Australia is an experience of a lifetime

By Darren Stones

They say Australia is the lucky country and I suspect any dinky-di Aussie would agree. Visitors from around the globe are continually attracted to the world's driest continent, and it's no wonder given the scenery on offer to enjoy. Exploring the big cities, the rich colours of the outback and the relaxed coastal resort towns is high on the agenda for many domestic and overseas travellers.

Australians are regarded as a happy-go-lucky lot, with sheilas wearing next-to-nothing on our golden beaches, whilst the blokes just chill out enjoying an ale with their mates at the pub.

Our wildlife can be shy, but it can be friendly and approachable, too. You can handfeed kangaroos in some national parks, and possibly cuddle a koala in a zoo.

The land down under is ready to embrace you and offer an experience of a lifetime. If you are like me, you can have a lifetime of experiencing the best country in the world.

View my Australian travel photography video which features:

• The Great Ocean Road, VIC
• Twelve Apostles, VIC
• The iconic Murray and Darling rivers, NSW & VIC
• Eastern grey kangaroos in the Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
• A breaching humpback whale at Hervey Bay, QLD
• The unique Red Car Door tour at Lightning Ridge in outback NSW

Darren Stones Visual Communications merchandise sales

Get involved in beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness (ADA) Month, October 2010

beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month provides an opportunity for workplaces, community groups and individuals to take part in activities to raise awareness of anxiety and depression, and help reduce the associated stigma.

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=59.1277

How you can be involved

At home:

• Wear a beyondblue wristband during October
• Take a beyondblue carry bag with you when you are shopping
• Put a beyondblue magnet on the fridge
• Encourage your family and friends to keep active – organise a group walk, bike ride or game in the park

At work or in the community:

• Become a workplace or community group organiser for beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month. Free Organiser Kits can be ordered online
• Organise a blue-themed day or event and screen the beyondblue DVD Stories of Hope and Recovery
• Display beyondblue awareness posters on your staff noticeboard, in your local community centre or club, or other community group space
• Order beyondblue Awareness Kits for your colleagues, club mates or community group members
• Use a beyondblue mouse mat throughout the year – it’s a great way to remind people that it is OK to talk about anxiety and depression every day

Order ADA Month Kits
Click the link below to order your Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month Kits via our online ordering system. You can order single kits without registering via our Individual catalogue, or organisations can order multiple kits by registering for access to our Organisation catalogue. The kits are listed at the top of each catalogue.

Order your free awareness or organiser kit: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=7.233

For inquiries or if you require assistance ordering information resources, please call the beyondblue info line on 1300 22 4636.

Information supplied by beyondblue.

Darren Stones
Member of blueVoices – the consumer reference group for beyondblue

blueVoices members provide national mental health consumer or carer input into all beyondblue programs. This input varies from giving feedback on new resource development, input into development of beyondblue programs, disseminating materials at events, speaking about personal experience of mental illness at forums or to the media, representation on committees and many other involvements.

Discover Australia magazine Issue 3, September 2010

By Darren Stones

Issue 3 of Discover Australia magazine is available for viewing online in full screen format. It can be downloaded as a PDF to your computer, be printed, and shared.

In this quarterly issue, my feature article The heart, mind and soul of the Utes in the Paddock highlights a quirky tourist attraction at the 12,000-acre Burrawang West Station in Ootha, New South Wales, Australia.

Utes in the Paddock Project Coordinator Jana Pickles explains how this unique outback art gallery has an underlying objective, which is supported by the Australian artists who volunteered their time to create such amazing art works.

Discover Australia magazine Issue 3, September 2010

I trust you enjoy reading Discover Australia magazine Issue 3, September 2010. Your feedback is most welcome. Suggestions are also welcomed.

If you have Australian tourism or travel related news you'd like considered for inclusion in my Travel Bites column, please contact me by email: darrengstones@gmail.com

Darren Stones
Deputy Editor and Journalist
Discover Australia magazine