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Vigil held as families visit site where Jesse Baird and Luke Davies' bodies found

In the wake of the devastating loss of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, allegedly murdered in a shocking incident that has reverberated more than 150km apart, communities are coming together to mourn, support and seek solace. The heart-wrenching discovery of the couple's bodies in the serene landscapes of the Southern Tablelands near Goulburn has sent shockwaves through both urban and rural areas. As news of the tragic discovery spread, family members embarked on a solemn journey south to the Bungonia property where <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/update-on-search-for-bodies-of-murdered-couple" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Baird and Davies were found</a>. Their pilgrimage was met with an outpouring of sympathy and solidarity from friends and community members alike. Meanwhile, in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, a sombre vigil took place, with dozens gathering at the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club to honour the memories of the beloved couple. The scene at the vigil was poignant yet comforting, with friends embracing one another against the backdrop of crashing waves and flickering candlelight. A portrait of Davies served as a focal point, surrounded by tokens of affection and remembrance. Meanwhile, in the NSW countryside, law enforcement officials worked diligently to unravel the mysteries surrounding the tragic deaths. The sight of police tape being lowered to allow family members to pass through symbolised both closure and the beginning of a long journey toward healing. For the NSW Police Force, the case hit particularly close to home. Deputy Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald spoke candidly about the profound impact of the alleged crime, emphasising the shock and horror felt within the law enforcement community. "It has hurt us because it was one of our own," Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald remarked. "It was an officer who used a police weapon. It's captured the world's attention, not just Australia's. It's horrendous and horrific." Indeed, the tragedy has sparked a broader conversation about the prevalence of violence and the need for greater support for victims and their families. As communities grapple with grief and loss, there is a renewed commitment to standing together in solidarity and offering support to those in need. While the discovery of Baird and Davies' bodies brings a heartbreaking confirmation of their deaths, it also serves as a catalyst for healing and closure. In the days and weeks ahead, friends, family and communities will continue to come together to honour their memories and seek justice for the lives lost too soon. Images: 9News

Family & Pets

Tourist arrested for disgusting act at sacred UNESCO World Heritage Site

A tourist has been arrested after he committed this disgusting act on top of the Leshan Giant Buddha, a sacred UNESCO World Heritage Site in China. The man allegedly found a blind spot away from CCTV cameras, climbed over the security fence and on top of the statue. Once he reached the top of the monuments head, he proceeded to pull down his pants and urinate in front of horrified visitors who filmed the act. Security guards quickly removed the unidentified man and handed him over to police, after being informed of his actions. It is reported that the man was taken to a nearby hospital for psychiatric evaluation. The UNESCO World Heritage Site itself is a 71-metre-tall monument, which is considered to be the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. The Leshan Giant Buddha monument is located in the Sichuan Province of China, and was carved out of a cliff face between 713 and 803 AD. The statue and surrounding Mount Emei Scenic Area have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. This act is one of many incidences of tourists behaving badly across the world. In June 2023 a German tourist was detained after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/tourist-accused-of-causing-over-8-000-in-damages-to-iconic-roman-statue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climbing up</a> a 16th-century Fountain of Neptune, and was accused of causing over $8,000 in damages to the iconic statue. Prior to that, an Irish tourist landed himself into <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/tourist-busted-for-carving-name-into-world-s-most-famous-roman-relic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trouble in Rome</a> after carving his and his girlfriend's name onto the walls of the Colosseum. Images: News.com.au

Travel Trouble

Tourist busted for carving name into world's most famous Roman relic

An Irish tourist has run himself headfirst into trouble in Rome after he was reportedly caught carving his name - and his girlfriend’s - into the Colosseum. It is said that he had been making his carvings, which were six-centimetre-tall initials, with a metal point - possibly his keys - and gouged into a pillar of the 2000-year-old historic monument. The inscription, dedicated to himself and his partner, reportedly read “Ivan+Haley 23”. The Carabinieri police have claimed that the 32-year-old man was caught by private security at the World Heritage Site, and that social media videos of the incident alerted police to the alleged crime. The man has been accused of damaging the historical landmark, the Carabinieri confirmed to CNN, with the act considered to be a crime under Italian law. The Colosseum is one of the seven wonders of the modern world, and also a World Heritage Site, and Italy’s Minister of Culture has called for the tourist to be “identified and sanctioned”. “I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancée,” he tweeted, along with footage of the incident. “I hope that whoever did this will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws.” He later uploaded another video, accompanied by the scathing caption “Tourist scars the Colosseum.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Reputo gravissimo, indegno e segno di grande inciviltà, che un turista sfregi uno dei luoghi più celebri al mondo, il Colosseo, per incidere il nome della sua fidanzata. Spero che chi ha compiuto questo gesto venga individuato e sanzionato secondo le nostre leggi. <a href="https://t.co/p8Jss1GWuY">pic.twitter.com/p8Jss1GWuY</a> — Gennaro Sangiuliano (@g_sangiuliano) <a href="https://twitter.com/g_sangiuliano/status/1673318742057525248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2023</a></blockquote> If the man is convicted, he faces a penalty of at least €2,065 (~$3,370.7) and up to one year in prison, according to CNN. And it isn’t the first time the Colosseum has been defaced by those seeking to carve out their place in history, with a Russian tourist facing a fine of €20,000 for carving the letter “K”. It’s a serious offence in the hearts of many, with archaeologist Federica Rinaldi - who is responsible for the ancient amphitheatre - telling the publication that “the Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations.” “It is a monument that deserves everyone’s respect because it belongs to everyone, and it must remain so,” Rinaldi added. “Carving one’s initials, in addition to being a crime, seems to be a gesture of those who want to appropriate the monument. Better take a selfie!” Images: Twitter

Legal

10 amazing abandoned sites around the world

For every perfectly-manicured tourist attraction around the world, there are scores more that haven’t been touched in years, yet still draw thousands of curious thrill-seekers who aren’t afraid of a bit of dust (and maybe a few ghosts!). Take a look at these incredible abandoned places that are definitely worth a visit – but only if you’re game. <ol start="1"> <li>Chateau Miranda, Belgium – an imposing castle built in 1866 but abandoned in 1991 after becoming too expensive to maintain.</li> <li>Kolmanskop, Namibia – a German settlement established in the early 20th century to mine for diamonds, but which has been a ghost town since the ‘50s.</li> <li>Teufelsberg, Germany – the “Devil’s Mountain” is a manmade hill in Berlin created out of rubble from WWII and home to a former US National Security Agency (NSA) listening station.</li> <li>House-Monument of the Bulgaria Communist Party, Bulgaria – it looks like it’s straight out of a sci-fi film, but in its heyday, this structure was the meeting place of communist leaders.</li> <li>Garnet Ghost Town, USA – this remote town in Montana was built to house those rushing to the state during the gold rush, but these days, the mines are empty and so are the houses.</li> <li>Ross Island, India – this British Administrative Centre was abandoned after a serious earthquake in 1941. It now lies in overgrown yet beautiful ruins.</li> <li>Wonderland Amusement Park, China – construction on Beijing’s answer to Disneyland stopped after land disputes, so all that’s left is the surreal shell to a Disney-esque castle.</li> <li>SS Ayrfield, Australia – right in the middle of Homebush Bay lies this floating relic of the past, covered in beautiful greenery.</li> <li>Villa Epecuén, Argentina – from the 1920s to 1985, this Buenos Aires village was a popular tourist destination, after a flood forced both residents and visitors out for good.</li> <li>Gouqi Island, China – on the banks of the Yangtze River lies this beautiful forgotten fishing village, filled with ivy-covered homes reminiscent of old European towns.</li> </ol> Images: Shutterstock

International Travel

National Aboriginal Art Gallery under fire over proposed building site

Indigenous Australian elders in the Northern Territory have called the development of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery (NAAG) a “complete joke” due to its insensitive proposed building site. The $130 million project is set to celebrate 65,000 years of First Nations history and culture, while also ramping up future tourism prospects in the NT. However, the government wants to build it on the town's football oval precinct, which, critically, overlaps a sacred women's site. Doris Stuart Kngwarreye, a proud Arrernte woman, described the five-year consultation process for the project as a "complete joke" and said she would continue to fight to protect her cultural heritage. "If you're there and they're consulting with you and you say 'no, end of story' consultation goes on without you there," she said. "The boxes have been ticked." The main issue for Ms Stuart is that the gallery will layer other First Nations' songlines and stories, expressed through the artworks proposed for the gallery, over an Mparntwe sacred women's area. "If you put a building up there with stories that don't belong there, how do you think the ancestors will feel towards that?" she said. "Where's the respect? We have our boundaries here." Western Arrarnta elder and artist Mervyn Rubuntja has been painting his homeland in vibrant watercolour since he was a teenager, and said he felt uneasy about displaying his artwork on the potential site. "It's a woman's site," he said. "You need to talk to the ladies first if they say yes or no, because it's important for every non-Indigenous person to listen." The fight over the location first began in 2017, when a government-funded steering committee, led by Indigenous art experts, <a href="https://desart.com.au/publication/2786/">said in a report</a> the gallery should be built out of town and should have major input from the local Indigenous custodians. The NT government is still consulting with the community over the designs of the building and that consultation process is expected to be wrapped by late 2023, but there is no clear timeline for when the building will commence. For Ms Stuart, she said she is disappointed that the government is pushing ahead with the project but said she’d continue to speak up for her country no matter the outcome. "All I want is respect for all this land," she said. Image credits: Getty Images

