November 2011

 

Dear Penny & The Harlequin Team,

2011 ripples Pink Ribbon Breakfasts raises $89,000!

Thank you for your support!

Thank you very much for your generous support of the 2011 ripples Pink Ribbon Breakfasts which helped raised $89,000 and will assist Cancer Council NSW to fund vital breast cancer research, prevention and support services.     

None of this would be possible without the generosity of people like you, so THANK YOU once again for taking the time to get involved and joining us.

Each of the five ripples Pink Breakfasts were totally booked out this year.

The 2012 ripples Pink Ribbon Breakfasts will be held the week of the 15 – 19 October 2012 and we look forward to inviting you to continue your support. 

Together we can make a difference and help change the lives of women and men affected by breast cancer.

Again, we thank you for your generous support.

The Pink Ribbon Breakfast Team

http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/

 

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14 November 2011

                                                                  

On 14 November, millions of people in over 170 countries will once again join together to mark World Diabetes Day, the global awareness campaign of the diabetes community, and produce a powerful and united voice calling on the world to Act on Diabetes. Now. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) will mark the occasion by releasing the 5th edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, the authoritative resource with the latest data on the status of the diabetes epidemic that makes the case for the measures that are required to reduce the enormous burden that diabetes currently represents for health systems worldwide.

The latest figures published in the Atlas confirm that diabetes is a serious challenge the world can no longer afford to ignore. In September of this year, world leaders gathered in New York for the landmark United Nations Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)and recognised the need for urgent and coordinated action to tackle the crisis represented by the rise of diabetes and other NCDs all over the globe. Commitments were made, among others, to increase access to affordable, safe, effective and quality -assured medicines and technologies, promote universal coverage in national health systems and promote healthy diets and increase physical activity through urban planning, active transport and work-site healthy lifestyle programmes.

The Summit marked a major milestone for diabetes and other NCDs but much work remains to be done to turn the global catastrophe around, requiring long-term vision, sustained leadership and political will. World Diabetes Day provides the ideal platform to build on what has been achieved so far and continue the movement to change the lives of the 366 million people living with diabetes and the many more at risk. Thanks to your efforts, we are closer to achieving our shared goals.

A healthy future is in our hands.  Let's all Unite for Diabetes on World Diabetes Day!

Visit www.diabetesatlas.org on 14 November to view all the content from the 5th edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas.

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Harlequin hopes to bag the big prize!

 

Maureen Shelley 

From:The Daily Telegraph 

June 10, 2011

From

Harlequin's schoolbags are in the running for two Telstra Business awards. 

TWELVE diverse NSW businesses are in line to win the Telstra Business Awards with the NSW finalists announced today. There are 20 finalists, including small business Harlequin School Bags, which is also in contention for the AMP Innovation Award.

The company makes schoolbags from recycled materials. When Penelope Montague-Curry set up the business 15 years ago, she started from an empty, rented house in Sydney, using the White Pages phone directory as a seat, while working through the Yellow Pages to source her first screen printer and a local school.

"I am very proud and humbled to know that a whole generation, and more than two million Australian children, have now grown up with a Harlequin schoolbag." Ms Montague-Curry said.

Having migrated to Australia 15 years ago, Ms Montague-Curry began with a waterproof bag to protect school library books and now carries more than 200 lines of bags for thousands of schools here and overseas.

The Matraville company launched the first schoolbags in Australia to be made using PET fabric, made from recycled plastic bottles.

Off overseas today for a month on business, Ms Montague-Curry is thrilled about her business and the Telstra Business Awards.

The awards offer prizes for businesses as well as the innovation award and an award for social responsibility.

 

Maureen Shelley 

From:The Daily Telegraph 

June 10, 2011

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Article extract published by the Better Health Channel - Last reviewed: June 2011 - http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

 Better Health Channelage description. Better Health Channel logo End of image description.

Back pain - children

Igdmeas crip

Back pain is common in Australian children, particularly during adolescence. Some causes of back pain in young people include poor posture, inappropriate forms of exercise and carrying heavy schoolbags. If pain is persistent, and felt in the same place, it should always be investigated by your medical practitioner. Since children with back pain may become adults with chronic bad backs, it is important to encourage sensible back care in young people. See your medical practioner for professional advice.

Around 70 per cent of Australian schoolchildren may suffer back pain by carrying schoolbags. For example, a heavy bag that’s slung over one shoulder can, over the 12 years of schooling, cause chronic back problems that linger into adulthood. Risks include muscle strain, distortion of the natural ‘S’ curve of the spine and rounding of the shoulders. Parents can reduce the risk in many ways, such as buying the child an appropriately sized backpack and making sure the load isn’t too heavy.

Schoolbag Risk factors for back pain include:

• A schoolbag that weighs more than 10 per cent of the child’s weight

• Holding the bag in one hand by its straps

• Carrying the bag over one shoulder

• An incorrectly packed backpack

• An incorrectly fitted backpack.

