Hi and welcome to edition #1 of our new e-News!

If you are receiving this, it is because we've shared some time together as well as a mutual understanding and appreciation of the positive benefits of being involved in physical activity.

We were looking for a way to deepen and maintain the connection with those we work with, both past and present. We think online is the perfect medium to do this.

We're learning along the way as well, so if there are things you want to see, discuss or hear about please let us know.

Being our first issue there is no shortage of material. Check out part one of a series on Parkour, a recent addition to our program. There's also recent news, you get to meet Geeta, the quote of the month and much more...

Enjoy,

David Simpson CEO
(aka Simmo)

Two significant achievements for Bluearth have come up in the last month.

• DGR status: After a long campaign to secure DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status, Bluearth was finally granted it late February. What this basically means is that we have been recognised for the significant work that we are doing in disease prevention. It also allows those who wish to contribute to do so in the knowledge that whatever they give can be claimed as a tax deduction, and who doesn't like that! Big congratulations to all who were involved in this process; it has been several years of challenging work to achieve this.

• HAAG grants: News also that Bluearth is a recipient in the recent announcement of the HAAG grants (Healthy Active Australia Grants).

Essentially, this means capacity for more programs in more areas. Stay tuned to see if this is happening near you!

Around the country we have workshops kicking off during term 1.
Click on the 'register' button to download registration form, or speak to your coach to lock in your spot.

AREA	DATE & TIME	LOCATION ADDRESS
BENDIGO	Tue 6th May 2008 9.30am - 3.00pm	St. Francis of the Fields Primary School 46 Bulgher Street, Strathfieldsaye 3551
GIPPSLAND	Thu 8th May 2008 9.30am - 3.00pm	Traralgon Sports Stadium Catterick crt. RSVP 01/05/08
WANGARATTA	Thu 8th May 2008 9.30am - 3.00pm	Galen College Sports Stadium Phillipson Street, Wangaratta 3677
ADELAIDE	Wed 21st May 2008 9.30am - 2.30pm	Glenelg Life Saving Club
WANGARATTA	Wed 21st August 2008 9.30am - 3.00pm	Galen College Sports Stadium Phillipson Street, Wangaratta 3677
BENDIGO	Tue 26th August 2008 9.30 am - 3.00 pm	St. Francis of the Fields Primary School 46 Bulgher Street, Strathfieldsaye 3551
MELBOURNE	Wed 7th May 2008	TBA - central
	To register for any of these workshops, please download and complete the enrolment form (pdf 80KB).

One of the earliest internal communications we had here at Bluearth was the quote of the week.

While it contained quotes from famous thinkers, authors and basically philosophical leaders we thought we would kick it off this issue with one from a group who are often much wiser than we give them credit for, the kids.

"Tuesday is the best day of the week!".
Grade 1/2 Dallas North primary, Victoria.

And right they were, Tuesday's they had Bluearth!

Parkour is one of our recent added program elements. Over the next couple of newsletters we'll look at the history of Parkour, how it has evolved and its growth around the world today.

HISTORY

George Hebert is credited with recognising the benefits of moving in natural ways using the body as a vehicle. He was a physical education practitioner, theorist and instructor who through his travels as a naval officer came across many indigenous peoples whose physical abilities held him in awe.

"Their bodies were splendid, flexible, nimble, skilful, enduring, resistant and yet they had no other tutor in Gymnastics but their lives in nature".

This led Herbert to create a "natural method" of physical education to develop the entire individual through interaction with their natural world.

He took a creative view of the space on board ships using rigging, nets, railings and other features.

As his teachings widened, his methods became the standard for the French military and German gymnastics movements. He wrote: "A training session is where one walks, one runs, one jumps, one progresses quadrupedally, one climbs, one walks in unstable balance, one raises and one carries, one throws, one fights and one swims, ideally outdoors over a reasonable distance".

Probably the most important aspect was Herbert's recommendation that participants be exposed to difficult and nominally 'dangerous' movements and activities. This was seen as integral to development of courage, willpower and calmness, and is relative to one's experience - if we never push ourselves, how do we know what we are capable of?

Think back to your childhood. Did you spend a large part of your time doing this type of adventure play? Exploration was key to Herbert's agenda.

Next issue: David Belle brings Parkour to the world...

You might have called head office or received communication with her name on it but who is the woman behind the voice. This month we profile Geeta Rawat to learn a bit more about this lady who provides so much support both internal and external.

Another contribution from one of our esteemed coaches Rick 'Thommo' Thompson, The Envirotip, is gaining momentum here at head office. Check out the below. His tips are generating plenty of healthy discussion around Bluearth.

"Recycling reduces landfill and saves resources: recycling an aluminium can uses 5 per cent of the energy to make a new one, recycling glass uses 26 per cent of the energy, and every tonne of paper recycled saves almost 13 trees, 4100 kilowatts of electricity and more than 30,000 litres of water." (McKay and Bonnin).

Unfortunately recycling the wrong items can contaminate the process. If you are unsure of which items are recyclable go to www.recyclingnearyou.com.au to learn more.

www.bluearth.org
enews@bluearth.org

Bluearth, Level 5, 1 Bowen Crescent
Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia