It’s Getting Stupid Hot

Source: Science NET

The issue of climate change is not limited to Australia, rather a cause for global concern. So it seems only natural that such an issue would be at the forefront of political agendas…

Well, it isn’t.

A comprehensive assessment before the most recent G20 summit held in China this month was undertaken, resulting in Australia not only receiving a rating of ‘very poor,’ but more significantly, being ranked the worst country amongst the G20 collective (Slezak 2016).

In the past twelve months, our earth has had its hottest year in recorded history, with Australians having suffered through their warmest autumn on record (Readfearn 2016).

‘The aversion to talking about climate change during the election campaign reflects a wider problem: our concern for this issue has fallen even while it has become larger and more urgent’ (Steketee 2016).

So we’ve established there is a very real problem, and Australia is sorely lacking in its approach to this issue. I mean, that has to be the general consensus right?

Wrong.

Enter Malcolm Roberts; the man who recently secured the 12^th and final Queensland Senate seat on the back of only 77 first preference votes (Graham 2016). The outspoken Senator made his inaugural speech in parliament only days ago, one in which he not only compared himself to classical Greek philosopher, Socrates; but also flat-out denied any evidence of the human influence on climate change.

At the press conference immediately following his speech, Roberts had stated, ‘there is not one piece of empirical evidence anywhere, anywhere, showing that humans cause, through CO₂ production, climate change’ (Greenshack Dotinfo 2016).

The Senator then went on to promote ‘conspiracy theories that the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology are corrupt accomplices in climate conspiracy driven by the United Nations’ (Cook 2016).

Don’t believe me? You can watch it here.

Source: Greenshack Dotinfo

It seems to me that before tackling climate change, there needs to be an attitude change.

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References

Cook, J 2016, ‘One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts is in denial about the facts of climate change’, The Conversation, 5 August, viewed 23 September, http://theconversation.com/one-nations-malcolm-roberts-is-in-denial-about-the-facts-of-climate-change-63581.

Graham, R 2016, ‘Why Malcolm Roberts’ demand for ’empirical evidence’ on climate change is misleading’, The Guardian, 9 August, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2016/aug/09/why-one-nation-senator-malcolm-roberts-demand-for-empirical-evidence-on-climate-change-is-misleading-bunk.

Greenshack Dotinfo 2016, Qld PHON Sen Malcolm Roberts: “I am a scientist! Do you know what a scientist is?”, online video, 3 August, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhy58cCtdqg&feature=youtu.be&t=39.

Readfearn, G 2016, ‘Tragic lack of leadership puts red hot climate change out in the cold’, The Guardian, 29 June, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2016/jun/29/tragic-lack-of-leadership-put-red-hot-climate-change-out-in-the-cold.

Science NET 2016, Brian Cox Baffled By Ignorance of Climate Change Denier Aug 15, 2016, online video, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaxVu3Uq6OI&feature=youtu.be.

Slezak, M 2016, ‘Australia worst among G20 when it comes to action on climate change, report finds’, The Guardian, 1 September, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/01/australia-worst-among-g20-when-it-comes-to-action-on-climate-change-report-finds.

Steketee, M 2016. ‘Climate change has dropped off the political radar (and this is a big problem)’, ABC News, 15 April, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-15/steketee-climate-change-has-dropped-off-the-political-radar/7328538.

 

Jerusalem Quartet; One Night Only

Source: Zeal NYC

7pm and the stage was set; It was a one night showing by the critically acclaimed Jerusalem Quartet. Only it happened last night, and chances are you missed it.

The stringed ensemble played to the local classic and contemporary music fans of Brisbane at the Queensland Conservatorium Theatre in a celebration of their 21^st anniversary. Fortunately for music lovers, the intimate evening was recorded for broadcast on 4MBS FM.

The four piece consisting of two violinists, a viola and cello have won numerous awards such as ‘the Diapason d’Or, the BBC Music Magazine Award for chamber music’ (Jerusalem Quartet 2015). The manufactured ensemble was something of a “boy band” when they first started performing together, put together by the Jerusalem Music Centre (Moffatt 2016)

Two separate programmes have been prepared for the brief Australian tour, of which the quartet will alternate between at each individual showing. The audience in Brisbane was privileged to a night of composers Haydn, Edwards and Beethoven, the last of which the group is most renowned for performing.

