Rach

Name: Rachel
I live: Sydney
Web:

A bit about me:

Hey. My name's Rach.
I'm 21 years old. I live in Sydney. I've just finished my Arts degree in Creative Writing. I'm fond of puppies, salmon stuffed olives, the my friend's mum's cooking, comics, and sitting in the top carriage of the train as it goes over the Sydney Harbour Bridge - so you can see the view on cold mornings with the mist and sun sparking off the Quay.

I grew up in a small town called Ballina in Northern NSW, but I moved to Sydney to experience the awesomeness of university. I've just finished my degree, now I'm experiencing just .... the awesomeness of life.

I discovered Actnow in ... 2005? when I did a Summer Internship, where I was hanging out at the office, writing articles and making docos about disgruntled bus communters. ;)

I love to take Action because - we should. Our society isn't neccesarily inherently a believer of equal access or opportunity, so I think it's our role to embrace that, and turn that around.
I think we can all make little actions in our lives to make a big change for someone else. What might not seem a big deal to us, could change someone else's world. I think we can always try to help someone else out, the small good actions add up to big ones over time. =)

Quotes of Favouriteness:
Be the change you want to see in the world.

Just imagine what we could do if we knew we could achieve anything.

"The twentieth century has become like the century of bloodshed. I think it is our own responsibility to make this century the century of dialogue."
(The Dalai Lama, urging discussion between China and Tibet).

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so
that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."
(By Marianne Williamson, often attributed to a speech by Nelson Mandela)

"There's a radical – and wonderful – new idea here… that all children could and should be inventors of their own theories, critics of other people's ideas, analyzers of evidence, and makers of their own personal marks on the world. Its an idea with revolutionary implications. If we take it seriously." - Deborah Meier

Rach's blog

| 51 Entries

| View all entries |

My project - 09-06-2008 02:58

So I've been experimenting with the website I was telling you about. So I've drafted up a mobile site - mymobymag.mobi, and I've got a homepage with info about MobyMag: ireadthereforeiam.com,

Hopefully we will see some awesome content and debates happening on the website - I'm definetly looking forward to some youth-run alternative media on mobile phones!

Wish me luck!

Read 0 comments | Post comment

Intangible Property (3.0) - 04-05-2008 08:05

Why would anyone invest in something intangible? Something they cannot touch, feel, breathe, caress? Well, I am among those insane who invest their hard cold bank digits into the abyss: webspace. Why? Well, it's part of my action, I guess.

So Funnelweb reminded me I haven't been back to the site in a while. And that's true.

I've been working and have felt swamped with projects and volunteering that I feel like I haven't had time to take action. But it didn't really occur to me that the way I take action has changed. Maybe evolved? I'm not sure. It's not the way it used to be, at least. But that little addictive bug is still there.

I'm not the kind of person who really divulges projects I'm working on, simply because they might not really work out. They might not go anywhere, and my hard work could go to waste (or, as I prefer to call it, I "gain experience" ;)) So usually I keep them to myself. But the project I'm currently working on, I need advice with, and it's outside my realms of knowledge, experience, possibly I'm out of my depth, as I'm slowly but surely realising how complicated the details are.

I'm creating a website. Inspired by all the awesome organisations I've been working with over the past few years, I really love the space where young'ns like us ;) can have a space to speak their mind. However, one frontier has not really been crossed - mobiles.

I'm creating a website, designed for mobile access, which is a space for young people to speak their mind - talk about their favourite bands, the policians they loathe, whatever they think deserves a rant. I'm marketing it as a magazine - so a series of short articles (under 400 words) by youth who write, rant and think about big ideas in a small space.

I'm also thinking of setting up a multi-message system, where new or awesome articles or stories are sms-ed to readers (who obviously sign up to sms alerts).

I've drafted a site, but I need a cool web address and title that is short and funky - coz mobile phones are really annoying to type on - and domain names are expensive. I was thinking of instead of using a '.com' address, but using a '.mobi' address (which is all the craze these days). I was thinking of calling it Moby Mag, but then, mobymag.mobi might sound a bit weird. Any ideas?

