Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Interview - Light for the World: Embassy Review: Events and Links:
Australian Fred Hollows Founda- Australian Embassy Christmas Re- Australia-related Events in
tion teams up with an Austrian ception, Race Across Australia, Austria and the Region:
NGO in Ethiopia: pages 3 to 4 OSCE Summit, etc : pages 5 to 8 pages 9 to 13
F
rom 23 September to 5 Octo- Sydney. The Ministry for Slovenians living
ber 2010, HE Boštjan Žekš, Min- abroad estimates that there may even be
ister responsible for Slovenians up to 25,000 members of the Australian
Abroad, visited Australia where he community who can claim Slovenian an-
met with Australian Government rep- cestry.
resentatives and Slovenian communi-
ties all over the country. During his visit, Minister Žekš met with
Going places: Relations between Austra- Australian Government and Slovenian
lia and Slovenia are traditionally based on community representatives. Dr Žekš was
strong community accompanied by
ties. The political, his wife, Mrs Ana
trade and cultural Žekš, Ms Anja Lo-
relationship has renzetti, and Mr
also deepened. Aleš Selan from
Australia has an the Slovenian
active Slovenian Government ’s
community, many Office for Slove-
of whom migrated nians Abroad, as
to Australia in the well as Dr Zvone
1950s and 1960s. Zigone, Chargé
According to the d’Affaires at the
2006 Australian Slovenian Em-
census, more than bassy in Canber-
16,000 people ra. Minister Dr
living in Austra- Group shot of Queensland Governor Penelope Wens- Žekš and the del-
lia identify them- ley and Minister Bostjan Žekš (centre), as well as the Minis- egation from Slo-
ter’s wife, Mrs Ana Žekš, Ms Anja Lorenzetti, Chief of Staff, and
selves as being of Mr Aleš Selan from the Government’s Office for Slovenians venia had a busy
Slovenian origin, Living Abroad, and Members of the Slovenian Community in schedule during
Brisbane. © Ministry of Slovenians Living Abroad
with most living their visit. Con-
in Melbourne and tinued on page 2.
T
he Minister met The “Iconotheca Valva-
with representa- soriana” represents the
tives of Slovenian personal library collec-
communities in Bris- tion of Janez Vajkard
bane, Canberra, Mel- Valvasor, scholar, sci-
bourne, Geelong, the entist, soldier, histo-
Gold Coast, Sydney and rian, cartographer and
Wollongong. On 29 Sep- publisher. It contains
tember, Minister Žekš more than 7,700 maps,
met with the Governor images of copperplate
of Queensland, HE Ms and wood carving art of
Penelope Wensley, to the 16th and 17th cen-
discuss the bilateral re- turies, and the works of
lationship and opportu- masters such as Rem-
nities for cooperation in brandt, Durer and Cra-
education, science and nach. Valvasor created
trade. One of the top- the collection during his
ics on the agenda was travels in Europe be-
the role of the Slove- tween 1659 and 1672.
nian community in the The original collection
state of Queensland, is part of the Croatian
where between one State Archives. Only
and two hundred Slo- 100 facsimile editions
venians still move ev- of the work exist and
First image above: Governor Penelope Wensley
ery year. The Minister receiving a gift from Minister Boštjan Žekš. Bottom the edition donated
also visited Queensland image: On 17 November 2010, Ms Rachel White, to the Library is the
Australian Embassy Vienna, called on Minister Žekš’
University, where he office to learn more about the delegation’s trip to only one in Australia.
met with Dean Zlatko Australia. © Ministry of Slovenians Living Abroad/ The facsimlie edition,
AusEmb
Skrbis, who has Slove- which took ten years to
nian heritage. In Mel- complete, is a printing
bourne, Minister Žekš met with Dr Jozica masterpiece. The gift was made possible
Paddle Ledinek, the winner of Australia’s through a partnership with Republic of Slo-
prestigious award in recognition of medical venia’s Office for Slovenians Abroad, the
research for growing of skin after burns, Institute for Slovenian Studies of Victoria
and top neurologist Dr Simon Vogrin, both and the State Library of Victoria.• AusEmb
of Slovenian descent. In Sydney, Minister
Žekš visited the Slovenian community and
met with John Aquilina, a member of the Background - Dr Bostjan Žekš
NSW Parliament, and Amanda Fazio, Presi-
dent of the New South Wales Legislative
Dr Žekš, a Member of the Slovenian Academy
Council. On 30 September, the Minister of Sciences and Arts, was born on 26 June 1940.
visited the new premises of the Embassy He graduated in physics from the University of
of the Republic of Slovenia in Canberra. He Ljubljana, where he also gained his MSc and
also met the Slovenian-Australian Society PhD in physics. He did research at universities in
Canberra and representatives of the diplo- Germany, the UK and France and was a pro-
matic community. fessor of physics at the University of Recife in
Brazil. He has an an extensive and internation-
One of the highlights of Minister Žekš‘ visit ally relevant bibliography, including works that
was the presentation of a limited edition have been translated into Russian and Man-
darin. Together with a colleague he received
set of books from the people of Slovenia
the highest distinction for scientific research in
to the State Library of Victoria. The gift
Slovenia twice.
is a facsimile limited edition of the mag-
nificent 17-volume ”Iconotheca Valvasori- For further information, please refer to
ana”. It was presented to Victorian Arts www.uszs.gov.si/en/
Minister Peter Batchelor on 27 September.