 

A recent study published in the Australian Spine journal investigated the link between backpacks and back pain in schoolchildren. Selected statistics include:

• The weight of the average backpack is heavier, proportionally, than the legal load-bearing limit for adults.

• 79.1 per cent of children say their backpacks feel heavy.

• 65.7 per cent report feeling fatigued by the weight of their backpack.

• 46.1 per cent report back pain caused by their backpack.

Risk reduction strategies include:

• Buy the right kind of backpack.

• Make sure it is packed correctly.

• Show your child correct lifting and carrying techniques.

Your child should have a backpack, rather than a traditional schoolbag with handles. Suggestions include:

• Don’t try to save money by buying the biggest backpack you can find – make sure the backpack is appropriate to your child’s size.

• Choose a backpack with a moulded frame and/or adjustable hip strap, so that the weight of the filled backpack will rest on your child’s pelvis instead of their shoulders and spine.

• The shoulder straps should be adjustable, and the rear of the backpack padded for comfort.

• To help with packing, the backpack should have a few separate compartments.

• Canvas backpacks are lighter than leather varieties.

Correct lifting and carrying techniques

Suggestions include:

• Adjust the shoulder straps so that the bottom of the backpack is just above the child’s waist – don’t allow them to wear the backpack slung low over their buttocks.

• When fitted correctly, the backpack should contour snugly to the child’s back, rather than hang off their shoulders.

• Your child should lift the backpack with a straight back, using their thigh muscles. The backpack should be lifted with both hands and held close to the body. Slip an arm through one shoulder strap, and then the other.

• If your child has to lean over, their backpack is too heavy, incorrectly fitted or wrongly packed.

• Make sure your child understands that carrying the backpack over one shoulder will cause back pain and potential injury.

Other ways to reduce the load carried by your child include:

• Encourage your child to store books in their school locker, and only bring home those needed for homework.

• If your child insists they need to bring home more books than they can comfortably carry, see their teacher.

• Consult with your child’s school about limiting the weight of children’s schoolbags.

• Instead of carrying textbooks home, photocopy relevant chapters.

• Regularly clean out the backpack, since your child may be storing unneeded items.

• Regularly ask your child if their backpack is causing fatigue or pain. If so, lighten the load and adjust the fittings.

• See your doctor if your child complains of back pain.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Copyight © 1999/2011 State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.

 

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January 18, 2011

CAA Issues School Bag Warning

 

As school bags are dusted off in readiness for the 2011 school year, the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (CAA) is warning parents and students about the long term impact of poorly fitted or over loaded backpacks and school bags.

According to Dr Billy Chow, CAA national spokesperson, mounting scientific evidence shows that heavy school bags place unnecessary stress on growing spines and can lead to acute and long-term back problems.

 “The fact is, lugging an overloaded school bag to and from school can have long term health implications,” Dr Chow warned.

“To minimise the risk, students should limit the weight they carry in a school backpack to no more than 10 per cent of their body weight.

 “That’s only around 4-5 kilos for a 40-50kg student and it quickly adds up when you throw in a few text books, pencil case, lunch box and water bottle,” he said.

 A survey by CAA in Victoria into the average bag weights of 1,000 children found that almost 50 per cent of students carried bags well over the 10 per cent recommendation.

 “Lifting a bag that is too heavy causes immediate strain on the spine,” Dr Chow explained. 

“The longer a child carries that load, the more severe the damage.

“The problem is compounded even further by badly loaded bags, poor posture and the ‘fashion factor’ which dictates the latest trendy way for carrying the bag, which is never in line with the inbuilt ergonomic features.” 

 And while a wheeled trolley bag may seem like a healthier option, new research comparing backpack and trolley usage amongst six to eight year olds found that the trolley group was characterised by spinal rotation, which could add extra stress to growing backs.  

A back’s best bet, according to the CAA is a fitted backpack, worn properly over both shoulders with the waistband done up.  

Source: Extract from CAA Press release January 2011

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...Environmentally Friendly Packaging

Harlequin's 100% compostable and biodegradable packaging has arrived!  We are very proud and excited to

be the first non-public company in Australia to invest in this totally environmentally friendly packaging.

Another reason to have confidence in Harlequin!

What is our compostable bag made from?

It's made from corn starch and is compostable, biodegradable and non-toxic.

What standards does it meet?

It is fully compliant with Australian Standard AS 4736-2006.

Where is the best place to dispose of this bag?

This bag is compostable at some kerbside greenwaste recycling facilities. Please check with your local council.

How quickly will the bag break down?

Impressively, it will start to break down within 7 days and be completely broken down within 45 days under the

conditions set out in the Australian Standards.

 

 

DISCLAIMER

Content on this webpage is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, or treatment does not imply any endorsement from any source quoted and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from their registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.