Senator Andrew Bartlett
Thursday, January 20, 2005
 
A few more tsunami items
Sri Lanka: With the understandable Australian focus on Indonesia, Sri Lanka is not getting so much attention here. I received some information today from a tourism group about the situation there which readers may find of interest. It is obviously aimed at encouraging tourists back to the region and emphasises that many areas are unaffected, but despite that, there are still many people who need a lot of help. A reminder too about the earlier item recommending a local grassroots group in Sri Lanka you can donate to if you want to make sure your money goes straight to where its needed.

The tourism group material states that “Sri Lanka’s wildlife survived the tsunami unscathed. This was due in part to a sixth sense – or more likely to ultra sensitive hearing which allowed them to pick up wavelengths humans did not hear.” I had seen a few mainstream media references to wildlife avoiding the tsunami, but wasn’t sure how much to believe. It was interesting to read a verification of that.

Another interesting “I didn’t know that” fact: Sri Lanka has the highest density of leopards anywhere in the world!

Ongoing Tsunami and other relief information: As the information from the media starts to dwindle, the AusAid page is an ideal site to get regularly updated information about Australia’s relief effort, including the billion dollar package for Indonesia (which is actually $500 million in grants and $500 million in concessional loans over 40 years with no interest or repayments of principal over the first 10 years). If you are looking for less of an Australian focus, this site is a good place to go to get current information about the continuing humanitarian needs from the Tsunami and other disasters and emergencies that don’t get so much coverage.

Musical fundraiser in Brisbane, Friday January 21st: Brisbane's best musical theatre societies will be uniting for a once-off concert in aid of the recent tsunami disaster. Participating soloists and groups span such companies as Opera Queensland, the Savoyards, QMT, the Ignatians, Mixed Company, Phoenix Ensemble, and the Queensland Youth Choir. Performances will include selections from such Broadway hits as Les Miserables, Jekyll and Hyde, Footloose, Carousel, and West Side Story. The benefit will be conducted in association with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), with all proceeds being donated to their emergency appeal.

The benefit concert will be held in the Blue Pacific Show Room, Kedron-Wavell Services Club, starting at 7:30 this Friday (the 21st of January). As limited seating is available, booking is essential. Tickets are only $15 dollars and are available through Ticket Master on 13 61 00 or on the web at www.ticketmaster.com.au.

posted by Andrew Bartlett @ Thursday, January 20, 2005 Permalink
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