Month: November 2016

Adaptive reuse: Designs and narratives from industrial spaces

Whilst the greening of cities, public transport, controlled building heights with open spaces are often, quite rightly, cited as desirable, we should add heritage to that list. And whilst that seems simply self evident enough, there is complexity in choosing what heritage is worth protecting. Once it was about preserving the inside and outside of chosen buildings, and maintaining them as small museums complete with a history that accompanied them, but what about today’s concerns ? One answer is that industrial workplaces might deserve a place in the narratives of Australia. Heritage buildings might best be saved, it was...

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New Brisbane program helps the homeless

A new pilot initiative between homeless organisations, hospitals and the Queensland Government has improved health and housing outcomes for Brisbane’s rough sleepers while delivering savings of more than $2 million by preventing unnecessary and expensive hospital presentations and admissions. The Pathways Hospital Admission and Discharge Pilot Project – a joint three-year initiative between Micah Projects, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane, Mater Health Services, and funded by the Queensland Government – has seen Emergency Department (ED) presentations, ambulance callouts and hospital inpatient stays among homeless people plummet in its first 12 months by organising ongoing care and support prior to...

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Art raffle to assist Caxton Legal

Barbara’s* enduring power of attorney was being misused by her daughter who refused to help her find alternative accommodation and withdrew a significant amount of money from Barbara’s bank account. The person vested with the power to change Barbara’s circumstances, her daughter, refused phone calls from both Barbara and the nursing home. Barbara experienced despair as a result of living amongst people who were too unwell to communicate with her. Her requests to change her colostomy bag were often overlooked by staff, resulting in leakage from the bag. Caxton’s Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS) stepped in and assisted...

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Local architects gift to children

Local architectural firm Bosanquet Foley  are investing in the role of arts, culture and creative expression in the community. They have bequested a trio of “Skittles” sculptures to the rooftop terrace of recently completed Ronald McDonald House, to bring joy and colour to the lives of the families of sick children in the adjacent Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.    “Investing in creativity,” according to the architects, “effects change in the health community through creating stimulation and vibrancy to otherwise clinical spaces.”    The colourful grouping of bulbous lifesaver and swimmers sculptures, variously 60 – 90cm high, encourage lively interaction. ...

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Trump’s election an opportunity for Australia – IPAN

US President-elect, Donald Trump, has served notice of a US withdrawal from a “protective” military role for allies in South East Asia and the Pacific. He has urged these allies to take responsibility for their own defences. He has claimed that he intends to pull American military forces back from its outposts in over 90 countries. Mr Nick Deane, speaking for the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) said today, “Trump’s election has removed a major plank underlying the defence strategies of successive Australian governments, which have consistently relied on the US as our fundamental protector. They have led...

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