SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER, 2010

For the first time in its 75-year history, the world’s best-loved game has been given a brand new, contemporary design most notable for its bright white, round playing board, new styled tokens, houses and hotels. MONOPOLY REVOLUTION is the game of the future!

In 2010, MONOPOLY is 75-years young and in celebration of the game’s anniversary, Hasbro is “amping up” the traditional game play experience by revolutionizing elements of the classic game.

Expect to literally hear the jail door closing when you go to jail or the sound of a cash register as you pass go, thanks to a new electronic unit.  It also plays a great mix of clips of hit songs from the past five decades including classics like “Rocket Man” and The Beatles, “Drive My Car”.

Monopoly Revolution will go on sale in Australia early next week.

Audio grab available:

LEIGH GIBSON – Hasbro spokesperson

EMBARGOED: 00:01 FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER, 2010

Patients with the more severe form of Crohn’s disease who had slipped through an eligibility gap three years ago will now have access to a subsidised medical treatment. Prior to this, their main option was an invasive surgery.

Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects about 28,000 Australians with most diagnosed between 15 and 40 years old. The fistulising form of the disease is where ulcers can penetrate through the wall of the bowel and sometimes form abnormal passages through to the skin.

REMICADE (infliximab) was initially listed for Crohn’s disease on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in 2007. However, many people with the fistulising form failed to meet the PBS criteria for the treatment. As a result of changed criteria, REMICADE is now available on the PBS to them.

Professor Peter Gibson, Professor of Medicine at Monash University and Director of Gastroenterology at Eastern Health in Victoria said many people with fistulising Crohn’s disease live with debilitating symptoms such as abdominal pain, persistent diarrhoea, and fatigue which typically lead to embarrassment and awkwardness, especially around sexual activity.

Audio grabs available:

PROFESSOR PETER GIBSON - Professor of Medicine at Monash University and Director of Gastroenterology at Eastern Health in Victoria

09:30 THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER, 2010

Tourism New Zealand’s Giant Rugby Ball – measuring 25 metres long and 13 metres high – was officially opened today against a backdrop of one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks – the Sydney Opera House.

The Giant Rugby Ball was officially welcomed onto Australian shores with an historic early morning ceremony between the indigenous peoples of Australia and New Zealand – the Aboriginals and Maori. It will be stationed in Australia for 10 days inspiring visitors about New Zealand and raising awareness of New Zealand as the host country of the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Tourism New Zealand CEO, Kevin Bowler, invited all Australians and visitors to come down to Circular Quay to see and experience the Giant Rugby Ball.

“The Giant Rugby Ball is Tourism New Zealand’s biggest and most anticipated event for 2010, marking the one year countdown to New Zealand’s largest event ever – the Rugby World Cup 2011.”

“The Giant Rugby Ball will be at Circular Quay from 3 to 12 September, where people can enjoy the stunning multimedia tour that showcases the culture, people and landscapes of New Zealand,” he said.

Audio grabs available:

KEVIN BOWLER – Tourism New Zealand CEO

TUESDAY 31 AUGUST, 2010

The top-selling Holden Commodore is now the first Australian-made car capable of running on environmentally friendly bio-ethanol with the launch of the company’s new VE Series II range today.

In a major step towards creating a cleaner Australian fuel landscape, Series II models powered by Holden’ s 3.0 litre SIDI V6 and 6.0 litre V8 engines will have flex-fuel capability, allowing them to run on bio-ethanol, E10, unleaded, premium or any combination in between.

Bio-ethanol, also known as E85, is a fuel consisting of up to 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol. It is a cleaner-burning fuel that can enhance vehicle performance and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40 per cent, compared to petrol.

Holden Energy and Environment Director Richard Marshall said Holden was committed to leading the development of alternative fuel vehicles and to provide drivers with environmentally conscious options. 

“The launch of Series II delivers on a promise to provide our customers with more sustainable options for powering their car,” Mr Marshall said.

“We believe that bio-ethanol has huge potential in Australia. It is a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel and long-term we think it has the ability to displace up to 30 per cent of Australia’s petrol use.”

Audio grabs available:

RICHARD MARSHALL - Holden Energy and Environment Director

MIKE DEVEREUX – Holden Chairman and Managing Director

MONDAY 30 AUGUST, 2010

For the first time, Australians will be able to text in their support for Legacy Week 2010 by texting “LEGACY” to 044 SUPPORT (0447 877 678) to receive a special Virtual Legacy Badge made possible by the “Telstra Charity Text for Legacy” initiative.

Telstra is encouraging all Australians to get texting this Legacy Week and, in response, Telstra will donate $1 for each person who texts to help Legacy honour its promise to care for the families of our deceased veterans, aiming for a target of $50,000.

Former Junior Legatee and Ambassador, Mikey Robins, said: “I know first-hand the effect Legacy support can have on someone’s life. When my father died, Legacy helped us out by paying my sister's and my educational expenses which was a huge help to me and my family.”