With members originating from the Ukraine, Belarus, and obviously Israel itself, their stage name is somewhat misleading, although all members both grew up in and reside in the state of Israel.

The oddly mixed bunch offered a discussion with audience members following the show for enthusiasts of the arts. In this setting and ‘as celebrities function across a number of different media platforms, the ability to speak publicly and present well becomes increasingly necessary’ (Bainbridge, Goc and Tynan 2011 P. 395)

Adult tickets ranged from $40 in the higher sections to $86 for the finer viewing positions.

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References

Bainbridge, J, Goc, N & Tynan, L 2011, Media and journalism: new approaches to theory and practice, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, VIC.

Jerusalem Quartet 2015, about Jerusalem Quartet, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.jerusalem-quartet.com/index.php/about.

Moffatt, S 2016, ‘Jerusalem Quartet are back for heavenly seventh Musica Viva tour’, Daily Telegraph, 21 September, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/news/jerusalem-quartet-are-back-for-heavenly-seventh-musica-viva-tour/news-story/28627e62c82ac6d48952c795fc65c58c.

Zeal NYC, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, http://zealnyc.com/jerusalem-quartet-at-92nd-street-y/.

Flangipanis: Old Rude Flowers

Source: Events in Australia

This evening saw Brisbane punk rock outfit Flangipanis take the stage in celebration of their unofficial tin wedding, (or tenth anniversary). The free event kicked off at 8pm, hosted by the ever infamous and often dubious, Fat Louie’s, on Albert Street.

Predominantly known as a karaoke and snooker/pool bar, the venue has been rather accommodating to the punk scene in recent years. As is regularly the case on nights such as these, a veritable smorgasbord of odd looking patrons turned out for the event, a feat matched by the headliners and support acts themselves.

Supporting the aging local four piece was Le Murd, Hanny J and the equally long in the tooth Black Market. Proceedings got underway with an acoustic set by solo singer songwriter Hanny J, followed by the long awaited return of Brisbane punk pioneers Black Market. Up next was the electronic stylings of Le Murd and the boorish take your clothes off tunes of Flangipanis.

Source: Facebook

While mainstream success has eluded the group, (they attribute this to swearing too often) justifiably (Doria 2016). Flangipanis have something of a cult following in Brisbane. A testament to this can be seen in their community radio station, 4ZZZ’s annual Hot 100 polling. Over the last five years they have found themselves in the #1 spot twice and top three on two other occasions (4ZZZ FM 2016).

If you are wanting to let your hair down and loosen your belt buckle to the aforementioned brand of music follow the Flangipanis Facebook page for notifications on upcoming shows.

Source: Twitter

With the use of instant messaging service Twitter, the group is able ‘to send brief text messages of up to 140 characters to a list of friends and approved followers’ (Bainbridge, Goc and Tynan 2011 P. 38) drawing further crowd interest.

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References

4ZZZ FM 2016, 4ZZZ Hot 100, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.4zzzfm.org.au/hot100.

Bainbridge, J, Goc, N & Tynan, L 2011, Media and journalism: new approaches to theory and practice, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, VIC.

Doria, M 2016, ‘Fresh fruit: Flangipanis’, Blunt Mag, 23 March, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.bluntmag.com.au/interviews/fresh-fruit-flangipanis/.

Events in Australia, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.eventsinaustralia.net/event-10-years-w-flangipanis-le-murd-black-market-and-hanny-j-brisbane-882030.

Facebook, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.facebook.com/flangipanis/.

Twitter, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, https://twitter.com/hashtag/flangipanis.

It’s a Rich Man’s World

Source: Global Justice

Money; it’s the root of all evil, or at least so they say. They also say that it doesn’t bring happiness, and yet I’m sure the men that govern this country delight in making more than their female counterparts. Unlike the male dominated governing body, the workforce in Australia is fairly evenly split;

Of the approximately 10 million employees in Australia, 50.5 per cent are women and 49.5 per cent are men. But men still tend to earn a lot more than women – an average of $1,429.80 for male employees, compared with $940.20 for female employees. That in part is due to the number of hours worked: 76.6 per cent of men work full time compared with 43.7 per cent of women (ABC News).

Ok, so those were some heavy figures and a lot to swallow in one sitting. More simply, for each dollar a man earns, Australian women earn the equivalent of 83 cents (Khadem 2016).

