AFT Features, AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ

Give up a Fiver for Survivors of Slavery right here in Australia!

  • Did you know that there are currently 41,000* people trapped in modern slavery in Australia?
  • Can you imagine your workplace, your school or your local club advocating for human rights and wanting to do something practical to embrace change?
  • Everyone can take action to help victims of slavery in Australia, and it starts with just a $5 donation towards The Freedom Hub’s Survivor School (Fivers for Survivors).

The Freedom Hub, an Australian registered charity announces its annual ‘Fivers for Survivors’ campaign to align with the United Nations (UN) Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July 2023 in support of survivors of modern slavery.

The ‘Fivers for Survivors’ campaign has three goals:

  • to drive awareness about modern slavery and human trafficking,
  • to engage communities to look out for one another,
  • to support victims of slavery by donating $5 towards the The Freedom Hub Survivor School.

The Freedom Hub will provide free tool kits and resources to encourage schools, clubs, businesses or organisations to organise their own awareness campaigns about modern slavery and human trafficking. The tool kit contains all the necessary resources, videos, materials, and guidelines to facilitate a successful fundraising event, plus facilitates tips on effective community engagement.

Awareness campaigns can be fun and enjoyable for example wearing a silly hat for the day or hosting a walk, whichever that can engage your group or community. What’s important is the positive engagement of participants while broaching a very serious topic because their support helps get essential services to survivors, enabling them to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

Anyone who is interested to know more or contribute as a volunteer is invited to visit The Freedom Hub during the ‘Fivers for Survivors’ week from 24-31 July 2023 or arrange for a representative from the Freedom Hub to come to your school, club, business, or organisation to speak about the issues surrounding modern-day slavery for a nominal donation fee.

Caption: Sally Irwin, Founder of The Freedom Hub (Photo credit: TheFreedomHub.org)

Founded by social entrepreneur Sally Irwin to fill the gap in specialised long-term care for survivors of modern slavery, The Freedom Hub’s Cafe in Waterloo, Sydney and Ethical Business Services fund the organisation’s administration, meaning 100% of all donations go directly to supporting survivors.

“Once a survivor has escaped their situation, they will have to wait four to five years before their court case is heard – that’s long enough for people’s lives to be destroyed even further than what they’ve already been through. In addition, their mental and physical health usually deteriorates; they can find it impossible to trust anyone or function within society,” said Irwin.

“That’s where The Freedom Hub’s Survivor School comes in; we help them rebuild their lives to live independently and successfully. A small donation can bring impact for survivors, and that’s what ‘Fivers for Survivors’ is all about.

Together, we can make a massive difference, and everyone can be a part of it from as little as $5, and every cent goes directly to survivors,” said Irwin.

Register your event, donate, and read more about Fivers for Survivors on our website:

www.thefreedomhub.org/fivers-for-survivors.

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AFTNews, AFTNews

Media Statement in Response to Victoria Government 2026 Commonwealth Games Host Withdrawal

We were informed today that the Victorian Government has walked away from their agreement to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

This is hugely disappointing for the Commonwealth Sport Movement, for athletes around the Commonwealth and the Organising Committee who are well advanced in their planning and preparation.

The reasons given are financial. The numbers quoted to us today of $6 billion are 50% more than those advised to the Organising Committee board at its meeting in June.

These figures are attributed to price escalation primarily due to the unique regional delivery model that Victoria chose for these Games, and in particular relate to village and venue builds and transport infrastructure.

Since awarding Victoria the Games, the Government has made decisions to include more sports and an additional regional hub, and changed plans for venues, all of which have added considerable expense, often against the advice of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA).

We are disappointed that we were only given eight hours’ notice and that no consideration was given to discussing the situation to jointly find solutions prior to this decision being reached by the Government.

Up until this point, the Government had advised that sufficient funding was available to deliver the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.

We are taking advice on the options available to us and remain committed to finding a solution for the Games in 2026 that is in the best interest of our athletes and the wider Commonwealth Sport Movement.

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Features Australia/NZ, Olympics

Have A Go at an Olympic Sport on Olympic Day

Via PRNewsGIG

The AOC’s message is “Have a Go” at any Olympic sport on June 23rd as a way of increasing everyone’s physical and mental health.

AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll says with 44 Olympic sports available, there’s something for everyone.

“On Olympic Day, right around the world, people are encouraged to spend 30 minutes engaged in some form of physical exercise.

“We’d love to see Australians get moving by “Having a Go” at an Olympic sport. Take that time on Olympic Day with friends, colleagues or even by yourself to get moving for 30 minutes.

“Sport has significant physical and mental benefits for everyone, no matter your age or background. Everyone is different, so matching yourself to an Olympic sport makes it easy. For some, it might be getting back into a sport they love.

Australians can get involving in Have a Go on Olympic Day in three simple steps:
1) Choose an Olympic sport
2) Work out how you are going to #HaveAGo on Olympic Day 23 June
3) Share the content on social media on the day

Details about how to Have a Go on Olympic Day can be found at www.olympics.com.au/olympic-day/have-a-go-2023

Mr Carroll said starting with 30 minutes gives everyone the encouragement to build into an ongoing involvement.

“Having a Go is what Australians do. Not everyone is going to be an Olympian but everyone can have a go. Start on Olympic Day and keep it going through to July 23rd, which marks nine years to go until the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympic Games.

“Who knows, a child that has a go this Olympic Day might be competing for Australia at the Brisbane 2032 Games. For the rest of us, hopefully we will be healthier and happier.

Schools across the country will be hosting Have a Go events.

Following application from 114 schools who entered a draw, the following seven schools will receive a special Olympic Day visit from an Olympian. Congratulations;

  • Good Shepherd Primary School, Amaroo, ACT (Canberra)
  • Gordonvale State High School, Gordonvale, QLD (Cairns)
  • Campbell Street Primary School, Hobart, TAS (Hobart)
  • Notre Dame College, Shepparton, VIC (Shepparton)
  • Waddington Primary School, Koondoola, WA (Perth)
  • Sadleir Public School, Sadleir, NSW (Sydney)
  • Playford College, Elizabeth, SA (Adelaide)

Additionally, Australian Olympic Pathway School, Narrabeen Sports High School, North Narrabeen, NSW (Sydney) will also receive a visit, while Savannah Fitzpatrick (Tokyo 2020 – Hockey) returns to her old school, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School (NSW North Coast) for a special Olympic Day talk.

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AFTNews, Diet & Nutrition, Features Malaysia

Sustainable farming by the original guardians of the forests

AFT RECOMMENDS the OA Organik series of videos, showcasing the Orang Asli (OA) or aboriginal / original people of Malaysia. The Malaysian Ministry of Education reported that 42.29% of OA students did not complete Form Five high school education. There’s so much that can be done for the OA community and this story highlights a project spearheaded a local non-profit organisation that has picked up the ASEAN The Struggles Of Education: The Extraordinary Effort Of Fazilah Apong To Complete School – OA Organik (wordpress.com)  

In each video, you’ll listen to the authentic voices of the Orang Asli community in Malaysia, working as Organic Farmers in a unique collaboration with the Foundation for Community Studies and Development (FOCUSED), or YKPM in the Malay language, a registered nonprofit organisation that was founded on 22 September 1993. YKPM accepts tax-deductible donations and is a registered society – Society Reg. No.: 276769-D with the aim to empower left-behind communities, both rural and urban, by working alongside them.

On World’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day (9th August), a fairtrade community enterprise launched a series of video explainers to share how they partner with the Orang Asli (indigenous people) at Ulu Gumum and Melai of Malaysia. Through organic farming, OA Organik has helped lift many Orang Asli households from poverty and earn an income. The project aims to build a green economy and fight for climate justice. Learn more: https://www.ykpm.org.my.

Through organic farming, the Orang Asli (OA) are indirectly protecting Malaysia’s largest natural resource: the rainforest. With just RM1 million, the OA can set up a collection center and provide fair markets for 20 OA villages. This will improve livelihoods and empower them to conserve their forest.

Meet the Orang Asli – Organic Farmers and Guardians of the Forest – https://youtu.be/66uOAdU18Sw
OA Organik: Restoring Dignity
OA Organik: Forging Unity
OA Organik: Farm Nutrition
OA Organik: Forest Custodians
OA Voices 05: Forest Water – https://youtu.be/ORVsnaTgPT4
OA Voices 06: Forest Crafts – https://youtu.be/wLwHIzlpoDo
OA Voices 07: Forest Recreation – https://youtu.be/QZoxmewLybo
OA Voices 08: Forest Herbs – https://youtu.be/U0hW1ppj9uw

Learn more about OA Organik by visiting their website: www.oaorganic.com.my.

