program Early Intervention Officers, according to the Queensland Council of Social Service. |
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| Money too tight to mention? – 10 tips for small businesses |
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- Kathy Tricolas
As small businesses brace for an economic slowdown, keeping a watch on cash flow is the answer to growth and sustainability, according to global business finance provider, Bibby Financial Services. |
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| The universe has no beginning! But that’s only part of it, according to Rael |
- Rael Australia
Cambridge University mathematical physicist Neil Turok (pictured) has put forth a “new theory” about the universe that excludes the “Big Bang” event endorsed by most physicists. But Turok’s theory... |
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| A VICTORY FOR CHRISTIANS AGAINST ALL TERRORISM - THE PINE GAP 4 HAVE WON THEIR APPEAL! |
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- Donna, Jim. Adele, Bryan
Bryan Law, Jim Dowling, Adele Goldie and Donna Mulhearn have been acquitted of their convictions under the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952. |
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| $1.91M boost for free seniors’ legal services pilot: Communities Minister |
- Westender
Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has announced $1.91 million to extend a pilot program offering free legal and support services to seniors who have suffered financial exploitation and elder... |
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| NO IMPROVEMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT CARD FOR AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES – NEW RESEARCH |
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- Kristal Rix
Despite the millions of dollars being spent on trying to make Australians more aware of their impact on the environment, a new study has shown very little has changed over the last 12 months |
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| Brisbane City Council plans to shift a "Gympie" to South Brisbane |
- West End Community Association
‘City Council proposes to plonk a population equivalent to Gympie's (15,000 - 20,000 people) into South Brisbane, with little of the infrastructure needed to maintain a sound quality of life for... |
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| REMEMBER EXPO 88 FOR THE RIGHT REASONS |
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- WESTENDER
While most people will be joyfully celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Expo 88 in May this year, there are many who still remember the negative impacts on the local community. |
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| New initiative to encourage wildlife habitat protection in urban backyards. |
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- Pat OBrien
The Wildlife Protection Association of Australia has initiated a new campaign to reward and encourage urban dwellers to provide essential habitat for wildlife. |
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| PLANNING WELL UNDERWAY FOR INAUGURAL KURILPA WHEELCHAIR DERBY |
- Adrian Buzolic
The West End Community Association (WECA) is planning a unique “wheelchair derby”, designed to celebrate members of the community who rely on wheelchairs (motorised or otherwise) for transport. |
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| Did you know you can now also LISTEN to the Westender online newspaper? |
- WESTENDER
Just download the free software, and it’s now possible for every article on this website to be read out loud to you, in an easy to understand Australian accent. Seriously. |
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| WHOPPERS |
- Anomynous
The Westender pays tribute to the anonymous philosopher who has been visiting letterboxes all over West End with his words of wisdom. |
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| Is time travel possible? A German/Australian consortium has set out to prove it |
- Westender
Brisbane/Australia: In a unique experiment, physicist Walter Gith BSc, engineer Uwe Aloé BSc, and economist Bernd Siebler are going to prove whether time travel is feasible. |
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| Drivers Beware! – Scrub Turkeys on the streets of West End |
- Westender
Motorists are advised to take care when driving around West End. At least one pair of native Scrub Turkeys (Alectura lathami) have been seen crossing the road in areas such as Orleigh Park,... |
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| Bioregionalism – some background on the Slow Suburb Movement |
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- Footprint Choices
The Slow Movement is all about connection, about things that matter, about understanding the interconnected nature of all things, and above all it is a moral movement. All these things are linked... |
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| Book Extract: The Holographic Universe - Does Objective Reality Exist? |
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- By Michael Talbot
In 1982 a remarkable event took Place. At the University of Paris a Research team led by physicist Alain Aspect performed what may turn out to be one of the most important experiments of the 20th... |
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| The wisdom of the fool – a selection of sayings from the Muslim teacher Nasrudin |
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- Westender
Nasrudin was a Sufi saint, the archetypal wise fool, who lived in the Middle East over 600 years ago. Read and enjoy. |
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| Letters to the Editor - We invite you to have your say |
- Westender
Post letters to PO Box 5789 West End Q4101 Australia or email to letters@westender.com.au (no attachments please) |
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| A Pluralist’s encounter with a Missionary – a spirited defence of India’s caste system |
- Kalavai Venkat – www.hindurenaissance.com
‘Caste is a result of this spirit of freedom and pluralism. It is something to be proud of.’
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| The little-known history of Muslims in Queensland |
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- By Ibrahim Underwood
For most of the European period of history of Queensland, the majority of the Muslim population has lived in the northwest regions of the state. |
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| How should we read the life-story of the Buddha? |
- By Dr Peter Nelson Ph. D.
A commentary on the life of the Buddha, and the meaning of his story in modern times by noted Buddhist scholar and Westender contributor Dr Peter Nelson |
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| Growing up a Kurilpa Kid – Life in West End in the 50’s |
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- Westender
Excerpts from the recently published memoirs of noted Westender Dr Noel Preston |
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| About the Kurilpa Peninsula – “A Place of Water Rats” |
- www.kurilpa.com.au
Kurilpa is the indigenous name for those suburbs surrounded by the Brisbane River just south of the CBD - South Brisbane, West End, Highgate Hill, Hill End, Dutton Park and parts of Woolloongabba... |
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