Australia Day 2013

January 23, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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AustraliaDay2013

Are you ready for Australia Day this Saturday?

We celebrate Australia Day on the 26th of January each year because it was that day in 1788 that Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and became its first Governor. The first official celebrations were held in 1818 to mark the 30th anniversary of white settlement.

If you want to find out more about Australia Day you can go to the official website here.

Watching fireworks on Australia Day has become a solid tradition in Perth but over the past several years many people have started looking for ways to avoid the parking hassles and find a family friendly event. Answering the call is the 98.5 Sonshine FM Town of Bassendean Australia Day Celebrations and Fireworks event which has built a reputation as a safe place to spend Australia Day with friends and family as well as providing a spectacular show.

If you’re in the Perth area it’d be great to catch up with you at Ashfield Reserve, Guildford Road, Ashfield, for the evening. It’s a great event that culminates in a massive fireworks display away from the big and sometimes rowdy crowds of the city fireworks. 98five Sonshine FM is proud to be providing the soundtrack and we’ll be broadcasting live from the venue.

I’ll be on stage to MC the live entertainment which starts from 5:00 p.m. There’ll also be an awards ceremony. The fireworks will begin lighting up the skies later in the evening with the whole event finishing at 9:00 p.m.

If you want to enjoy some great entertainment in a more relaxed family atmosphere, without having to wait hours in traffic on the way home, come on down.

Either way, make sure that you’ve got some plans in place to celebrate.



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Stories of Hope and Healing

January 22, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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Can I tell you a story? Do you have a few minutes to hear about some amazing things that are happening to release girls from abuse and exploitation?

While in Bangladesh and India last month I had opportunity to see the work of SIMaid’s Girls off the Streets project.

I’m amazed at what’s being done to bring hope and healing to young women who have been rescued from human trafficking. Young women who have been sexually exploited and sold into prostitution are now growing in confidence as they learn to trust again and develop life skills that will give them a strong foundation for life ahead. Girls off the Streets is giving them a future and importantly, letting them know that they are truly loved.

If you haven’t already, let me encourage you to check out Girls off the Streets and find out how you can be part of this project which is bringing hope to those who had lost hope.

Please take the time to click the play button on the audio player below to hear an interview where I explain some of the journey. The interview was recorded just before I returned to Australia and it’ll give you a much better idea of what can be done to create a brighter tomorrow for girls who have experienced a devastating past.



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A Good News Cycling Story

January 17, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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As more and more ‘leaks’ start to spill out in the lead up to Oprah’s interview with fallen hero Lance Armstrong, people are becoming increasingly cynical about cycling. And while I can’t see it happening, there’s even the suggestion that cycling could be removed from the Olympic Games for a while.

Thankfully, cycling as a sport, as a pass-time, mode of transport, recreation or whatever else it is to the millions worldwide who take part in two wheeled transportation in some way, does not revolve around Lance or the other professional cyclists who have doped.

Yes, they’ve cast a shadow over cycling but it’s bigger than that and there will always be good news stories about cycling.

From the feeling of freedom a child experiences on their first bike, through to the rush enjoyed by dedicated racing cyclists who build their performance on hard work and sweat, there’s a magical quality to the humble bicycle. Cycling is great for health and for our planet. It can be enjoyed alone or be incredibly social. Bicycles are also an essential tool in building income for many around the world.

I also wonder how many millions of dollars have been raised for great causes over the years by people who have pushed pedals.

Bikes are constantly being used as a means of highlighting a cause and raising sponsorship. I’ve used bikes to raise money for at least half a dozen causes, including riding many thousands of kilometres for literacy projects in developing countries through Bike for Bibles.

In less than a month I’m saddling up again for a good cause.

I’m hoping you’ll support me and help me save some lives through Compassion.

Having seen first hand, both in Haiti and Dominican Republic, how effective Compassion’s work is, I am determined to do what I can to help. That’s why from the 10th to the 12th of February I’ll once again be taking part in the 25000 Spins Great Ocean Road Challenge.

I’ll be riding 290 kilometres and battling some serious hills over three days and I need your support. By sponsoring my efforts on the challenge you’ll be releasing children from poverty. You’ll be giving children a real chance at life. Please visit my fundraising page and make a contribution. Maybe you can afford to sponsor me for a dollar a kilometre, maybe 50 cents a kilometre, or perhaps you’d just like to donate $10, $20, $50 or any other amount. My overall target is $2500 so I have a long way to go.

Please help me save some lives. Please make your donation, large or small, and then share this post in as many ways as you can so that more people will get on board and more lives will be saved.

No matter what Lance, or any other cyclist may or may not have done, cycling is still a good news story.



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Can you give me a push?

January 9, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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I need a push. A really big push.

Well maybe not me as much as my fundraising for the 25000 Spins Great Ocean Road Challenge for Compassion. I’m well down on my target and I need anyone who cares about releasing children from poverty to give what they can to boost the total. Will you please be one of those who helps?

Here’s a video that was created at the end of last year’s event which will give you an understanding of what it’s all about.

Having seen first hand, both in Haiti and Dominican Republic, how effective Compassion’s work is, I am determined to do what I can to help. That’s why from the 10th to the 12th of February I’ll once again be taking part in the 25000 Spins Great Ocean Road Challenge.

I’ll be riding 290 kilometres and battling some serious hills over three days and I need your support. By sponsoring my efforts on the challenge you’ll be releasing children from poverty. You’ll be giving children a real chance at life. Please visit my fundraising page and make a contribution. Maybe you can afford to sponsor me for a dollar a kilometre, maybe 50 cents a kilometre, or perhaps you’d just like to donate $10, $20, $50 or any other amount. My overall target is $2500 so I have a long way to go.

Please help me save some lives. Please make your donation, large or small, and then share this post in as many ways as you can so that more people will get on board and more lives will be saved. Somewhere in this world is a child who is waiting for you to step up and become a hero by giving them a hand up.



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Dear Winter

January 8, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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Handwriting

Dear Winter

I’m so sorry that I left you. Summer seemed so enticing and warm, hot even, but I was wrong to leave you. I know that now.

Sure, you were cold at times but at least you didn’t flare up all the time like Summer does. Spending time with Summer leaves me feeling drained and tired. Back when we were still together, Summer made promises, but the reality is so different to what I imagined.

I fell for the oldest trick in the book. When I was with you the grass seemed greener elsewhere, but with Summer, there is no green grass. Nothing’s green. It’s all brown and crunchy.

I’m not saying that there haven’t been great times with Summer. Some evenings have been amazing but Summer’s gentle warmth gives way to an incredible harshness when the next day arrives. I expected endless excitement but I’ve got to admit, I’ve been burnt. I can’t sleep. I just lay awake thinking about you.

Winter, I know it’ll still be some time until you feel ready to take me back but right now I’m yearning for you. In the mean time you may hear stories that I’m still with Summer. Let me assure you that’s not my fault. I want Summer to go but you have no idea how clingy Summer can be.

Before I return to you it’s likely you’ll hear rumours that I’m with Autumn but believe me, I’m coming back to you.

Yours truly

Rodney



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