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AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ

NZTE Made with Care: Bringing New Zealand’s very best Food & Beverages to Australia

2 June 2023, Sydney – New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) is thrilled to unveil the fifth phase of its NZTE Made with Care campaign, as the demand for kiwi produce down under continues to soar. The global initiative aims to elevate New Zealand’s exceptional produce and highlight its reputation for great-tasting and ethically manufactured food and beverages. The continuation of the campaign signifies New Zealand’s commitment to crafting outstanding produce available to purchase in Australia and beyond.

The latest installation of the campaign will showcase 36 Aotearoa New Zealand brands, featuring both returning food and beverage favourites as well as exciting new additions. These include New Zealand’s only 100% farmer owned red meat co-operative, Lumina Lamb, health and wellness tonic brand, No Ugly, all-natural vodka soda company, Finery, and premium New Zealand honey from 1839 Ltd.

The NZTE Made with Care campaign reinforces the country’s values, which are rooted in Māori culture and are fundamental to the exceptional produce grown on its land. These values include Kaitiakitanga, which involves safeguarding and nurturing people, place, and planet for future generations; Manaakitanga, which emphasizes caring for others and demonstrating hospitality, kindness, and respect; and ingenuity, which involves challenging conventional norms with innovative and daring solutions.
Australia Pacific Regional Director of NZTE, Glen Murphy, is thrilled with the campaign’s success thus far and its contribution to increasing the demand for New Zealand’s products in Australia. “The success of the NZ Made with Care campaign has been tremendous, and thus the decision to continue this initiative was effortless. We are thrilled to have new brands joining us for this fifth phase and will continue working
with our partners to promote and increase awareness and demand for New Zealand’s exceptional and nourishing produce, which is grown and manufactured with integrity. It is evident that Australian consumers share our passion for supporting sustainable food and beverages and preserving and safeguarding our planet.”

Being one of Australia’s closest neighbours, New Zealand’s proximity provides easy access to a complete ecosystem of exceptional food and beverage products of global standards. With such a diverse and exceptional selection, Australian consumers have an abundance of choices when it comes to selecting premium New Zealand products.

Photos: supplied

New Zealand’s beverage industry

New Zealand’s beverage industry has established a worldwide reputation for producing top-quality and award-winning products, including beer, cider, spirits, natural juices, soft drinks, and sparkling water. Some of the best beverages to sample in Australia include the exquisite wines from Rockburn, Te Mata Estate, Summerhouse, Babich Wines, Palliser Estate and Te Whare Ra Wines. Those who relish in the sound of a can tab popping should go straight for New Zealand’s Zeffer Cider. For something a little “higher up the shelf”, new premium vodka soda brand Finery and Strange Nature Gin are worth a try. For those who prefer zero-alcohol beverages, have a wide range of options to choose from, including: Eden Orchards cherry juice, ŌKU NZ herbal tea and elixirs, Six Barrel Soda syrups, Giesen’s 0% alcohol wine, Nutrient Rescue’s life changing booster shots and new wellness tonic brand No Ugly.

Culinary Delights

New Zealand is proud to offer yet another impressive selection of culinary delights that not only benefit the planet but also enhance the lives of consumers. Healthy options (that don’t skimp on flavour) include Fix & Fogg nut spreads, Pacific Harvest edible seaweed, Rutherford & Meyer’s crackers and pastes, The Crafty Weka Bar good-for-you and nature bars, Justine’s Cookies, Pic’s Peanut Butter, trans fat-free Proper Crisps, Pure Delish muesli and cereal, Tom & Luke natural snack packs, Little Beauties freeze-dried fruit, Blue Frog and breakfast cereals, Juicies frozen apple pops, sustainably farmed NZ King Salmon and new addition premium New Zealand honey by 1839 Ltd.