The resulting gender pay gap nationally stands at 16.2%, and I ask you, is that fair? Across all occupational categories there is biased pay gap favouring full-time working males over full-time working females (Australian Government 2016).

Some reasons for this are:

• A distinct lack of women in senior roles.
• Women offer more time to unpaid volunteer work.
• Discrimination on the part of employers.
• Women are more likely to hold part-time positions than men.

Per finical year, ‘men earn on average $27,000 more than women’ (Khadem 2016). While this is partly a result of the reasons mentioned above, there is a glaring need to increase industry standards. While I’m not convinced the (male) powers that be have a great interest in equal pay, they could at least offer some semblance of it.

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References

ABC News, Fact file: 11 facts about the changing face of the Australian workforce, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-19/fact-file3b-facts-about-the-workforce/6322238.

Australian Government 2016, What is the gender pay gap?, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.wgea.gov.au/addressing-pay-equity/what-gender-pay-gap.

Does it have to be a rich man’s world, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, http://groups.globaljustice.org.uk/glasgow/2014/02/26/does-it-have-to-be-a-rich-mans-world/.

Khadem, N 2016, ‘Australian women make 83¢ for every $1 a man earns: report’, Sydney Morning Herald, 24 March, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/gender-pay-gap-20160322-gnp0vy.html.

 

Extremists vs. Extreme Terrorists

The subject of terrorism; the way the media has portrayed it, the word itself is enough to incite a feeling of terror.

As cited in ‘Islamic State’ magazine, “Kill them on the streets of Brunswick, Broadmeadows, Bankstown, and Bondi. Kill them at the MCG, the SCG, the Opera House, and even in their backyards” (Stephens 2016).

As a public we are constantly bombarded with messages of the supposed Muslim terror threat and the increasing strangle hold these extremists have encroaching on our way of life.

But is this the case in the real world?

Australia has remained relatively unscathed from any such terror activity, much unlike our allies in the United States. However, for all the media hype and speculation a relatively low percentage of these attacks are in fact performed by Muslims and people of an Arabic background.

Source: Global Research

Allow me to offer you two facts that may adjust your perspective further than the above FBI findings:

1. There have been 140,000 terror attacks committed worldwide since 1970. Even if Muslims carried out all of these attacks, those terrorists would represent less than 0.00009 percent of all Muslims. To put things into perspective, this means that you are more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime than a Muslim is likely to commit a terrorist attack during that same timespan (Alnatour 2016).

If those numbers were a little hard to swallow, perhaps this will be a little more palatable.

2. 5 out of the past 12 Nobel Peace Prize winners (42 percent) have been Muslims (Alnatour 2016).

Alternatively, the United States government has a checkered history of invading foreign nations in the name of “peace”.  While it is commonly believed that following September 11 and the Bush administration America was no longer a warmongering nation, President Barack Obama ‘runs an unprecedented worldwide campaign of terrorism and murder by drone’ (Pilger 2016).

In Prague 2009, the President delivered a speech essentially promising to help rid the world of nuclear weapons and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize of his own. However, ‘No American president has built more nuclear warheads than Obama’ (Pilger 2016).

Now I ask you what is more terrifying; some unlikely, extremist terrorizing your neighbourhood, or the horror of having your home country ravaged by the heavy hand of the United States government?

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References

Alnatour, O 2016, ‘Muslims are not terrorists: a factual look at terrorism and Islam’, The World Post, 15 June, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/omar-alnatour/muslims-are-not-terrorist_b_8718000.html.

Global Research 2016, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.globalresearch.ca/non-muslims-carried-out-more-than-90-of-all-terrorist-attacks-in-america/5333619.

Pilger, J 2016, ‘Silencing America as it prepares for war’, johnpilger.com, 27 May, viewed 23 September 2016, http://johnpilger.com/articles/silencing-america-as-it-prepares-for-war.

Stephens, K 2016, ‘New Islamic State magazine encourages lone wolves to kill Australians’, News.com, 7 September, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.news.com.au/national/new-islamic-state-magazine-encourages-lone-wolves-to-kill-australians/news-story/c9460ccd304a7cafc598a09e13e11639.

 

To be Gay and Happy

Source: Google

There’s something very wrong with this image.

