Getting Real - Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls

I have just been reading "Getting Real" - edited by Melinda Tankard Reist which opens up your eyes to the issues around the sexualisation and objectification of girls and women.

'Although this may be the most affluent generation to walk the planet, it also has the dubious distinction of being the most insecure and depressed' - Martin Lindstrom

'The very nature, intent and language of marketing is that of seduction.  Adults who are marketed to, know this.  Girls, particularly young girls, don't.  This along with rapid changes in society, and the explosion of high-tech devices, are having a devastating effect on increasing numbers of girls, because parent and educators haven't caught up.

It's time we stopped focussing on how much money we can make from girls, and look instead of what girls need, to feel confident, to thrive, to be genuinely empowered." - Maggie Hamilton

To act go to www.collectiveshout.org or www.kf2bk.com

Community Gardening Resources

Today I am researching resources to assist us in establishing a community garden with 22 students at Tabor Adelaide.  I wanted to keep a record of all the links/resources I find useful in one spot....

Community Centres SA - Community Gardens

http://www.canh.asn.au/projects/community-gardens.aspx

Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network

http://communitygarden.org.au/ 

Lewisham House - Exploring Sustainability in Sydney

http://lewishamhouse.wordpress.com/2010/08/08/more-community-garden-resources/

The Goody Patch - a community garden down the road at the Goodwood Primary School

http://www.goodypatch.org.au/

Community Gardens WA

http://www.communitygardenswa.org.au/

Green Harvest - Organic Gardening Supplies

http://www.greenharvest.com.au/index.htm

The Diggers Club

http://www.diggers.com.au/
Urban Forest Biodiversity Program - Adelaide - Native Plant Resources
http://www.backyards4wildlife.com.au/ 
Aldinga Arts Eco Village - where I live!
http://www.aaev.net/
Food Forest - Permaculture Farm & Learning Centre
http://www.foodforest.com.au/

The books that have inspired my humble journey this far include:

One Magic Square - Lolo Houbein

Grassroots Gardening - Rituals for Sustaining Activism - Donna Schaper

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara Kingsolver

Three Decades

christy.
has a child within.
a beautiful
organised child
who flies
and soars.
sometimes too high
but is learning
to expect only enough
and not more.
three decades of roots
planted in rich soil
are immovable
and full of wild passion
for more growth.
unleash the child
to the compassionate mother
the daring,
adventurous, driven spirit.
bring innocence, patience
time
fun and peace.
the child, the mother
the wife, friend
the woman
free her, with this new age,
and fly.
~ pennie wilcox