Photo: supplied

Article extracted from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE)

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Diet & Nutrition, Features Malaysia

Celebrating Hari Gawai with Iconic Dishes from Sarawak

Via PRNewsGIG

Sarawak comes alive in June every year as the Dayak people celebrate Hari Gawai, a vibrant festival that gives thanks for a bountiful harvest. Over the years, Hari Gawai has become a larger cultural celebration of Dayak customs and traditions, in honour of their deep connection with the land. 

Not only is it a lively celebration that holds great significance for the Dayak community, it also showcases Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage. A big part of Sarawak’s culture and heritage is food, so we talked about Sarawakian cuisine with Adeline Tang, a Sarawakian who’s in the food industry.

Like many Sarawakians, Tang is based in Klang Valley for work. About Hari Gawai, she said, “Every June is filled with nostalgia and an intense homesickness. I think this might be true for many other Sarawakians who live outside the state. But of course, being Malaysian, the one thing I miss most is authentic Sarawakian food.”

To Tang, there are four distinctive Sarawakian dishes that best represent the state. One dish that holds a special place in the Gawai festivities is Pansoh Ayam, also known as Manok Pansoh, a traditional Sarawakian delicacy cooked in bamboo. The dish involves cooking chicken in a freshly cut bamboo stalk along with aromatics like onions, ginger, lemongrass, garlic, torched ginger flower, and galangal. The bamboo is roasted over an open fire, infusing the chicken with a distinctive flavour.

As the preparation of Pansoh Ayam takes a considerable amount of time, expertise, preparation, and the right space for building a fire, a proper Pansoh Ayam is difficult for most in concrete jungles like Klang Valley to achieve at home. 

Another dish that’s unique to the state is the Sarawak Laksa, which has origins dating back to the 20th century. The creation of this noodle soup remains mysterious – it is believed to be developed by Chinese immigrants in Sarawak and was popularised by the Tan family in the ’60s and ’70s with their development of the Swallow brand laksa paste.

Photo: supplied

This laksa is popular for having complex flavours and stands out from similar dishes such as the curry laksa and asam laksa with its use of the sambal belacan, a pounded chilli paste made with fermented shrimp paste, which lends the dish a great depth of flavour. Depending on who you ask, the most authentic Sarawak laksa paste has a vibrant orange hue and contains between 20-36 (or more!) ingredients including garlic, shallots, chillies, candlenut, and dried shrimp.

Topped with shredded chicken, prawns, bean sprouts, and slices of omelette, the hallmark of the Sarawak laksa is its thick and creamy soup. As with all laksas, the laksa paste is the most important component to getting the taste right. However, as Tang explained, an authentic Sarawak laksa paste can be quite rare to find. “Sarawak laksa paste involves many ingredients, so it can be more difficult than you expect to get the taste right if you made it yourself. You could sometimes find Sarawak laksa paste here, but it doesn’t always capture the authentic taste,” she said.

Ka Chan Ma (Motherwort Herb Chicken Soup) Photo: supplied

Ka Chan Ma (Motherwort Herb Chicken Soup) is also another dish that is unique to Sarawak. The chicken soup dish features the motherwort herb, which grows indigenously in the state and has been used in various cultures for its medicinal properties. As Tang shared, “Ka Chan Ma is an acquired taste because the motherwort can be quite bitter. But over the years, I’ve found an appreciation for the complex, bitter yet floral flavour, as well as its health benefits.”

The herb is believed to aid in mood regulation and reducing anxiety. As the dish is made with motherwort along with ginger, wine, and other spices, it is also believed to be good at relieving gas and improving blood circulation. For these reasons, the nourishing chicken soup is often used as confinement food, but it is also popular among the masses for its unique flavour and as a highly nutritious dish with great health benefits.

Tang also looks back fondly on Ding Pian Ho (鼎边糊), another unique Sarawakian dish. This Foochow dish’s name roughly translates to “wok edge paste” which refers to the way the noodles are made. A flour slurry is poured around the sides of a wok with soup. When the noodles are cooked, it is scraped back into the wok while some of the slurry has cooked in the soup. The result is a cross between flat rice noodles and congee.

For many Sarawakians who have grown up watching hawkers scraping woks to make a bowl of Ding Pian Ho, it might seem a mundane thing. Tang shared that she remembers watching the hawker make these noodles with much fascination – without a doubt, it is certainly one of the most interesting ways of making a flat noodle. 