Art

Soup on Van Gogh and graffiti on Warhol: climate activists follow the long history of museums as a site of protest

Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans at the National Gallery of Australia are just the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/nov/09/climate-activists-target-andy-warhols-campbells-soup-cans-at-australias-national-gallery">latest artistic target</a> of climate protesters, who have been throwing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/14/just-stop-oil-activists-throw-soup-at-van-goghs-sunflowers">soup</a>, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/climate-protesters-throw-mashed-potatoes-at-monet-painting/2022/10/23/cc39e636-52f0-11ed-ac8b-08bbfab1c5a5_story.html">mashed potatoes</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/climate-protesters-throw-mashed-potatoes-at-monet-painting/2022/10/23/cc39e636-52f0-11ed-ac8b-08bbfab1c5a5_story.html">cake</a> at art worth millions of dollars. The actions have received a <a href="https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/in-doha-four-museum-directors-talk-the-climate-protests-1234644472/">muted response</a> from some museum directors, but the protesters know exactly what they are doing. As the activists who threw soup on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers <a href="https://www.frieze.com/article/interview-just-stop-oil">said, "</a>We know that civil resistance works. History has shown us that." Indeed, there is a long history of museums and art being used for political protest. <h2>For women’s suffrage and women artists</h2> In 1914, suffragette Mary Richardson <a href="https://womensarttours.com/slashing-venus-suffragettes-and-vandalism/">slashed</a> the canvas of Velázquez’s Rokeby Venus at London’s National Gallery. Richardson wanted to attract publicity to Emmeline Pankhurst’s imprisonment for her suffragette actions. Richardson selected this painting in part because of its value, and because of “the way men visitors gaped at it all day long”. Her tactics are credited as <a href="https://www.surfacemag.com/articles/just-stop-oil-protests-museums-environmental-activism/">motivating</a> Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil. Since 1985, the <a href="https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/25207/1/Camillabrownpaper.pdf">Guerrilla Girls</a> have been exposing sexual and racial discrimination in the art world. Their actions have usually occurred at the outskirts of museums: in museum foyers, on nearby billboards and on New York City buses. Perhaps their most famous work <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/guerrilla-girls-do-women-have-to-be-naked-to-get-into-the-met-museum-p78793">asked</a>: “do women have to be naked to get into the Met Museum?” <h2>Against corporate sponsorship and artwashing</h2> <a href="https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/decolonize-this-place-kanders-whitney-nine-weeks-of-art-and-action-12207/">Decolonize this Place</a> brings together campaigns against racial and economic inequality. They organised a campaign beginning in 2018 targeting the then vice-chair of New York’s Whitney Museum, Warren B. Kander, whose company sold tear gas that had reportedly been used against asylum seekers along the US-Mexico border. The campaign’s first event was held in the museum’s foyer. <a href="https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/no-space-profiteer-state-violence-decolonize-place-protests-whitney-vice-chair-warren-b-kanders-11507/">Protesters burned sage</a> to mimic tear gas, which wafted through the lobby until the fire department arrived. The protesters argued Kander’s business interests meant he was not fit to lead a globally significant cultural heritage institution that sought relevance for a wide and diverse public constituency. Kander <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/25/arts/whitney-warren-kanders-resigns.html">resigned</a> from the museum’s board in 2019. Since 2018, artist <a href="https://news.artnet.com/art-world/sackler-nan-goldin-victoria-albert-1704450">Nan Goldin</a> and her “Opioid Activist Group” have been staging “die-ins” at the museum to protest against the galleries named for sponsorship from the Sackler family. The Sackler family business is Purdue Pharma, infamous for OxyContin, a major drug in the US <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/03/1084163626/purdue-sacklers-oxycontin-settlement">opioid crisis</a>. Activists have targeted galleries around the world, and so far the Sackler name has been removed from galleries including the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/18/arts/sackler-family-museums.html">Louvre</a>, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/mar/25/british-museum-removes-sackler-family-name-from-galleries">British Museum</a>, the <a href="https://news.artnet.com/art-world/sackler-name-change-guggenheim-museum-2110993">Guggenheim</a> and, as of last month, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/oct/01/campaigners-celebrate-as-va-severs-sackler-links-over-opioids-cash">Victoria and Albert Museum</a>. <h2>For the return of cultural artefacts</h2> The highest-profile actions against the British Museum have targeted its rejection of calls to return objects including the <a href="https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/parthenon-marbles-british-museum-protest-1234632365/">Parthenon Marbles</a> of Greece, the <a href="https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/british-museum-closes-gallery-in-response-to-protesters">Benin Bronzes</a> from modern-day Nigeria, and the <a href="https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/british-museum-closes-gallery-in-response-to-protesters">Gweagal shield</a> from Australia. In 2018, a group of activists performed a “<a href="https://camd.org.au/stolen-goods-tour-of-bm-protest/">Stolen Goods Tour</a>” of the museum. Participants from across the world gave a different story to what visitors read in the museum’s object labels and catalogues, as the activist tour guides explained their continuing connections with objects in the collection. The tour did not convince the museum to return cultural items, but drew extensive global attention to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/11/nigeria-benin-repatriate-bronzes-smithsonian">ongoing campaigns</a>seeking restitution and repatriation. <h2>In the culture wars</h2> Protests using art and museums aren’t just the domain of the left. In 1969, <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Museums-and-Social-Activism-Engaged-Protest/Message/p/book/9780415658539">an arsonist destroyed</a> a display at the National Museum of American History that commemorated Martin Luther King Jr, who had been recently assassinated. The perpetrator was never identified. In 2017, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/18/noose-found-hanging-washington-museum">nooses</a> were left at various museums of the Smithsonian, including The National Museum of African American History and Culture. No groups ever came forward to claim responsibility or express a motive, but the noose is a potent and divisive symbol of segregation and racially motivated violence. In December 2021, doors to the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra were <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-30/act-protesters-set-old-parliament-house-on-fire/100731444">set alight</a> twice by protesters with a number of grievances, including opposition to COVID-19 vaccines. The museum’s <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-20/multimillion-dollar-repair-bill-for-old-parliament-house-fire/100770268">director said</a> the “assault on the building” would force the museum to rethink its commitment to being “as open as possible, representing all that is good about Australian democracy”, and at the same time keeping it protected. <h2>‘Direct action works’</h2> The past two decades have seen a surge of art-focused demonstrations. In 2019, Decolonize this Place and Goldin’s anti-Sackler coalition met with members of 30 other groups in front of Andy Warhol’s “The Last Supper” (1986) at the Whitney. They were there to celebrate the Tate Museum in London and the Guggenheim Museum in New York, who had announced they would stop taking funding from the Sackler family. One participant cried “<a href="https://hyperallergic.com/491418/decolonize-this-place-nine-weeks-launch/">direct action works!</a>” Even when protests at museums and art achieve less concrete outcomes than this, they remain central tools for building public awareness around political and social issues. It is unlikely actions against museums and art will subside anytime soon. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/soup-on-van-gogh-and-graffiti-on-warhol-climate-activists-follow-the-long-history-of-museums-as-a-site-of-protest-193009" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Art

3 times you should never “accept cookies” on a site

To cookie or not to cookie? Cookie-consent pop-ups are one of the biggest annoyances on the Internet. Almost every site you visit has a notice saying, “This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Do you agree?” or something similar. Typically, we click “yes” or “agree” without even thinking about it because we’re eager to get to the content. But should we? Not necessarily. What are cookies, exactly? Before we delve into the dos and don’ts of cookie consent, here’s a little refresher on this Web tool: Cookies are essentially information collectors and trackers in the form of small text files stored on your browser by the sites you visit. Some are useful. For example, a cookie saved on your browser makes it so you don’t have to re-enter your log-in information every time you visit one of your favourite websites. Cookies can also remember your shopping preferences so that you get a personalised experience when you visit the website. Others, however, track how you use a website, how often you go there, your IP address, your phone number, what types of things you look at and buy, and other information you may not want to share. Do you have to accept cookies? Many companies have you click “yes” so that they’re compliant with current privacy laws. This means that once you click, you’ve given the company permission to use your information as they see fit without the worry of legal backlash. Most of the time, cookies are no big deal. There are a few occasions, though, where you should decline cookies. Don’t worry – if you find yourself in a situation where you need to decline or simply want to decline for whatever reason, most websites will work just fine without collecting your information. With that said, here’s when saying no to the cookies is a good idea. Sketchy sites Beware when you’re on an unencrypted website (these websites will have an unlocked lock icon by the web address) while using a public Wi-Fi network. The information collected by cookies can be intercepted by hackers because there isn’t any security to stop them. Your best bet when borrowing Wi-Fi from your local coffee shop or fast-food joint is to use your browser’s private or incognito mode. While in this mode, cookies aren’t collected by default (though you can manually turn off cookie blocking on some browsers), no matter where your Internet journeys take you. Third-party cookies If the cookie-consent pop-up mentions third-party cookies, click “decline.” Accepting gives the website the right to sell your browsing behaviour to a data broker. The broker then combines your behaviour on one website with information from other websites and builds an extremely detailed profile of you as a consumer. “The broker then sells that profile to other third parties who want to market to people like you,” says Harry Maugans, CEO of Privacy Bee, a proactive privacy management tool for consumers. “As you can imagine, this chain extends infinitely. Once you lose control of your personal data, it gets packaged and repackaged in all kinds of ways. It’s scary but true.” According to Maugans, some third-party cookies are even nefarious. You could become a victim of “cookie stealing” or “session hijacking.” This is when a hacker gains access to a browser and mimics users to be able to steal cookies from that browser. This can put you at risk of identity theft if hackers manage to steal cookies that store your personal information or credit card information. If you’re worried that you might accidentally accept third-party cookies, there’s an easy way to make things fool-proof. Go into your browser and choose to allow only required cookies or “first party” cookies. These cookies are the helpful ones mentioned earlier and are usually only used by the website you’re visiting. When you’re using private information If you don’t feel comfortable sharing the information you’re using or accessing on a website with a stranger, don’t use cookies on that site. According to Jeremy Tillman, president of the privacy company Ghostery, you should avoid cookies on sites where you do your banking, access your medical information, or use other private information. If you’re afraid that you’ve already accepted cookies on websites where you wouldn’t want your information gathered, go into your browser and use the “clear cookies” option. This will prevent sites from collecting your information in the future, as long as you decline the next time a site asks you to accept its cookies. Written by Alina Bradford. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/science-technology/3-times-you-should-never-accept-cookies-on-a-site" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images

