The Palm Oil industry is the biggest oil industry in the world. Palm oil is used worldwide in just about everything we eat.

Palm oil comes from a special type of palm tree. This palmtree only grows in tropical  regions such as Indonesia and Malaysia. The reason why palm oil is so popular is that it has a very high boiling temperature which means it can be used at places like McDonalds. They cook with the same batch of oil for five or six burger runs without changing the oil.

Palm oil is used i n one in ten supermarket products. Nowthat may not seem bad but because it is used in many products the demand for this oil is so high the palm oil industry has to plant more palm trees than ever before, in turn destroying the natural environment. As the palm tree produces the fruit that holds the oil only every seven years, planting more trees attempts to meet the demand. This demand is so high that the industry has to remove the natural habitat at the rate of 300 football fields an hour, seven days a week. There is no regard for the animals or the natural eco system and
now over half of the animals in Borneo are either extinct or critically endangered.

There are so many different products that involve palm oil it is ridiculous. The outrageous thing is palm oil is not necessarily called palm oil -  it is often found as
vegetable oil. This means that consumers don’t know where the oil has come from
or how it has been produced. They fail to see the destructive element of having
this product.

It is only in the past three years that more and more people are becoming aware of the issues with palm oil. Large companies like KFC have now stopped using palm oil in their products. Ironically the company Cadbury has just discovered the importance of palm oil and they are now using it to make their chocolate.

I am now trying to avoid palm oil but it is very hard. I believe that we don’t need palm oil and should use it sparingly. I think food tastes better without having oil added to
it.  By avoiding great use of palm oil, we can all help to reduce the destruction of our environment and make the world a better place.

Daniel

The
Planking Phenomenon

Planking – the act of
lying face down on the ground while someone snaps a photo of you.

It’s the activity that has taken the world by storm. People are now lying down in the most ridiculous of places: train lines, 3rd story balconies. You name it, someone had planked on it. The truth is that planking is debatably one of the most useless and ridiculous things since the invention of the electric cheese grater. But you have to take your hat off to the guy who started it. Less than two weeks after the absurd action started, it is now all over Google images, the news and Facebook. Gary Clarkson and Christian Langdon are now world famous.

Most people think that is a stupid thing to do. Imagine the repercussions if you fell off a balcony and onto a small child below. Or if you were planking on a train line and you derailed the train. Many people could be injured and even killed, not to mention the damage to infrastructure.

After the tragic death of Acton Beale in Queensland a few days ago, Barry O’Farrell believes that planking is a dangerous exercise. “It is clear from episodes in recent days that planking can be dangerous,” Captain Obvious told reporters.

But some would argue that the death was not because the person was a daft being, but because he was drunk. So therefore, the death of Acton Beale could be blamed on the
over-consumption of alcohol, much like drink driving.

Sue Wood from PlankSafe Australia said, ‘When planking, it is important to consider the safety of yourself and the other surrounding you. We encourage planking in exotic and
unusual places, but please, plank safe!”

Whichever way you think of it, planking is a pointless and foolish pastime. Hopefully people will come to their senses and stop the nonsense before someone else loses a life planking on a lit gas barbeque.

Joshua

The
Planking Phenomenon

Planking – the act of
lying face down on the ground while someone snaps a photo of you.

It’s the activity that has taken the world by storm. People
are now lying down in the most ridiculous of places: train lines, 3rd story
balconies. You name it, someone had planked on it.

The truth is that planking is debatably one of the most
useless and ridiculous things since the invention of the electric cheese
grater. But you have to take your hat off to the guy who started it. Less than
two weeks after the absurd action started, it is now all over Google images,
the news and Facebook. Gary Clarkson and Christian Langdon are now world
famous.

Most people think that is a stupid thing to do. Imagine the
repercussions if you fell off a balcony and onto a small child below. Or if you
were planking on a train line and you derailed the train. Many people could be
injured and even killed, not to mention the damage to infrastructure.

After the tragic death of Acton Beale in Queensland a few
days ago, Barry O’Farrell believes that planking is a dangerous exercise. “It is clear from episodes in recent days that
planking can be dangerous,” Captain Obvious told reporters.

But some would argue that
the death was not because the person was a daft being, but because he was
drunk. So therefore, the death of Acton Beale could be blamed on the
over-consumption of alcohol, much like drink driving.