Page 2
Let action speak
Australian and Austrian Non-Governmental Organisations
co-operate on a health project in Debark, Ethiopia
I
n October 2010, the Australian How did the idea of this partnership evolve?
“Fred Hollows Foundation” and „Fred Hollows Foundation” is a renowned
the Austrian non-governmental organisation in the area of prevention of
development organisation “Light for blindness. It is active in various countries,
the World” announced their coopera- amongst them Eritrea, whereas LFTW has
tion on eye care services in Debark, a well-developed programme portfolio in
northern Ethiopia. The cooperation is Ethiopia. FHF wanted to engage in Ethiopia
a first in the history of both organisa- and got in touch with us. We soon realised
tions. that FHF and LFTW
share a similar vision
Ethiopia is one of the and approach to pro-
world’s poorest coun- gramme work: So it
tries. Around 85 per really made sense to
cent of its population cooperate. This also
live in rural areas. helps to avoid dupli-
Blindness poses a se- cation of structures
rious problem for the – especially in light
country’s population. of the difficulties we
According to “Light for faced until we be-
the World” (LFTW), came operational in
some 1.44 million Ethiopia. For exam-
people (in a popula- ple, it took us four
Picture above, from left to right: Friedbert Ottacher, LFTW
tion of almost 90 mil- project coordinator for Ethiopia; Virginia Sarah, Director of years of bureaucrat-
lion) are affected by International Programs at the „Fred Hollows Foundation” ; ic struggle with the
blindness. On aver- Rupert Roniger, LFTW managing director. Friedbert Ot-
tacher, a regional planner by profession, has been work- Ethiopian authorities
age, there is only one ing in development cooperation for the past 10 years. At to finally get regis-
eye doctor for a mil- LFTW he is responsible for the program in Ethiopia, which
covers 25 projects. © LFTW tered as an interna-
lion inhabitants. Being tional Non-Govern-
blind in Ethiopia can mental Organisation
therefore be a life threatening condition. (NGO) in Ethiopia and only then
were we able to establish an office in
The Australian “Fred Hollows Foundation” Addis Ababa. And now the two organisa-
(FHF) and LFTW recently started to work tions work together to build up eye care
together in Ethiopia to set up eye care ser- services in the north of Ethiopia.
vices for the poorest people in the region
of North Gondar. LFTW supports blind and How is the situation of blind people in this
partially sighted people, as well as per- region?
sons with other disabilities. FHF will pro- Ethiopia is a country with almost 90 mil-
vide 90 per cent of the funds needed to lion inhabitants. The blindness rate is esti-
set up an eye care services department mated at 1.6 per cent. In the whole coun-
Debark. LFTW will provide the remaining try there are only 104 ophthalmologists.
ten per cent and will, together with Ethio- As a consequence, widespread eye diseas-
pian health authorities, be responsible for es like cataract, glaucoma and trachoma
the project’s implementation. Friedbert remain untreated. Moreover, 60 per cent
Ottacher, the Austrian LFTW program co- of the ophthalmologists live and work in
ordinator for Ethiopia, talked to us about the capital city of Addis Ababa. Most of the
the project. country’s vast rural areas remain without
any medical services. When the medical
Page 3
director of FHF, Dr. Rich- We firmly believe that
ard Le Mesurier, visited cooperation, combining
Ethiopia for a fact find- forces, exchanging in-
ing mission he came to formation and, first and
Debark, a district capi- foremost, avoiding dupli-
tal in the north of Ethi- cation are the way to go.
opia. He visited the dis-
trict hospital and realised What is your personal
that there was neither an view of the cooperation?
ophthalmic department FHF is a highly profes-
nor any services for peo- sional and well estab-
ple with eye problems. lished organisation – thus
Many blind people turned it will not be only the
up and had to leave with- blind people in Ethiopia
out receiving treatment. but also LFTW who will
benefit from this unique
What are the main objec- cooperation. In general, I
tives of the project? am very positive that the
The main objective is to cooperation will work out
establish, equip and staff for both sides and that
an ophthalmic unit within our effort in combining
Debark hospital. More- forces and resources will
over, the hospital admin- First image above: Sirbege, an Ethiopian
patient aged 45, whose eye-sight was re-
significantly improve the
istration will be support- stored after a cataract operation. Second situation of blind and vi-
ed in establishing cost picture below: Patients waiting for treat- sually impaired people in
ment at Debark Hospital Eye Unit © LFTW
recovery structures and Ethiopia. © LFTW/AusEmb
in organising so-called
outreach campaigns. Many patients can-
not afford the transport to the hospital „Fred Hollows Foundation”
in Debark and would never get access to The „Fred Hollows Foundation” is inspired by the work of the
treatment. Outreach campaigns mean that late ophthalmologist Professor Fred Hollows, whose vision
medical teams visit villages in remote ar- was for a world where no one is needlessly blind. FHF is an
international development organisation, focussing on blind-
eas to screen and operate patients. When- ness prevention and Australian Indigenous health. It is inde-
ever necessary, patients are transferred to pendent, non-profit, politically unaligned and secular. Working
the hospital to receive proper care. From in over twenty countries world-wide, the „Fred Hollows Foun-
dation” wants to build on its record of restoring sight to well
the beginning, the project was developed over one million people so far.
in cooperation with the hospital and the
Regional Health Bureau to make sure that www.hollows.org.au
local circumstances have been considered.