This is an antiquated dictionary definition in dire need of updating, and “in some jurisdictions, two people of the same sex” should not be a necessary addition in this day and age.

Seriously, how is this still an issue?

Here I was thinking that Australia was a secular society and yet here we are falling behind devoutly Christian and catholic nations such as the United States, Ireland and Columbia (among many others) on this non-issue.

Source: Financial Review

As the graph presented above shows, same sex marriage has had a majority of public support for several years now, yet…

Given Opposition Leader Bill Shorten called the plebiscite a “taxpayer-funded platform for homophobia”, and The Greens are even more stridently opposed, it’s unlikely they would vote for the legislation to allow a $160 million national opinion poll (Dick 2016).

Confused? You’re not alone.

Firstly, is a vote really required here? Legislation is routinely put into place without consulting the Australian public on far more pressing matters without a consensus of opinion.

Secondly, I found myself taken back at the idea of The Greens not getting behind this; having voiced fears that, ‘a “hateful” campaign could lead to suicides among the young LGBTIQ community’ (Anderson 2016).

Is this really a warranted concern? (While I am in no way condoning this activity in any way), supposing it is a genuine concern; comparatively, are the misfortunes of a few not worth the happiness of many?

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References

Anderson, S 2016, ‘Greens to vote against same-sex marriage plebiscite’, ABC News, 28 August, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-26/greens-move-to-block-same-sex-marriage-plebiscite-labor-equality/7788970.

Dick, T 2016, ‘Australia won’t have the marriage equality it wants for at least three years’, Sydney Morning Herald, 3 July, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.smh.com.au/comment/australia-wont-have-the-marriage-equality-it-wants-for-at-least-three-years-20160703-gpxc30.html.

Financial Review, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.afr.com/news/politics/election-2016-majority-of-voters-would-say-yes-in-gay-marriage-plebiscite-20160701-gpwg3z.

Google 2016, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1CHBD_enAU690AU690&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=marriage%20definition.

Brisbane Festival!

Source: About Australia

This weekend has marked the official opening of Brisbane Festival 2016, celebrating its eighth year as an on-going arts festival. The three week long celebration of culture began September 3, with the festivities commencing until September 24.

The now modern festival has roots dating back to the Warana Festival, which had been a much smaller scale event beginning in 1961 (Brisbane Festival 2016). The festival as we know it today was introduced in 1996 by the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, although it was a biennial affair (Brisbane Festival 2016). However attendees can now revel in the fact that the festival is a longstanding annual event.

As always, the highlight of the event will take place at its conclusion, culminating in the Sunsuper Riverfire. The firework spectacular presented by Channel 9 and Triple M will start at 7pm, Saturday the 24^th, and welcomes the return of the ever popular armed services demonstrations.

‘Spectators will also be wowed by aerobatics from the Australian Defence Force with RAAF Super Hornet and Army helicopter displays’ (Brisbane Festival 2016).

Source: Facebook

The embracing of a peer-to-peer approach to the communication of news, have opened up new possibilities for journalism in the twenty-first century. (Bainbridge, Goc and Tynan 2011 P. 427)

The Story Bridge and surrounding network of roads will be closed for the evening’s festivities and alternate routes will be required to be taken for several hours due to the display. All enquiries regarding the process should be directed to Brisbane City Council’s Congestion Reduction Unit via telephone on 07 3403 4685 (Queensland Government 2016).

For festival information such as times, prices and accessibility refer to the Brisbane Festival ‘What’s on’ page here. http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on

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References

About Australia, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.about-australia.com/events/brisbane-festival/.

Bainbridge, J, Goc, N & Tynan, L 2011, Media and journalism: new approaches to theory and practice, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, VIC.

Brisbane Festival 2016, about, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/about/history.

Facebook, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneFestival/?fref=ts.

Queensland Government 2016, events, Story Bridge road network closures for events, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.qld.gov.au/about/events-awards-honours/events/story-bridge/.

Gather Around Children

Source: Peter Rabbit

This weekend saw the 150^th anniversary of children’s literary giant Beatrix Potter. In remembrance of this classic author and illustrator, public libraries Brisbane-wide opened their doors to parents and children of all ages to enjoy sit-down readings and games related to the beloved figures characters.

