OzTREKK's Four for Friday

Holy snowman, it’s February already! There’s a lot of f-words we’re throwing out here today on our blog – February, four, follow, Friday, fudge…Speaking of fudge, have you got plans with your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day? Actually, that’s a Four for Friday topic, so how about we just get started already. 1. Happy V Day, ya'll. February 14 can go one of four ways: You have the most romantic day EVER with your partner; you have expectations to have the most romantic day ever with your partner, but expectations have not been communicated and it then becomes the worst day EVER; you are single and express your distaste for the day of love on Twitter; and lastly, you are single and gather all your friends together and go out and eat garlic bread and drink mojitos. We love the last idea, no matter what day it is. If you’re in Australia and trying to think of a good way to spend Valentine’s Day, we've got some good news for you: It’s warm there. Unlike the snowy conditions we experience each V-Day in Canada, you can take your partner or your garlic bread-eating friends to the beach. Romantically or platonically, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable day by the water! Tweet that!   2. #FF. You know what #ff means, don’t you? We admit, we did have to Google it at one point, but we now know it’s a Twitter hashtag for Follow Friday. It’s a chance for Tweeps to suggest each Friday, via Twitter, who their followers should follow.  OzTREKK is into following our Australian university partners because we can keep tabs on all the good things happening on campus. But we also want to Twitter stalk our students. We know a lot of our students are currently on Twitter, and if you’re one of them, give us a shout out on Twitter because we’d love to hear from you. Especially if you’re offering garlic bread. With cheese.   3. Sydney Law School brings in Queen’s. Do you ever go to a party and try to make connections with the people there? ‘Oh, your cousin Sal went to UofT? So did my sister-in-law Nancy!’ We’re kind of adopting that same approach from a campus to campus point of view. We recently heard that the Sydney Law School has invited a Queen’s University Law Professor to speak at its speaker’s series. Professor Nicholas Bala of Kingston’s Queen’s University will deliver the first lecture as part of the Sydney Law School Distinguished Speakers Program 2012. Nicholas Bala is a leading Canadian expert on issues related to children, youth and families in the justice system, and has been published extensively in journals in law, medicine, psychology and social work. His work is often quoted by all levels of court in Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has also been cited by courts in the United States and Britain. Professor Bala's lecture takes place on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 from 6-7pm at the Sydney Law School. So if you’re studying in Sydney and if this interests you, make sure you check it out. And maybe you can ask him if he knows your Aunt Linda, who lives in Napanee.   4. More on the JCU Kitesurfing President. We know that since we posted a blog about the World Kitesurfing Competition, you’ve wanted to learn more about the James Cook University Kitesurfing president, Marvin Baumeister. Well, good news! We actually heard from one of our former students, Melinda MacKenzie, who studied at the James Cook University Teachers College. She said she was friends with Marvin while studying at James Cook University. She told us how he was just starting out his record label, promoting some high school musicians and that's really taken off for him since! “He was also really into the kitesurfing then and always looking for recruits,” she explains. “He's a great guy!” We love how closely connected people become at James Cook University. That said, make sure you check out our blog next week for a feature on Melinda’s experience at the James Cook University Teachers College!

University of Queensland Law School Welcomes New Dean

The University of Queensland Law School will build on its research strengths as well as enhance its student experience, says UQ's new Dean of Law, Professor Gerard Carney. Professor Carney began his new role as dean a few days ago and says he looks forward to working with the team at the historic TC Beirne School of Law which is positioned among the top 35 law schools in the QS World University Rankings. “University of Queensland Law School attracts the brightest students so I want to nurture the University of Queensland Law School's close links with the legal profession, commerce and government, both nationally and internationally, to provide the best graduate outcomes, as well as equip our students with the necessary legal and personal skills to pursue successful and satisfying professional careers,” Professor Carney said. Professor Carney joins UQ from the Bond University Law School, where he was the Deputy Dean, Professor of Constitutional Law and Chair of the Academic Senate. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from Queensland University of Technology, a Master of Laws from the University of London and a PhD in Law from the Bond University Law School. Professor Carney is one of Australia's leading constitutional experts, particularly in the areas of State and Territory constitutional law, parliamentary privilege, the role of parliament, and public sector ethics. Over the course of his career, Professor Carney has held consultancy positions with the Legal Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in London, the Queensland Electoral and Administrative Reform Commission, the Committee of Privileges of the House of Representatives and numerous State parliamentary committees. In addition, he is admitted as a Barrister at Law of the Supreme Court of Queensland, the High Court of Australia and the Federal Court of Australia, and has served as Executive Associate to the Chief Justice of Australia, the Hon Sir Gerard Brennan.  