Technology

Sacred Aboriginal sites are yet again at risk in the Pilbara

An application from Traditional Owners to block the construction of a fertiliser plant near ancient rock art in the Pilbara <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-24/perdaman-fertiliser-traditional-owners-sacred-sites-rock-art/101363542" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was denied</a> by the federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. This decision is deeply concerning, and points to a much larger problem with Indigenous heritage management. Plibersek says she went with the views of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation in making her decision, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-23/plibersek-will-not-block-perdaman-fertiliser-plant-/101360350" target="_blank" rel="noopener">calling it</a> the “most representative organisation on cultural knowledge” in the region. Yet, she <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/environment-minister-won-t-intervene-on-burrup-plant/101359854" target="_blank" rel="noopener">also acknowledged</a> that these views don’t represent all Traditional Owner perspectives in the area. Save Our Songlines, a separate organisation of Murujuga Traditional Owners, oppose the fertiliser plant, which they say poses a threat to sacred rock art sites. <a href="https://www.saveoursonglines.org/post/tanya-plibersek-fails-to-protect-murujuga" target="_blank" rel="noopener">They say</a> the minister’s decision is “based on faulty reasoning and false conclusions”. In 2020, the world reacted in horror when Rio Tinto <a href="https://theconversation.com/rio-tinto-just-blasted-away-an-ancient-aboriginal-site-heres-why-that-was-allowed-139466" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lawfully</a> destroyed Juukan Gorge – sacred Aboriginal rock shelters in the Pilbara some 46,000 years old. Broader community understanding of the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges for looking after Country can help us avoid repeating this tragedy. Tourism and community education is an important way to do that. <blockquote> "The community, the country and the whole world will be outraged if this leads to another Juukan Gorge because the federal government would not stand up to industry and protect sacred Aboriginal sites from further destruction.” — Save Our Songlines (@SaveBurrup) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaveBurrup/status/1561902261571203078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2022</a></blockquote> <h2>‘Enough is enough’</h2> The A$4.5 billion Perdaman fertiliser plant will be constructed in the World Heritage nominated <a href="https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/murujuga-national-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Murujuga National Park</a> in Western Australia. It is home to the world’s largest rock art gallery, with more than 1 million images scattered across the entire Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago. As many as <a href="https://www.saveoursonglines.org/post/tanya-plibersek-fails-to-protect-murujuga" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 sacred sites</a> may be impacted by the plant, according to Save Our Songlines. In <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/environment-minister-won-t-intervene-on-burrup-plant/101359854" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview</a> with ABC Radio National, Plibersek said the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation have agreed that some of these rock carvings can be moved safely, and others can be protected on site even if the plant goes ahead. However, the situation isn’t so clear cut. For example, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-26/aboriginal-custodians-concerns-in-letter-to-government/101370394?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=abc_news_newsmail_am_sfmc&utm_term=&utm_id=1930785&sfmc_id=281363065" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the ABC revealed</a> on Thursday that the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation refused permission to move the rock art sites multiple times, preferring they remain undisturbed. Elders finally agreed after receiving advice that this wasn’t possible. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen issues regarding consultation processes with Traditional Owners, such as during the notorious <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/environment/battle-for-the-kimberley-20120523-1z5fb.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">battle for the Kimberley</a> against a major gas plant in 2012. Traditional Owner and co-author Clinton Walker has been sharing his intimate knowledge of the Pilbara with visitors through his tourism venture <a href="https://www.ngurrangga.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ngurrangga Tours</a> for the past 11 years. He has the cultural authority and capacity to speak for his Country. Clinton was a signatory on the <a href="https://www.saveoursonglines.org/post/open-letter-from-murujuga-custodians" target="_blank" rel="noopener">open letter from Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga</a> concerning threats to cultural heritage in the area. He describes the potential impact of the fertiliser plant: <blockquote> This hill is a very very sacred site to my people. If they build their plant here we’re not gonna have the same access we do now to go visit our rock art and teach our kids and family their culture. This impact is going to damage our culture and it will damage us as the Traditional Owners because we’re connected to these sites in a spiritual way. I want people to know how important these sites are. We need to protect them. Enough is enough. <h2>The need for consent</h2> The <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportjnt/024757/toc_pdf/AWayForward.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">federal inquiry into the Juukan Gorge</a> disaster <a href="https://theconversation.com/juukan-gorge-inquiry-puts-rio-tinto-on-notice-but-without-drastic-reforms-it-could-happen-again-151377" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highlighted</a> the need for free, prior and informed consent from any affected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group. The inquiry also <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-12/juukan-gorge-blast-inquiry-told-of-rio-tinto-gag-clauses-warning/12754100" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called for</a> the removal of so-called “gag clauses” from land-use agreements, which prevent Aboriginal people from speaking out against developers. Save Our Songlines Traditional Owners say principles from the inquiry aren’t being upheld, and are concerned <a href="https://www.nit.com.au/the-six-clauses-traditional-owners-say-gag-them-from-raising-murujuga-concerns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gag clauses</a> are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/24/indigenous-elders-in-wa-say-gag-clause-denies-them-a-say-in-industrial-developments-on-their-land" target="_blank" rel="noopener">silencing members of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation</a>. We find it deeply problematic that Plibersek did not acknowledge these concerns around gag clauses in announcing her approval of the fertiliser plant. It is the role of the government to keep industry accountable for their obligations to abide by <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2016C00937" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indigenous heritage laws</a> and to ensure proper consultation processes are undertaken. This decision is also not in line with the federal government’s vocal commitment to the environment and to <a href="https://alp-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/documents/ALP_FIRST_NATIONS_PEOPLES_2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs</a> prior to winning the election. In a <a href="http://www.majala.com.au/news/lawful-but-awful" target="_blank" rel="noopener">submission to the United Nations</a> about how to “decolonise our legal system”, Nyikina Warrwa Indigenous leader and respected researcher <a href="https://www.notredame.edu.au/research/nulungu/staff/Anne-Poelina" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Professor Anne Poelina</a> said: <blockquote> If the Lawful Laws which are awful, are enabled as lawful, what chance do Indigenous people and our lands, water, lifeways, and livelihoods stand against destruction? <h2>Understanding Indigenous connection to Country</h2> Non-Indigenous people need to better understand the <a href="https://theconversation.com/although-we-didnt-produce-these-problems-we-suffer-them-3-ways-you-can-help-in-naidocs-call-to-heal-country-163362" target="_blank" rel="noopener">importance of Country</a> for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Classrooms are a good place to start. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1177180120929688" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deficits in the Australian education system</a> have led to poor knowledge and frequent and pervasive misunderstandings of Aboriginal people, places and cultures. A <a href="https://insidestory.org.au/white-australias-hangover/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">psychological hangover</a> from White Australia’s assimilation policies persists. When school education doesn’t provide accurate and truthful accounts of Australian histories, <a href="https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/State-of-Reconciliation-2021-Full-Report_web.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">harmful stereotypes are left unchallenged</a>. Clinton Walker describes a common response from visitors on his tours showcasing the culture, Country and history of the Pilbara: <blockquote> People say ‘how the hell don’t we know that? Why have we never learnt this stuff?’ </blockquote> Improvements in education have been slow. For example, the Australian Institute for Teacher and School Leadership only released their report “<a href="https://www.aitsl.edu.au/teach/intercultural-development/building-a-culturally-responsive-australian-teaching-workforce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Building a culturally responsive Australian teaching workforce</a>” in June this year. Resources to support teachers are said to be scheduled for release in the coming months. <h2>Learn about Country through tourism</h2> <a href="https://www.welcometocountry.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tourism is one context</a> where the visibility and recognition of Indigenous people as knowledge-holders can be promoted and celebrated. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism operators are delivering truthful accounts of Australian history and telling their stories of their connection to Country and culture. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1468797620987688" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This work is an emotional labour</a> as they challenge entrenched colonial narratives. Indigenous tourism operators are <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-than-a-word-practising-reconciliation-through-indigenous-knowledge-sharing-in-tourism-158563" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agents of reconciliation</a>. Operators speak about wanting to educate visitors to build awareness of social and environmental issues facing their communities. The potential destruction of cultural sites at Murujuga is one such issue. Ongoing research from lead-author Nicole Curtin involves conversations with Aboriginal tourism operators and their visitors. It finds that deep listening is required for visitors to interrogate their own biases and privileges during their tourism experience. Visitors must be willing to “go and sit and learn” about Indigenous sovereignty and knowledges in their own lives. Indeed, an enhanced sense of connection to our local communities may help to drive people to speak out about the destruction of sites of environmental and cultural significance. Raising community awareness to fuel social momentum is one way of exerting pressure on decision makers to protect Australia’s rich cultural heritage and environment. <div> We acknowledge the Bininj, Larrakia, Noongar, Ngarluma, Yindjibarndi and Yawuru peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country where this article, and our research, was conducted and written. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/sacred-aboriginal-sites-are-yet-again-at-risk-in-the-pilbara-but-tourism-can-help-protect-australias-rich-cultural-heritage-188524" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock </div> </blockquote> </blockquote>