How long will you work in the area? LIGHT FOR THE WORLD
The initial phase of this project is three
LFTW Austria is an expert organisation in development, com-
years and if it is well received, a second mitted to saving eyesight, improving the quality of life and
phase will be envisaged. advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in de-
veloping countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern
Europe. The focus countries where the organisation is active
Is this a one-off cooperation or will other are Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique and South Sudan.
joint programmes between „Fred Hollows It is part of a European confederation of national develop-
Foundation” and LFTW follow? ment NGOs in Belgium, Austria and Czech Republic. LFTW
is dedicated to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities
We will jointly evaluate our cooperation in developing countries, without discrimination on the basis of
after one year. Even though the coordina- gender, ethnicity, social group or religion.
tion and joint planning is challenging for
both sides, we want to spearhead a trend www.lichtfuerdiewelt.at
in international development cooperation: www.light-for-the-world.org
Page 4
Australian Embassy Christmas Reception
Vienna, Austria: 9 December 2010
Page 5
Australian Embassy Christmas Reception
Vienna, Austria: 9 December 2010
Page 6
Review
Race Across Australia
From Perth to Sydney in 6 days 10 hours 42 minutes and 32 seconds
New world record: A group of four extreme parathletes from the Austrian province of Vorarlberg
broke the existing world record in crossing from Perth to Sydney. They finished the race within 6
days 10 hours 42 minutes and 32 seconds. The official world record for this route was held by Aus-
trian Gerhard Gulewicz, a non-handicapped long distance cycling professional. In 2007, he finished
the race in 7 days, 8 hours and 49 minutes. During the race, the athletes battled strong winds, and
substantial variations in temperature, ranging from enormous heat of up to 50 degrees Celsius during
the daytime to chilly temperatures below zero at night. The race was also used for charity purposes
and to draw attention to what people with disabilities are able to achieve. For further information on
the race and athletes, please refer to www.raaus.at • Photographs © RAUUS
Page 7
Review
OSCE Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan,
and IAEA Safeguards Symposium in Vienna
From 1 to 2 December 2010, Australian Minister for Foreign
Affairs, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP (image, right; fifth from left),
headed the Australian delegation to the summit of the Or-
ganisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
in Astana, Kazakhstan. It was the organisation’s first summit
since the Istanbul summit in 1999. Australia has been an
Asian Partner for Co-operation since 2009. The summit con-
cluded with Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev
welcoming the adoption of the Astana Commemorative Dec-
laration, which reconfirmed the Organisation’s comprehensive
approach to security based on trust and transparency. The
Astana Summit brought together Heads of State and Govern-
ment and other top officials from the 56 OSCE participating
States and 12 Partners for Co-operation. Also part of the dele-
gation were Ambassador Michael Potts (second, right) and
Simon Mamouney (first, left) from the Australian Embassy
in Vienna. © AusEmb
Please note
We have received a reminder from Centrelink, highlighting that it is always your responsibility to notify
Centrelink of any change in your circumstances, such as
• the grant of a pension from a country other than Australia, and
• any changes in the amount of your income.
Any income or assets you or your partner have may affect your rate of Australian payment.
You must tell Centrelink withing 28 days if your income or assets change.
Contact details - E-mail: international.services@centrelink.gov.au; Phone from within Austria: 0800 295 165
All other countries, please ask for a free call-back at +61 3 6222 3455
Page 8
Calendar of Events
as at 21 Decmeber 2010
The Rockhouse Salzburg will be celebrating Australia Day with music from Australia, fea-
turing ‘The Talisman Collection’ and Australian singer/songwriter ‘Matt Burke & Acoustic
Friends’.
Venue:
Rockhouse Salzburg
Schallmooser Hauptstraße 46
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Ph: +43 662 884 9140
Page 9
Steve Davislim in Concert
30 Dec, 08:00 pm
31 Dec, 07:00 pm
01 Jan 2011, 08:00 pm
Venue: Kleines Theater - Kulturzentrum Salzburg, Schallmooser Hauptstraße 50, 5020 Salzburg
Ph: +43 662 87 21 54-0
Page 10
Useful links and websites
Below links are provided for your information and convenience. The Embassy does not take responsibility,
nor does it necessarily endorse the content of the websites listed below.
Business
Culture
Page 11
Education
Government
Media
Page 12
Tourism
Wine
Other
Page 13