On Hari Gawai this year, Tang commiserates with fellow Sarawakians about missing the taste of home. In her food business, Freshable, Tang was inspired by her roots and her longing for authentic food from Sarawak and featured her home state’s cuisine in a monthly special this June.

“I felt that Hari Gawai was the best occasion to put a spotlight on Sarawakian cuisine. There’s so much to be said about how unique our food is, but I would rather put a bowl of Sarawak laksa in front of someone and let them experience it themselves,” she added.

As for Sarawakians who find themselves homesick this June like Tang, “There’s so much comfort that a hot bowl of food from home brings me. I hope to share with fellow Sarawakians the taste of home while away from home.”

Tang is the co-founder of Freshable, an innovative meal kit delivery service that sends meal kits of curated cuisines right to your doorstep. The idea is that subscribers pick a dish of choice, and Freshable sends out meal kits which consist of pre-cut and measured ingredients for the recipe to you. 

This month’s Sarawak menu features locally-sourced ingredients from Sarawak and adapted recipes for home cooking. She added that she aims to bring Sarawak’s best dishes to doorsteps in Klang Valley. 

“When I first started out with my business, it was driven by my passion for food. And the Sarawakian food I grew up with and learned to love was a big part of that. As I pay homage to my roots by featuring my favourites in this month’s special, I think things have come full circle,” she said.

Whether you are new to Sarawakian cuisine, or you’re homesick and long for a taste of home, get your taste of Sarawak now on Freshable’s website at https://freshable.co/ and follow them on social media at Instagram and Facebook.

This article was provided by Freshable.co.

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AFT Recommends, Features Australia/NZ, Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Dr. Matthew Phillips – ‘Metabolic Strategies as Therapies in Cancer and Neurodegeneration’

(video link: https://youtu.be/jK0BkTPUGQY)

Dr. Matthew Phillips is a full-time clinical and research neurologist at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton, New Zealand. His foremost passion is to explore the potential feasibility, safety, and efficacy of metabolic therapies, particularly fasting and ketogenic diets, in creating alternate metabolic states that enhance neuron bioenergetics and may lead to improvements in not only the symptoms, but also function and quality of life, for people with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and a variety of additional neurological disorders.

Upon completing his Neurology training in Melbourne, Dr. Phillips realised that he had no interest in going the usual route of further specialising in a particular neurological disorder. He wanted to specialise in a therapy, but no such fellowship existed. Thus, he bought a one-way ticket to the other side of the world and departed the medical system, travelling and working in different places for three years, creating his own self-taught fellowship during which he learned about a variety of therapeutic possibilities that he had never previously considered.

Upon completing his 3-year “fellowship” it dawned on him that metabolic strategies, particularly fasting and ketogenic diets, were promising therapeutic options for a range of disorders. He re-entered the medical system by commencing work as a neurologist in New Zealand, where his colleagues have helped him to apply these strategies to a number of humanity’s most difficult neurological disorders so as to determine whether they are feasible, safe, and can make an impact in terms of helping patients. This has resulted in his team conducting a world-first randomised controlled study of a ketogenic diet in Parkinson’s.

The Canadian-born, Australian-trained neurologist ultimately wishes to help create a new field of Metabolic Neurology that emphasises applying metabolic strategies in healthcare so as to potentially heal many difficult disorders at their core, with the overarching goal being the improved health and enhanced nobility of humanity.

Please consider supporting Low Carb Down Under via Patreon. A small monthly contribution will assist in the costs of filming and editing these presentations and will allow us to keep producing high quality content free from advertising. For further information visit; https://www.patreon.com/lowcarbdownunder

AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ, Fitness

25,000-strong at Dreamhack Melbourne 2023

Record attendance at Australia’s second DreamHack festival in Melbourne for a weekend of gaming, esports & more

The April 28-30th 2023 weekend saw Australia’s biggest gaming, esports, and lifestyle festival, DreamHack Melbourne, return to Melbourne & Olympic Parks with a total of 25,851 passionate fans in attendance across three days (up from 21,000 in 2022). Attendees were treated to a smörgåsbord of activities, including a sold-out Bring-Your-Own-Computer LAN party with $40,000 in prizes, a $16,000 Cosplay Competition, live music performances, an artist alley, the latest tech & games at the DreamHack expo, content creator meet & greets, and educational panels.

Esports fans were treated to a spectacle across two stages in Margaret Court Arena, as Movistar Riders took out the top spot in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ESL Challenger tournament, while The Chiefs scored the win in the League of Legends Circuit Oceania Finals, with over $200,000 awarded in prize money across the weekend. Aspiring professional gamers competed in the Bring-Your-Own-Computer (BYOC) LAN competition across VALORANT, Fortnite, Rocket League, CS:GO, Age of Empires and more.

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos attended the opening ceremony of DreamHack Melbourne 2023 at Rod Laver Arena to welcome competitors, spectators and visitors of all ages to Melbourne.

“DreamHack’s return to Melbourne was a roaring success. The diverse range of content at this year’s festival resonated with fans, which resulted in record ticket sales & attendance – the highest we’ve ever seen in Australia.”

Nick Vanzetti, MD & SVP at ESL FACEIT Group Asia-Pacific Japan.

“We’re incredibly proud of how DreamHack Melbourne has evolved this year, bringing together a diverse range of fans to experience the incredible atmosphere of DreamHack.” said Christoffer Melin, Director DreamHack Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group. “It was an honor to be a part of this vibrant celebration, where the passion and energy of our community took centre stage.”

DreamHack Melbourne tournament results:

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (ESL Challenger)

1st: Movistar Riders (Spain) – $50,000 USD

2nd: Bad News Eagles (Kosovo) – $20,000 USD

3-4th: Grayhound.Rivalry (ANZ) – $10,000 USD

3-4th: Ecstatic (Denmark) – $10,000 USD

League of Legends (League of Legends Circuit Oceania (LCO) Finals)

1st: The Chiefs (ANZ) – $15,000 USD
2nd: Team Bliss (ANZ) – $10,000 USD

Cosplay Competition

1st: Zaphy Cosplay $7,500 AUD
2nd: Miss Twisted $5,000 AUD
3rd: Robb Props & Cosplay $2,500 AUD

Images: Supplied

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AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ, Virtus Global Games

Sport Inclusion Australia name Australian team for the Virtus Global Games

In March 2023, Sport Inclusion Australia announced the Australian team for the 2023 Virtus Global Games taking place in Vichy, France with a total of 121 athletes representing Australia across 10 sports from 4 to 10 June 2023.

“We are very pleased to see so many athletes qualify for the Games following on from the very successful Oceania Asia Games held in Brisbane in November 2022”

Sport Inclusion Australia President, Helen Croxford

Virtus Global Games 2023 will welcome over 1,000 athletes from over 50 countries with Australia’s team expected to be the second largest behind host country France. Australia has a proud record at the Games finishing on top of the medal table at all Global Games except the 1st in Bollnas Sweden in 2004 where they finished second.  With such a large team travelling to France, officials are hopeful of maintaining their position on top of the ladder.

Australia is leading the way with participation of women with 47 women across 8 sports. Athletics is the largest component of the Australian team with 30 athletes, followed by swimming with 24 and Basketball 22.

Seven of the ten sports (Athletics, Cycling, Judo, Taekwondo, Table tennis, Tennis and Swimming) have all confirmed their selections.  Basketball, Futsal and Equestrian are expected to confirm selections in the coming weeks.

Sport inclusion so no one is left behind

The 2023 Virtus Global Games will also see the inclusion of athletes in the II-3 (Autism) group competing with full medal status following Virtus’s announcement of the finalised eligibility criteria earlier this year.  Australia will field athletes in all three groups II-1 (intellectual disability), II-2 (intellectual disability with significant other impairment) and II-3 (autism).

Equestrian will make its debut at the Games.  In recent years Australian athletes have been able to compete internationally in virtual competitions.  Riders will have the added challenge of riding new horses supplied by the local organising committee with just three days to adjust.

“Striving to increase the number of elite Australian athletes competing at the Global Games is an on-going partnership with the National Sporting Organisations, who continue to work with SIA to grow the sport, and for more athletes to have access to more competition, thereby increasing our capacity to bring a strong team of elite athletes to the Global Games in Vichy,”.

“The Australian team is leading the way with athletes competing in 10 out of the 13 sports on offer and with competing athletes in all three eligibility groups – we will be working to defend our championship from Global Games 2019 and bring home the first II-3 medals in a Virtus Global Games event.”

