12 Days before Christmas

This story is special. It is a Christmas story about giving.

It is a story about two children Ella and James who live in Longford, Tasmania.

Ella and James are committed to reaching out and helping those in the developing world. For twelve days before Christmas ( with the help of their mother Rose working at weekends ) they manned a Fair Trade stall at a Shopping Centre "Centro Meadow Mews". The Centre management assisted with this very late in the year request. Seats were removed to accomodate the stall. A significant reduction in price for the stall was granted. So for twelve days, Ella and James sold Fair Trade gifts from Bangladesh, India, Thailand and Peru whilst also sharing with and educating the customers the value of purchasing ethically. Last year Ella was a participant in the Thai Exchange Programme. This experience cemented her passion for the developing world and her desire to do something positive.Rose and Ella and James also mann Fair Trade stalls at different markets throughout the year. Ella and James are keen musicians ( their first instruments being violin and guitar) and create a wonderful happy atmosphere at the markets."Good" stories should always be told. I believe that this is one of those "good" stories .I did hear that Ella and James were very happy to sleep in on Christmas morning !!! This was followed by a relaxing camping holiday.

Go back to school the Fair Trade Way !!

Be a proud advocate for fair trade utilizing the great range of
practical hand made accessories for School and University.

Queensland Fair Trade Collective Christmas Shopping Market

Last weekend was the wonderful opportunity for Brisbanites to purchase
fair trade and ethical gifts. Organized by the Queensland Fair Trade
Collective , 25 stalls were gathered under one roof at Marymac Hall,
Annerley. Many shoppers took advantage of this fantastic and unique
shopping experience !!

Treemendous Christmas Festival

Friday December 11 to Tuesday December 15 th 2009

Bayside Uniting Church, 420 Wondall Rd, Manly West. Brisbane

Phone 3890 2392 & 3890 2395

Featured events

Treemendous Christmas Festival
Treemendous Christmas Festival

Animal Petting Farm Saturday 3 - 6 pm

"Follow the star " Lantern Walk Sunday evening at 7 and 8 pm on campus.

Sausage sizzle every night from 5 pm

Food and Craft on sale ( including Fair Trade craft)

Website

History of the Festival

The display of decorated trees has grown from 15 at our first Festival in 1997 to over 60 in 2007. In 2009 we hope to display between 80 and 100 trees, including the festival tree which rises to a spectacular 4 metres

Live and artificial trees, in a variety of sizes and colours, are decorated by individuals, families, church groups and community organizations. They range in style from traditional to contemporary. Some are even created from timber, plastic, fabric, cardboard, or paper. Many of the trees are enhanced by lighting and some are decorated in keeping with the Festival theme.

Summer has come early to Queensland

Summer has come early to Queensland this year and the high 30's degree heat is a good reason for packing your cossies and your towels and a picnic lunch and heading off to the beach to cool off in the ocean or bay. What better way to carry your things than with this wonderful basket made from recycled packaging tape . This basket is very strong and waterproof and looks great !

Made by the clever artisans at Mukdaharn, Thai Craft, a Fair Trade producer group in Thailand. Mukdaharn is located in Thailands northeast region, known as Isan. The country is arid and its people struggle to make ends meet. Most working age villagers leave their families for work in the more prosperous cities. Some villagers in Mukdaharn have created work in their own community by using recycled plastic tape to make strong and colourful baskets. With bamboo being scarce, bright plastic makes a good alternative for this traditional craft and the additional income derived makes these subsistent farming families less dependent on their annual rain reliant rice crop.
The basket is available from Siham Craftlink in three colours.

Walk against warming Saturday 12 th of December

Leadership for a Safe Climate

10 am 12th of December 2009 King George Square Brisbane

On Saturday 12th December, concerts and rallies will be held in cities around the world to promote the need for a safe climate agreement at the UN Climate Change Meeting in Copenhagen. Brisbane will be one of those cities and you can make the difference at Brisbane’s Walk Against Warming!

Brisbane’s Walk Against Warming will feature a march followed by a concert of donated performances by Katie Noonan & The Captains, Dallas Frasca, Marshall & the Fro, Passenger, Black Market Rhythm Co. www.walkagainstwarming.org

Siham Craftlink introduces a new line !

Siham Craftlink is now offering a new exciting line of handmade soaps made by ladies in Bangladesh. The ladies , who formerly worked in the red light area have now transformed their lives due to being involved in this programme. We at Siham Craftlink are proud to be providing outlets in Australia for these very special ladies . Due to unprecedented demand, the coconut soap has sold out within two weeks!!! More will be coming!!!