Coming to UQ

Professor Carney believes this combination of academic and professional experience will be advantageous in the active role he will assume in consolidating the School's Alumni relationships, and in developing new partnerships with the legal profession. “I very much hope that the alumni of the University of Queensland Law School will continue to support the School to develop outstanding law graduates and to enhance its capacity for intellectual leadership in a global age,” he said. He says he also wants to build on the University of Queensland Law School's research strengths to consolidate its position as a legal intellectual powerhouse which addresses the contemporary challenges of our age, locally and globally. “There are real opportunities to further the synergy between the University of Queensland Law School's research agenda and the student experience, so that our students are inspired by the noble mission of any good law school, which is to enhance the rule of law within a just society. The University of Queensland Law School's Pro Bono Centre is an excellent example of this synergy between research and teaching.”  

About the University of Queensland Law School

The three-year, graduate-entry Bachelor of Laws degree at UQ is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and deep understanding of legal principles and institutions that is distinguished by its rigour, depth and conceptual sophistication. Your education in the law will include not only a thorough understanding of the concepts, principles, policies and values that underpin and permeate the law both in Australia and in other jurisdictions, but will also see you develop a critical and reflective attitude to the law, and more generally, a capacity for sustained critical analysis, thought and argument.   * Learn more about the University of Queensland Law School Find out how to apply to Australian Law Schools in Australia  

Nedco Perth Receives 'Award Of Distinction'

Jim Town, Branch Manager of Nedco Perth, was recently presented with the General Manager's 'Award of Distinction' from Larry McIntosh at the Nedco Ontario Managers Conference in January 2012.  The Award of Distinction is awarded annually for achieving financial and operational benchmarks at the branch level.  Mr. Town credits the diligence and customer service focus of his employees, John Funnell, Chuck Alward, Murray Tulloch and Rob Doyle, for this success in 2011 and thanks their many customers for their loyalty and support.

Alpacas For Sale

Have you considered owning alpacas? Easy to manage, low maintenance, friendly personality Alpacas create an easy going pleasant lifestyle for all family members  - young or old Call Victory Farm Alpacas @ 613-259-0228 to get your questions answered.

Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling March 2012

Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling March 22, 23, 24, 30, 31 at 8:00pm March 25, April 1 at 2:00pm Sometimes life catches you in curlers Steel Magnolias is the quintessential story of friendship and trust. It serves up a Southern slice of life that’s as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie. In the world of Truvy’s local homegrown beauty salon six very different women come together to share their secrets, fears and love for one another, while engaging the audience in their hysterical neighbourly gossip; from weddings to divorces, babies to funerals, new beginnings to happy endings, they share each moment in their lives with grace, determination and perfectly coiffed hair. When tragedy strikes, it is in the familiar comfort of Truvy’s Salon that they seek the solace of the support that carries them through. Tickets are $20 at The Book Nook, 56 Gore Street East (in person, cash only), $22 at Tickets Please, 39 Foster Street, Perth, call 613-485-6434 or go online at http://www.ticketsplease.ca/Tickets_Please.html(includes convenience fee) and $22 at the door.

Studio Theatre presents Perth’s Got Talent IV March 3, 2012

On March 3 at 7:00 p.m., the Studio Theatre presents its much-awaited Perth’s Got Talent IV, the local talent showcase that, for the past three years, has been the hottest ticket in town. It has put some of our area's best amateur and professional performers in the spotlight. Some of the entertainers who have been booked to perform include Country singer Charley Smith, young singer/songwriter Tony Leduc, fiddle player Japhy Sullivan, Nicola Oddy & The Oddities (in one of their final performances together), Jeff Kohl, the keyboardist in Keith Glass's band the Twisters, and the Celtic band Skirmish, featuring Bill Cameron, Linda Grenier and Victor Maltby. Sue Tennant, the shows organizer, there's also a surprise opening to the show that no one will want to miss.Once again, this edition of Perth's Got Talent will support the Studio Theatre's "Give Our Theatre A Lift" campaign, which is raising funds to install an elevator. And as in all three previous shows, Brian Perkin from LAKE 88 will bring his cool voice and great wit to the stage as the show's MC. Brian and LAKE 88 have been staunch supporters of Perth's Got Talent since the series began in 2009. It’s not too late to try out for the show. Auditions will be held Thursday February 16 at the Studio Theatre. Call 613-267-7902 for details and to book an appointment. Tickets for Perth’s Got Talent are on sale now, and they’ll definitely go fast - the first three shows sold out weeks in advance. Tickets are $25 (includes convenience fee) at Tickets Please, 39 Foster St, Perth, 613-485-6434, http://www.ticketsplease.ca/Tickets_Please.html.

94 YEARS YOUNG!!

Dodds & Erwin has been serving the agricultural community for over 94 years. Established in 1918 the business is now being operated by 4th generation Erwin's! We supply feed and farm supplies to all the local farms as well as purchase most of our grain locally off those same farms! We also have a wide variety of wild life feeds and pet foods to suite your needs. In the summer months of May-October we have a vast bulk landscape supply depot as well as every variety of lawn seed to garden seed you desire! Stop into our Feeds n' Needs outlet at 2870 Rideau Ferry road, 1 km south of Perth on county road 1. You can also check us out at www.doddsanderwin.com