WHALES: FINAL PUSH TO STOP THE HUNT

Want to do something GOOD today?

Sign this petition Wales: final push to stop the hunt .

Right now, the International Whaling Commission is meeting in Agadir, Morocco to vote on a proposal that would legalize commercial whale hunting for the first time since 1986.

The global public is against this proposal, but pro-whaling countries are pushing for it hard. Let's make sure our voices are heard.

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Baleines: moment décisif pour arrêter la chasse

En ce moment, la Commission Baleinière Internationale se réunit à Agadir au Maroc pour voter une proposition qui risque de légaliser la chasse commerciale à la baleine pour la première fois depuis 1986.

Les citoyens du monde entier s'opposent à ce texte, mais les pays favorables à la chasse à la baleine s'acharnent à le défendre. A nous de faire en sorte que nos voix soient entendues.

Trip to Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens & Planetarium

These wonderful gardens are open every day and entry is free. You can join a free volunteer guided walk lasting for about one hour or grab a map for a self-guided walk.















The garden is filled with wonderful attractions like the Tropical Dome displaying rare tropical plants.











Another lovely attraction is the Japanese Garden that was moved to this location from outside the Japan Pavilion at Brisbane’s World Expo 88.









The Bonsai House, was constructed using rammed earth walls which give it a very rustic feeling. A wide variety of bonsai including figs, azaleas, conifers and maples are on display.











The Fernhouse accommodates a diverse range of plants exhibited in the display with a sequence of highly accessible spaces that follow the natural contour line of the hill where it is situated.







These walls serve to divide the space into a series of more intimate outdoor rooms and vistas. 'Fossil' imprints of ferns on the walls are a reminder of the ancient place of ferns in the ecosystem.





The Aboriginal Plant trail was planted in 1974 and is the oldest section of the botanic garden.









This trail shows the knowledge the Aborigines have of native plants.















But still this amazing garden has more on offer: it is also the home of the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

Del Kathryn Barton

Australian Archibald Prize winner Del Kathryn Barton fascinates me.



I've certainly found it difficult to drag myself away from any online gallery (i wish to be lucky enough to see her work in "real life" one day).



Claire Armstrong, from Art and Australia Magazine, put it best when she wrote that Del's paintings 'encapsulate the exciting crossovers between traditional techniques and contemporary design and illustration', something she remarked is a hallmark of much emerging Australian art.









When is she going to publish a book? I would die to see the whole collection of her works!