Sue Wood from PlankSafe
Australia said, ‘When planking, it is important to consider the safety of
yourself and the other surrounding you. We encourage planking in exotic and
unusual places, but please, plank safe!”

Whichever way you think of
it, planking is a pointless and foolish pastime. Hopefully people will come to
their senses and stop the nonsense before someone else loses a life planking on
a lit gas barbeque.

Joshua

Is Sydney as safe as it used to be?

Catching a train from Kings Cross at 12:00am after a late night shift, walking home after a quiet dinner with friends at Darling Harbour or simply going for a late night walk around the streets because you can’t sleep – these all used to be completely safe and routine activities for many people living in inner- city Sydney.

Now, many people are scared to catch the train home from work at 9:00pm because of recent reports in the media of violence, particularly in train stations and the areas surrounding them.

In 2011 the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reported that particular streets and areas in Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, Newtown, Glebe and the Sydney CBD were hotspots for city violence. The report found that 56.8 per cent of assaults in the city centre were within 50m of a liquor outlet. The BOSCAR report also identified the period between midnight on Saturday to 6am on Sunday as a time when crime peaked, particularly in those areas. It is common knowledge that many people, particularly young adults, enjoy going out for a ‘big night’ with their friends because they usually don’t have to work on Sunday. This would explain the rise in violence on Saturday nights or the early hours of Sunday morning.

The report also showed that personal offences such as assault peak in December and January. This could be because many people are on annual leave at this time so decide to go into the city with a group of friends for the night, or the rise in the number of parties taking place during  Christmas and the summer months.

So what is this doing to the young people of Sydney? Will they even be able to leave the safety of their houses after dark? Will they live in fear?

Stephanie

Until he met Maddie…

Maddie was the sort of girl who was happy and always thankful for what she had. She was easy -going and loved to hang with her family. She was smart and pretty and accepting; always saw the best of people. She tried hard at school to get a good score and knew that she wanted to go to university to study and get a degree. She was the total opposite of Jordan, but they clicked.

Three months later Maddie, her family, Jordan’s family and friends all sat down at Kapooka Show Grounds and waited for their first glimpse of Jordan in three months. They waited for half an hour. Suddenly they saw the tip of a gun in the horizon, then a head and then a full body. One after another the other men in Jordan’s squad all marched out from the horizon and onto the show ground. Squad of 2011 had finally made their marching out from Kapooka. Three boys had left because it had been so hard. The rest had been broken down and returned as men who held their heads high and were proud of who they had become.

In two day they would all go their separate ways. Some would go to Afghanistan, some would go to another military base and others would be sent to help out victims of natural disasters that had recently occurred around  the world. Jordan would be going to Sydney to a local military base to study and get a degree in business . Each weekend he would visit his new girlfriend Maddie and his family.

Jordan has influenced me and taught me to never give up and always try hard. Even when it looked like he would just throw away his life, he stood up and marched on. Jordan is my brother and I am so proud of him. I look up to him. I love him.

Georgia

Dear Abby,
My dad got a new job and we have to move to a different state. At first I was really excited about the move, but then I realised that I would have to change schools and leave all my friends behind. I am very shy and I’m worried that I won’t make any friends. I’m scared I’ll get teased about being ‘the new kid’. I don’t know what to do and I really don’t want to move. Help!

From Worried

Dear Worried,

I have had a similar question to this recently. I would advise you to maybe keep quiet the first few days and don’t try to make friends with people who would elevate your status, e.g. the popular group. Make friends with those who make you happy, or make you smile. If you make friends with people who enjoy your company, then I can personally guarantee you that you will not be teased as ‘the new kid’. Moving house is very tough! I have done it too many times and every time I have had to leave friends behind. If you persevere then you will get through it. Try to stay in contact with your old friends as well as making new friends. Don’t give up!

Abby

Dear Abby,

My parents never let me go anywhere without them! I’m not allowed to go to the movies or the shops or anywhere with my friends unless my parents are there! It’s really annoying because I want to be able to hang out with my friends on the weekends somewhere other than my house! Whenever I go to friends’ houses, my dad calls up their parents to check that I am actually there! I’m not allowed to go anywhere with boys, even if we are all in a big group and just friends. They don’t trust me at all. What can I do to get them to give me a little freedom?

