News in brief

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

The Cancer Council of Australia is urging Australians to take part in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea this Saturday, March 23 and help raise funds to conquer cancer. The annual event, first held 20 years ago, sees Australians from all walks of life host morning tea parties, where funds are raised by way of donation boxes, entry fees and raffles. Cancer Council ambassador and celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow said: “Like so many Australians, my family has been affected by cancer – and I’ve seen first hand what incredible work the Cancer Council does.”  Visit www.biggestmorningtea.com.au to locate your nearest morning tea event.

Lymphoedema Awareness Month

The Australian Lymphology Association (ALA) has launched an awareness campaign in tandem with Lymphoedema Awareness Month, which runs throughout March. The association said the condition – which affects around 400,000 Australians – needed greater publicity, to make sufferers aware of treatments and attract more research funds. Lymphoedema, also known as lymphatic obstruction, causes localised fluid retention and tissue swelling, and can precipitate life-threatening infections. It has no cure but its effects can be mitigated with appropriate medical attention. Dr Helen Mackie, president of the Australian Lymphology Association, said: “With the right care, lymphoedema can be successfully managed to minimise the effects on patients. However, over the past 20 years, I’ve seen the devastating impact lymphoedema has on patients when left untreated or mismanaged.” Visit www.lymphoedema.org.au for more information.

‘No War’ ten-year anniversary

The Australian Greens have marked ten years since the Sydney Opera House was famously tagged with the words “NO WAR”. The No War Commemoration Event, hosted by Greens candidate for Sydney Dianne Hiles, was held in Redfern last Sunday, marking a decade since Dave Burgess and Will Saunders painted “NO WAR” on the Opera House, in opposition to the war against Iraq. Speaking about their efforts, which saw the two men arrested, Ms Hiles said: “Hundreds of thousands of Sydneysiders marched against war in Iraq and were completely ignored by [former Prime Minister] John Howard. These two young people took more extreme action, putting their lives or liberty on the line.”