Its Timor Time Again!!!

By Katie Phillips - The Body Shop - The Glen (Vic) - Store Manager

In February we had a fantastic night of socializing and viewing the acclaimed 8 Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire. This event raised needed funds for Melbourne’s’ Children on The Edge Volunteer – Megs.

In recent times of trouble here in Melbourne with the fires and the global economic crunch, family and friends still came together to show their support for COTE and watch the amazing story of Slumdog Millionaire.

Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British Film directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and co-directed in India by Loveleen Tandan. It is an adaptation of the Boek-Prize winning and Commonwealth Writers’ Prize-nominated novel Q & A (2005) by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup

A penniless, eighteen-year old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, Jamal Malik, is one question away from winning the staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" But when the show breaks for the night, suddenly he is arrested on suspicion of cheating.

The movie triggered many emotions and I found myself sitting in the cinema crying at one point. Thinking about the reality of children being exposed and purposely mutilated for another persons’ financial gain, it was just gut wrenching. The storyline of Jamal winning the 20 million rupees is fantasy, however the poverty which exists in India is real.

This is the link to the You Tube Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIzbwV7on6Q

Last night I got a text message from Megs debriefing me of her first day in Viqueque, meeting a local gentleman by the name of Franky at the shop and her experiences in the school. I crave to be there with this group of volunteers however I have to wait the appropriate cycle, knowing that I will return one day soon. But I still can be active back here in Melbourne and so can you!

Keep supporting Children on the Edge, there are many ways that this can be done.

• Visit the website http://www.childrenontheedge.org/


• Volunteer to go to Timor if you work for The Body Shop


• Buy a Tri Massager at your local TBS store 100% profit goes to COTE/East Timor Support a volunteer and help them raise funds to take essential supplies to Viqueque

I can't wait to hear about the 09 Playscheme on their return, and wish to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart that have made it possible in the past and the current playscheme a massive "OBRIGAUDA" - Thankyou

The Body Shop Staff Safe Sex Comp Winners

By Adam Valvasori - Values Manager

Over the first week of the Yes Yes Yes! To Safe Sex campaign we ran a staff competition to find the safest & sexiest The Body Shop store in Australia.

Big thanks to all the staff who participated! You gave us a big LOL here at The Body Shop HQ! Some of them were quite... how do you say... "unpublishable" but sooooo very funny!

A special mention to the Morley Store (WA), who came quickly with a whole page of very provocative safe sex slogans. Nationally, they're also leading, with the most Tantalising Lip Butters sold by far (100% of profits going to the Staying Alive Foundation). My favourite slogans from the them were:
“If you think she's spunky cover your monkey” and “Especially in December gift wrap your member”

The following stores also sent in some hum-dingers:

Warringah (NSW) “No glove, no love!”
Elizabeth (SA): “Let’s burn some rubber”
Hurstville (NSW): “Get a franga on your banga”
Liverpool (NSW): “Don’t be a nong, cover your schlong”
Macarthur Square (NSW): “Protect your china, cover his miner” and “Have patience or you'll be paying maintenance”

I’m awarding the prize – which is a green bag full of mysterious, safe and sexy fun, including a dozen or so Vixen condoms kindly donated by the Marie Stopes Institute…

[insert a word from our sponsor jingle here]
Brand new from the Marie Stopes Institute: the Love Bugs website - your trouble shooter's guide to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and infections of the reproductive system! Check it out on 'the Internet' right now! www.lovebugs.com.au

Now the moment you've all been waiting for! The winner of the 2009 The Body Shop Safe Sex Staff competition is:

[insert drum roll here]

Townsville!

For their excellent team photo (click on the photo above for a larger version)

Manager Louise Baker writes:

“Hi Adam, thought I might need to explain our pic as I'm not sure if you get the TV advert down there for the insect repellent 'OFF'. In the ad, they ask; 'have you got it on?' and the husband says; 'I can't feel anything', the wife then says 'that means you've got it on'. Hope you find it as funny as we did doing it. It was a great icebreaker at our Team Meeting which really helped get the campaign messages across to everyone. We are having some really great conversations with the customers.”

Congratulations Townsville Team!!

And good luck to everyone with the rest of the campaign! Below is a photo of ome of the Vixen condom prizes and mini-sexy gnome trophies for participating stores.

