Mates Race - Chandler Giles and Ben Hambour

Chandler and Ben are embarking on a 28 day 'race' with 6 teams of 2 covering 20,000km. They receive no money to complete this journey and must rely on ‘mateship’ to get themselves around Australia. The race will depart on Boxing Day and before then they will be holding various fundraising events to raise money for Oxfam Australia and raise awareness of the Close the Gap campaign.

Website: www.matesrace.com and www.everydayhero.com.au/Ben_Chan

A program in India January 09

The Centre for Social Response wants people passionate about changing the world

If you:

• Believe that the world needs to change
• Have an adventurous streak
• Want to be involved in solutions to poverty and injustice

Then you may be one of the people we are looking for to join the next Community Leadership Program to India. Managed by the Centre for Social Response and endorsed by Oxfam Australia.

This unique four-week travel and learning program visits village community projects in India with experienced community development practitioners and project workers and aims to expose you to India, life, development and social justice issues.

For the January 2009 program details, dates and costs contact:

Mike Dendle: mike@socialresponse.org.au
Ph: 0409 180 348
Website: www.socialresponse.org.au

Straight Talk

Straight Talk, hosted by Oxfam Australia, is a gathering in Canberra of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women from around the country.

Day 1 of the event is about getting to know each other, identifying what issues are most important and identifying areas for change.

Day 2 will focus on understanding how to engage effectively with Australia?s political system to have ideas heard and bring about positive change.

Day 3 will be held at Parliament House where participants will have the opportunity to meet with women parliamentarians to build relationships, identify common priorities and explore ways to work together.

Read more

When: 25-27 February 2009

Where: Canberra. Venue TBA

Bookings: Download an application form. Applications close 5 January 2009.

Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2009

Event Volunteers needed

• Enjoy the experience of a lifetime in this truly unique event
• Make a REAL difference
• Training and information provided

We are looking for committed and energetic volunteers to fill a range of roles across the event weekend, including:

• Checkpoint coordinators
• Food and beverage coordinators
• Medical volunteers (specifically physiotherapy, myotherapy, massage and podiatry)
• Car park coordinators
• Drivers, Trail Marshals and more

There are over 40 different types of roles and hundreds of volunteers are required at different times over the weekend. Team volunteer opportunities are also available — a perfect way to spend time with family and friends while contributing to a great charity event.

Not only will you be supporting walkers by ensuring their safety, but the event provides volunteers with the opportunity to get involved in some high-level event coordination. Have fun and see how Australians work together to help some of the world?s poorest communities.

If you'd like to get involved in this amazing event:

• Get your Registration Form online
• Contact Oxfam TRAILWALKER Volunteer Coordinator Kaya Babic on 03 9289 9218 or via email at trailwalkermelbourne [at] oxfam [dot] org [dot] au.

For more details on the event, visit www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/melbourne

Dance for a Cause

Performances and taster classes in styles including Latin, Bollywood, Breakdance, 1920s and more, in support of Oxfam Australia and Engineers Without Borders. If you would like to be involved, please contact us.

When: April 2009

Where: Queen Street Mall, Brisbane

Contact: rachaeljacobs@bigpond.com

Website: http://www.bollyfunk.blogspot.com