VGen's Big Day Out for Haiti

Written by VGen Vic State Director, Jas Zapka

What do you think of when you hear the words: 'Big Day Out'?

I think one of the coolest days out a young person can get.
I think heaps of bands, heaps of people and a great atmosphere.
... oh did I mention a silent disco too?

When Vision Generation (VGen) was offered the chance to be at the Melbourne Big Day Out (BDO), Seb, Laura & I jumped at the chance to be there!

Try this for an equation:

Big Day Out + Raising Money for victims of the Haiti Earthquake + Chatting with the punters about VGen = Awesome!

For us, it didn't really get much better.

The view of one of the main streets in Port-Au-Prince - the reason we were at the Big Day Out! REUTERS/Jorge Silva, courtesy www.alertnet.org

Jumping with excitement Seb, Laura and I arrived at 9am all set in our black VGen tops and shaking money tins. Come 10.30 and the crowd began to roll in - and oh boy did they roll in!!!

The day flew by as we rattled tin after tin - thankful for any and every donation.

But it wasnt all work, we got to catch a few acts including Powderfinger (above left), Lily Allen (above right),  Jet,  and Lisa Mitchell. Not bad at all! (Note: These pics are from the Big Day Out Photostream on Flickr)

Apart from almost being crushed in a mosh we managed to collect over $1000 in under 12 hours. Pretty tidy effort!

We left tired but happy, with a new found appreciation for those people that stand on street corners and rattle tins. It's not an easy gig!

But most inportanly we learnt that we need to do what we can to help others - in this case the victims of the earthquake.

Act Now for Haiti:

• Donate NOW to World Vision's Haiti Earthquake Appeal
• Catch the latest updates from the World Vision Website
• Read STIR's "Insiders' Guide to Haiti"
• Contact Jas & the Victorian VGen Team to find out how you can get involved in the future

Join us in Hobart on Saturday for a global warming get-together

In Hobart? Join us on Saturday for a global warming get-together...

• We've seen the amazing success of Youth Decide earlier this year, where an overwhelming 97.5 % of young people voted for emissions targets stronger than those currently proposed by the government.
  
• We've seen the huge turnout of 100,000 people for the Walk Against Warming
  during the weekend just gone.
  (Check out some of the Vic VGenners in Melbourne below!)

NOW ... IT’S VGen TASSIE’S TURN!

VGen Tasmania is hosting a rally this Saturday - December 19 - to stir things up post-Copenhagen.
Wanna come?

Date: Saturday Dec 19
Time: Noon
Place: Parliament House Lawns, Salamanca Place, Hobart - Tasmania
More info: amy.fogarty@vgen.org

Calling all VGenners for the 2010 Election Roadtrip!

Hey VGenners!

An exciting event is in the pipeline for 2010- from Friday 18th to Wednesday 23rd June next year VGen and World Vision Australia will be holding an election road trip to Parliament House, Canberra. As well as being an election year, 2010 signifies one decade since Australia committed to the internationally agreed level of 0.7% Gross National Income in foreign aid, in line with the Millennium Development Goals. We are still off track in achieving this level of foreign aid and in fulfilling the goals, particularly goals 4 and 5 related to child and maternal health. This road trip will be a fantastic opportunity to hold the government accountable to their commitments.

We are looking for 150-200 passionate young ambassadors to attend the road trip- young people who are wanting to use their voices and campaigning skills. In and on route to Canberra, ambassadors will engage with local communities on the issue and attract public and media attention.

While there is another MPH road trip taking place a month earlier in May 2010, keep in mind that this VGen election road trip will be quite different and will provide you with more exciting campaigning and networking opportunities! We'd love to see you there!

Look out for application forms in March 2010 available on the VGen website. This is going to be one trip you don't want to miss next year! Stay tuned for more information shortly.

Matt Darvas - On top of the World in Nepal

New South Wales VGenner, surfer and really nice bloke, Matt Darvas, recently spent a week in Nepal with World Vision checking out the effects of climate change on the people there.

Apart from being really, really cold, Matt had an amazing time.

Here are a few pictures from his travels...

A smile that could light up the world!

Little Sarita is only 10 and with her dad away working in India and her mum forced to take any paid work she can get, Sarita is forced to do all the household chores. That's a lot of responsibility for such a young girl but when I met her she was full of life and curiosity. Every time I tried to do a little Nepalese "head wobble" (an expression used for just about everything), a huge grin would stretch from ear to ear. Sarita also like mimicking my lines to camera! Cheeky!

Read more »