MTV 30 Second TVC for Safe Sex Campaign

By Adam Valvasori - Values Manager

Below is the commercial made by and currently showing on MTV. As we have a policy of never advertising, it's kinda weird to see The Body Shop in this medium. What do you think of the ad?























Click on the above image to open a bigger (more legible) version of our safe sex tips postcard - which is available in stores. Based on our experience campaigning on domestic violence - we've added some extra advice about respectful relationships. We consider this to be an essential aspect of everyone's safety too.

Finally I'd like to share some humourous, rhyming safe sex slogans that Morley (WA) and Warringah Mall (NSW) stores have sent in as part of an internal competition:

You can't go wrong if you shield your dong
If you think she's spunky cover your monkey
While you're undressing Venus dress up your penis
Especially in December gift wrap your member
Wrap it in foil before checking her oil
No balloon no party
If you're not going to sack it, go home and whack it.
No glove - no love!

Yes! Yes! Yes! to Safe Sex

By Adam Valvasori - Values Manager






















Yesterday we launched the Yes! Yes! Yes! to Safe Sex campaign in partnership with MTV. The above store poster is being displayed right now, in 79 out of 80 The Body Shop stores around the country to raise awareness of the importance of safe sex in fighting HIV - which alarmingly is on the rise in Australia.

But hold the phone, why only 79 stores? We received the following email from the Marketing Manager at The Glen, a suburban mall in Eastern Melbourne:

We would like to express our concern regarding the current "Yes" campaign which has been erected in The Body Shop's window here at Centro The Glen. (Refer attached) [pictured right]

Given we are a family Centre, we think that the campaign may be considered offensive to many of our shoppers. In the past when similar controversial campaigns have featured in-centre, this has led to a number of complaints.

Whilst we do not have an issue with the support materials (postcards) being available in-store, the large poster in the window is visible by all passing traffic.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, the Lessor does not grant permission for this sign to be in your window as per lease Clause 10.18. We would therefore appreciate it if said poster could be removed from the store window at the earliest convenience.


So, we took the poster down. Ironically however, the sudden lack of a window poster at this particular The Body Shop store, has caused more interest in and curiosity about our campaign.

On the positive side this controversy means the campaign is succeeding at drawing people's attention to this very serious issue. We understand that some people and organisations might disagree with us. We regret if people are offended by this campaign. However we believe;

• not talking about HIV, one of the world's biggest killers, is socially irresponsible
• pretending people are not having sex is naive and not talking about sex is dangerous
• promoting SAFE sex is one of the best ways of fighting the HIV virus
• we wouldn't be The Body Shop if we didn't act on what feel is morally right even if it is considered controversial.
  

So if you'd like to support our campaign please go to one of our stores and pick up a free 'Safe Sex Tips' postcard. I know I'm over-using the word, but I'm genuinely proud that we're filling a role as community educators about HIV and safe sex.

Another way you can support the campaign is to buy our limited edition Tantalising Lip Butter (tastes like dragon fruit - nice!).

In 2008 we donated AUD$63,500 from our MTV Get Lippy campaign (globally over AUD$2.6million) for the Staying Alive Foundation. Staying Alive distributes grants to grass-roots HIV awareness groups and runs this cool youth targeted website: www.staying-alive.org

Once again, 100 per cent of the profits ($11.96) from each Tantalising Lip Butter will be going to Staying Alive. We aim to raise over $89,000 this year.

Maybe those who are offended by this campaign should first weigh up the benefit of protecting families around the world from the HIV virus.

FurTV on Safe Sex

By Adam Valvasori - Values Manager

On Monday we're launching our 3rd annual, global campaign in partnership with MTV, to fight HIV. I'll keep you in suspense until then... for now you have to watch these hilarious puppets from FurTV talking about Safe Sex. It's rare to find an organisation that makes 'cool' community service announcements, especially on this tough social issue... well done MTV! Definitely forwardable Friday material, watch them here:

What is unsafe sex?


Why Use A Condom?


Is buying a condom embarrassing?


rubber rocks!

Leisel Jones visits Environment Minister to urge government push on whale welfare

By Deb Baxter - The Body Shop

Olympic gold medallist Leisel Jones has met with Environment Minister Peter Garrett to ask the Australian Government to lead the world in speaking out about the cruelty of whaling.

The swimming star is the face of a new anti-whaling campaign by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which believes the irrefutable fact that whaling is cruel is the key to stopping the suffering once and for all.

