TresSugar

Australian Schools Let Companies "Teach" Makeup

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:55 -0800

I know that marketing in schools is nothing new, but a program in Australia is taking things to a new level. A program called Fashion Roll Call, which is sponsored in part by makeup brand NP Set Cosmetics, is touring all-girl schools around the country. Their goal is to educate girls in fashion and beauty industry careers by presenting a "lunch-time fashion parade" followed by makeup application tutorials taught by makeup artists who work for NP Set.

When I was 13, I probably would have been excited for this, since it means no class and playing with stuff my parents wouldn't let me wear. But as an adult, I have mixed feelings. The cosmetics brand is getting choice branding access to kids in exchange for a few makeup tips. And since this program is being billed as educational, and intended to teach children about the fashion and beauty industries, why no boys or coed schools? There are tons of men in the fashion and beauty industries, and their absence suggests that the informational element here is a thin veneer to make aggressive marketing more palatable. What do you think?

Fur-vival of the Fittest: Behind-the-Scenes at the World Dog Games

PetSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:00:29 -0800

Think Olympics, but for dogs. The World Dog Games took place in Sydney, Australia on Nov. 1 and included four canine sports and tons of furry competitors. Check it out and learn all about them in this slideshow!

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Oh Snap! Dancers Stay on Their Toes in Australia

TresSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:00 -0700

To celebrate its 35th anniversary, all-male ballet group Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, also known as "The Trocks," has taken a trip to Australia. The talented group, founded in New York City in 1974, performs parodies of classical ballet in drag. During their 35-year run, the dancers have put on productions around the world, even doing a show for Prince Charles. I'd love to see one!

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Cute Alert! Seagull Invades Newsroom

TresSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Australian newscaster Peter Hitchiner had to share the news desk today with a guest anchor who flew in just for the occasion. Oh by the way - the co-anchor happened to be a giant seagull. Watch and enjoy some live-television ridiculousness.

Four Cute Tasmanian Devil Babies Born at the Taronga Zoo!

PetSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:10:47 -0700

These lil babes don't look much like Taz twinsies, but they are the real Tasmanian Devil deals! As the world's largest meat-eating marsupials, the famed cartoon character was inspired by the actual animals' ravenous appetites.

The babes are getting health checks, paternity tests and microchipped at Sydney's Taronga Zoo in hopes of protecting and checking up on this endangered species in the wild. The joeys look rather expressive (and so squirmy!) - what handfuls!

See more pictures of all four when you read more.

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Très Bizarre: Australian Brothels Offer Seniors a Discount

TresSugar — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:00:00 -0700

Next week is National Seniors Week in Australia. In order to get in the spirit, Melbourne brothels and escort services are offering a senior discount! Any brothel or escort aligned with Australian Adult Entertainment will be offering anywhere from $5 off, to a full 50 percent discount on sexual services.

A spokesman for the sex-industry group said:

"Many senior members of the community already use our member’s services, whether visiting a brothel or having an escort visit their place of residence, including aged care residential centers."

It seems seniors are more sexually active than younger generations would think. There's a growing movement for a "privacy room" in nursing homes, places where residents can do anything they want, including having sex. I guess they need somewhere to bring their half-priced escorts!

Oh Snap! Red Sky at Morning, Aussies Take Warning

TresSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:00:26 -0700

Sydney, Australia's Luna Park looks a little eerie against the glowing red sky. Thanks to a major windstorm, a gigantic dust cloud is blanketing the city, interrupting air travel and posing some health risks. At least it makes for some beautiful photographs.

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Do the Pros of Networking Addiction Outweigh the Cons?

GeekSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:44:50 -0700

Most of us were taught to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, but times they are a-changin'. Last week, two 10- and 12-year-old girls got stuck in a drain in Australia and instead of calling for police support, they put up a Facebook status update from their phones saying they needed help. A pal saw the update hours later and alerted the police, but local officials (and many of us grown-ups) are worried about the fact that they had cell phones, but didn't dial 9-1-1.

Social networking is addictive and has become the primary form of communication and outreach for many children and adults. While most people say their lives have improved from it, it seems our reliance has costs. It can cause anxiety, be an enormous time-suck, and has fundamentally changed dating and daily communication.

Sydney Promotes International Food Festival With Food Flags

YumSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:45:40 -0700

The brand-new Sydney International Food Festival has garnered worldwide attention with an appetizing marketing campaign that showcases flags made out of food. The designs, created by Sydney advertising agency WHYBIN/ TBWA, pay homage to symbols of state by composing them out of various countries' most representative ingredients.

We've included a gallery below with more photographs. Which one is your top pick?

See if you can match all the foods and flags to the right countries when you keep reading.

Australian "Sex Party" Wants to Change Negative Notions

TresSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:00:52 -0700

Australians will find a new political party on the ballot next time there's a vote. The Australian Sex Party has officially registered as a political party. Its mission is to further an open and positive discussion about sexual topics like censorship, education, health, and discrimination. The party wants to offer an alternative to "morals campaigners and prudish politicians," and you can follow its activism on Twitter.

The creators of the Australian Sex Party say that the fact that it took a while for election officials to decide whether or not to allow the word "sex" in the name of a political party proves that the party is necessary. Fiona Patten, a creator and likely future candidate, explains:

"One of the reasons for establishing the party was to provide a positive platform for sexual issues amongst the negative notions of sex that most politicians and political parties have."

Does this idea get your vote?