Travel Trouble

“Barbarian” Aussie rides moped in Pompeii

An Aussie tourist has been dubbed a “barbarian” after stupidly driving a moped in the ancient site of Pompeii. The 33-year-old was spotted on CCTV entering the historic site where construction vehicles were allowed in which prompted them to chase him down immediately. It is alleged the man rode the moped for almost 2km before he was captured by police and charged with “unauthorised access”. "The route taken is a dirt road outside the ancient city walls, used by site vehicles for excavation works," the park said in a statement. "It is safe, restored, and not accessible to the public. So there was no danger for either visitors or for the archaeological heritage at any point." The man claims that he did not know he was riding through an ancient site which was destroyed from a volcanic eruption in 79AD. It has been confirmed that luckily the man did not destroy anything of the 2,000-year-old historic site. Image: CCTV

Travel Trouble

10 awe-inspiring UNESCO world heritage sites everyone needs to visit

Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is universally recognised as the greatest masterpiece in Indo-Islamic architecture. The white marble mausoleum was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Spatial grandeur, arches, domes, relief work and precious stone inlay are among its defining characteristics. Angkor Wat Exploring the mysteries Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia is an unforgettable bucket list trip. Part of one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia (the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 14th century), this massive temple complex was originally constructed as a Hindu place of worship for the god Vishnu and is the largest religious structure on the planet! Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland Australia, is the largest living thing on earth. It’s so huge that you can see it from outer space! Stretching for over 2,300 kilometres, this ecosystem is home to a diversity of marine line, including 400 types of coral, 1500 species of fish, and 4000 varieties of molluscs. Not surprisingly it’s a magnet for scuba divers. Plitvice Lakes National Park Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is located halfway between Zagreb and Zadar. This idyllic oasis is renowned for its 16 crystalline lakes connected by a series of exquisite waterfalls, splendid caves and lush forests. Each year, more than one million visitors flock to this natural paradise, making it Croatia’s main tourist attraction. The Parthenon The Acropolis of Athens is an enduring symbol of Classical Greece. The crown jewel of this hilltop citadel is the Parthenon, a former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Built by Ictinus and Callicrates, beginning in 447 BCE, this Doric icon is regarded as the most important surviving ancient Greek monument. Grand Canyon Words don’t do even begin to do justice to the glory of the Grand Canyon. Formed by Colorado River activity over the past six million years, it’s one of the longest and deepest gorges (averaging 1,600m in depth) on earth. Its immense size and layered red rocks make it a must-see-before-you-die attraction. Want to bring your four-legged friend along? The Grand Canyon is also pet-friendly! Los Glaciares National Park Located in the southwest of Santa Cruz province of the Argentine part of Patagonia in a remote area known as the Austral Andes, Los Glaciares National Park is a rugged paradise of granite peaks, lakes and numerous glaciers that cover half the 600,000-hectare expanse. Traversing this spectacular scenery is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Jeronimos Monastery Travel to the Belem district at the entrance to the port of Lisbon to find the Jeronimos Monastery, which dates back to the 15th century. This highly ornate religious building was constructed and donated to the monks of Saint Hieronymus to pray for sailors on their voyages. Its cloisters, columns, arcades and complex ornamentation are characteristic of Portuguese Gothic style. Old Québec Founded by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1608, Québec is among the oldest settlements in North America (and one of the most popular travel destinations in Canada). Centuries-old charm is on full display in its impeccably preserved historic district, a shining example of a fortified colonial city with cobblestone lanes, churches, convents and landmarks like Château Frontenac and Place Royal. Iguazu Falls Stretching 2.7 kilometres across Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu Falls is the largest system of waterfalls in the world. The sheer size, thunderous sound and spectacle of these 275 individual cascades – including the 82-metre-tall Devil’s Throat – is truly jaw-dropping. The exotic flora and fauna of the surrounding rainforest add to the allure. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/10-awe-inspiring-unesco-world-heritage-sites-everyone-needs-to-visit" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>.

Travel Tips

“It broke my heart”: Native Americans outbid to buy back their own sacred site

Over 290 prehistoric Native American glyphs that depict people, animals, and mythological figures adorn the walls of Picture Cave in eastern Missouri. The cave has been deemed an “ultimate sacred site” by the Osage Nation, who were pushed out of the land as a consequence of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Since the 1950s, the land has been owned by the extremely wealthy Busch family, who mostly used it as a hunting ground. When the Busch family announced last year that they would be selling the cave, and the 43 acres of land surrounding it, the Osage Nation began a campaign to procure their land back. They teamed up with the Conservation Fund, as well as Fish and Wildlife Services, on the account of endangered bats living in the cave. Despite their mammoth efforts, the Osage Nation could not gather enough money to buy their sacred land back. “[Picture Cave] is our ultimate sacred site,” says Andrea Hunter, a member of the Osage Nation and director of its Historic Preservation Office. “It was our land to begin with and we then had to resort to trying to buy it back. “And we’ve got landowners who don’t understand the history of the place they live in and whose significance doesn’t amount to more than monetary value [for them].” The Busch family sold the land to an anonymous buyer for $2,200,000USD, just $200,000 more than the Osage Nation offered. “Watching it get to $2 million stopped my heart,” said Hunter. “It broke my heart.” Hunter and her team are currently trying to contact the anonymous bidder from Nashville to explain the historical and cultural significance of the land. So far, they have not been successful in their communications. Image credit: Youtube - Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers

Art

Nine top Aussie camp sites - with a view

While it may be off our radar right now, travelling around Australia will be back soon and who doesn't want to fall asleep under a blanket of stars and wake to some of the best views in the country? So, take a look here at our top nine Aussie camp sites. Australia really is the lucky country. Every state and territory is home to a diverse range of rich scenic grandeur an it’s ready to inspire us. The great thing about camping is it gives you the best seat in the house to enjoy the wonder of it all. Here you’ll find our picks of the top 9 camping and caravanning campsites with a view. Alpaca Magic Stud, Sutton, NSW Canberrans, this one is for you. While this campsite is technically located just across the ACT border in NSW, it’s only a 30-minute drive from the Canberra CBD. And you’ll be warmly welcomed by fields of alpacas, llamas, donkeys, and miniature cattle studs. The site is suitable for self-sufficient campers – which means BYO water, toilet and shower amenities – who leave no trace. Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Monkey Mia, WA Monkey Mia is one of those rare places in Australia where dolphin visitation is daily, rather than seasonal, and the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort offers a human-dolphin interaction program for free. This absolute beachfront camping resort is in the heart of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Spend your day’s snorkelling or boating in crystal clear waters, partaking in a camel ride or an Aboriginal Cultural Walk. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2efd197bd5834a0ca654e11ac447b830" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843586/monkey-mia-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2efd197bd5834a0ca654e11ac447b830" /> First Sun Caravan Park, Byron Bay, NSW Cape Byron is the most easterly point of Australia’s mainland, and <a href="https://www.firstsunholidaypark.com.au/">First Sun Caravan Park</a> reaps the benefits of its plum position on the foreshore of Byron Bay’s main beach. Let’s just say you’re guaranteed to be the first to witness the sun each day. For the most part, guests are also treated to unobstructed views of the ocean with sites located right alongside the beach. Yet, you’re also within strolling distance to all the major attractions. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT With its remote desert location, deep cultural significance and spectacular natural beauty, <a href="https://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/accommodation/ayers-rock-campground">Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park</a> is home to one of Australia’s most unforgettable attractions – and, without a doubt, offers one of the best campsite views in the world. Due to Uluru’s cultural importance to the local Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people, the closest you can camp is 15 kilometres away in Yulara at the Ayers Rock Campground. But don’t worry, it isn’t called The Rock for no reason, you will still be treated to jaw-dropping views from this distance. In addition to its grassy campsites, you’ll also have access to a swimming pool and it’s a great place to base yourself to explore the park’s numerous walking tracks, rockpools and Aboriginal rock art sites. It’s worth allowing a couple of days to explore and observe the changing moods of the Rock. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Flinders Ranges, SA The rugged mountains which rise above grassy plains to form <a href="https://www.australiantraveller.com/sa/outback-sa/flinders-ranges/">the Flinders Ranges</a> are more than 600 million years old. The Aboriginal Dreamtime stories that tell the tale of how this area was created have been passed down between generations for more than 40,000 years. In the northern part of this epic location, you’ll find <a href="https://www.arkaroola.com.au/caravan-camping">Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.</a> Its campsites deliver some of Australia’s most spectacular mountain views and offer numerous eco-tourism-accredited guided tours. Whether you love birdwatching, bushwalking, geology, wildlife spotting or 4WD adventures, this wilderness sanctuary offers a multitude of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. They even have three fully equipped observatories, so you can get an even closer look at the incalculable number of stars at night. Pitch a tent among 600 million-year-old relics. Lucky Bay National Park, WA Gone are the days of paying top dollar to sit around an overcrowded resort because yes - your own personal paradise awaits you at Lucky Bay. You’ll find Lucky Bay just past Esperance in WA’s far south, and the campsites, which are situated almost on top of the sand, couldn’t offer more luxurious views: lush, turquoise waters lapping at gloriously white sand, a dramatic framing of rocky outcrops and beach-going kangaroos lazing about in the sunshine (yes, really). Swim, fish or opt for a bushwalk on one of the many trails that wind through the park past freshwater pools and a dazzling blanket of wildflowers (if you happen to be there in spring). Green Patch, Jervis Bay, NSW The campsites at <a href="https://parksaustralia.gov.au/booderee/camping/green-patch/">Green Patch</a> book out months in advance, so you do need to book ahead. You’ll find Green Patch tucked away in Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast. The lucky few who get in early can expect white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and kangaroos bounding in the distance. The neighbouring beaches are perfect for swimming and sun-worshipping, while nearby bushwalking trails deliver several shaded picnic spots to sit and enjoy a meal with a view. Bathrooms, hot showers and water are all in ready supply, as are barbecues and wood fireplaces – so bring plenty of supplies for a barbie under the stars and a night-time bonfire. And don’t forget the wine. Jan Juc Caravan Park, Great Ocean Road, Vic Considered to be one of the world’s most <a href="https://www.australiantraveller.com/vic/great-ocean-road/the-best-itinerary-for-driving-the-great-ocean-road-in-three-days/">scenic coastal drives</a>, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road gives you the opportunity to see the iconic 12 Apostles, get up close to native wildlife, and take in iconic surf breaks, pristine rainforests and misty waterfalls. The natural beauty of this area draws visitors from far and wide. To truly drink in the stunning scenery, pitch a tent at the <a href="https://www.janjucpark.com.au/">Jan Juc Caravan Park</a>. And if you also want to check out the world-famous Bells Beach surf break, the park is as close as you can sleep to the action. There are barbecues, powered and unpowered campsites and cabins available. Freycinet National Park, Tas It’s no secret that <a href="https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/freycinet-national-park">Freycinet National Park</a> is home to some of Tasmania’s most incredible camping spots, which may explain why you have to enter a ballot system to camp during peak times (Easter and Christmas). Pitch a tent here to wake to breathtaking ocean views. Your days will be spent exploring the beautiful bays: Honeymoon Bay, Sleepy Bay and Wineglass Bay – with the panoramic views of wondrous Wineglass Bay the main drawcard for visitors. The views on offer at Alpaca Magic Stud are essentially in the name – fields upon fields of peacefully grazing animals. But if the view alone isn’t enough to entice you, book into one of the many workshops on offer: Conversations with Cows, Breakfast with the Alpacas & Llamas, Needle Felt workshops, Fleece Spinning workshops, and the very popular Llama Walking Experience. Images: Getty Images

Domestic Travel

Urgent alert as Sydney exposure sites explode

A late-night alert has been issued by NSW Health, which has added 48 new exposure sites across Sydney. Authorities are urging anyone who may have attended the following venues during the times stated, is now considered a close contact and must isolate, get tested and stay inside for 14 days. Sydney is currently undergoing its fifth week of lockdown, but local transmission of the Delta-variant remains high. FULL LIST OF EXPOSURE SITES: GoVita, 1052 Old Princes Highway, Wednesday 21 July, 9:45am-9:55am GWYNNEVILLE Gwynneville Bakery, 3.168 Gipps Road, Saturday July 24, 9am-9:30am BELFIELD Mancini’s Original Woodfired Pizza, 21 Burwood Road, July 24, all day CAMPSIE Campsie Centre, Friday, July 23 all day; Saturday, July 24 all day SAN REMO Priceline, Friday, July 23 from 2.20 pm to 2.40pm ROSEBERY IGA, Friday, July 23 from 4 pm to 4.55pm ENGADINE GoVita, Wednesday, July 21 from 9.45 am to 9.55am BEVERLY HILLS Pizza Hut, Wednesday, July 21 from 1.45 pm to 2.15pm ROSELANDS Caltex Woolworths, Monday July 26 from 3.10 pm to 3.20pm These bus routes are also considered exposure sites and anyone who travelled them must get tested and self-isolate. ROUTE 25 From Tuggerah Station to Bateau Bay Square, Friday July 23 from 1.58 pm to 2.35pm ROUTE 21 From Lions Park, Central Coast Highway, Long Jetty to Gosford Train Station, Stand N, Friday July 23 from 3.41 pm to 4.30pm Anyone who attended these venues during these times are considered a casual contact. Those who were there must get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. WENTWORTHVILLE Officeworks, Sunday, July 18 from 10.40 am to 11am BANKSTOWN Fields of Fruit, Sunday, July 18 from 11.10 am to 11.25am TOONGABBIE Toongabbie Fish Market, Sunday, July 18 from 11.10 am to 11.25am POTTS POINT Jeremy and Sons, Monday, July 19 from 7.30 am to 7.45am LEICHHARDT Leichhardt Marketplace, Monday, July 19 from 9.55 am to 10.10am Blooms the Chemist, Saturday, July 24 from 10.30 am to 10.45am MARSDEN PARK Puma Energy Australia, Monday, July 19 from 11 am to 11.05am ULTIMO Aldi, Monday, July 19 from 12 pm to 12.10pm HORNSBY Dan Murphy’s, Saturday, July 24 from 5.20 pm to 5.40 pm PENDLE HILL Pendle Inn Hotel, Monday, July 19 from 12 pm to 12.10pm BASS HILL Kahil Meats, Monday July 19 from 3.30 pm to 3.55pm CANLEY HEIGHTS Carter & G’s Coffee Shop, Tuesday, July 20 from 7.40 am to 7.50am; Wednesday, July 21 from 7.40 am to 7.50am BELLAMBI Bunnings, Tuesday, July 20 from 11 am to 11.15am LAKEMBA Chemist Warehouse, Tuesday, July 20 from 2.30 pm to 3pm Woolworths, Tuesday, July 27 from 2.30 pm to 2.45pm MERRYLANDS Hamze Bros Fruit and Veg, Wednesday, July 21 from 9 am to 9.05am Services Australia, Tuesday, July 20 from 10.50 am to 11.05am BASS HILL Woolworths, Wednesday, July 21 from 9.05 am to 9.15am CHULLORA Aldi, Wednesday, July 21 from 9.20 am to 10am CABRAMATTA Woolworths, Wednesday, July 21 from 12.25 pm to 12.45pm; Saturday, July 24 from 1.30 pm to 1.35pm Accounting Dynamics, Tuesday, July 27 from 4.20 pm to 7.30pm LONG JETTY 7-Eleven, Friday, July 23 from 3.15 pm to 3.35pm BANKSTOWN Supa IGA, Wednesday, July 21 from 12 pm to 1.30pm Bankstown Lebanese Fruit and Mixed Business, Thursday, July 22 from 10 am to 10.15am BLACKTOWN Kebab Express, Friday, July 23 from 8.40 pm to 8.50pm Chester Jakes Supersave Chemist, Saturday, July 24 from 10.35 am to 10.50am NARELLAN Coles, Thursday, July 22 from 5 am to 10.10am; Saturday, July 24 from 5 am to 1.20pm; Sunday July 25 from 5 am to 10am BELMORE Belmore Hardware, Thursday, July 22 from 9.30 am to 11am LIVERPOOL Chemist Warehouse, Thursday, July 22 from 11 am to 11.15am Westpac, Thursday, July 22 from 11.20 am to 2.55pm Woolworths, Thursday, July 22 from 7 pm to 8.15pm CAMPBELLTOWN Priceline, Thursday, July 22 from 11.50 am to 12.05pm CAMPSIE Woolworths, Thursday July 15 from 6.20 pm to 6.40pm; Friday July 23 from 1 pm to 1.20pm; Tuesday July 27 from 2 pm to 2.20pm Campsie Growers Market, Wednesday, July 21 from 8.30 am to 6pm; Thursday, July 22 from 8 am to 3pm Jin Mart, Wednesday, July 21 from 4.10 pm to 4.20pm Chemist Warehouse, Thursday, July 22 from 6 pm to 6.15pm Jono’s Cafe, Saturday, July 24 from 10 am to 10.15am CABRAMATTA Heng’s Garage, Friday, July 23 from 10.20 am to 1pm FAIRFIELD McDonald’s, Thursday, July 15 from 9 pm to 9.30pm Woolworths, Wednesday, July 21 from 12.30 pm to 1.30pm; Thursday, July 22 from 1.35 pm to 2.40pm; Friday, July 23 from 7.30 pm to 8pm FAIRFIELD HEIGHTS Fairfield District Medical Centre, Thursday, July 22 from 12 pm to 12.30pm 7-Eleven, Monday, July 19 from 7 pm to 7.10pm Fairfield Heights Tobacconist, Wednesday, July 21 from 1 pm to 2pm ROSEMEADOW Woolworths, Thursday, July 22 from 12.20 pm to 12.45pm; Friday, July 23 from 1.25 pm to 2.10pm AUBURN Woolworths, Saturday, July 17 from 10.40 am to 11.05am; Thursday, July 22 from 1.50 pm to 2pm; Saturday, July 24 from 11.10 am to 11.30am KINGSWOOD Freechoice, Monday, July 19 from 7 pm to 7.10pm KINGS PARK Subway, Friday, July 23 from 9 pm to 9.05pm THE PONDS Flash News, Thursday, July 22 from 3.35 pm to 3.50pm; Saturday, July 24 from 4.05 pm to 4.15pm Costi’s Seafood and Grill, Saturday, July 24 from 4.05 pm to 4.10pm Priceline, Saturday, July 24 from 4.10 pm to 4.20pm CASULA BP, Thursday, July 22 from 4 pm to 8pm; Sunday, July 25 from 7.35 am to 4.30pm PROSPECT Uncle Sid’s Oven, Friday, July 23 from 11.30 am to 12pm OLD TOONGABBIE Memphis 9 Cafe, Friday, July 23 from 8.10 am to 8.20am KOGARAH Fardoulis Sweet and Nuts, Friday, July 23 from 12 pm to 5.45pm LIDCOMBE Woolworths, Friday, July 23 from 2.30 pm to 4pm Cafe Rodem, Saturday, July 24 from 11.50 am to 11.55am MOUNT ANNAN Aldi, Saturday, July 24 from 9.25 am to 10am Woolworths, Sunday, July 25 from 9.50 am to 10.15am WENTWORTH POINT Coles Wentworth Point, Saturday July 24 from 9.35 am to 10.05am REVESBY Woolworths, Saturday, July 24 from 2.45 pm to 5.15pm SMITHFIELD Bunnings, Saturday, July 24 from 3.30 pm to 4pm BURWOOD Woolworths, Saturday, July 24 from 3.15 pm to 4 pm and 9.15 pm to 9.35pm Hungry Jacks, Saturday, July 24 from 5.20 pm to 5.40pm Coles, Saturday, July 24 from 9.30 pm to 9.50pm INGLEBURN Speedway, Saturday, July 24 from 1 pm to 2pm Woolworths, Saturday, July 24 from 2.50 pm to 3.05pm ST MARYS Liquor Stax, Saturday, July 24 from 9.30 pm to 9.45pm PETERSHAM Frangos Charcoal Chicken, Sunday, July 25 from 3.10 pm to 3.25pm SPRING FARM Choice Pharmacy, Monday, July 26 from 12 pm to 1pm Woolworths, Monday, July 26 from 12 pm to 1pm ZETLAND Coles, Sunday, July 25 from 4 pm to 4.30pm HARRIS PARK Australia Post, Thursday, July 22 from 2.30 pm to 2.40pm GREENACRE Bunnings, Tuesday, July 27 from 3 pm to 3.20pm RIVERWOOD Riverwood Hot Bread, Friday, July 23 from 12.55 to 1pm LIVERPOOL Barbara Long Park, Wednesday, July 21 from 4.30 pm to 6pm Hillier Oval, Wednesday, July 21 from 4.30 pm to 6pm

News

Sacred tree felled while the rest of Victoria celebrates

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been praised for relenting on his intense lockdown regime during the coronavirus pandemic. However, on the exact same day, his Government green-lit a decision that has since been slammed as "shameful" and "callous". The Victorian Government gave permission to bulldoze a tree, which is reported to have been where Djag Wurrung women have traditionally gone to give birth. The tree was removed to clear land for a highway in Western Victoria, despite an alternative route being provided that avoids deviation through the sacred country. The tree removal was something that the Andrews Government had wanted to do for two years, with the Djag Wurrung people fighting during that time to stop it from happening. Sissy Eileen Austin, a Djab Wurrung woman and member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, said the community’s trust in the “progressive” Andrews Government is broken. “Victoria claims to be progressive in its relationship with Aboriginal people and communities,” she wrote for <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/27/the-destruction-of-a-sacred-tree-on-djab-wurrung-country-has-broken-our-hearts?fbclid=IwAR0giIcxanFUYQO_Mz-zAg0LWlAoa5BelaA1k6RSNtWJpenk5Dv7LLQllik" target="_blank" class="editor-rtflink">The Guardian</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/27/the-destruction-of-a-sacred-tree-on-djab-wurrung-country-has-broken-our-hearts?fbclid=IwAR0giIcxanFUYQO_Mz-zAg0LWlAoa5BelaA1k6RSNtWJpenk5Dv7LLQllik" target="_blank" class="editor-rtflink">.</a> “There are conflicting agendas here, one where the Government is supporting the progression of the treaty and the other where they’re comfortable in proceeding with the irreversible destruction of significant cultural heritage.” Victoria’s first Aboriginal senator, Lidia Thorpe, said that the actions of the past two days had undone any prospect of a meaningful compromise. “We wanted a peaceful outcome,” Ms Thorpe said. “We came with peace and in good faith, and were willing to negotiate. But heavy-handed politics from the Andrews Government has faded any hopes of that, or anything else into the future. The inherent violence of the system is being perpetrated against us on every level.” Media commentator Jan Fran compared the felling of the tree to Notre Dame burning down in Paris last years. “You may say there is no comparison between the two. There is,” she wrote on Facebook overnight. “We have made very clear the history we value and the history we are prepared to destroy. And for what? A shorter commute? “I don’t know a lot about Djab Wurrung history. I have not had the privilege to learn. No. I have been ROBBED of the privilege to learn. We all have. “What I do know is this: Aboriginal history IS the history of this country. It is our history too and what has been taken from the Djab Wurrung people has been taken from all of us. "We are too blind, too callous, too arrogant to see it.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> It's not a good day when your government allows the Directions Tree to be destroyed on your watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Djabwurrung?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Djabwurrung</a> #<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DjabwurrungTrees?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DjabwurrungTrees</a> <a href="https://t.co/hhBzBIy1kM">pic.twitter.com/hhBzBIy1kM</a> — PassTheMSG (@kiIIyridoIs) <a href="https://twitter.com/kiIIyridoIs/status/1320679259635998720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote> Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the tree that was cut down had been assessed as was found to not be culturally significant. This was after multiple cultural surveys and she expressed that no trees would be removed without the consent of the Djab Wurrung elders. “The tree that was identified in media reports on Tuesday, usually referred to as the ‘Fiddleback Tree’, has been involved in multiple cultural surveys involving Djab Wurrung elders and has not been assessed as being culturally significant,” Ms Allan said in a statement. “In fact, the tree has been assessed by an arborist as being “maybe over 100 years old” and is highly unlikely to predate European settlement. “The Directions Tree that was identified in the Federal Court proceeding is at the northern end of the alignment almost 10km away. It has not, and will not be removed.” </div> </div> </div>

