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Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest James Packer Bob Geldof Greg Tingle

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Media Man Founder And Director Attends And Pitches Questions At GenerationOne Ideas Forum In Sydney - 29th July 2010

Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and Greg Tingle

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GenerationOne Ideas Forum Comes To Fox Studios; Business, social and community entrepreneurs unite, by Greg Tingle - August 2010

It wasn't the first forum addressing Aboriginal disadvantage, nor will it be the last, but one gets the distinct feeling this "talk fest" was effective, and believe me, the positive flow on effects are already taking place, many out of the public or media spotlight. "Fame" is not the objective here, however awareness is no doubt of prime importance, thus mainstream and alternative media does play a role.

For me this was personal (not business, not politics or spin)…it is of life significance.

GenerationOne had finally come to our backyard, just up the road at Moore Park, Fox Studios. I hadn't met up with the team previously at the Circular Quay happening months back, as the happening had snuck up on me. I wasn't going to miss out on the Fox appearance for the world.

Like GenerationOne founder and visionary, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest (his other cap being mining magnate billionaire) and his Bondi Beach based mate and associate, James "Casino King" Packer (currently sailing the high seas off Europe).

I spent much of my formative youth around indigenous Australians. My late farther was a miner - truck driver, who transformed himself into property developer. Some of dad's best mates and associates were "Abbo" (affectionate). I couldn't agree more with Twiggy's comments that "The more you get to know Aboriginal people the more you love them".

I believe that GenerationOne will continue to be successful. Why? Dreamers plus Big Resources, the super powers of Australian business and media, tremendous People Power, and the genuine desire to win. A number of key people in GenerationOne are already employing thousands of (suitable) Aboriginal people and plan to employ more. There's no handouts here, hand ups… yes, and everyone is motivated. Forrest, Packer, myself and others don't need to help - we want to, because we can, and it's the right thing to do, and its good business. Aussies helping Aussies in the spirit of mateship and a fair go for all.

Twiggy has challenged politicians of all parties to help indigenous people get in (and stay in) the Australian workforce. It's not a quick fix, but it is based on sustainable solutions.

The Fortescue Metals Chief Executive advised last Thursday that he "wasn't a bleeding heart" and "skilling-up indigenous people made good business sense".

Forrest said indigenous people didn't need more welfare money but need real leadership.

"The government really needs to move itself along and say 'OK, welfare really hasn't worked'," he told the Fox Studios crowd last Thursday.

"Employment is the key to ending indigenous disparity. If the government encourages industries which can really make a difference, and yes it is mining, but it's also construction, it's also hospitality, it's also tourism.

"If they encourage those industries to deliver the training themselves (then) other companies ... will have the faith to continue the employment."

He stressed that the government would need to step up and provide funding and / or subsidise the costs of training.

Deputy Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, Melinda Cliento, also on the GenerationOne panel, said standards needed to be raised so indigenous children didn't leave school and stray into unemployment.

Forrest said it was also in the interest of Australian businesses to employ indigenous people.

"I'm not doing this because I'm a philanthropist or because I've got a bleeding heart. I'm doing this essentially because it's great for business," he said.

"The more business grows, the morale of your people, the culture deepens of your workforce - you become a more valuable company."

*Disclaimer: The writer is a pro active supporter of GenerationOne, Virgin Unite, The Salvation Army and owns shares in Crown Limited

*The writer has previously assisted and campaigned for a number of Indigenous Australian communities and associated initiatives including but not limited to Yuggera Tribe, Githabul People, Whaledreamers and Friends Of Malabar Headland

Bondi (Boondi) is an Aboriginal word which means 'Water breaking over rocks'

Australian Aboriginals And Casinos Generate Bob Geldof Heat, by Greg Tingle - 20th May 2010

Gaming and community entrepreneurs, what do Aussie indigenous peoples, casinos and pop icon Bob Geldof share in common? No, its not a game of what's red, white and black all over... ok, bad joke... the answer is "a nun in a blender". Getting serious, wonderful Australian initiative GenerationOne, has once again brought together an eclectic mix of society, business, rock stars, humanitarians... the whole box and dice. Media Man, passionate community campaigner and media entrepreneur, and Gambling911, new media powerhouse, hit the Aussie Outback in search of answers...

Live Aid humanitarian and rock star "rat" tells us Australia has "exiled" indigenous Australians from the nation.

Australian and Asia Pacific casino and lifestyle king, James Packer of Crown, copped an earful, as did others... more on that later, but here's an overview... the calm before the storm friends...

"They were forced to be exiled from themselves and that must stop," he preached.

"You need to pull them back into themselves because you’ve acknowledged them as being. The spiritual core of yourselves will only be filled when this is done.".

Mr Boobtown Rat was speaking to a breakfast for Perth, WA mining baron Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest’s nation-touring GenerationOne movement. "Twiggy" and the team aims to halt indigenous disparity within this generation. Geldof likened indigenous affairs in Australia to situations he’d witnessed in 3rd-world Africa, and you get the idea.

"I said on the radio back in 1984 that to die of want in a world of surplus is not only intellectually absurd, it is morally repulsive. Well let’s add economically illiterate to that.

It already started to sound that he was talking to the casino, development and mining industry... he has a captive audience, that much is for certain, and news media caught every word!

"You’ve removed from your society of 'having a go' 500,000 of your own. That is absurd. It’s economically stupid.

"Just like those 44 million African children (given access to education from the Live Aid campaign) will be a massive driving force in the world economy, so your own Aboriginal people require to be allowed in. The access point is education."

Geldof urged the "rich bastards" (Mr Packer et al) in attendance at the breaky to contribute wholeheartedly and dig deep re Mr Forrest’s fight to end indigenous disparity. It's a shame 'Our Richard' (Branson), Steve Wynn (still winning big), and billionaire 'Google Guys' weren't in attendance.

Taking shots at a guest representative of Mr Frank Lowy’s Westfield empire and GenerationOne benefactor and key supporter, casino king James Packer, Geldof said "You can build a small shop and then you can build very, very big shop. You can build a casino and then you can build five casinos, you’re still building fu...king casinos."

But Geldof was more than happy to take a pot shot at himself, thereby covering his ass for later heat...

"Or you could be singularly responsible for two of the worst pop records ever made (We Are the World and Do They Know It’s Christmas?).

"You can do all that, but it’s just not enough. It’s all sort of empty. It doesn’t mean very much. Of course, what it is is being able to take what you’re doing, which is less than some and more than others, and extend it out. Well that’s what Twiggy (Andrew Forrest) is doing."

8 minutes of Geldoff speak, poetic tongue, relating to all, Dreamtime included, it was appropriate that Geldof (Mr Rat) signed off with a quote from German writer Johann von Goethe "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.".

Media Man and Gambling911 wish the loyal readership magic of Enchanted Unicorn proportions and genius, be it poker, casino classics, sports betting, or friends and relationships. Geldof is not interested to have a 'Boomtown Rats' themed slot machine, despite fellow rocker, Aussie Angry Anderson doing well with his 'Rose Tattoo' casino club themes. Packer has not publicity commented on a Kerry Packer or 'Underbelly' casino slot game to date, which means its still a possibility. Rock on my brothers, white, black or other! We are one.

Media Man is a supporter of GenerationOne

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Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival