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Issues I’m into:
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| Name: |
Lauren Dewar |
| I live: |
Sydney |
*Who are you?* Lauren
*What year were you born?* 1986
*Where did you grow up?* Sydney
*A few words about yourself*
Hey..I’m Lauren and I love to chat! I enjoy playing tennis, and also watching the pro’s so much that I’m a ballperson for the NSW squad. It just means that I work as a ballperson for the Sydney tournaments (Medibank in Jan and Davis Cup). I have a passion for Design (as will prob be mentioned below), and have studied Product Design at The Design Centre Enmore in Sydney (TAFE)! I am a Christian and lead a Youth Group for young girls at my Anglican Church. I am a great believer for a positive attitude in life, and love nothing more than to chill with friends and laugh!!
*Where do you belong?*
I live with my family- Mum, Dad and brother, Andrew at home. I guess I feel most at home where ever I can talk to people I connect with, and who understand life’s normal struggles as we undertake them together.
*What really gets you going - what makes you act?*
Words and suggestions from people. I love nothing more than to apply for something seemingly unattainable, and hopefully succeed at the given task. Some people are not willing to broaden their opportunities, and I find this sad and conforming in a society where networks are becoming increasingly vital. In applying for new ‘directions’, I can only see benefits. I want to encourage others to have the same opportunities that I have had, experience something tremendous and meet extraordinary people in the process!
Briefly, as a graduating 18 yr old yr.12 student, I saw no better time in life than this to apply for the ABC The New Inventors TV program. Some people doubted my seriousness, but were both shocked and impressed when they heard that I was to appear on the show with my Grow ‘N Fit Extendable Dog Kennel. I am an ordinary girl who competed on national TV with a school D & T Major Design Project. I was up against two established designers, and was questioned on the spot by a panel of 3 judges in front of 8 cameras and a live audience. It was the most amazing experience of my life so far!
*When you care about an issue, what do you need in order to do something about it?*
Not much at all. A mild interest in the subject to begin with is always helpful. If you are serious about what you are investigating and the issue’s strike a chord with you, then you will naturally develop a burning passion for the cause. Always know what currently exists (from research), how you want to change/modify/improve it and what your final vision for the project is. It is best to justify all of your suggestions with reasons as to why your method is the best viable option. Always respect and appreciate the traditions of those who have been in the industry long before you heard about it.
For action, an e-mail address, website, postal address, network contact or phone number of the organisation is adequate to nudge your way in. From there, create networks, keep records, maintain friendships and best wishes!
*What would you most like to change (for the better) about where you live?*
I have always loved where I live. The Sutherland Shire has provided me with an amazing childhood, and awesome friends. I know however, that for those outside ‘the Shire’, acceptance into our predominantly surfing community is tough.
I would like to see the Shire known for more things than just our wondrous Cronulla beaches. It would be great if more of the residents expressed their interests beyond surfing. The late entertainer Kurt Cobain was once quoted as saying, “I would rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.”
*What is your first reaction when you hear something you don’t agree with?*
How can I possibly let the organisation know? However, It all depends on its effect on people. If individuals are put in danger, then I would act immediately. Are other people accepting of the behaviour? Is my opinion radical or can I justify reasons for change with viable examples? Is the campaign organisation likely to heed my comment, and how is the most effective way to initiate change/become involved?
*What’s the difference between caring about something and doing something about the things you care about?*
Caring about something is having a detached appreciation for a cause. You handle mostly secondary evidence, and therefore don’t completely understand the processes behind the movement. You are not directly involved, and enjoy the freedom of this. It allows you to have an impartial, unbiased and un-emotional opinion on causes. These sorts of people are vital to the development of any initiative, so that it has a universal appeal.
Doing something about the things you care about is having a genuine desire for the good of a project. You develop a thorough understanding of the dynamics of an issue. It means gathering and editing primary research (time consuming). You are emotionally involved, and can sometimes be biased towards your own opinion or to the goal of your project. You have the ‘get up and go’ factor!
*Who are your ‘action’ role models … people you have seen take action on anything that you have admired?*
My Mum has always been strong on road safety, especially when my brother and I were younger. She, along with other neighbourhood people eventually convinced the local council (with appropriate statistics) to build a roundabout and road chicane to slow the traffic on a dangerous stretch of road near our house. Since the road projects have been operational, there have been no deaths due to excessive speed.
*What makes you laugh?*
Kids and the quirky things they believe. I met this little boy recently and he was deeply distraught because someone playing football knocked his 1st tooth out of his hand into the grass- lost forever. I asked him what he wanted to do with his tooth and he replied “I have been saving all of my baby teeth because I want to make a necklace out of them. I was going to give it as a present to my children, and for them to give it to their children.” This boy was 5.
*What is your life motto?*
I truly believe that….If you approach things in life with your head up, shoulders back and a with positive attitude, great things can be achieved!