Born in London, July 28, 1866, Potter released more than 20 children’s books starring Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, and Benjamin Bunny, all of which she both wrote and illustrated (Bio 2016).

Although Potter’s body of work is quite dated, her characters have well and truly withstood the test of time as today, upwards of two million Beatrix Potter books are sold across the world every year (Peter Rabbit 2016). This figure equates to four books every minute, which makes sales not exactly “peanuts” (or carrots as the case may be).

Adding to the excitement surrounding the anniversary, rumours have been swirling that there is set to be a Peter Rabbit movie shot right here in Australia (Maddox 2016).

Potter first designed and created a Peter Rabbit doll in 1903, registering it at the patent office. This act of foresight on Potter’s part has led to making Peter Rabbit the world’s oldest licensed literary character (Peter Rabbit 2016).

Source: Facebook

For more information regarding upcoming events at your local library, (including; book clubs, readings, crafts and sustainability ventures) up to date information on services can be found on the following link here. https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on/venue/library-events.

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References

Bio 2016, Beatrix Potter biography, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.biography.com/people/beatrix-potter-9445208#synopsis.

Facebook, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneLibraries/?fref=ts.

Maddox, G 2016, ‘Exclusive: Peter Rabbit movie to shoot here and more news from Australian film’, Sydney Morning Herald, 23 March, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/exclusive-peter-rabbit-movie-to-shoot-here-and-more-news-from-australian-film-20160323-gnp4z9.html.

Peter Rabbit 2016, about, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.peterrabbit.com/about-beatrix-potter/.

Peter Rabbit, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.peterrabbit.com/.

Queensland Government 2016, what’s on, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on/venue/library-events.

Pass the Kouchie From the Left Hand Side

Source: SBS2 Australia

Allow me to summarise the above video. At three years of age Tara O’Connell would suffer through anywhere from 65 to 200 epileptic seizures daily. Her family were told that all options for treatment had been exhausted, and as Tara’s mother puts it, “we were basically told to prepare a funeral” (Tozer 2015).

With the current medical community failing her the family opted to treat her ailments with the marijuana derivative cannabis. From the first day Tara’s seizures were limited to roughly ten per day. After only ten days of treatment, she had stopped having seizures, and has been seizure free since April 2013 (Tozer 2015).

As a result, Victoria has become the first state in Australia to legalise the use of medicinal cannabis with children that suffer from severe epilepsy being the first in line to access the drug in 2017 (ABC News 2016).

As seen in the United States of America previously, this is the first step to decriminalizing the drug. And frankly, the government would be mad not to! As the graph below indicates, the US state of Colorado holds a population of 5.356 million as of the year 2014.

Source: Google

Why is this relevant?

In the year 2015, Licensed and regulated marijuana stores in the state of Colorado alone “sold $996,184,788 worth of recreational and medical cannabis in 2015, according to new data from the state Department of Revenue” (Baca 2016).

$135 million of these marijuana sales are taxes and fees resulting in unprecedented revenue; $35 million of this figure has automatically been designated to school construction projects (Baca 2016).

With a population totalling 23.13 million as of 2013 and only growing, one can only imagine the staggering figure at the government’s disposal for pressing issues such as health and education.

So in the words of the great Peter Tosh, “legalize it”.

Source: Huffington Post

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References

ABC News 2016, ‘Medicinal cannabis legalised in Victoria, child epilepsy patients to be given access from 2017’, ABC News, 12 April, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-12/victoria-becomes-first-state-to-legalise-medicinal-cannabis/7321152.

Baca, R 2016, ‘Colorado marijuana sales skyrocket to more than $996 million in 2015’, The Cannabist, 9 February, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.thecannabist.co/2016/02/09/colorado-marijuana-sales-2015-reach-996-million/47886/.

Google, digital image, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1CHBD_enAU690AU690&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=population%20of%20colorado.

Huffington Post, digitasl image, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/13/jamaica-marijuana-decriminalization_n_5492718.html.

SBS2 Australia, Medical Marijuana For Childhood Epilepsy I The Feed, online video, viewed 23 September 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKwTy0tIyEw&feature=youtu.be.

Tozer, J 2015, ‘Medical marijuana credited with girl’s ‘miracle’ recovery’, SBS News, 6 October, viewed 23 September 2016, http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/06/30/medical-marijuana?cid=inbody:medical-cannabis-finally-fully-legal-in-australias-most-hipster-state-victoria.