Legal

When one door closes just open a window - 14 sites with great free art

As the coronavirus outbreak forces the closure of museums, art galleries, libraries and theatres around the word, the concept of “on demand culture” is gaining momentum. Institutions – museums, galleries and concert halls, which by their very nature rely on in-person visits – are seeking out digital solutions in the form of live-streamed performances, virtual tours and searches of online collections. The Sydney Biennale announced a <a href="https://www.biennaleofsydney.art/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3-bzBRBhEiwAgnnLCh7Dci4zUp2TZ2UWAdSHNyu4crESwT52p0og5UA-FouEesZ8lzZ_7xoCD3AQAvD_BwE">shift to digital</a> display this week and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has streamed a <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/culture/music/online-and-on-song-mso-keep-the-music-going-20200322-p54cm2.html">performance</a> of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony to a live audience that peaked at 4500 and gathered thousands of subsequent viewers. The current pandemic is dragging cultural institutions into the 21st century, forcing them to catch up with technological solutions to replace on-site experiences. But many institutions are already well down this path. They have already found the shift online has benefits and dangers. Voorlinden will have to wait. <a href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1525067445930-5968dc619dfb?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&auto=format&fit=crop&w=765&q=80">Christian Fregnan/Unsplash</a>, <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a> Crossing technical boundaries From as early as the 1920s, museums have been using the technologies of the day. Back then, it was presenting <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=XDZ7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT78&lpg=PT78&dq=1920s+museum+lectures+on+public+radio&source=bl&ots=gD-dFO6UN8&sig=ACfU3U2pXdZIo3UGAnTODDW7VUcvtJvjbA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjDreuvu7ToAhX-zzgGHb-3CfMQ6AEwA3oECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=1920s%20museum%20lectures%20on%20public%20radio&f=false">public lectures on broadcast radio</a>. From the early to mid-1950s, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology collaborated with CBS to produce <a href="https://www.penn.museum/collections/videos/playlist/list.php?id=7">What in the World</a>, a program that presented storeroom objects to a panel of industry specialists who had to figure out what in the world the objects were and who made them. A more recent turn is towards cultural institutions partnering with digital media organisations to deliver access to mediated cultural content. <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/">Google Arts & Culture</a>, a digital platform, makes the collections of over 12,000 museums available online. Web portal <a href="https://www.europeana.eu/en">Europeana</a>, created by the European Union, hosts over 3,000 museums and libraries. Well before the coronavirus closed ticket desks and moved some experiences onto digital media platforms, virtual gateways had become an important means of generating awareness and engagement with culture. <a href="https://www.annefrank.org/en/">Anne Frank House</a> has illustrated how online visitors can take part in holocaust remembrance without travelling to Amsterdam. Anne Frank House now uses a chatbot to create personalised conversations with users globally via Facebook messenger. Similarly, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eva.stories/?hl=en">Eva.Stories</a> is an Instagram page that recounts, via a series of 15 second videos, the diary of a 13-year-old girl killed in a concentration camp. Doors shut The forced closures as a result of coronavirus will accelerate and amplify this shift towards digital transformation. At a time of social distancing, individual artists, small private companies and major public cultural institutions are quickly re-purposing technology in creative ways. <a href="https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/festival-and-series/morning-melodies">Morning Melodies</a> is an online broadcast of the usually popular live performances offered by the Victoria Arts Centre. <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/isol-aid-festival-review-2020-covid-19-julia-jacklin-spacey-jane/12082228">Isol-Aid</a> live streamed a music festival over the weekend, with 72 musicians across Australia each playing a 20-minute set on Instagram. The <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/events/melbourne-cinematheque/">Australian Centre for the Moving Image</a> has set up an online weekly film nights, while acknowledging it “can’t replace the joy of being in the cinema”. What might be lost Despite the benefits of this mediated content, social media scholars Jose Van Dijck and Thomas Poell <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2309065">point out</a> digital technologies come with a set of core logics or rules that shape users, economic structures and institutions. These underlying rules of online engagement have long-term implications for how we engage with culture. For future generations, it’s conceivable that a visit to the library, museum, theatre or art gallery won’t be something experienced in person but rather through a digital media platform. With the “on demand culture” comes a dispersal of audiences into online spaces. In those spaces, their private contemplation of art and culture can become fodder for data mining and analysis. Art gals on google arts & culture... This data then feeds into the repurposing of cultural content according to the priorities of social platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. In 2018, Google Culture launched a <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/15/578151195/google-app-goes-viral-making-an-art-out-of-matching-faces-to-paintings">face match app</a> that matched user selfies to images drawn from cultural collections. It expanded access for new global audiences, but questions remain about the extent to which phone camera images were used to train Google’s facial recognition algorithm. Some users were critical of the collection’s <a href="https://twitter.com/KaraBTweets/status/952572084076646400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E952572084076646400&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2Fsections%2Fthetwo-way%2F2018%2F01%2F15%2F578151195%2Fgoogle-app-goes-viral-making-an-art-out-of-matching-faces-to-paintings">lack of diversity</a>. The mediation of culture highlights a new set of ethical dilemmas as content goes online. What we gain This isn’t to say the availability of “on demand” cultural content isn’t a good thing. At “normal” times it can allow people to virtually visit exhibitions or enjoy performances they can’t access in real life. Online presentations can enhance understanding with “explore more” links or additional information. During times of crisis, online cultural experiences can be a <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90478442/for-artists-the-show-must-go-on-and-zoom-is-their-venue">lifeline for both art audiences and creators</a>. It is vital that we create avenues through which the community can access culture and seek out technological solutions to keep artists and cultural workers employed during what could be a long hiatus. 14 art & culture links <ul> <li><a href="https://abiawards.com.au/">Australian Book Industry Awards</a> will be awarded online, as will the <a href="https://thestellaprize.com.au/prize/2020-prize/">Stella Prize</a> for female authors.</li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1143946145941832/">Born to Boogie Dance Connection</a> is hosting a much-needed online groove this week.</li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/dnice/">Club Quarantine</a> is where DJ D-Nice or Derrick Jones from 90s hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions is spinning tracks for 100,000+ viewers. Guest appearances include Michelle Obama, Naomi Campbell, Chaka Khan, Halle Berry, Rihanna, and Diddy.</li> <li><a href="https://www.europeana.eu/portal/en">Europeana Collections</a> are celebrating Women’s History Month.</li> <li><a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/">Google Art and Culture</a> Explore collections from around the world, from the British Museum to Macchu Pichu.</li> <li><a href="https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en/">Guggenheim Museum Bilbao</a> in Spain is the place for Mark Rothco, Jeff Koons and Richard Serra.</li> <li><a href="https://karaoke.camp/">Karaoke Camp</a> uses Zoom to connect singers worldwide.</li> <li><a href="https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/at-home/">Melbourne Museum</a> has virtual tours of the Phar Lap, dinosaur and First Peoples displays.</li> <li><a href="https://www.mmca.go.kr/eng/">National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art</a>, South Korea is showing meet the curators chats on YouTube.</li> <li><a href="https://nowadays.nyc/">Nowadays</a> live music lounge in New York is streaming DJs online.</li> <li><a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en">Rijksmuseum</a> is home to Dutch masters: Vermeer’s Milkmaid, Van Gogh’s Self-portrait and Rembrandt’s most well-known painting: the Night Watch.</li> <li><a href="https://www.socialdistancingfestival.com/">Social Distancing Festival</a> is drawing live streaming performances together in one place.</li> <li><a href="https://www.zoo.org.au/animal-house">Zoo Victoria’s Animal House</a> is livesteaming lions, giraffes, snow leopards cubs, penguins and the occasional <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/video_and_audio/headlines/52000441/coronavirus-melbourne-zookeeper-s-livestream-dance-goes-viral">dancing zoo keeper</a>.</li> </ul> Written by Caroline Wilson-Barnao. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-one-door-closes-open-a-window-14-sites-with-great-free-art-134153">The Conversation.</a>

Art

The haunting images of emptied tourist sites amid coronavirus

As more countries established restrictive measures to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, renowned tourist attractions and historical sites across the world have been deserted. The world’s largest art museum, The Louvre closed its doors on March 15. New York City’s Times Square has now become mostly devoid of people as Broadway shows were suspended and entertainment venues, movie theaters and gyms were closed. The Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy was closed on March 10 as the government banned public gatherings across the country. South Korea’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, which normally welcomes thousands of people each day, have seen a large drop in visitors amid the global health crisis. Stockholm Royal Palace, the official residence of the King of Sweden, announced its indefinite closure starting March 21. Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre has asked visitors to maintain a distance of at least two metres from each other as the number of confirmed cases in the country continues to climb. Pariser Platz at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany stood quiet with only a few passersby coming through as the government introduced a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51999080">ban on public gatherings of more than two people</a>.

International Travel

5 dark secrets of web travel sites

Booking a trip on an online travel site is convenient, but comes with its own set of problems. 1. They know who’s on a Mac and who’s on a PC – and who’s going to spend more. Last year, US travel research company Orbitz tracked people’s online activities to test out whether Mac users spend more on travel than PC users. Turns out that on average, Mac users lay out US$20-30 more per night on hotels and go for more stars, according to the Wall Street Journal. As a result, online travel sites show these users more expensive travel options first. To avoid inadvertently paying more, sort results by price. 2. Their software doesn’t always hook up to the hotel’s system. A guaranteed reservation is almost impossible to come by anywhere – but the risk of your flight or hotel being overbooked increases with third-party providers. The middleman’s software isn’t immune to system errors, so always call the hotel or airline to make sure your booking was processed. 3. Don’t be fooled by packages: Often, they’re low-end items grouped together. Ever notice how travel sites recommend a hotel, a rental car, and tour package all in one click? These deals usually feature travel that no-one wants, like flights with multiple layovers. Check the fine print. 4. You could miss out on loyalty points. Third party providers can get between you and frequent flyer miles or points. Many hotel loyalty programmes don’t recognise external sites, others award only minimum points and exclude special offers, like double points on hotel stays. 5. Once your trip is purchased, you’re on your own. An online travel agency can’t provide assistance the same way an agent can if a flight is cancelled or a room is substandard. Basically, when you arrive at the airport or hotel, you’re just another client who booked at the lowest rate. Written by Sheri Alzeerah. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/tips/5-Secrets-of-Web-Travel-Sites">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

Travel Trouble

New Indigenous sacred site calling for Uluru-style ban

Indigenous activists are now calling for a popular hiking spot to be closed to hikers due to the cultural significance to the traditional owners of the land. Mount Warning in the Tweed ranges in northern NSW is considered a sacred site to the traditional owners, the Bundjalung people, but it’s a popular spot with hikers. Bundjalung Elder Robert Corowa has said that the recent closure of the Uluru climb has given him and his community a new sense of hope. “I’m ashamed to go there … it makes me really sad to watch people climbing it. I don’t want to let people think they’ve got the right,” he said. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1YlIFChOLf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1YlIFChOLf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Subida do Mt. Warning pra ver o nascer do sol, cansativo, mas a vista é sensacional! 🇦🇺</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/gumastavo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Gumastavo</a> (@gumastavo) on Aug 20, 2019 at 4:26am PDT </div> </blockquote> Corowa has said that visitors who hike Mount Warning are disrespectful to the sacred spot. “I’m ashamed to go there … it makes me really sad to watch people climbing it. I don’t want to let people think they’ve got the right,” he said. However, rainforest park manager Mark Bourchier said that he was concerned that the closure of the mountain would impact tourism to the area as it attracts up to 100,000 visitors annually. “If we go shutting the mountain, I can see there would be way less visitors to the area,” he told <a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mt-warning-next-on-climb-chopping-block/news-story/d4c4e9c4fc5a8fa55373c698bef7da53">The Courier-Mail</a>.