“I encourage all Australians to simply send an SMS to help keep the Legacy flame burning brightly,” he said.

Audio grabs available:

MIKEY ROBINS – Legacy Week ambassador and former junior Legatee

WEDNESDAY 25 AUGUST, 2010

A new survey, commissioned by Virgin Active Health Clubs, shows that a whopping one in three Australian workers, equivalent to more than three million Australians, have taken a sick day to catch up on sleep, with a further one in five workers (21%) admitting to finding a quiet place to doze off while at work.

The Natural Sleep Reporter and Sleep Expert, Elizabeth Shannon commented: “Millions of Australian workers are underestimating the effect that lack of sleep can have on your body. In addition to reducing motivation and productivity at work, there are also many related health risks, such as increased stress and anxiety, weight fluctuation and sexual dysfunction associated with sleep deprivation.”

The survey showed that the average worker is only getting about six hours sleep a night, approximately two hours less than the suggested eight hours. It was also highlighted that as many as 62 per cent of workers believe a regular 20 minute lunch time nap, such as in a sleep pod, would make them more motivated and productive in the workplace.

“Twenty minutes of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep can equate to approximately 1.5 hours of normal sleep,” said Elizabeth Shannon. “This would help workers to come back to tasks fresh, re-energised and with improved decision making, paving the way for sharper thinking and clearer insight.”

Audio grabs available:

ELIZABETH SHANNON - The Natural Sleep Reporter and Sleep Expert

EMBARGOED: 05:00 EST MONDAY AUGUST 23, 2010

Australian home owners looking to sell run the risk of alienating potential buyers this spring with a new report revealing more than half of property seekers surveyed were turned off by a house filled with junk.

A recent survey by realestate.com.au indicated that 56 per cent of aspiring Australian house hunters looking to buy were immediately turned off by clutter when inspecting properties, indicating they could not see the hidden potential amongst the junk.

Of the respondents looking to buy South Australians ranked the highest in terms of fussiness (58 per cent) with Northern Territorians the least likely (53 per cent) to be turned off by clutter when inspecting properties, compared to all other states.

Audio grabs available: 

ANGELA ESNOUF - De-clutter expert and President of the Australasian Association of Professional Organisers

WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST, 2010

Over 1,600 people have been killed and an incredible 20 million affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan's north-west. Recently there have also been outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera, which could threaten many more lives.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was the first agency to deliver aid to the flood victims and is leading the joint UN response in areas of emergency shelter and camp management.

Here in Australia, the Agency’s charity, Australia for UNHCR, has launched an appeal asking individual Australians to raise $500,000 to support UNHCR’s programs.

Audio grabs available:

ARIANE RUMMERY- UNHCR spokesperson in Pakistan

Ms Rummery, an Australian, offers a detailed description of what she is seeing on the ground in Pakistan and of present aid efforts to meet the overwhelming needs.

NAOMI STEER - Australia for UNHCR National Director

Ms Steer explains what Australians can do to help.

*DONATION DETAILS:  www.unrefugees.org.au  telephone 1300 361 288

EMBARGOED: 01:00 EST TUESDAY 17 AUGUST, 2010

A survey of 100 of Australia’s top small and medium businesses has nominated company tax cuts as the most important action the federal government could take to better demonstrate its support of the sector.

The survey was conducted in the past fortnight among state and territory winners and finalists of the 2010 Telstra Business Awards ahead of the national awards to be announced in Sydney this Friday.

Nominating a single priority for government, 41 per cent named tax relief; 19 per cent called for a dedicated Minister for Small Business with Federal Cabinet status; 14 per cent favoured cutting red tape and compliance costs and 9 per cent nominated changing workplace laws to make it easier for SMEs to dismiss employees.

The business owners surveyed are optimistic about business conditions in the coming year.

Almost two-thirds believe conditions will be better and only five per cent predict they will be worse, while 11 per cent said trading in the year ahead would depend on the election outcome.

Audio grabs available:

ROD BRUEM – Telstra Business spokesperson

EMBARGOED: 12PM EST MONDAY 16 AUGUST, 2010

On Thursday 5th August, surgeons at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney performed Australia’s first implant of the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart. The patient, a 50-year-old-male suffering from total heart failure (idiopathic cardiomyopathy), is the first recipient of the Total Artificial Heart in the Southern Hemisphere.

This cutting edge lifesaving technology offers new hope to patients waiting for cardiac transplants during a national shortage of organ donors. Heart surgeons Dr Phillip Spratt and Dr Paul Jansz were the first to perform the new surgery. 

Audio grabs available:

DR PAUL JANSZ – Heart Surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital Heart/Lung Transplant Unit

DR PHILLIP SPRATT - Head of St Vincent’s Hospital Heart/Lung Transplant Unit

EMBARGOED: 00:01 EST FRIDAY 13 AUGUST 2010

Australian women visiting their GP have higher cholesterol than Australian men, according to early findings from the largest contemporary study of cholesterol levels in Australia.