“Minister Garrett recognises the importance of the cruelty argument in permanently ending whaling” Jones said. “The intense pain and distress caused by whaling is a fact that can’t be refuted by whaling nations, and is the reason most Australians are so strongly opposed to whaling.

“The methods used to kill whales are cruel and outdated and completely contradictory to current international guidelines for the humane slaughter of animals.
“That’s why the meeting with the Minister was so important, because this is the Australian Government’s chance to be true international champions of whale welfare in the ongoing battle to protect the world’s whales from extreme cruelty.”

WSPA is collecting thousands of messages from Australians stating their opposition to whaling on welfare grounds. In three weeks, almost 10 000 people have sent messages of support, urging Minister Garrett to be the leading voice on whale welfare.

“Obviously being a swimmer I love marine life,” Jones said, “and that’s why I’m so passionate about protecting whales.
“I ask all Australian to join with me in calling on the Australian Government to condemn whaling because, quiet simply, it is inherently cruel.”

Find out more and take action at www.wspa.org.au/whales

* WSPA’s scientific report Troubled Waters contains hard, dispassionate evidence why there is no humane way to kill a whale. This includes outdated weaponry developed in the 19th century, and the extreme difficulty of trying to strike a moving target on rolling seas.

Vote Earth!

On Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 8:30 p.m. The Body Shop will be taking part in Earth Hour, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund. We’ll be joining tens of millions of concerned citizens and corporations in calling for action to save our planet for future generations.

You can view WWF’s video about Earth Hour 2009 at to get a sense of the magnitude of this event:



We’re proud that TBS is making this statement about the fight against climate change, and we as individuals can sign up to participate, too. You can learn more about and sign up for Earth Hour at www.EarthHour.org.

More than 50 million people in 400 cities around the world took part in Earth Hour 2008. The lights went out at Sydney’s Opera House, Rome’s Coliseum, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge. Even the Google homepage went dark for the day. Many major corporations are taking part including HP and Coca-Cola.

The Body Shop has a policy of, wherever possible, turning our lights off when we're not open. In some stores we're required to keep them on as part of our rental agreement. But "lights off" is what we're always striving for.

I’m excited about Earth Hour, both on behalf of The Body Shop and as an individual. I hope you’ll join me in uniting with the world to make a difference for our planet. Don’t forget—March 28th at 8:30 pm, turn out, take action.

Become a Fan of the Earth Hour Facebook Page

Watch "The Big Turn Off" videos; humourous CSAs for Earth Hour by Alanis Morissette



and Janeane Garofalo.

Sound Relief

By Emma Mulquiney - Marketing Coordinator & Pink Poncho Wearer

Q. What do you get when you mix Kings of Leon with Coldplay and add a dash of hurricane conditions?

A. Sound Relief. Or Hurricane Sound Relief 09 as it shall henceforth be known…..

There hasn’t been a whole lot for the east coast of Australia to celebrate over the last few weeks. Between the worst bush fires the country has ever seen in the south and some equally devastating floods in the north, we’ve heard disaster story after disaster story on the news/radio/magazines/via messenger pigeon.

But buying tickets to Sound Relief, held simultaneously in Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday 14th March was something that we could feel awesome about. Because not only was it an excuse to spend the day with a ridiculously cool line up of the best international and local bands, but all of your hard earned pennies that you were shelling out to get in the front gate were going to Bushfire and Flood Relief. Win/Win really…

Despite the rain/thunderstorms/gale force winds (in Melbourne at least. I’m aware that Sydney-siders bribed the weather gods and managed to stay dry and warm until the very end) a massive crowd of all ages packed the ‘G and the SCG. And if you think I’m being slightly dramatic about the weather, please refer to Visual Aid A (above). I’m the soggy, wind-swept one in the pink poncho.

Visual Aid B (below) is me enjoying the 23 seconds of sun we were graced with around 5pm.

Some highlights, you ask?? Why certainly…

- The hard working Kings of Leon, Coldplay and Taylor Swift. They all had gigs that night, but still showed their support by turning up to rock out with us. None of whom were in too much of a hurry to leave. Bonus points also to Jet, Wolfmother and Gabriella Cilmi who did the mid-afternoon dash and managed an appearance at both concerts.

- Our good ol’ Environmental Minister, Peter Garratt who rounded up his Midnight Oil mates for one last gig to close the show. Yes, he’s still got the trademark moves. And yes, the ‘beer-happy’ crowd tried to mimic these moves…

- The amazing crew at the MCG and SCG. All of who worked for FREE on Saturday to ensure that as many of the profits as possible went to those affected by these disasters.

