With the rise of the sun, swarms of runners filled the street with an atmosphere of sheer adrenaline for the 6.45am start. Family and friends held their banners high with pride, one particularly supportive group flinging pink posters in the air whilst screaming, “Go Katie you inspire us!”

Over 500 charities and 13,550 runners participated in the event dedicated to the life of Kerryn McCann. Kerryn was a professional runner and was a large supporter of the Half Marathon throughout the 17 years of its running, up until her death in 2008. Kerryn won the Half Marathon four times in 1993, 1995, 2002 and 2004. At the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games Kerryn won Gold in the marathon. Participant runner Joel, 33 describes Kerryn as “a champion runner, a real inspiration.”

Runners get up before the sunrise

Raelene Boyle a Breast Cancer Network board member, breast cancer survivor, and champion runner mingled with competitors at the beginning of the race to create awareness of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer related deaths among Australian women. Raelene was a good friend of Kerryn and describes her as a perfect example of an Australian athlete, a woman to look up to and someone that loved what she did.

Amongst the sea of runners, several colours emerged as a repetitive choice of clothing. The Breast Cancer Network encouraged supporters to wear a pink bandanna on their head or on their wrist. A large cluster of pink shirts worn by supporters of BCNA stood out from the rest of the crowd. Many runners sported pink t-shirts, whilst some more gain male athletes ran in pink short shorts. Contestant Sarah, 29 describes the event as a wonderful way to honour the life of Kerryn McCann and an opportunity to raise funds for those people in need. “I think it is pretty exciting to run in this race. Kerryn McCann is such a legendary person, so she definitely is the right choice for this event.”

Keen runners enter the start arena

BCNA was selected as the official charity for the Half Marathon due to Kerryn’s own personal battle with cancer. In 2007 whilst pregnant with her third child, Kerryn was treated for breast cancer. After surgery to remove the cancer, her baby boy was born on the 5 September 2007. The following year the cancer had spread to her liver and she died on 8 December 2008.

Linda, the Development Coordinator explains that it was the relationship between Kerryn and the Half Marathon that sparked the union. She says, “Kerryn was one of our members and passed away a few years ago. She was a large supporter of the event, winning four times and really getting involved. She is the reason the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon selected the Breast Cancer Network as its official charity.”

Runners wear pink in memory of Kerryn

The tagline “Running for Kerryn” is used to encourage participants to run whilst raising money for charities. The chest bibs provided display the phrase “Running for Kerryn McCann,” and the official charity BCNA, is supported by the McCann family. Kerryn McCann‟s husband Greg has been a large supporter of the event since her death in 2008. Linda says, “Kerryn‟s family has really gotten behind the relationship between Kerryn McCann and our network. She is a big name, someone people really relate to.”

Online social media was used to organise the charities and raise money for individual runners and groups. Linda says, “People fundraise for us by creating their own online fundraising page, which is absolutely fantastic and they will send it to their friends and ask them to support them in their run. It is great, we really appreciate the support. Our ultimate goal is to raise enough money to further research into the cure of cancer.”

Runners also run for premature babies

As the day crept from dawn to morning the icy chill turned into a fresh sun filled day. The first runners to cross the finish line filled the drink area with a mix of pride and fatigue. Steven, 30 who came tenth in the race, describes the new route as “absolutely beautiful” and the charity involvement as “rewarding.” He explains, “The Half Marathon is different from many other races. I think it is a great course in Sydney and it is a good opportunity to get out and run around the place and enjoy the city for what it is without cars and people everywhere. It is a great event.”

Runners cross finish line

After the race Raelene Boyle presented the female first place award to winner Nikki Chapple also in honour of Kerryn McCann. The pink t-shirts became a familiar sight within the “drink and snack‟ area at the end of the race. BCNA volunteers developed the reputation of the “pink ladies‟ selling Pink Lady merchandise and covering passers-by with the pink label tattoo. One of the “pink ladies‟ Elaine explains that the support and memory of Kerryn really encouraged the partnership between the Half Marathon and BCNA. “Kerryn was really one of the pink ladies. She was really involved with the Breast Cancer Network, just a really lovely lady,” she says.

Families and friends picnicked with their “superstar” runners, with smiles indicating a fulfilled day. BCNA raised $41,000 through the donations gathered by runners, $20,000 more than the money raised by the organisation in the 2009 Half Marathon. The Sydney Survivors Team, with one member diagnosed with breast cancer last year, raised the most money for BCNA, with over $20,000.

All the charities combined raised over $700,000. Elizabeth, a representative of the North Shore Polish Saturday School describes the day as a great way to give back to the community. “We are all voluntary, all the schools and the charities, I would definitely do it again.” she says.