The soon to be released report titled ‘Australia’s Cholesterol Crossroads: An analysis of 199,331 GP patient cholesterol records from 2004 to 2009’, reveals that four out of five women aged 45 to 64 years present to GPs with levels of LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol that is outside the ideal target range for heart health protection.

One of the authors of the report, Professor Simon Stewart from Baker IDI said the findings are concerning given the link between cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Australia.

“It is concerning to find that many women are neglecting their heart health,” said Professor Stewart.

“We know cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of death in Australian women and this data suggests there could be over a million middle aged women and more than two million adult Australian women living with cholesterol levels above ideal levels.”

Audio grabs available:

PROFESSOR SIMON STEWART - Head of Preventative Cardiology at Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 16:00 EST WEDNESDAY 28 JULY, 2010

As the FIFA Inspection Tour of Australia prepares to come to a close, Australian swimming champion and avid fan of the round-ball code for many years, Ian Thorpe says that a FIFA World Cup™ in Australia in 2022 would be fun, relaxed, safe and secure.

The FIFA inspection team consists of six delegates and is led by Chilean Football Federation President Harold Mayne-Nicholls and includes CEO of 2010 South Africa Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan, FIFA Head of Event Management Jurgen Muller, FIFA Marketing representative David Fowler, FIFA Competitions representative Julio Avellar and FIFA Media Officer Wolfgang Eichler.

Australia is the third stop on tour of the nine countries that are bidding to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ tournaments. Today is the last day of the three-day visit.

At the end of the inspection tour, the delegation will submit an objective report to assist FIFA's 24 executive members select a host for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, which will be announced by FIFA on 2 December 2010 in Zurich.

Ten host cities have been selected as part of the Bid under Australia’s nationwide hosting proposal that will see FIFA World Cup™ matches in six states and territories. Three new stadiums will be built in Perth, Canberra and Blacktown in Western Sydney and nine others upgraded should the Bid be successful, providing a $2.8 billion infrastructure legacy for all sporting codes and generations to come.

All Australians can do their part to help bring the FIFA World Cup™ to Australia – add your name at australiabid.com.au.

Audio grabs available:

IAN THORPE - Australian swimming champion

10:35 EST TUESDAY 27 JULY, 2010

Former Socceroo John Aloisi joined a delegation of FIFA inspectors yesterday as they examined the credentials of Australia’s Bid to win the right to host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2022.

Aloisi relived the night he kicked the final penalty against Uruguay to send the Socceroos to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in 32 years.

As he strode in to take the fifth penalty kick in 2005, Aloisi said he was “in the zone” and all he could hear was a “murmur” from the fans before he belted the ball into the back of the net.

“Football has come a long way in this country since then and I really think that night was a turning point,” Aloisi said. “It would be fantastic to have a FIFA World Cup in Australia and we would do a great job if given the chance.”

The FIFA inspection team consists of six delegates and is led by Chilean Football Federation President Harold Mayne-Nicholls and includes CEO of 2010 South Africa Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan, FIFA Head of Event Management Jurgen Muller, FIFA Marketing representative David Fowler, FIFA Competitions representative Julio Avellar and FIFA Media Officer Wolfgang Eichler.

Australia is the third stop on tour of the nine countries that are bidding to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ tournaments. They will be in Australia for three days.

At the end of the inspection tour, the delegation will submit an objective report to assist FIFA's 24 executive members select a host for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, which will be announced by FIFA on 2 December 2010 in Zurich.

Audio grabs available:

JOHN ALOISI – Former Socceroo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 13:00 EST MONDAY 26 JULY, 2010

Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis met with the FIFA inspection team who arrived today to examine Australia's credentials to hold the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Ellis talks about how important it is to show off Australia and its ability to stage large events.

Audio grabs available:

KATE ELLIS – Federal Sports Minister

MONDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2010

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales, was joined by the Premier of New South Wales, the Honourable Kristina Keneally MP at Government House on Sunday to officially launch the Macquarie 2010 Bicentenary Commemorations.

The Macquarie 2010 Bicentenary is a year-long commemoration program to acknowledge the legacy of Governor Lachlan Macquarie and his wife, Elizabeth Campbell.

“Lachlan Macquarie was a courageous and visionary man who set the direction for a prosperous and egalitarian nation.  His contribution is seen in every aspect of our modern society,” said Governor Bashir.

Chair of the Macquarie 2010 Bicentenary Commemorations Committee, the Honourable John Aquilina MP, said the year would allow everyone to pay tribute to one of New South Wales’ most influential leaders. 

“The year will provide the entire community with an opportunity to celebrate the past, present and future, by participating in the Bicentenary celebrations through a state-wide program of local events, activities and initiatives.” Mr Aquilina said. 

Audio news grabs available:

HONOURABLE JOHN AQUILINA MP - Chair of the Macquarie 2010 Bicentenary Commemorations Committee