Robyn Smith OAM, Head of Delegation

Going for Gold & Glory

Ms Smith also said the Australian team is a team of champions and are fundraising to ensure every athlete is supported to their needs. Donations can be made via My Cause, search “GG2023” or click this link: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/306721/going-for-gold-and-glory-at-gg2023.

The team may feature three pairs of siblings with Victoria’s Montana and Jamieson Whiteley already named in the Cycling team.  ACT’s Brittany and Taylor Anderson and South Australia’s Keenan and Zachary Georg-Dent have been selected in squads for Basketball.

New South Wales will provide the majority of athletes with 36, closely followed by Victoria with 33 and Queensland with 25.  All states and territories except for Northern Territory will be represented.

New South Wales athlete Kelly Wren (Tennis) will contest her 6th Global Games having competed in all Games (Sweden 2004, Czech Republic 2009, Italy 2013, Ecuador 2015, Brisbane 2019 and now France 2023).  Wren will be the oldest Australian competitor at the Games and has also represented Australia in Basketball.

Team Australia

Athletics: Aaron Houston (NSW), Amelia Mazzei (NSW), Annabelle Rodgers (NSW), Belinda Slatter (QLD), Blake Carr (NSW), Ebonie Cooper (QLD), Eliesha Byrt (VIC), Ethan Parry (QLD), Georgia Powning (VIC), Hugo Taheny (SA), Jack Connors (NSW), Kyle McIntosh (NSW), Liam Griffett (VIC), Lillee Wakefield (SA), Lindsey Hendy (QLD),  Lleyton Lloyd (NSW), Malachi Canning (NSW), Rebecca Mathers (TAS), Riley Mann (QLD), Sam LeFeuvre (QLD), Sammy Muamba (NSW), Stephanie Schweitzer (NSW), Telaya Blacksmith (NSW), Timon Sideris (SA), Timothy D’Abrera (ACT), Phoebe Mitchell (VIC), Kobi-Lee Dyer (VIC).

Basketball Women: Brittany Anderson (ACT), Taylor Anderson (ACT), Jasmin Funnell (ACT), Montana  Haag (VIC), Madilyn Janssen (ACT), Jessica McCulloch (VIC), Evangeline Patterson (VIC), Louwanna Sheridan (ACT), Mackenzie Wills (NSW), Mia Wilson (VIC)

Basketball Men: Brayden  Cowell (TAS), Frazer  Dawber (VIC), Jake  De La Motte (VIC), Keenan  Georg-Dent (SA), Zachary Georg-Dent (SA), Jack Innella (VIC), Jack Gilbertson (NSW), Brad  Kinross (SA), Justin  Koenig (ACT), James Myers (VIC), Matthew Farrar (VIC), James Doyle (NSW)

Cycling*: Andre Ascui (VIC), Nathan Glarvey (QLD), Cameron Marshall (VIC), Jamieson Whiteley (VIC), Montana Whitley (VIC), Georgia Powning (VIC), Molly Thatcher (VIC), Harry Mezger (VIC), Oliver Hutchison (QLD)

Equestrian: Andrew Driffield (NSW), Sarah Sherwood (QLD) Sui Watts (NSW)

Futsal (Squad): Andrew Hoatson (ACT), Joshua Long (QLD), Samuel Mills (SA), Rocco Muemeci (NSW), Samson Samason (VIC), Brad Southwel (NSW), Nathan Whelan (NSW), Ayden Brenton (SA), Bradley Bettens (SA)

Judo: Robert Girdwood (WA), Phoebe Ladlow (TAS), Tobias Sampson (TAS), Lillee Wakefield (SA), Liam Hudson (SA)

Rowing: Bronte Marshall (NSW), Julia Story (NSW), MacIntyre Russell (QLD), Aaron Skinner (VIC)

Swimming: Joshua Alford (ACT), Bailey Stewart (QLD), Jarred Dyer (NSW), Darren Sisman (NSW), Liam Schluter (QLD), India Biesse-Fitton (VIC), Jade Lucy (NSW), Kael Thompson (QLD), Airlie Davis (QLD), Stephanie Bruzzese (NSW), Charles Wilkins (SA), Bradley Doolan (VIC), Russell Booysen (QLD), Katrina Coffey (NSW), Alexander Hejaij (NSW), Gabriel Cregan (SA), Isaac Howells (NSW), Amelia Moore (NSW), Gabriella Howells (NSW), Bel Dabic (WA), Jakob Thompson (NSW), Madison Hinds (NSW), Ryan McGrane (VIC)

Table Tennis: Sam von Einem (SA).