Secondly, I'm looking for submissions of articles. Short fiction, gig reviews, movie reviews, ideas for action, rants on politics, blogs, society, culture or just things you've been thinking about lately. I'm aiming at submissions being under 400 words - phones can't really load too much more in one go. Know any writers who'd be interested?

Any ideas? Cool names? Awesome addys? Places to advertise? Important laws I'm oblivious to?

I can't afford a business name, or to create an organisation, or anything as of yet. It's just me. It's just a website. But I think it's something I'd really like to try out.

Until I work out my awesome domain name, my draft site of Moby Mag is on my existing intangible property.

So... that's my project. That's my action. So we can think and write and rant and read whenever the mood may strike.

Ideas? Thoughts?

Read 0 comments | Post comment

- 31-01-2008 11:19

I officially have a crush on Kevin Rudd. I just do.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/rudds-plan-to-tackle-homelessness/2008/01/27/1201368926641.html

I wrote the the last government this time last year to ask them what they were doing to tackle homelessness, and I got a comprehensive reply that sounded fabulous; but in analysing what was actually done, it seemed little-to-nothing. Like if they cared, they didn't have the funds to do it anyway. But we all know of the 'anti-bum' benches in the City - with the extra handrails in the middle of the bench to prevent homeless people from sleeping there, and making the city look ugly.

At least this government WANTS to do something, and motivation, I think, can truly create wonders. Even if funds don't cover everything, which it never does, I think that the intention of inclusion is worth a lot. Being valued, self-esteem, respect, are all intangible things that are more valuable than money. So i think that believing that homeless shouldn't be swept 'under the carpet' is a really positive step in helping people in some pretty unfortunate situations getting back on track.

Just yesterday I was doing some research in the State Library. A man near me obviously had a mental disorder, and was homeless. It intrigued me that all the staff, and the guards, who monitor what is taken in and out of the library, let him in - to escape the heat. He kept muttering quite loudly "Google! Google!" then suddenly, "Of course I'll give you permission to breathe!". He obviously needed attention from a medical professional; and I daresay because of that, no one dared to go near him. Everyone was so underqualified to help him. I did wonder what he was like when he was coherant; then I thought It was possible he'd never actually receive the help he needed.

I have a hope that people in his situation can find food, shelter, medical and help and counselling, in addition to gaining autonomy of their lives. Maybe if he finds a shelter to stay overnight, they will help him get diagnosed and find some help to manage his condition. Because maybe there'll be the funds and resources to deal with that.

We shall see. I hear of things like "Government breaking promises" - but I don't understand yet what that means, or whether this could be one of those tenacious promises...

We'll see!
xo

Read 2 comments | Post comment

Formal Apology - 30-01-2008 05:20

Well, I am stoked when I checked out the news today:

The federal government will make a formal apology to members of the indigenous stolen generations on February 13.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin today announced the apology would be the first item of business for the new parliament.

Ms Macklin today said the apology was the "first, necessary step to move forward from the past".

I do hope the apology does everything it promises, but this is a really positive step, anyway! :)!

See: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/valentines-eve-day-to-say-sorry/2008/01/30/1201369210598.html

xo Rach.

Read 0 comments | Post comment

Street artists thrust underground - 24-01-2008 04:31

So while the media is making a big deal about the evils of street art as graffiti, and using the phrase 'artists' (in quotation marks) to describe the three people who were in a storm water tunnel painting, two of whom drowned when a surge of water came at them; I have another question to ask -
Why are there not more public spaces for these artists to show their stuff? Why are they left to work in underwater tunnels?
And why is the media having a field day to make sure that we know that 'they were doing the wrong thing and they drowned. Don't forget graffiti is against the law.'
I beleive there is a big difference between tagging and street art - and I think the media is a little confused over the difference. One is about transforming the streetscape into an artwork - the other is vandalism.
I think I need to do more research into what the people were doing in the Sydney tunnel, and why, before I can furthur discuss or comment on it; but in general, I think we need to have more spaces for street art - and it not be labelled as simply a crime - but appreciated as an artwork, but due to it's size and materials, is then thrust underground (in this case, literally).

Hm. Will ponder more.
xo

See: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/inside-the-deadly-fortress/2008/01/21/1200764171880.html

Read 0 comments | Post comment

Facebook Group - 09-01-2008 10:26

So my sister joined a Facebook group, according to my newsfeed: One Million Australians Feel Sorry - a group aiming at collecting one million Australians who want to say sorry to the Indigenous People of Australia.
So, I joined, but I'm not the kind of person who forwards groups to people - but, in this case, I did. I forwarded it to everyone on my list - and, so far, 21 people have joined, which is a great start - but it's not even a third of my list :( I am hoping the others just haven't checked facebook in a while! ;)

The group so far has 9, 743 members - which is pretty cool.
I'll be intrigued to see where it goes from here!

One Million Australians Feel Sorry: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7843503427&ref=nf

xo

Read 0 comments | Post comment

- 15-12-2007 05:44

"Mr Rudd has also announced that a group of 25 Aboriginal leaders from the territory will form a special group to advise the federal government and he will return to the territory every three months next year to discuss issues with them.

"We want to ensure that our overall objective of closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous life expectancy, indigenous and non-indigenous education and training, is done on a cooperative and appropriate basis so that we achieve progress together," Mr Rudd told reporters."*

Nice.
We'll see what happens in the future. :)
xo

*http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/government-rules-out-qld-intervention/2007/12/15/1197568318219.html

Read 0 comments | Post comment

Dear Kev - 15-12-2007 03:21

Just so y'all get an idea of my rant. I don't think I'll get a response any time soon, but I hope I get some pretty firm answers:

To Mr Rudd,

Hi, my name is Rachel Beaney, a 21 year old student studying at UTS.
I'm just writing as I'd like to know your policy relating to what your aims, as well as what current procedures are in place, for creating equity on all social, cultural and health fronts for Indigenous People in the Northern Territory, especially in relation to the Northern Territory Intervention. I'd also like to know to what extent you are working with, or empowering local communities or community elders in this process, and whether you have services available to translate the impacts of policies into local Indigenous languages. If there are not policies in place, I would very much like to know why.
What processes are being put in place to reduce discrimination in this process, especially in the media, and in wider society?
I would also like to know what is in place to get genuine feedback on the intervention process from the local communities, and how you constructively use their feedback in re-shaping your policy and implementation of the Intervention.

As a member of the younger generation in Australia, I would like to say that you would be whole-heartedly supported in officially saying Sorry to Indigenous Australians, and I would very much look forward to the day where the racism which is inherent in our social and political system doesn't exist. I have faith that you will move the country forward, and prevent us from failing to simply address the Declaration of Human Rights.

I eagerly await your response.

Sincerely, Rachel Beaney.

Read 0 comments | Post comment

- 15-12-2007 03:03

So the good news is that Rudd is supporting the NT Intervention, which i read from the context of 'trying to reduce inequities and discrimination in our society". He is also apparently putting a little more funding in their direction. I'd really like to explore his policy a ltitle furthur, though, to see if he's really working in consultation with communities. However, according to this SMH article * , he's at least meeting with representatives of the communities, which I'm not sure if Howard did. I'm hopeful. And I think I should email Kevin to find out just what his stance is.

xo
* http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=307934

(p.s.
Kevin can be contacted on this form online currently:
http://www.pm.gov.au/contact/index.cfm?p=3

Or the postal addy is:
The Hon Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

And don't you just love it that it isn't "Mr. Rudd" but "Kev". Amusement!)

Read 0 comments | Post comment

Women For Wik - 14-10-2007 09:39

So I didn't intend to write a gigantic essay/ opinion piece.

I just wanted to write my thoughts before I forgot.

What I'd really prefer is for more people to have heard what the women from the NT Communities spoke about today, how their communities are being affected. I don't do them justice.

Anyway; my rant:

http://www.actnow.com.au/Opinion/Women_For_Wik_Conference_Sydney.aspx

Read 0 comments | Post comment

My Recently Visited Pages

Rach

Rach's blog