Charles, 37 a keen runner advises: “To people considering running in the Half Marathon next year I would say come and enjoy. At least you get an early Sunday and you finish early as well. It is a lot of fun with heaps of people and you get the opportunity to support people in need.” In memory of BCNA’s very own “pink lady‟ Kerryn McCann, the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon combined the love of running and the care for humanity into the one event.

For more information on the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon visit http://www.smhhalfmarathon.com.au/

Review: Smart Arts

 Venturing into the backstreets of inner city Chippendale I am pleasantly surprised to see the colourful splash of market stalls surrounding the Creative Arts Centre. It is the SmartArts festival…run to engage with the community and promote youth arts.

The festival has everything. Band comps, an acoustic tent, interactive workshops, artwork displays, a fashion show and an eclectic mix of market and food stalls. Where to start?  

 The festival is indeed a festival full of smart arts. Local artists bring their innovative ideas to the festival to encourage the community to interact with their artworks. One of the most popular artworks is the ‘Box Wall Mural.’ Basically, you stick your hands in a tub of paint and draw along a wall. ‘Kiss for equality,’ similar to a kissing booth, raises awareness of gay and lesbian rights. Nothing is done behind closed doors at the festival. I watch the preparations of Christina Bou’s fashion show. Rope, garbage bags and a lot of latex are part of the designs. Other activities include a ‘sustainable beads workshop,’ a ‘wire sculpture workshop,’ ‘badge making,’ and a ‘stencil art workshop.’

 FBI 45.5 FM hosts a band contest. ‘Worst case scenario’ a new band, who has just released their first album play. Even if you’re not into heavy rock/ 90’s grunge, their energy is worth a watch. In ‘the acoustic tent’ there is a chilled out vibe and you can even take a nanna nap on the comfy couches. The indie sound of Jennifer Concannon was pleasantly refreshing.

 A lady dressed for a masquerade ball dances between the craft stalls, the workshops and ‘the acoustic tent’ adding another artistic element to the vibe of SmartArts. A bottle of wine swings in her hand and I am not quite sure if she is actually drunk or if it is part of the act. Either way, it adds a unique touch to the festival.

Funky stalls line the festival with an atmosphere of warmth and vitality. There are print t-shirts, recycled clothes, head bands, couture garbage and crafty fashion and accessories.

After some yummy Turkish gozleme and a much needed coffee, I leave the festival with a bag full of craft goodies, a full belly and a smile on my face. Thanks SmartArts for a nice Saturday afternoon.

Review: Kashmir, Trespassers

 It seems that Danish rock band Kashmir is in better spirits than their previous albums.  They have just released their sixth album Trespassers which is recorded at Jimi Hendrix’s studio in New York City. Their last album No Balance Palace features David Bowie and Lou Reed which is hard in itself to live up to.

 At first Trespassers starts off measured and I long for some of their old experimental sounds. But I am lifted awake in track three Mantaray which show cases the groups poetic licence and Kasper Eistrup’s vocal talents. Track four Pallas Athena is a must listen, with fresh use of synthesisers and robotic vocals.

 Although, they are known as the Danish Cold Play, Kashmir holds their own in all their albums. Trespassers is no exception. The album is a mixed bag; with unique synths, bass and acoustic drums. Kashmir stays true to their original sound but with lyrics of a happier psyche. Keep the good times rolling.

CD Review: Go/No-Go

 There is nothing better than chilling out on the inviting UNSW lawns while listening to an indie rock band. Go/No-Go has just released their debut album Autofocus which they describe as ‘eighties new wave/romantic music melded with contemporary indie rock’. Receiving airplay on FBI, 2SER and Tripple J; Go/No-Go has been compared to Bloc Party and LCD Sound System. The five member duo are multi-talented chaps; mastering 3 synths, 3 guitars and 2 drum kits. The first song on the album ‘Catching Up With You’ show cases Steve Claxton, the lead singer’s vocal quality. ‘Bees’ is an upbeat song, with a faster rhythm and a strong electronic texture. The overall feel of the album is relaxed with some poignant focus on beginning and ending relationships. This is the music for the inner city loungers and anyone else in the alternative scene. So if that includes you, head over to your nearest lawn and attempt to channel their 80’s alternative vibe.

Book review: Tokyo Vice

Forget ancient temples, futuristic cities and lightning bullet trains. Welcome to Japan’s sordid side; a world of murder, human trafficking and corruption. Tokyo Vice gives a firsthand account of the life of an American crime reporter on the streets of Tokyo. At nineteen, Jake Adestein leaves America to begin a new life in a foreign world. A new life is what he gets after landing a job at the Yomiuri, one of Japan’s largest newspapers. His territory is the red light district, as he befriends prostitutes, gangsters and cops in search of the ‘big’ scoop. Eventually, he discovers a story so important that he receives death threats and has to decide whether he will stay or flee the country. Through the eyes of Adelstein the reader is given a tour of the atrocities occurring in one of the most unlikely countries in the world. He gives a vivid depiction of human trafficking and the power of one reporter, to make a difference. After reading Tokyo Vice you will never look at Japan the same.