COMM12033: SPEECH AND SCRIPT

Week 1:

1. Blog:
a. Register your blog, It must be ‘public’ so that your lecturer can read this.
b. Write an introduction on your blog, telling us who you are, what you are studying, and your aims for this course.

2. Discuss the importance of voice:
a. Watch/listen to the YouTube recording on Julia Gillard’s voice.
b. Now watch Gillard’s famous ‘Misogyny’ speech delivered to Parliament.
c. Reflect on these videos on your blog. As a minimum, respond to the following questions:
i. What are your views on Julia Gillard’s voice? Consider her ‘Misogyny’ speech – what is your reaction to this speech?
ii. Is your reaction influenced by the content or delivery of the speech (or both)? Explain your answer.
iii. Would your views be influenced if Gillard sounded different (like actress Cate Blanchett, for example)?

3. Record your voice:
a. Download the News Script.
b. Record your reading of the news script, and upload it to your blog. In 250 – 500 words, critique your voice. What can you improve? What are your strengths? Record your reflections on your blog.

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Task one – Completed.

Task two – 

In the introductory week of COMM12033, Speech and Script, the class has been given the task of reviewing and reflecting on a speech made by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The speech given in parliament is addressed directly at her later successor Tony Abbott, in which she confronts the then opposition leader, accusing him of being an outspoken misogynist. While the emphasis is placed on Abbott’s viewpoints and conduct, the opposition leader came under fire for his calling for the removal of parliament speaker Peter Slipper.

Gillard makes a convincing argument in the house, citing Abbott with direct quotes made both as the Liberal party leader and before his rise to power. As is the case in these parliament question time instances, the PM is given the floor for only a limited amount time, while Abbott is left only to smirk and snicker at the bold accusations.

As derogatory as Abbott’s comments may have been, I find Gillard’s voice equally as offensive. Considering her Welsh background, the density of ‘occa’ Australiana in her voice can only be rivalled by the squawking of a native galah. While I agree wholeheartedly with the former PM’s standing on this matter, the true nature of this message falls short of my ears as I find her such a pain to listen to.

Fortunately, I consider myself somewhat informed politically and was already familiar with Abbott’s personal and political views. As a result, the message inspired little reaction from myself, being already familiar with the situation and thankfully so, as I find her ear piercing voice does little to penetrate my ears.

Professional voice coach Lucy Cornell of Voicecoachglobal (2010), argues that Gillard lacks warmth and depth in her voice, further stating that the former PM needs to breathe more in her speaking to assist further resonating in her voice. While I personally think this would only be the first of many hurdles to cross, it is my feeling that Gillard’s political career would have been greatly strengthened had she any other voice with which to portray her opinions and implement policies. As uniquely Australian as the woman may be, retaining some of her Welsh heritage from a vocal stand point would have helped dramatically.

Source: ABC News

Task three – 

After having downloaded the prepared news script, I was faced with the daunting task of having to record and upload the piece for review as provided here.

After roughly seven expletive filled recordings, I finally reached one that I was somewhat satisfied with. Attempting to read the script as it stood proved difficulty partly due to how riddled I was with nerves, but mostly due to the level of punctuation (or lack thereof). The introduction was constructed in a way that read naturally and seemed fitting of the genre, however, this quickly turned into long-winded sentences that had me gasping for air before reaching their end. As I don’t know Kate Stowell personally I can only speculate, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say the lady is not huffing down cigarettes at the same rate as myself, if at all.

If I were to do this exercise over again, I would punctuate the piece so as to sound more natural and not leave myself or any other news reader breathless. Ignoring the obvious differences in the standards of our respective microphones, bringing this punctuation in would lessen the quite clear breaths you can audibly hear in my presentation. I feel that my tone and pitch were of a reasonable standard, however my annunciation was lacking and I stumbled on a few words. As gut wrenching as this task had felt at the time, I am of the belief that if I was more rehearsed in this art and in my preparation, my voice could carry itself on radio.

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References:

ABC News 2012,Gillard labels Abbott a misogynist, online video, viewed 15 May 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd7ofrwQX0.

Voicecoachglobal 2010, Julia Gillard’s voice, online video, viewed 15 May 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEybGzg1Nxs.