From Over-protected

Dear Over-protected,

It seems that this is a tough situation that you are in. I would try letting them know how you feel. This may seem stupid, but if they care so much about you, than they will probably listen to you. If this doesn’t work, than you could always scare them! You could tell them that if you aren’t allowed to go out, then you will end up being a lonely, friendless and unemployed person who just sits at home and it will all be their fault! Hope you can resolve this one. Over! (pun intended)

Abby

 By Stephanie

Planking is the unusual art of lying face down (usually in a jeopardising position) and capturing the moment on camera. It was the product of Richard Litonjua’s  creativity. Richard Litonjua, a Brisbane electrician, posted an inspirational Facebook group, dedicated to planking on the 11^th of May 2011.

Many Australians are now taking on the craze, sometimes funny, sometimes stupid and sometimes plain crazy. With locations varying from the kitchen table to lying on a balcony , the phenomenon is certainly becoming out of hand.  It has become so popular that people have got into trouble for doing it at work. 

After a man plunged to his death from a Brisbane unit balcony, police and other government officials fear for the safety of the tens of thousands of participants around the world.

“There’s a difference between a harmless bit of fun done somewhere that’s really safe and taking a risk with your life. Everybody likes a bit of fun, but focus has to be on keeping yourself safe first, ” Ms Guillard addressed reporters in Sydney. With the prime minister of our country addressing the situation, it is clear that planking has truly caught the attention of our nation.

Is suggesting a “safer” or more “precautionary” option really the answer? Or will someone always have to take it too far?

 Millie

Limitless is the kind of movie you don’t want to take a second to blink or you’d miss a key event. The kind of movie you talk with the people you saw it with for hours, understanding each key event. The kind of movie you would want to see again.

Eddie Morra is your average loser – he just lost his girl, his book deal’s about to fall through because he can’t write a word, and he looks like a bum – when he runs into his drug dealing former brother-in law. There’s a new pill in town called NZT-48, and what it does is make you able to access all of your brain instead of 20% of it. It turns out to be super-smart and can have a whole lot of uses around the home. Eddie gets in touch with a woman, gets his book written and gets his flat in order all in one night. It’s no surprise then that he goes searching for more.

If you’re looking for an intense action-thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat, then Limitless is the movie for you.

Remy

Despite the many obstacles and family issues that have occurred within our family during the past 5 years, my mum has stayed strong and held our family together the whole time. Being exposed to such drama and chaos while growing up just makes me stronger as a person in terms of whom to trust and what to believe. She constantly reminds me that the continuance of tragedies that occur just make us close together as a family. Considering our situation she has been such an inspiration and motivation. Things are starting to change for us in a positive way, and things are starting to look up. Not only does she inspire me, but my friends and family look up to her as well. She’s an amazing role model. No matter what the issue, situation or problem, I know I can always count on her for guidance and reassurance. I love my mum !

My mum, my inspiration, my best friend.

Yasmin

There are those books – yes,
you know the ones. Those books that you just cannot put down. At first you may
think that they are a bit drab and boring, but once you actually open them, you
discover amazing novels beneath the covers. Tomorrow,
When the War Began by John Marsden is just one of those books.

Set in modern times, the book
follows seven Australian teenagers in their nation’s darkest time, as it is
invaded by a foreign nation. The novel explores the characters’ journeys from
ordinary to extraordinary, as they progress from campers to soldiers, and
children to adults.

The story revolves around seven
friends who decide to go on a camping trip into the Australian wilderness and
are then thrust into a full-scale war. They learn to think maturely, kill and
survive – rebels defending their country in its hour of need.

At times, the book can seem to
be dragging on, but a twist is always around the corner in this heart-pounding
adventure. The world that Marsden produces will immerse whoever reads this book
as the characters are easy to relate. It is chilling to know that something
like this may be just around the corner.

Violent and almost depressing
at times, Tomorrow When the War Began  oozes suspense and excitement from its pages
as you tear through  just to find out
what’s in store for the teenagers. This book is a great, unpredictable and
electrifying read and that is exactly why it was made into an award-winning
movie. I recommended this novel to readers of all ages who enjoy suspense and
action. A great read.

Nathan