But the greatest highlight of all?? Finding out that Sound Relief had raised over $5million for relief support. And the biggest cheer of the night wasn’t for Chris Martin, it was for Michael Gudinski (who organised the whole she-bang), who came on stage to share the breaking news with us all that the bush fires were all finally out.

And I will take off my ‘Sound Relief’ t-shirt eventually. Til then, it’s my memento that I survived the wind and rain, partied with Kings of Leon, Coldplay and Hunters and Collectors, and supported the Bushfire and Flood Victims. All in the one day.

2009 International Women's Day

By Adam Valvasori - Values Manager


This Sunday is International Women's Day (8/3/09). For my Blogger's Unite post I'd like to show you a trailer for a documentary by the brilliant artist known as 'JR' called Women are Heroes. I'm sure you'll agree he captures the essence of what this day should be about. Please watch it.


There are a lot of stats on the International Women's Day website. I'd like to focus your attention on just one:

Women in developing countries on average carry 20 litres of water per day over 6 km.

Please think about everything this statistic means. Even though much of Australia is suffering from a drought, we still take access to safe water for granted. Imagine it was you doing this back breaking work and appreciate your next glass of water which is probably only a dozen steps away. Think about the work women are forced to do because they were born female. Think about the monotony, the health implications, the barrier to accessing education and life opportunities this one fact causes.

Then think about what you can do about it. If you're stuck for ideas can I suggest giving a $25 Kiva Loan to a woman?

Finally I'd like to share a few photos I took on a recent trip to India. I think they reinforce the unfair gender roles placed on women - especially in developing economies.

The Carteret Islands:This is what climate change looks like.

The Carteret Islands are Papua New Guinea islands located 86 km north-east of Bougainville in the South Pacific.


View Larger Map

The Carteret Islanders have lived a peaceful existence on their idyllic islands with little impact on their environment. Sadly, their community is doomed to follow Atlantis underwater as a result of climate change.

The Carteret Islanders are amongst the world's first 'environmental refugees'.

An entire cultural group is facing relocation due to the impacts of climate change. The islanders have fought for more than twenty years against the rising ocean, building sea walls and planting mangroves. However, storm surges and high tides continue to wash away homes, destroy vegetable gardens, and contaminate fresh water supplies.

It has also been estimated that by 2015, the Carteret Islands could be largely submerged and entirely uninhabitable. Carteret Islanders are on the frontline of climate change.

Enter Tulele Peisa a community initiated organisation led by an inspiring woman, Ursula Rakova (pictured right) from the Carterets Islands. Tulele Peisa is helping the community relocate and resettle to the mainland of PNG. One of the resettlement locations is Tinputz a disused cocoa plantation on Bougainville. Tulele Peisa is setting up their site office there, the problem is there is no access to electricity.

Enter the Australian Conservation Foundation and The Body Shop. Last year, out of all The Body Shop franchises in the world, Australia won "Best Values" - yay! Anyway, we donated the prize money to ACF to help a poor community in Papua New Guinea with sustainable energy. We loved their environmental project proposal also had direct humanitarian benefits.

So the plan is to use the money to buy, install solar panels at the Tulele Peisa site office so that they can function and carry out their work as efficiently as possible. The resettlement site is about 81 hectares in size. ACF is also currently supporting Tulele Peisa to raise funds to help with the relocation and resettlement. It is hoped that with adequate funds, better land use planning and ecologically sustainable waste and sanitation system will be designed and implemented for the settlement site to ensure better environmental and health outcomes.

At the time of writing this ACF were meeting with Tulele Peisa to schedule the panel installation and maintenance training for local staff. ACF will be campaigning with The Body Shop again this July to try and save some of Australia's favourite icons from the affects of climate change.

We will keep you updated on the progress of the Carteret Islanders. Here's what you can do to make a difference:

• Watch this ABC TV Foreign Correspondent report on the Carteret Islands.
• Join the Tulele Peisa Support Group on Facebook.
• Learn more about the link between climate change and poverty.
  
• Write a quick note to Kevin telling him you care about this issue. Ask him to set a more responsible Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and increase the amount of Aid we are giving developing countries in our region.
  
• Watch this Oxfam 'Sisters of the Planet' video featuring Ursula Rakova

Images courtesy of Toby Parkinson / Podfruits