Some interesting titbits of Australian knowledge to take with you to a rainy Australia day celebration.

From Australian bushranger to long-standing National icon, much of Ned Kelly’s life has been immortalised through Aussie culture. His passing words were “Such is Life.” This line was subsequently brought into modern day bogan culture through the medium of tattooing.

During a chapel service in 1832 about 300 female convicts at the Cascade Female Factory mooned the Governor of Tasmania. Apparently the ladies in the Governor’s party couldn’t control their laughter. An Australia Day celebration without a good old fashioned mooning, now that’s just un-Australian.

In 1954, Bob Hawke’s drinking skills were documented by the Guinness Book of Records. Sculling 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds it’s no wonder Bob later became the Prime Minister of Australia. During his run  as Prime Minister he stated: “Do you know why I have credibility? Because I don’t exude morality.” An ideal line to use when improvising a beer carton for a hat.

Another one of our politicians Sir John Robertson who was five time Premier of New South Wales drank a pint of rum every morning for 35 years. He was known to have said: ‘none of the men who have left footprints in this country have been cold water men.’

Swimming – In 1838 it was declared illegal to swim at public beaches during the day! This law was enforced until 1902.

Prime Minister Harold Holt went for a swim at Cheviot Beach, near Portsea on 17th December 1967, and was never seen again. The event has been referred to as ‘the swim that needed no towel’. Today it has become an Australian idium, “Doing the Harold Holt”

Stolen baby – On August 17, 1980, Lindy Chamberlain, the wife of a Church minister, told authorities that a dingo took her baby Azaria from their campsite near Uluru. Curiously, the Australian public was more inclined to place faith in the character of a wild dog rather than in a minister’s wife and as a consequence, Lindy was convicted of murder. Some years later, her conviction was quashed yet still, some Australians are adamant that the dingo was innocent.

Wishing everybody a dinky di, you beaut Australia day. May it be filled with:

• At least one up close encounter with a new aged Bogan screaming incorrect lyrics to Cold Chisel. Note: Bogan criteria includes a naked torso proudly displaying tattoo’s of Ned Kelly, the Southern Cross, an Australian flag, or all three of the above. Modern bogan’s
• An awkward blow up pool experience with a bunch of blokes wearing too small budgy smugglers.
• Many a classic Australia day hat. We’ve all tried the carton, lets hope for something more experimental this year.
• At least one person enjoying a plethora of food and booze whilst being paid for a day off yet still complaining about the so-called “cost of living.”

Can you feel the serenity………….

A big Happy new year shout out to all of our clients and candidates. Thank you for your support and hard work throughout 2011.  As we move into the early months of 2012 we embrace a time of new beginnings. Making a resolution on New Year’s Day is a time-honoured tradition as many people look to rid bad habits and to take on a fresh, positive perspective for the year to come.

The tradition of the New Year’s Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar.
With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.

The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn’t begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had. In order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. Thus he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new. The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year’s Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins imprinted with the god Janus became more common New Year’s gifts.

In the Middle Ages, Christians changed New Year’s Day to December 25, the birth of Jesus. Then they changed it to March 25, a holiday called the Annunciation. In the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII revised the Julian calendar, and the celebration of the New Year was returned to January 1.

The Julian and Gregorian calendars are solar calendars. Some cultures have lunar calendars, however. A year in a lunar calendar is less than 365 days because the months are based on the phases of the moon. The Chinese use a lunar calendar. Their new year begins at the time of the first full moon (over the Far East) after the sun enters Aquarius- sometime between January 19 and February 21.

Although the date for New Year’s Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year.

To all our valued clients and candidates we wish you a prosperous and healthful 2012.

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan. From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone… possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out “Shannon, where are you?” Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don’t like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling Malibu & coke onto his white Wham ‘Choose Life’ t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a wet brown stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.
Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It’s a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don’t come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.
I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say lost.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,
I don’t have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend’s cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn’t have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.
I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says “I haven’t seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?” you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.
Regards, David. From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

I have decided to post a series of images over the next few weeks, self titled: ads you will never see again:

The influence of advertising on our lives, for both children and adults, has changed over the years. In the early days, advertising for toys and other products for children was primarily targeted toward parents and their message was direct. A problem is answered with a  direct solution. How things have changed. Marketing messages are more sophisticated and tend not to make direct statements towards minority groups, as can be seen in the copy “Free for Chubbies.” Imagine consumer groups up in arms, the strong resistance that this ad would cause if delivered in a modern context. How would today’s copywriter sell clothing for the ‘big boned’ child?

Keep informed:The Brisbane Marketing & Media Summit is to be held on the 21st of March 2012 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. This summit is primarily for the advertising, marketing and media industries along with those serving these industries. GSR will again be sponsoring the event and urge all who are involved in Brisbane’s creative industries to jump on board. Last year was a fantastic day of inspirational speakers exploring the future of our media landscape. Next year will undoubtedly be a rewarding and enriching event for all creative thinkers. Can’t wait to see you there.

A little about me:

After gaining a Bachelor in Communication Design, Marketing and Advertising I spent the following 7 years working in Brisbane’s creative industries as a graphic artist in studio and freelance environments. I love working with my clients, developing creative strategies and solutions that evolve into strong brands. I thrive on effective communication and strongly believe that a good brief comes from developing mutually beneficial relationships and understanding the core needs of your client. I love all things that involve strategy – marketing, communication and creative and delight in devising clever outcomes. While working in industry I studied my Masters in Creative Advertising, consummating a dream to pitch original ideas. I have produced multiple Integrated Marketing Campaigns for Queensland companies and have enjoyed working as an Account Manager, all this before joining the great team at Glenda Stenner Recruitment. 

That just about sums up my past 7 years in industry. Having now been with GSR for almost 4 months I look forward to facilitating further relationships between my clients and candidates. I have met so many incredibly skilled people in the short time I have worked here. Such talent that reaffirms my belief  in Brisbane as an emerging, powerful player in the global creative scene. I am going to try to keep our followers up to date with some of the extraordinary fresh and inspiring  initiatives that Brisbane has to offer. Events and organisations that endeavour to unite creative individuals and drive our networked community into the global limelight. Sound exciting ?