Travel Trouble

10 must-see sites in Maui

1. Makena This area on the southwestern coast of Maui is home to the island’s longest and widest beach: ‘Big Beach’ (also known as Oneloa Beach and Makena Beach). It remains relatively secluded and rich in natural beauty. 2.The Road to Hana The road from Kahului to Hana winds along the coastline for 90 km, offering panoramic views as it passes lush gardens and parks, waterfalls and pools. The tiny town of Hana itself has retained its pristine natural beauty and old-fashioned charm. 3. Iao Valley and Kepaniwai heritage Gardens Tales of long-ago warfare linger in the mists that crown the velvety green crags rising above Iao Valley. Today, it is a state park. Nearby Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens celebrate the cultural diversity of Hawaii’s immigrants and its original inhabitants. 4. Front Street, Lahaina Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the main thoroughfare of Lahaina is a showcase of restored and preserved sites. In the early 1800s, missionaries came to this seaside village determined to save the souls of native islanders. There’s no proof that souls were saved but the buildings of the era have been. 5. Wailuku and Kahului Wailuku, Maui’s county seat, and Kahului, the island’s business and retail centre, are nestled between the mountain peaks of Pu’u Kukui and Haleakala. For centuries this area was the population centre of Maui, and today it offers a vast array of culture, history, nature, dining, shopping and recreation. Gateway to Maui, Kahului is home to the island’s main airport and harbour. 6. Bailey House Museum This former girls’ school was established in 1837 on the site of the royal compound of Kahekili II, the last chief of Maui. The building, now a museum, has exhibits on both traditional Hawaiian and missionary life. 7. Ulupalakua Ranch Stretching across Haleakala’s southern flank, the Ulupalakua Ranch contains a winery and also a memorial park to the Honolulu-educated Chinese revolutionary Dr Sun Yat-sen. 8. Haleakala National Park This stunning park encompasses rainforests, desert and beaches, but the lunar-like landscape of the crater of Haleakala – a massive, dormant shield volcano – is the main attraction. The park’s entrance lies at the end of a road that winds up from sea level in 60 km of scenic switchbacks. There are hiking trails, campgrounds and cabins in the park. 9. Kipahulu and Kaupo Long before the first Europeans arrived on Maui, the Kipahulu district was prized by the Hawaiian ali‘i (royalty) for its fertile land and bountiful sea. Today, the rural communities of Kipahulu and Kaupo lie in a little-travelled area that is both isolated and rugged. The road beyond Kipahulu and Kaupo offers open vistas as it winds its way up to Ulupalakua, offering spectacular scenery of dry grassland along the way. 10. Molokini crater This crescent-shaped crater, the remains of a volcano caldera, is technically not on Maui but a few kilometres off its southern coast. A marine and bird reserve, it is home to a dazzling array of corals, tropical fish, and also Hawaiian green sea turtles. If you’re lucky, you may spot a whale shark. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/destinations/10-Must-See-Sites-in-Maui">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

International Travel

Why tourists go to sites associated with death and suffering

On a beautiful summer day in 2016, as I walked with a group of college students along a well-trodden path sprinkled with needles and cones from majestic pine trees, our mood was somber and morose. The chirping of birds and the burning off of the dew on the grassy hills by the rising sun in this idyllic setting did not help either. We were cognizant of what had happened here not too long ago. This place – <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09528829608576624">the Ponar Forest</a> – is the site where 72,000 Jewish men, women and children from Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, and nearby villages were massacred by the Nazis and their collaborators. I am an educator of the Holocaust, and my travel course takes students through Central Europe to a number of Holocaust sites. The aim is to provide students with a hands-on learning experience. However, some could well argue that this course is just another form of “dark tourism” – an interest in locations that are associated with human suffering and death. What is so problematic about dark tourism? And are there redeeming features that make it worthwhile? Is it voyeurism? First, let’s understand what dark tourism is. In January 2016, Otto Warmbier, an American college student, was <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/17/world/asia/north-korea-otto-warmbier-sentenced.html">arrested in Pyongyang, North Korea,</a> for allegedly stealing a political propaganda poster. He was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor after a one-hour trial. A mere 17 months later, Warmbier was released to his parents in a vegetative state. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/19/otto-warmbier-dies-coma-student-north-korea-prison">He died a few days after.</a> Warmbier was on a trip advertised by <a href="http://www.youngpioneertours.com/">Young Pioneer Tours</a> to destinations that, they said, “your mother would rather you stayed away from.” This tragic incident vividly illustrates the perils associated with certain locations. This then is what is referred to as <a href="http://hdl.handle.net/1959.9/346560">“dark tourism.”</a> It involves traveling to sites associated with death, natural disaster, acts of violence, tragedy and crimes against humanity. It could also include <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCTHR-07-2012-0059">travel to dangerous political hotspots</a>. While data about the number of people embarking on dark tourism are not readily available, there are indications that it is becoming more popular. Over the past 20 years there has been a dramatic <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.01.011">increase in the number of peer-reviewed articles on dark tourism.</a> From 1996 through 2010, between three and seven papers appeared annually; from 2011 to 2016, that number increased to between 14 and 25. My own Google search of “dark tourism” yielded nearly four million hits. Some scholars have argued that <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2014.948813">dark tourism is akin to voyeurism</a>: that is, fulfilling a desire for the forbidden. Other researchers though have found little evidence that people are interested in death per se. A commonly reported motive seems to be <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.01.011">learning about past events</a>, a curiosity that drives an interest in such sites. Of course, it is hard to say with certainty what the real motives might be. Studies rely on self-reported data, and <a href="http://www.sciencebrainwaves.com/the-dangers-of-self-report/">respondents in such studies like to be perceived in a positive light.</a> This is especially true if the questionnaire touches on a sensitive subject that may reveal a disquieting or troubling characteristic. Ethics of travel to some spots Nonetheless, there is an important <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2017/06/23/tourism-to-north-korea-isnt-about-engagement-its-torture-porn/?utm_term=.f20ff6354833">ethical dimension to dark tourism</a>. Take the case of tourism in North Korea. Proponents have argued that anti-American sentiment may be decreased by the people-to-people contact enabled by such tourism, or that such visits may create a subversive effect. Proponents believe through such exposure North Koreans may come to appreciate the liberties enjoyed by people in the developed world and begin to question their own ways of living. Indeed, the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2015.1032896">past decade has opened up North Korea to tourism</a>, allowing citizens from most countries to visit. Critics, however, argue that the average North Korean does not interact with tourists; <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/north-korea-holidays-tourism-how-to-travel-pyongyang-is-it-right-human-rights-record-a7203306.html">the guided tours are well-scripted</a>, allowing engagement with the regime and not the people. Moreover, tourism legitimizes the regime while enriching it at the same time. In North Korea, for example, it is estimated that <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0163660X.2016.1232635">tourism is a US$45 million per year industry</a>. The question that emerges then is whether it is ethical to promote a repressive regime that is repeatedly cited for human rights violations. This question is germane to all tourist locations that have <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/amnesty-international-reveals-the-10-worst-attacks-on-human-rights-across-the-world-last-year-a6892911.html">questionable human rights records</a>, from China to Hungary. And what of places of human suffering from <a href="https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/disaster-tourism-tragedy-draws-tourists/">disasters</a> such as the <a href="https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/chernobyl-bg.html">Chernobyl nuclear power plant</a> in Ukraine, or from fascist regimes that are no longer in existence such as the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/08/07/why-the-world-should-not-forget-khmer-rouge-and-the-killing-fields-of-cambodia/?utm_term=.07e29c3fd704">killing fields of Phnom Penh, Cambodia</a>? Are they free from ethical constraints? Few would doubt that it is immoral to benefit from others’ calamities, no matter how far removed these incidents may be from our present time or place. Observing boundaries So how do we in particular, as Holocaust educators, escape the trappings of dark tourism? I strive to provide my students with an educational experience that pays tribute to the social, cultural and artistic aspects of European Jewry. For example, we pay a visit to the Polin Museum in Warsaw, which tells the history of Polish Jews. At the same time, however, going to the former concentration camps of Auschwitz, Majdanek or Treblinka does privilege places of human suffering and death. How then do we maintain our intended purpose? An important point of emphasis in our Holocaust travel course is the need to respect the sites we visit. My students are told clearly, especially in places of death and martyrdom, that exhibits and artifacts are to be inspected visually. Never should they reach out to touch or take anything. Students can, at times, fail to understand the criminal meaning of some acts and get into a great deal of trouble. In 2015, for example, <a href="http://time.com/3931830/teenagers-arrested-auschwitz-artifacts/">two teenagers were arrested</a> for taking found objects at Auschwitz. More recently, another student stole some artifacts from Auschwitz in order to <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4991041,00.html">complete an art project</a> for her graduate degree. Why intent matters When places of death and torture are respected from the perspective of valuing the sanctity of life and not seen as a source of titillation resulting from a <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2014.948813">voyeuristic need</a>, then these behaviors, I believe, will not occur. Indeed, the atmosphere at the Auschwitz museum cafe may appear to be <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0458063x.2017.1295720">Disneyland-like</a>, with visitors casually resting over their cups of coffee or ice creams. In fact, however, it is the attitude or intent of the visitor that ultimately determines dark tourism’s presence. Even in Auschwitz, then, a visit per se is not a sufficient criterion for dark tourism. Snapping a smiling selfie at such a site, however, should be of some concern.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/81015/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Written by Daniel B. Bitran, Professor of Psychology, College of the Holy Cross. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-tourists-go-to-sites-associated-with-death-and-suffering-81015">The Conversation</a>.

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