Rebeccah Elley stumbles upon a city with a dark past, a promising future and locals with a mischievous sense of humour.

From the majestic temples at Angkor Wat to the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh, the land of Cambodia both shocks and takes you by surprise. Its haunted recent past is gradually giving way to a promising future.

After a 16 hour bus ride travelling from the chaos of Bangkok’s streets I find myself in the robust city of Phnom Pehn in Cambodia’s South. The congestion, smoke, tuk tuks and noise beat even that of the busy streets of Bangkok.

I jump into a tuk tuk and show the driver, Arun, the address of my hostel. He laughs flashing his wide smile and replies, “no no the best place to stay is near the river where the hostels are built right on the water’s edge.” Through the hectic traffic he darts in and out. The hostels are not much to the eye but once stepping onto the wooden corso that meets the ocean I am satisfied.

I set out early in the morning remembering the Lonely Planet’s advice to hold on to your wallets as the city is known for its quick fingered locals. Arun takes me down to the famous markets where I participate in some friendly haggling with the locals. I wander through the food markets where the locals shop and stumble upon a dog’s head. Locals point and laugh at my shocked expression. Arun joins in the mockery and explains that it is the Cambodian way to tease one another.

Dirt covered children beg for money right in front of swaths of brightly covered silk scarves. Although Arun warns me not to give them money as they should be in school and not collecting money for their parents.

After the markets I follow the well trod route to Cambodias’ notorious S-21 prison a result of the Khmer Rouge regime in the 70’s. The museum documents the genocide of 2 million Khmer people, initiated by the dictator Pol Pot. The instruments of torture remain and photos of the innocent victims stare helplessly at you, a shocking reminder of the dark history of Cambodia. Sadness fills the halls and the blood stains remain etched in a traveller’s memory long after leaving.

Returning to my hostel I sit and watch the sunset melt into the water and the fishermen finish up for the day. The smells of spices float through the air and the faint sound of laughter fills my ears. With all the reminders of Cambodia’s dark past it is almost paradoxical to witness the good nature and happiness of the locals. A bright future for Cambodia is emerging out of a dark past- like a diamond whose sparkles gradually emerge under a jeweller’s careful buffing. As Arun explains with a glimmer in his eye, “we must keep on living, as we have lost so much; we have so much to live for.”

Source List

1. Cambodia 2009, Lonely Planet, Lonely Planet Publications, viewed 10 June 2009, <http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia>
2. Cambodia urges actions on Khmer Rouge trials 2003, Cambodia E-Gov Homepage, viewed 10 June 2009, <http://www.cambodia.gov.kh/unisql1/egov/english/home.view.html>
3. Lenzi, Iola. 2004. Museums of Southeast Asia, Archipelago Press, Singapore.

People who become a lawyer, usually stick with it. Meet Anita O’toole who has left the rat race to rediscover her passions.

By Rebeccah Elley

Anita O’toole can tell you exactly what it was like to be a lawyer: large office, twelve hour gruelling days, never ending confrontations and having to fight for things she does not believe in. Anita says that, “enjoying having conflict with others is not the normal state of most people, so if it isn’t your normal state then you’ll get one thing out of being a lawyer- stress”.

 Her days are different now. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, O’toole is walking the steps of New South Wales Department of Housing. O’tooles days still involve confrontation, but of a different kind as she visits tenants requesting payment of late rent.

A hard job? Most would think so. However, O’toole has approached this role with Integrity, care and empathy.

Initially O’toole was disheartened by the frequently cruel way the tenants were treated. However, after visiting a friend in Hong Kong and witnessing the large amount of poverty, she decided to work with the homeless. O’toole says it “helped me to develop a real love for people in financial need”.

Upon returning from Hong Kong O’toole made the decision to adopt a positive and empathetic approach when dealing with the tenants. She tried to connect with each tenant on a personal level.

One client had a history of drug abuse and depression. O’toole visited her twice a week, spending time with the resident and talking through her issues. She would bring her little things like some milk, and even flowers for the kitchen. The tenant was overwhelmed by such a simple act. Every week after this, the tenant payed her rent on time. This empathetic approach won her the respect of her tenants, colleagues and upper management resulting in her promotion.

In O’toole’s higher management role within the division of housing she continues to approach all of her roles with the ‘good Samaritan’ work ethic. O’toole is currently organising the Strengthening Indigenous Communities conference being held in Brisbane, 10-11 December 2009. O’toole says, she never regrets leaving her job as a corporate lawyer, “I like what I am doing; I am maturing, growing and learning so much”.