Responsible tourism

Fiji Kids! Learning for Life has been launched by Fiji's Outrigger on the Lagoon. www.outrigger.com for more details. 

I think it's great that we give back whenever possible. Staying at Octopus Resort, again in Fiji, I found out they not only hire local villagers, but also help put children through schooling. Many hotels, and businesses, are doing it.

heidi who? photo alsos give back, sponsoring a child and donating to research.

It's food for thought when you are next booking your trip. What can you give back?

Dare to Dash with The Sunflower Club

 

"Every 46 minutes, an Australian is diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma - that's 31 people every day. Finding a 'sunny side' to life can be hard, especially for those living in regional areas." Leukaemia Foundation Sunflower Club.

A few months ago, when it was supposed to be still summer, I photographed a campaign for the Leukaemia Foundation. It has just been launched. The Sunflower Club is wanting people to 'dare to dash', dress up - or undress to speedos or bikini - and run in an aim to raise more awareness and much-needed funds. And if running in next to nick isn't your thing, there are other ways too. Buy a bunch of sunflowers, a gift, skydive, or anything that will raise a smile. What a campaign for mid winter when we all need a splash of colour and fun!

www.sunflowerclub.org.au

The Leukaemia Foundation shoot

I am so lucky to be able to help some fabulous charities and organisations within my work as a photographer.  Last week I was fortunate enough to work with The Leukaemia Foundation on a new campaign.  Here is a sneak peak of some unedited pics from the shoot... Keep your eyes open in the coming months for the campaign. And maybe you too could dare to bare!

Charity work

I recently returned from a trip over to Bali, where I photographed orphans at Bali Kids.  I contacted them before I left, hoping they would allow me to come in, photograph the kids, and help them out with promotional images.  I asked at the right time.  They were in need of some images for a calendar, and needed them urgently.  I took my lappie, worked on the images and gave them straight back to Bali Kids. I learnt a lot from photographing the orphans.  How the orphanage works, how sponsors help so much, how the kids live, how they came about to be in Bali Kids care, how the organisation helps sponsored children study in Australia... and realised how very lucky I am to live in a country with so much available.  To live in a country where I can bring up my daughter, family, quality care, schooling and medical services so close.

If you are heading over to Bali (or some other Asian countries) please Carry for Kids.  We all head over with an empty suitcase, so why not fill it with something useful, that is needed so much.  Medical supplies, clothes, school supplies, toys, nappies, books - whatever.  You can get more information at www.carryforkids.org .

Here are some of my pics that I took over the two days of photography...[gallery]