Taekwondo: Chaeyon Seo (QLD), Damon Vasterink (VIC), Jack Arrah (WA)

Tennis: Kelly Wren (NSW), Carla Lenarduzzi (VIC), Breanna Tunny (QLD), Andriana Petrakis (SA), Archie Graham (QLD), Mitchell James (QLD), Damian  Phillips (NSW), Luke Barker (QLD), Tim Gould (QLD), Hunter Thompson (QLD), Simon Ma (NSW)

* A number of athletes may still be added to the team subject to completion of eligibility.

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Image: SportInclusionAustralia.org.au

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AFTNews, Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Urgent action needed to tackle stalled progress on health-related Sustainable Development Goals

Via AFTNN

20 May 2023 – Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) released the 2023 edition of its annual World Health Statistics report with new figures on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the latest statistics on progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report with data up to 2022 underscores a stagnation of health progress on key health indicators in recent years compared with trends seen during 2000-2015. It also alerts us to the growing threat of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and climate change and calls for a coordinated and strengthened response.

COVID-19 cost in lost lives and health progress

The report documents updated statistics on the toll of the pandemic on global health, contributing to the ongoing decline in progress towards the SDGs. During 2020-2021, COVID-19 resulted in a staggering 336.8 million years of life lost globally. This equates to an average of 22 years of life lost for every excess death, abruptly and tragically cutting short the lives of millions of people.

Since 2000, we saw significant improvements in maternal and child health with deaths falling by one-third and one-half, respectively. The incidence of infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria also declined, along with a lowered risk of premature deaths from NCDs and injuries. Together, these contributed to an increase in global life expectancy from 67 years in 2000 to 73 years in 2019.

However, the pandemic has put many health-related indicators further off-track and contributed to inequalities in access to high-quality health care, routine immunizations and financial protection. As a result, improving trends in malaria and TB have been reversed, and fewer people were treated for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

“The World Health Statistics is WHO’s annual check-up on the state of the world’s health. The report sends a stark message on the threat of noncommunicable diseases, which take an immense and increasing toll on lives, livelihoods, health systems, communities, economies and societies,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.  “The report calls for a substantial increase in investments in health and health systems to get back on track towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”

NCDs—an ever-increasing health threat for future generations

Despite overall health progress, the share of deaths caused annually by NCDs has grown consistently and is now claiming nearly three quarters of all lives lost each year.

If this trend continues, NCDs are projected to account for about 86% of the 90 million annual deaths by mid-century; consequently, 77 million of these will be due to NCDs – a nearly 90% increase in absolute numbers since 2019. 

Stagnating progress calls for acceleration

More recent trends show signs of slowdown in the annual rate of reduction (ARR) for many indicators. For example, the global maternal mortality ratio needs to decline by 11.6% per year between 2021 and 2030 to meet the SDG target. Similarly, the net reduction in TB incidence from 2015 to 2021 was only one-fifth of the way to the 2025 milestone of WHO’s End TB Strategy.

Despite a reduction in exposure to many health risks – such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, violence, unsafe water and sanitation, and child stunting – progress was inadequate and exposure to some risks such as air pollution remains high.

Alarmingly, the prevalence of obesity is rising with no immediate sign of reversal. Furthermore, expanded access to essential health services has slowed compared to pre-2015 gains, coupled with no significant progress in reducing financial hardship due to health-care costs. This drastically limits our ability to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an important reminder that progress is neither linear nor guaranteed,” warns Dr Samira Asma, WHO Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact. “To stay on track towards the 2030 SDG agenda, we must act decisively and collectively to deliver a measurable impact in all countries.”

This year’s report includes for the first time a dedicated section on climate change and health, and we anticipate that this will be of more relevance in the report going forward. For this issue and all other areas timely, reliable and disaggregated data are critical to track progress and improve national and global health policies.

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